
Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love, from first-time author Larry Levin, tells the story of Oogy and the family that adopted him. The author details the horrific abuse that Oogy suffered, the extraordinary efforts to save his life, and the abundant love that he now receives and gives. But as much as Oogy is about a dog, it's also about family: accepting one another, dealing with challenges, and adjusting to changes.
While I liked the story, the writing style did not appeal to me. The author's accounts are rich in descriptive language--at times, excessively so. For example, the book opens with a narrative about a weekday morning. The alarm goes off on page 1; by the time everyone has eaten breakfast and the boys are off to school, we're on page 14. The reader knows what each family member wears, eats, and carries out the door. I appreciate this level of detail in a short piece of writing; however, in a 214-page book, I found it exhausting. Your opinion may be different, of course.
Links for more information:
- Hachette Book Group page for Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love
- Video of author Larry Levin speaking about Oogy
- Read an excerpt
- Purchasing information
Aaww - I felt so sorry for that dog just looking at the picture. I guess a first time published writer isn't quite as polished as a seasoned writer ;)
ReplyDeleteOh boy that would be a little over the top for me too!
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