Fifteen Dogs

When reviewing a book such as this one, in which dogs are given human-like powers and intellect, I find it interesting to compare 15 Dogs to Jack London's books, in which dogs, also Canadian ones to boot, are given or at least attributed similar capabilities. Of course for Alexis' Dogs the powers are divinely granted whereas for London's the powers are more primeval, more Mother-Natural if we will, but the comparison is still of value. Which dogs come out ahead? Survival in winter: London's would seem to do better than Alexis', although ultimately both would need humans. Ability to deal with an aggressive man: Alexis' can dodge a dog-catcher whereas London's can hide from a gun. But these are facile comparisons. The key is in the poetry; it always is. Alexis deeply wants to believe, and wants us to believe as well, that poetry gives an edge to human and canine alike. London, well, his poetry is not recited like Alexis', but rather only occasionally felt in the harmony between man, nature, and dog. Perhaps poetry is the mark of higher intellect, meaning nothing yet everything, the closest we get to the divine. London never got that far and Alexis did, so that should settle it, but in all fairness perhaps Alexis could not have gotten where he got without London in the background. Great book Andre.

This is a very solid book, well-written, thoughtful and thought-provoking. A story that starts with a conversation between Olympian deities in a bar in Toronto as the preamble to a fable about talking dogs might now sound all that promising but the story is so well written and the messages delivered so clearly without being heavy handed that the reader is carried along without any resistance. I found the story about the dogs touching and affecting and the messages it conveyed about human behaviour meaningful and timely. A very worthwhile read.

This book is bitting, hilarious and very provocative for discussion among dog lovers!

I really don't know how to rate this book. I thought it was going to be more of an exploration of human consciousness, but I didn't leave with a sense of what it is to be human versus other animals. I found the beginning plot-driven and tedious, yet I found the end emotionally engaging and enjoyable. I think I was never as intellectually engaged as I expected, yet the book and its main characters have stuck with me, and remained real and important to me and given me things to think about. I found some of the dog characters untrue. Ultimately, I felt maybe it was a bit too simple and obvious that a writer feels gives his character existential fulfillment through the power of language.

15 dogs granted human consciousness by the gods: what will happen to them? Which will triumph: canine consciousness or human? Or will a new, improved creature be created, combining the best of both? The gods keep returning to intervene in the fate of the dogs. This is a philosophically profound work. We watch the dogs descend into human vices: hatred of the other, deception, and even mass murder of their own kind. But we also see them using human gifts: language, creativity, and empathy. The novel concentrates not on all 15 dogs (most don't last very long) but develops a few in depth. Some of the dogs suffer greatly but a few triumph in strange ways. Some of the tales are harrowing and some uplifting. The gods themselves are not that interesting; it is the dogs who are the fascinating characters here.

First amazon book review but felt compelled after reading this book in just a few days. It is not a heavy book and the plot is clear, humorous, and deeply contemplative. There was something captivating about taking such a unique, fresh perspective as dogs with minds fable. What happens when dogs gain human intelligence one sudden moment in their lives? What transgresses is a philosophical awakening. I appreciated that each animal "gifted" with intelligence responds to their new consciousness so differently... each living threads of life through the streets of Toronto. Also, this book is printed BEAUTIFULLY. The paper is thick, the Albertan typeset is beautiful, and the accompanying maps gave a great feel to the book.

This one really surprised me. It’s eccentric, but once you settle into it, the prose commands respect. I appreciated not just the writing style and premise, but also how fully the author commits to the idea. What I didn’t expect was how emotional I’d become toward the end, especially with the last few dogs and their deaths.

Not my usual type of read, very odd book IMO, but I did finish it, which says something for the book. I would rate it a 3.5, but since I can't do that, giving it 4 stars because, as I said, at least I finished it.

This is one of the best books I have read in recent years. It is nothing like your average animal story, instead it displays a deep and profound understanding of human (yes, human) imperfections, while still being captivating to a dog lover. Make a note of this author, I for one cannot wait to read more.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Laughed, cried, got scared and angry. It's an interesting insight into humanity.

This is one of those books that, as I was mid-way through, started buying or sending copies to friends. It’s the kind of book that feels like it has existed forever. That it came out of a place so deep, that we all felt it stirring off in the distance. It is a seemingly simple book. But underneath there is an intelligence to the writing choices, a depth that one could chew on for a good long time. (pun intended). The premise is simple: two gods getting drunk at a Toronto bar (the historical and famous Wheat Sheaf Tavern), debate whether human intelligence leads to happiness or misery. Does the human species’ ability to communicate lead to any true understanding? “I wonder,” asked Hermes,” what it would be like if animals had human intelligence.” “I wonder if they’d be as unhappy as humans,” Apollo answered. The debate ends in a wager: If animals – say dogs – are given the “difficult gift” of human intelligence, will at least one die happy? Fifteen dogs at a kennel are transformed with a blink, and the experiment begins. A common complaint about this book is that it is depressing. That all of the dogs die. And it's no spoiler to let you know that they do. But I also want to point out that this is the premise of the book. For the wager be seen through, all of the dogs have to die. But does at least one die happy? I usually yawn when a story is framed by mythological characters. These whimsical powers of divine intervention who stand in for the haphazard banes and boons, twists and turns of life. But Alexis makes them feel like one of us, but with subtle differences. They are used with precision. Given their newfound intelligence, the dogs figure out how to break out of their kennel. They head off together as a pack, roaming aimlessly. Some miss their owners, others don’t care a blink about them. They find a place to call home in High Park and establish their community. The dogs are like a mix of humanity. There are the ones of follow convention slavishly, in Frick and Frack. There is the general, Atticus and the poet, Prince. The politician Majnoun, a black poodle. There is the manipulative and smart Benjy, who learns the human speech. Taking us down to dog-eye-level gives us a very interesting perspective. In this take, dogs have a very keen sense of pecking order. Status is everything. No one wants to be the bottom dog. And yet, the bottom dog serves a very important purpose. When the person at the bottom is gone, the power structure has to re-organize and sometimes that can cause a war within the organization, because no one in the middle wants to move to the bottom. Alexis gives these dogs much more than the gift of intelligence, but the gift of life. I started looking at dogs on the street differently, feeling their personalities speaking so clearly. It's also fun that the book is set firmly in Toronto neighbourhoods High Park and the Beaches, mentioning actual streets and icons. I imagine that next summer there will be Fifteen Dogs walks throughout Toronto streets with flocks of literary dog walkers joining in. If you have a dog-lover reader in your company, this is a sure-fire great gift. As the tale it weaves is so skillfully told, so economical in its application of the writing craft (that is, it’s a short book, such a relief in this age of books that can also be used for weight training), it would make a great gift for writers as well.

Una de las diez mejores novelas que he leído en mi vida!!

Tres interresant mais un peu triste. J'aime beaucoup les chiens. Le livre et amusant de temps en temps, mais tres, tres triste.