Books Read

Fifteen Dogs

Fifteen DogsFifteen Dogs by André Alexis
Published: 2015
Series: Quincunx #2
Length: 171 pages

This is the first book I read for this year’s CanBook Challenge. I finished it at the end of July, which shows just how behind I am on this whole blogging thing. My interest in this was piqued when I heard of it won the 2017 Canada Reads competition, but I’ve never been a huge fan of anthropomorphic animals as a literary device. Maybe I’m still reeling from the trauma of watching Homeward Bound as a kid, but animals as main characters is not something that makes me want to pick up a book. Lee-Ann bought this for me as a Christmas present, and I’m glad she did. I really enjoyed it, and I don’t think I would have picked it up myself.

The story begins with Hermes and Apollo drinking in a Toronto pub, debating whether or not animals would be happy if they were given the thought and speech of humans. To settle the argument, the two gods decide to give fifteen dogs in a nearby shelter human intelligence. If just one dog is happy at the time of his or her death, Apollo will serve Hermes for a full year, so sure is he that this will lead these animals to misery.

It was actually a fascinating thought experiment, and I really enjoyed seeing how different dogs reacted to their ‘awakening’. I was worried before reading this that it would all be a bit saccharine and silly, but it was actually quite serious and grim. The narrative focuses on just a few specific dogs and gets surprisingly dark at times. It asks a lot of big questions and doesn’t really try to answer them. It’s more about examining different aspects of human nature through this bizarre lens.

I did find it grim to the point of feeling a bit unrealistic. I’m sure a homeless dog’s life can be terrible, but I’m sure not EVERY human would kick them or throw rocks at them. Angry humans poisoning their garden to keep dogs out can’t be THAT common of a thing. I feel like painting all humans as awful was meant to raise the stakes, add to the struggle to survive and understand the world, but it’s actually the one part that didn’t ring true for me. It’s a book full of talking dogs acting with human consciousness and yet somehow the humans were the part that felt false. I supposed it’s because I really have no idea how those dogs would react, but I know at some point a human would want to give each of them some snuggle wuggles.

I really enjoyed this. I wish I knew the area in Toronto, as it felt like the neighbourhood was fairly well realized. This is apparently part of his Quincunx series that will examine faith, place, love, power and hatred, according to Goodreads. This is the second novel of five, three of which have already been published, but I don’t believe they’re related in any kind of narrative sense. I might check out Pastoral at some point, as I’m curious about his other writing now.

4/5
A well-written and interesting thought experiment. You have to like dogs enough to spend 171 pages with them but not so much that you can’t read about them coming to unfortunate ends.

7 Comments

  • nikki @bookpunks

    ” I’ve never been a huge fan of anthropomorphic animals as a literary device. Maybe I’m still reeling from the trauma of watching Homeward Bound as a kid, but animals as main characters is not something that makes me want to pick up a book.” THIS IS ME TOO

    “Angry humans poisoning their garden to keep dogs out can’t be THAT common of a thing.” Sadly, I think it is. And if they aren’t poisoning to keep dogs out its to keep rats out or, in some cases, humans. It’s a sad fucking world.

    It sounds interesting, though I’m still not sold I could make it past my animal character block.

    • Rob

      There are a lot of messed up people in the world, that is true. Can’t imagine putting anything down that could even possible get a dog sick, but I guess it does happen.

      I was surprised I got over my animal character block with this, but I’d still be wary to pick up another book like it, heh.

  • Ruthiella

    I am wary of books narrated by animals as well. But Watership Down worked for me, so it probably depends upon the book.

    I think what most stray dogs encounter is not angry humans, but indifferent ones. BUT there are lots of people who do love dogs and treat them well. All my dogs (and cats) have been strays.

    • Rob

      I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that I thought Watership Down was a nautical story, like a Horatio Hornblower novel or something. Would have been a shock to pick that up and find rabbits, hah.

      Indifference I can definitely see, but I would be very angry to encounter anyone throwing rocks at or kicking strays.

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