Buster's Diaries: As told to Roy Hattersley

by Roy Hattersley

Buster became famous in 1996 after he defended himself against a goose in St James's Park - a goose which, unfortunately, belonged to the Queen. Pursued by the press ever since, he has sought solace in writing.

Buster's Diaries is a heart-warming story of triumph over diversity, as the author describes his rise from living rough on a Paddington waste ground to nights spent in a sheepskin (fake) lined bed. It reveals - with reckless honesty - the secrets of the strange relationship between dog and the Man on the other end of the lead.

Genres: Dogs, Animals, Fiction, Humor, British Literature

192 pages, Paperback

First published September 17, 1998

About the author

Roy Sydney George Hattersley, British Politian and author.

Reviews

[Debra Daniels-Zeller · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books told through a dog's view point that I have ever read. I laughed and laughed, and reread it when I'd finished to laugh again because Hattersley really gets how consistently inconsistent we are with our dogs. Buster is a funny, loveable protagonist filled with enough challenges to keep readers turning the pages. It was fun reading this book a second time and once again I thoroughly enjoyed the bad dog, protagonist Buster that the Man struggles to tame. The ending is sweet. We love our dogs no matter what. The sign of a great book is one you can enjoy again and again.

[aikaterine]

I had all the good will to get back to reading this book, and actually read it fast, so that it won't be on my "currently reading" folder for one more year!
But, I can't seem to find it!
I'm sure it is somewhere around the house's bookshelves, but I'd rather read something instead of getting down to searching all of them!

Maybe I will get back to it one day! Why not? I might be more of a cat person, but I hate leaving things in the middle!

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could only have been written by a dog lover as it shows such insight into what (we imagine) a dog thinks about everyday life and the daft behaviour of their owners. I had the pleasure of meeting RH and Buster a couple of years ago and both were charming!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read one of Roy Hattersley's autobiographies and thoroughly enjoyed it - I love his writing style. This is a diary dictated to Roy Hattersley by his dog, Buster. It's really funny - whether you have a dog or not! Looking forward to reading some more of Buster's adventures at some stage!

[Hattie Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my usual but was the perfect book for a chuckle on the way to work - short snippets so very easy light hearted reading.

[Ann-maree · Rating 5 out of 5]

BUSTER'S DIARIES - offer a unique floor-level insight into the aromatic world of the man-owning dog. Buster stepped into the limelight in April 1996 after an incident with a goose in St James's Park, a goose which happened to belong to the Queen. Pursued by the press ever since, he has sought solace in writing. He details the absurdities of his life with The Man, who clearly wants to be a dog, but lacks the necessary qualities. The blood of the tundra wolves roars through Buster's veins and demands he hold strong views on the role and status of the fin-de-siecle dog. BUSTER'S DIARIES expose the truth about such man-made fallacies as diet, discipline and exercise. They also extol the joys of human-ownership and are written with the wit and style that is expected of his amanuensis.

[CHRISTINE CURRAN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gentle, humorous, thoroughly enjoyable.

This is a diary told from the perspective of a stray dog adopted by the author. The author shows great empathy to his pet and the humour is mainly derived from the misunderstandings between dog and human. It is a short read but none the worse for that. Ideal for dipping into when you have a spare moment or while commuting.

[David - AKA Nigel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant dogs eye point of view and reaction to the ‘Owners’ acts, undertakings, idiosyncrasies and believes of what a dog ‘wants, needs or gets up to,’ be that on a walk, out for a park run or just being left alone in the house. Very funny. Can’t wait to read the follow up.

[Andrew Ives · Rating 2 out of 5]

As the title says, this is a collection of diary entries 'by' Buster the alsatian/bull terrier cross rescue dog that was adopted by Roy Hattersley during the late 1990s. At 166 pages, this is quite a short book, and the pagination/line spacing/paragraphing in the style of a diary means it is actually even shorter than it seems. I don't know what the opposite term is for a 'page-turner' but this is one. I have never taken so long to read such a slight book. Far from being "delightfully humorous" as the Mail On Sunday says on the cover, this was dull, obvious and drawn out. The 'humour' seems to revolve around Buster's killing of a goose in St James' Park - a situation I find less than hilarious, especially when this is re-mentioned fairly frequently, along with Hattersley's legal wrigglings after said affair, Buster's sundry other misdemeanours on passing members of the public and the nitpicking about how Buster doesn't fit the description in the Dangerous Dogs Act by 1cm. Clearly, Buster is a fairly dangerous dog and ought to be muzzled everywhere and/or handled by someone more responsible. Bandwagon-jumping onto Buster's notoriety with this book hardly endears Hattersley to me either (an MP I had hitherto been entirely apathetic about). Pointless and unpleasant. 1.5/5

[Roberta · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book. I laughed so hard

[Josette Garcia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Amusing in parts.

[Sophie Corderoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book, it made me laugh several times. A really good book for dog lovers !

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh-out-loud funny!

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fun from the dog's point of view. Loved it!

[PookyGurl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for my state of mind. A happy ending is a beautiful thing.

[Turnip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, very amusing.

[William Bovee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply Amazing! A Must read for all ages!!!

[Suzy Espersen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A small four * or a large three *.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful but sophisticated little book, the memory of which will make me laugh every time I talk to my dog or give him complicated instructions. All dog-lovers should read it.

[Ruth Collier · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and funny little book, not just the usual 'dogs are funny' stuff but some nice little digs at the quirks of humanity too.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’re a dog owner, you will be able to relate to this light-hearted and funny book.

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet and humorous

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a sweet and funny book. Very easy read.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is absolutely lovely!

[flyfishinglady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book for dog lovers. I enjoyed reading it.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Πολύ έξυπνο και διασκεδαστικό! Με έκανε να βλέπω τη συμπεριφορά του σκύλου μας με άλλο μάτι...

[Angela Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny 🤣

[Kit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is quite funny, if you like dry "British" humor. It's as the title suggests, a narrative of a dog called Buster and his daily life with his man. He tells of his run ins with the law, his affections for pretty female dogs, and the ridiculous idiosyncrasies of the human. It is a quick read.

[Granny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming book full of British wit and humor, from a dog's perspective, no less. You don't want to miss the part about the Queen's poor goose. There are a lot of adjustments to be made when acquiring a dog and I enjoyed this amusing rendition of The Man's adventures living with and accomodating Buster.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cute book! This is written in the dog's perspective and is funny and heart-warming. Shows a bit about the human/dog relationship and love. Waiting for other books about Buster to come out in ebook form!