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REVIEW: Dog Days by Erika Waller published by Random House

 





Dogs Days is the story of three different people living three different lives…Grumpy old George is struggling to come to terms with the death of his wife Ellen who has left him handy notes around the house and a new puppy as well…Counsellor Dan who lives OCD, is afraid to face up to his own feelings and sexuality, and Lizzie who is seeking solace in a woman’s refuge with her son Lenny.

All three strangers have one thing in common…dogs - whether they own them, or the dogs are there at their side to provide comfort or just company.

 

Sadly, I didn’t connect with this book and I felt it was for several reasons. Firstly, the main thing that annoyed me was the name of one of the characters was Atticus Finch, the same name as one of the characters from To Kill A Mocking Bird. I was convinced that there must be a reason why the author chose this name as it is an unusual name and also one that has been used in such an iconic book. I was waiting all the way for the reveal as to what this character had in common with his namesake, but it didn’t come.

Also, and another major bug bear for me, was that there were two unprofessional liaisons which I didn’t feel would happen – that between a teacher and a parent of a child in their class and also a counsellor and his patient. Perhaps one of those in the story would be believable, but two…!

Saying all this, it was a book written with real emotion and there were parts in the story where I really felt for the characters especially George who although a grumpy old git was my favourite by far.

I would suggest that you don’t read this book if you are feeling emotionally low, as one character struggles with their mental health and all the challenges that it brings on a day to day basis which is often a difficult read.

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