One Good Dog by Susan Wilson is a novel about second chances. The point of view alternates between Adam, a man down on his luck, and a former dog-fighting pit bull, whose very life defines down on your luck.
To be honest, at the beginning of the novel, I wasn’t sure if it was working for me. First Adam is very unlikable. Very. You get his backstory and understand why, but even so. . . and then there is the dog’s point of view. I’m not such a conventional reader that I can’t suspend reality enough to read a book narrated by a dog. I have, and though I haven’t loved any of them, I enjoyed them and thought it was a novel approach (no pun intended, unless you are laughing at my cleverness). But by the end of One Good Dog I realized that this story couldn’t have been told in any other way, and worked in this book’s favor.
In fact, by the end, I couldn’t avoid the metaphor of a pit bull being “a victim of his breeding,” just like those street kids who fought him, and even Adam himself. For good or bad, aren’t we all?
As the metaphor strengthened (always used effectively and never crossing the line into trite), Adam also becomes more self-aware, and thus more likable as well. Both the dog and the man recognize what they really need. Their understanding of freedom, power, and success began to change.
There was some great dramatic suspense at the end that made me fly through the last 50 pages, and like any great animal story, left me reaching for my tissues.
We have a few copies of One Good Dog to give away. Please leave a comment if you’d like to win (U.S. and Canadian residents only). We’ll announce the winner on March 17.
The winners of last week’s contests are:
St. Patrick’s Day Supplies – #7 – Nikki
This Book is Overdue – #18 – Sarah E
Jennifer Donovan has one good dog herself. She chronicles life with her family — furry and otherwise — at Snapshot.
please count me in…thanks
Would like to read this even if I only have one bad cat!
This sounds like a fantastic book. Thanks for the chance
jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com
I’d love to win this
Huge fan of Edgar Sawtelle and Timbuktu. Would love to read.
I’d love to read this, thanks for the chance!
This sounds like a great story!
As a “mom” of four rescue dogs, I realize that second chances are sometimes better than the first time around. My dogs give me such unconditional love and — my husband and I both swear to this — they are THANKFUL. I would love to read this book!
Yes, I would really like to win!
This sounds like a book that my wife would love…hope I can win it for her. 🙂
I’d be tickled pink if you would enter me in this giveaway.
Thanks for the great giveaway! Count me in on this one! 🙂
Looks great! Thanks for the giveaway!
I love Dog stories, love dogs too! This sounds like a perfect read!
I like animal stories! And this one sounds great.
mightynaynay(at)cs.com
Love dog stories – leave me with a warm and fuzzy feeling
Thanks for the chance.
I’m curious to hear what the dog’s thinking.
I’d really like to read this book. Please enter me. Thanks!
I love dog books! Sure hope he doesn’t die at the end.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Thank you for the Great giveaway please count me in 🙂
Sounds like a good book
We have a house full of readers (and our “slightly used” dogs) that would love this. Thanks for the giveaway–
I’m a dog person – this book sounds great! Thanks for the chance!
Kelly Deaton – secrets_girl23(at)yahoo(dot)com (aka)
dkad23(at)gmail(dot)com
Aww, great book! Thanks for the chance 🙂
As the owner of 6 rescued pitbulls and hopefully someday a pitbull rescue, I believe that the most important thing that can be done is educating the general public on the reality of this breed. I have never in my life witnessed a dog that is as smart as a golden retriever, as kind as a labrador, and as quirky as a terrier all wrapped into one, the way I do each and every day since I rescued my first pit!
Thank you, so much, for writing this book.
I love books about second chances.
And my sister and her husband rescued a pitbull, and he is the most gentle of animals.
Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!
I didn’t think I would like to read this book because it would be too depressing reading about the poor dog, but I looked at it at the bookstore today and decided it sounded like a good book.
I’d love this!
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
Sounds like an interesting book – please count me in. Thanks for the opportunity!
Saw a blurb on this book in my local paper. Picked up the book at the library.
Could not put it down- read it in 12 hours straight!
Great Read, I highly recommend this book.
I don’t even own a dog (2 cats), but loved this book. Makes me want to go to the pound today!!!
Bob, Raleigh NC
I’m glad you found my review. I still think about this book when I think about dogs that people think are vicious.
Just my luck….the deadline has come and gone. I have read the book twice and shared with many others. I would have loved to have had an extra copy to put on my gift shelf!
Maybe I shall get a second chance!
Julia, Virginia Beach, VA