I Have Heard You Calling in the Night Reprint edition by Healy, Thomas (2007) Paperback

by Thomas Healy

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Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Dogs, Animals, Biography Memoir, Religion, Catholic

Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up on a whim while at the library. It's not one I had heard about in the realm of dog books, but it looked interesting enough. And it was. I can't say this book was wholly about a dog. Thomas Healy was a man struggling with many demons, mostly alcoholism. He bought a Doberman pup, who he named Martin, off a nasty man and Martin was his savior for a time. The way he writes is compelling. The book is present, future, and flashback all at the same time. There are no chapters, so it reads in a continuous flow, almost a sort of stream of consciousness.

It was an interesting read, though I never quite became so connected to the dog in the memoir that I cried at the inevitable end of Martin's life. I usually do. That is not saying the book was not emotional, not well-crafted. It certainly was and I certainly enjoyed reading it. I just never felt wholly connected to Martin, even though it was clear the author loved him dearly.

[Deborah Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful and touching.

[Kimberly]

FROM THE TIMES: A sometime writer, Healy was also a doomed alcoholic who lived with his mother on a Glascow housing estate. Into his solopsistic misery comes a puppy, a Doberman that Healy named Martin. This memoir tells about his love for Martin -and Martin's for him-changed and saved what had been a lost and lonely life.
It is magical and moving stuff. Altho barely educated, Healey writes taut sparse prose that is a model of its kind, eshewing the vernacular favored by many Scottish writers. This is art that conceals its own art, and the meaning sings beyond the words. For example, of an affair he writes only," There are some things , and this was one, that cannot be repeated. You have no choice to let it go, which we did."
Such sublime simplicity shines through other aspects of this hort but monumental work. I urge you to buy, read and reread this idiosyncratic, enriching, life-enhancing book.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh...it was ok. Thomas Healy is a writer, drunk, fighter, who overcame his addictions by buying a Doberman puppy on a whim. Because he felt responsible for Martin, he took serious steps toward recovery. They went everywhere together, which cost Healy a girlfriend who felt he loved the dog more than her.

Healy did relapse a few times in the memoir, but his bond with Martin was strong, and helped to "contain his drinking". In addition to his dog, Healy found spiritual guidance to deal with his addictions. Over the years he took a ten-day vow of silence in a monastery, went to church, and joined a support group. I was afraid the memoir would veer off into “preachy” territory, but it never did. The writing was honest, succinct, and never sappy.

[Kellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

After a slow start, I got interested enough in the story and his relationship with Martin to keep reading. Being a dog owner, I can understand how attached the author became to his dog and the importance he placed on him. I was surprised at how unemotional it was, however, when it was time for Thomas to say goodbye to Martin. To just walk out the way he did seemed uncaring and uncharacteristic of the way he portrayed himself to be. I suppose it's possible there was more to it than he wrote of; I can only hope so.

As I do with a lot of books where I get curious about a real location, I did a search on Pluscarden Abbey. Such a beautiful place. Should I ever have the opportunity to visit my friend in Scotland, I hope to see it for myself

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

On occasion I will see a book in my library, pick it up, and read it right then. So it was with this book. The blurb on the back leads one to think that it will be about Healy's relationship with his dog, Martin. In actuality it is a memoir of his life primarily from the time he acquires the dog, but ends several years after Martin's death. It was interesting and a quick read, but does not make me want to read more of his work.

[Bobbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This autobiography has been in my TBR pile for a loooong time, and I'm so glad I finally got around to reading it! It's a frank retelling of Healy's life: the alcoholism, the many brawls, the incarcerations and hospitalizations, and most especially a Doberman pup he named Martin, and the life-saving influence Martin had on Healy's life:

"I would have been dead long ago had I continued to live the way I had before Martin came. I think someone would have murdered me, given how I drank and the dives that I drank in and that I was an aggressive, angry man. I had no money and no friends. I didn't care, I couldn't have . . . Looking back down the years, I have to accept that Martin was a gift from God, to keep me in the world."

An uplifting, heartwarming testament to the power of unconditional love, and the life-changing influence of one special canine.

[Sharon Zink · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't tell if this was fiction or not. It is nonfiction. It is more about the dog owner than the dog. It is not a religious book, but it demonstrates the gentle way Jesus brings people to Himself. Excellent.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Semplicemente meraviglioso!

[Rachel Smeaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had be gripped. It is full of emotion. If you are a dog owner who has had experiences with depression you can empathise thoroughly with his story.

[Laib.acious · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some things, people, we can never forget, no matter how long we live or where we might go....

[Matt Downing · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my usual fare, but an interesting enough excursion

[Susie Webster-toleno · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this to be rambly and odd, but somehow moving at the same time.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book at a bargain book store, and pretty much decided to buy it because it had a dog on the cover. Although it is a memoir from a man I have never heard of before, I Have Heard You Calling In The Night is a touching book. A dog is called "Man's Best Friend" for a reason, and Martin is a wonderful friend to Thomas. Throughout his memoir, Thomas takes readers through some of the toughest and some of the best moments in his life. As a struggling alcoholic, getting Martin as a puppy helped subdue his addiction.

While this book was boring at times, I still cannot believe that this is not a book of fiction. All of the events that take place are real. I think that is why I find this book so emotional and thought-provoking. Anyone can write a work of fiction, but this book showcases real-life events one would rather not experience. The toughest part is realizing that many of us will go through the same struggles Thomas has. The difference is that we will have the ability to overcome them easier if we are not addicted to the horrible substance of alcohol. Definitely give this book a read.

[SadieReadsAgain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although set in Glasgow, this book is of a different side to Glasgow than I know. It goes into a lot of the religious aspect of the city, not so much sectarianism but this is a book rooted in Catholic traditions which I have no real knowledge or experience of. It was still a really enjoyable book, although at times I felt the writing was a little messy (keep in mind I only have an uncorrected proof, not the corrected, published version). The story is not normally one that would resonate with me, seeing as so much of it focuses on the relationship of the author & his dog - I can't really relate to or enjoy tales like that - but even so it did touch me & I was moved by it. Quite a sweet book, despite being about an alcoholic who owns a Doberman!

[Edith S · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an easy read. I love memoirs and I love dogs, and this book was a great combination. Although, not much is learned about the dog. He was not an extraordinary dog, and he did not do great tricks or saved some damsel in distress. The dog was there to save the author from himself. Tom Healy was an alcoholic who was bent in destroying himself. He was always involved in brawls. However, upon obtaining his dog Martin, he found out what it was like to have a living being depend on him. Hence, Tom stopped drinking. There's a lot more to the book, and as I said earlier, it's an easy read. There are no chapters, only section breaks. But each section invites you to go on and read.

[Vicki Jaeger · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had heard great things about this book, from all the right literary people, and that should have been my first alarm. Mr. Healy is a brawling often drunken Scots, and this is supposed to be about the dog who saved him. I guess my problem with the book overall is that he forms a strong bond with the dog, but never seems to break through his emotional detatchment from life. As he said, the dog only kept him from the excess of alcoholism; limiting his intake but not saving him from it. I kept waiting for him to be better in tune with himself, his feelings, and his alcoholism; but instead just got a stoic Scots retelling.

[Gerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was on the "choice reads" shelf at the library. The title "I have heard you calling in the night" is from the Bible and to me more significantly, a line in the song "Here I am Lord" which is a favorite of mine. I wasn't really needing a book, as I'm reading a few others, but it kept calling out to me - just like the title so I snatched it up.

It's the memoir of a man who struggles with alcoholism and at least for a time, is saved by a dog! In order to take care of the dog, he has to take care of himself.

I hope someday to learn the rest of Thomas Healy's story.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was unlike any other I've read. It is a memoir written by a man who has been an alcoholic most of his life. He quits and relapses many, many times, and it is a bit painful to read. The main subject of the book is his relationship with his dog, Martin. It's a story of the love between human and dog, and in this case it's about the redeeming nature of the relationship. The relationship between the author and his dog probably saved the man's life. The story is rather sad - the author gains some enlightenment along the way, but he's by nature a very simple man and rather lonely.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate to give two stars to this book because I really didn't have any huge complaints about it, but after reading about 2/3 quite awhile ago, I put it down, have not picked it back up, and don't plan to. I am a sucker for dogs, so the story of a man struggling with sobriety whose devotion to his dog helps him get his life together sounded right up my alley. It was touching in parts, but just not very well written.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good memoir that's not written in the traditional memoir style. The author seems so simple and naive but you know he's not. He has a really pure voice. I think my favorite line was something like, "You really get to know a dog when you sleep in the same room with him." So true.

[Magen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! There is so much heart in it! I have two Dobermans, so I can highly relate to this book! This is a tear jerk-er!! I love animals so much that I will not lie.. I did cry in the end!! I loved Marley & Me but this book was even better!! LOVE IT!

[Bonnie Dieffenbacher · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an ok book . It is the memoir of a Scottish writer about how his adopting a doberman, and finding God helped him to turn from alcohol. He had a rough road , but finally found the peace he needed to stop drinking.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Memoir of an alcoholic writer, whose life was set onto a different path by the love of his dog. Sweet story.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amusing stories about an Irish-Scottish author, his dog, and grief.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

how a dog was his salvation from self destruction. kind of a rougher version of Marley and Me. (read: alcohol, drugs, sex...)

[Abad ridwan · Rating 3 out of 5]

all

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

A moving tale of self-improvement. It tells the story of an alcoholic whose life is transformed by a rescued dog.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really intriguing tale of how a dog saves a man. A true tale. It's an emotional tale about a man who knows he's not nearly as good as he could be, and the dog that saved him.

[Shui · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started off well then went into general ramblings.