Giv: The Story of a Dog and America

by Boston Teran

My name is Dean Hickok, sergeant, late of the U.S. Marines. I nearly ran down a dog one night on a back road during a Kentucky rainstorm. The dog, it turned out, had been made to suffer and left to die in a crate. But his will to survive, his determinatio

Genres: Animals, Fiction, Ebooks, Dogs

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 15, 2009

About the author

Boston Teran is the internationally acclaimed author of twelve novels, many of them translated into foreign languages. He has been named alongside great American writers like Hemingway and Larry McMurtry, as well as filmmakers John Ford and Sam Peckinpah, for his singular voice and ability to weave timely social and political themes into sweeping page turners that pierce straight into America's soul. GOD IS A BULLET, currently in film development, is considered a cult classic that has been compared to such seminal works as Joan Didion's THE WHITE ALBUM and John Ford's THE SEARCHERS. NEVER COUNT OUT THE DEAD has been called a modern equivalent of MacBeth. THE CREED OF VIOLENCE sold to Universal, with Todd Field (Little Children) set to direct and Daniel Graig in the starring role.

The author has been nominated or won over 17 awards, including The EDGAR AWARD for Best First Novel and the FOREWORD "Book of the Year Award" as well as the INTERNATIONAL IMPACT AWARD OF DUBLIN for Best Novel, the Best Novel of the Year in Japan and the John Creasy Award in England.

Reviews

[Fred Forbes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actually a 4.5. Marked down a bit since the kindle formatting was a bit erratic but rounded up due to the power of the story. Some have labeled the dog a "canine Forest Gump" and I can see the allusion as the fur person encounters such a variety of people in a variety of locations. Like life, sometimes dark and sad, others joyous and uplifting. If you are a dog lover as I am, you will relate powerfully to this story. Yeah, a bit smaltzy in places but this joins "Racing in the Rain" as a favorite dog book. Especially enjoyed the insight into the dog's reactive processes when dealing with humans.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this novel. I'm not sure if I love it because I had no expectations or what, but what a beautiful book. Beware: If you are the type that might tear up while reading a book, this is one of those books. The idea behind the story is based on events in the author's life. You can read his idea for the book here.

The story follows the life of a dog named Giv. The book is composed as the story of Giv's life written by one of Giv's many owners, Sergeant Dean Hickok. From Giv's birth, by chance, fate, or luck, he gets passed on from person to person, from experience to experience. The blurb from the press release by Americans Speak says "The Forrest Gump of dog books." I'm not sure about all that, but boy does Giv go through some stuff. He's in Dallas with some struggling musicians checking out the book depository, he's there through Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, and he's there for an Iraqi war vetran.

While the book is about a dog named Giv, it's also about the people he meets. Memorable characters. Heart-wrenching characters. It's about the free-will, undying spirit of man and man's best friend. I loved how the idea of the act of rebellion, not always a bad thing, was a piviotal aspect of the book and the character of Giv. Boston Teran wrote rebellion as "the power to choose freely who one will or will not be". I like that. As he points out, America was founded by rebels and there's a little bit of rebel in us all.

I find it hard to write about this book and not sound cheesy or blubbery...but I can't help it. I really loved it. I was really surprised how much I liked it. It's not a book I would have picked up on my own but I am so glad I was sent it.

[Sandra Stiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Giv: The Story of a dog and America
Author: Boston Teran
High top Publishing, 2009

The book came to me with the quote, “The Forrest Gump of dog books”. This was so right on target. The author crafted the story so well that I had to go back to make sure the story was fiction. This is the story of Giv, a dog who travels all across the states. He survives a kidnapping, Hurricane Katrina, an abusive period only to be rescued by a Marine, who finds it was he that needed rescued. This Marine decides to find Giv’s owner, which takes him across the country. Once again Giv rescues someone and it is believed that Give is lost. When found his past meets up with his future. This was a wonderful book. Each owner has a story. It is usually one that starts out negative until Giv enters the picture. Lives are changed because of him. Anyone who has ever had a pet, or read stories of animals who have rescued others, often giving their own life for the human will want to read this book. Just like in Forrest Gump, every negative thing that happens to him turns into something positive. I gave this book a 5 out of 5 rating.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I downloaded this free through Kindle. For whatever reason, I thought it was non-fiction when I downloaded it, only to find it was fiction. The book was somewhat strange at times, but I found that I could not put this one down and couldn't wait to get back to it when I had the time. It was an interesting tale of how a dog touched, and changed the lives of so many. The dogs journey through the US and how he brought so many people together and/or gave purpose to the lives of the humans he touched. I'm intrigued to read another book by Boston Teran, who seems to be mysterious, perhaps another author righting by this name?

[Russell Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Less a book than a spiritual upheaval, Giv is one of those rare books that reminds one of the power of words and their ability to evoke emotion. See the dog, indeed. A brilliant, difficult to define work that is deeply moving. I will be reading more from this author. Only annoyance was some so so formatting, but in the end, a non-issue compared to the impact of the book. Deserving of every one of five stars.

[Sallee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I put off reading this book for awhile as I knew it would be emotional. As a dog lover, I never cease to be amazed at a dog's capacity to love and survive against all odds. While this book was fiction, the author reached deep into himself when he wrote about war vetrens and how war affects the living of thier lives after they come home. His insight on dogs made this book a good, thought provoking and heart-rending read.

[Elba · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming story of man's best friend and the people who love and care for them. In search of the American dream in a Truck-stop in middle America, Hurricane Katrina, post 9/11 America, California wildfires....there are stories to tell. The writing is very heartfelt and flows beautifully. GIV is a special dog stolen from his home. Suffering and near death he escapes to be found by Sargent Dean Hickok a recent Iraq veteran struggling with memories of war. GIV is the key to the boxes that tell the tale of his previous owners and Dean is the one to tell the story as they set out across the US to chase down a place to call home. The stories correlate with events in American history which kept me engaged and interested. As a dog lover I felt a connection right away. I am never too far from my furry pals...dogs or cats have always graced my life. I hope to provide them the same unconditional love and not sure I come even close to the devotion they give in return. Companionship tenfold. I really loved how the book highlights this special relationship between animals and humans. Really how both bring out the best in each other and in times of grief, struggle, and change the relationship remains a constant pillar. I also really liked how one of the characters survives a tragic accident and upon recovering she has a heighten sense of smell mirroring a dog's sense. Really loved it cover to cover. The anecdotes throughout are very touching.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love dog stories.

[Kaylynne Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

It started out kind of ordinary but then became a little dark. I read it to the end did enjoy the full circle of the story.

[Manda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't finish

[Norma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely, heartwarming story. I found the "mystical" openings to the chapters to be annoying.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story of dog love, bravery and the human soul.
Giv: The Story of a Dog and America is a story that starts out about a dog that has survived starvation, beatings and most of all, being without love. " This is a great soul fallen on hard times."
He is wandering, lost. Where did he come from? Whats his story?

Anna is lonely. Lost her loved ones in a horrible auto. accident. She misses her husband and her dog that her husband had surprised her with one birthday. Living alone with her dog Angel, she senses something outside, she smells him. Going to the window, she see's him. He's leary of her and she puts out her hand to him. This begins her family, Angel and Giv. "Giv and Angel, Angel and Giv", they are inseparable and soon Giv is a daddy. But poor Giv, he has a tumor and its his time to go. Anna calls the puppy Giv.
This is where Giv's life starts.

The story is beautifully, poetically written.
" You are not alone old one, for heaven is here in the great trees you lie beneath, and in the named rocks around you, and the earth that will cover your bones. Soon, you will receive thy bounty."

Giv Jr. is stolen from Anna and the rest of the story is about bravery, compassion and love.

The end brings tears of sadness and joy.

"See the Dog. He is being drenched with rain as he tries to pull himself free using the doors as braces. Like the butterflyl out of the cocoon, the bird out of the egg, the child from the womb-yet what he is trying to free himself of is a greedy human dream exacted by man to whom heartbreak is less than pocket change."

Highly recommend this book.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

An epic, and I do mean epic, novel about a dog's life. Wonder full! It made me gasp, laugh and cry.
My rating is really 3 1/2 stars (I'm tough) but at times it was a little too heavy on the philosophy, interrupting the story. But, to be fair, the philosophy is a tribute to the book, the dog and the author.
Just think. Anyone who has ever or will ever adopt a dog, never knows what kind of history that dog has had, good and bad, love and abuse. All we can offer is caring and protection and love.
One of my dogs is a rescue from Puerto Rico, called a sato. (Look up Save-a- Sato on your computer.) Jesse James has been with us seven years and is still afraid of sudden loud noises. He endured a year of living on the streets where people treat dogs like rats He was rescued late one night in a tropical thunder storm. He Is Love.
Never forget, whether you adopt or buy a dog, it is a lifetime commitment not to be shirked because of a change of your venue or your circumstances. Sometimes it's a hard road to hoe but understand, you're making this commitment for the length of the dogs life before you adopt.

[DelGal · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW, what a wonderful read! Books in good and bad form come across my reviewing eyes all the time, but rarely do I find a story that can capture my attention and awe from the beginning and keep it until the very last climatic word. Teran's tale is one of such books - it is woven with eloquent words that had me running the gamut of emotions from elated joy to heartbreaking grief, all sprinkled with laughter and anticipation. The unique voice and style of writing will often time make the reader forget that this is a story of fiction. Every single character, from Giv the dog, to his numerous owners, are all strong, believable and consistently intriguing, even the not-so-nice ones. I highly recommend this story to anyone who craves a solidly entertaining book, and is definite must-read for dog lovers.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure if my 5-star rating is because this author shares the same feeling that dogs are such phenomenal creatures or because the writing is so good. Either way, this book has jumped to the top of my favorite books list. I often say that dogs are so much better than people, but it would be more accurate to say that dogs are so much more deserving of love and capable of true love than a lot of people. Semi-spoiler alert - I found this book a little hard to read because of all that Giv had to endure (I cried a few times), especially knowing how special he was. Some might put it down during some of the tough parts, but it's worth it to continue. What Giv ultimately receives in return was worth it to him and also to me as a reader. I loved this book. I just wish I knew the real identity of the author. He certainly deserves the credit for such a great story.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literally read this from cover to cover in one sitting. Entwines American history in with how a dog touches the lives of several people.

[Susan Kerr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the characters in this story and shed a tear or two. It's a book I would read more than once.

[Chi Pham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant. I would really want it as a non-fiction.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read, loved the poetic writing style.

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not enough words to describe this book. I started it and never put it down until I was finished.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very different book. I did not hate it but it was definitely NOT one of my favorites. The only reason I gave it 3 stars is because of the dog...and the ending!

[Ruth A. OBrien-Denly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Giv

This is a good read about humans and the purity and goodness of Giv the father and the son. Giv touches many lives.