Algonquin

by Dion Henderson

Henderson writes in prose that do for the bird dog what Mclean has done for fly fishing. He writing is redolent of Melville or Homer. Well worth the read.

Genres: Animals, Dogs

Paperback

First published January 1, 1953

Reviews

[Daniel Fattibene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do not be fooled by the amateurish, even juvenile bookcover as seen on Amazon (likely why it is sometimes mistaken as a children's book); this is a sophisticated and heartfelt novel written for adults. It is a deep character study of the dog and the three people who surround him, and is the most powerful and soul-rocking story I have ever seen in print or in movies. In a lifetime of avid reading, which includes works by some of the world's finest authors, I have encountered only a few who could capture this tone of melancholy understatement of life's mighty truths. Again and again throughout the story the author expresses what IS truth and beauty, which are, as one of our great poets has said, the same thing. The dog Algonquin, against the background of big-league field trials, is a foil to address such tenets of life as: beauty is exhausting, glory is fleeting, and the cost and sacrifice to be the best of the very best yet make it all worthwhile.
This book speaks to any person who in any medium or art endeavors to make his heart "soar like the last four bars of a symphony" and "hear the pulse thudding in his own ears" (from Algonquin). And while the story contains such triumph, it also embraces the flip side, namely mortality. Yet it is not syrupy or maudlin, just real (this is not a book for anyone who wants everything warm and fuzzy). The final third of the book (which can stand alone and begins with “Whatever it was you had to put into a dog to make him great . . .”) is relentless; you won't have a chance. In fact, I strongly recommend reading this section FIRST, as it has appeared in anthologies; then, if you like it, go back and read the book from the beginning. The finest version of this section is in the anthology "Hunting Trails", edited by Raymond R. Camp and also available on Amazon. The editor slightly/subtly tweaked the story here and there (changing a phrase, adding or deleting a comma) to lend it even more power. This one unforgettable story is worth the price of admission, although the volume contains a few others in the "exceptional" category.
The things that all humans yearn and strive for, and the realities that work against them, have never been more eloquently expressed.

[Stephanie A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Masterfully written (how easily and vividly it sweeps you into the first half of the 20th century), but DARK. SO DARK. At the beginning, at the end, and at various points along the way (these points mostly involve dogs dying violently). It's certainly a "dog story" in the strictest sense, in that it is structured around meetings with Uncle Ovid and Algonquin as well as slowly digging into why his grandfather no longer keeps dogs when the library is full of pictures of champion pointers. But Algonquin always seems otherworldly, unfriendly; a "great" dog in the sense that he seems almost more like a human than a dog, but he would be the sort of human who skulks along alone, keeping to himself.

No one should mistake it for a juvenile novel, either, not only for the subject matter but the overall tone, which is very much that of an old man recounting his childhood rather than a child telling the story. There's just so much commentary on loss, and changing times, and the mysteries of growing up beyond boyhood before you reach manhood.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like dogs and their bond to humans, this a book for you. The beginning and the end are pretty sobering, but all in all it's a great book. The descriptions are rich and vivid, which is perfect for those who are good at imagining things and seeing them in their mind's eye. It is an older book that begins a little slowly, but it really picks up and draws you in by the end of the first chapter. I highly recommend it.

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this story hard to get into as the structure was very disjointed....like the chapters were in the wrong order. However, having said that, Dion Henderson's writing is exquisite. This story takes place in Mississippi in early 1900 where there's a sense of aristocracy & Henderson captures it beautifully

[J · Rating 1 out of 5]

For a book that appears to be children's literature this is one of the worst I've ever read. Lots of pompous, abstract philosophizing and brief coverage of the dog's activities before the horrible ending. It's sick imo to have books written for children revolve around violence, which this book has from cover to cover.

[Graff Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read it as a young kid. As a boy and his love for his dog. It was perfect for a little boy. I loved it.

[Daniel Fattibene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do not be fooled by the amateurish, even juvenile bookcover (likely why it is sometimes mistaken as a children's book); this is a sophisticated and heartfelt novel written for adults. It is a deep character study of the dog and the three people who surround him, and is the most powerful and soul-rocking story I have ever seen in print or in movies. In a lifetime of avid reading, which includes works by some of the world's finest authors, I have encountered only a few who could capture this tone of melancholy understatement of life's mighty truths. Again and again throughout the story the author expresses what IS truth and beauty, which are, as one of our great poets has said, the same thing. The dog Algonquin, against the background of big-league field trials, is a foil to address such tenets of life as: beauty is exhausting, glory is fleeting, and the cost and sacrifice to be the best of the very best yet make it all worthwhile.
This book speaks to any person who in any medium or art endeavors to make his heart soar like the last four bars of a symphony and hear the pulse thudding in his own ears (from Algonquin). And while the story contains such triumph, it also embraces the flip side, namely mortality. Yet it is not syrupy or maudlin, just real (this is not a book for anyone who wants everything warm and fuzzy). The final third of the book (which can stand alone and begins with “Whatever it was you had to put into a dog to make him great . . .”) is relentless; you won't have a chance. In fact, I strongly recommend reading this section FIRST, as it has appeared in anthologies; then, if you like it, go back and read the book from the beginning. The finest version of this section is in the anthology "Hunting Trails", edited by Raymond R. Camp and also available on Amazon. The editor slightly/subtly tweaked the story here and there (changing a phrase, adding or deleting a comma) to lend it even more power. This one unforgettable story is worth the price of admission, although the volume contains a few others in the "exceptional" category.
The things that all humans yearn and strive for, and the realities that work against them, have never been more eloquently expressed.

[Lana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book when I was a teen and liked it then, but I decided to revisit it now. The writing style is "old" as my daughter would say. Lots of description, but it was actually very skillfully done such that you could really picture not only the look of the scene being described, but the feeling as well. "I could hear the mallard drakes, beeping over some melancholy flaw in mallard hens...Upriver, a goose spoke briefly on a subject of interest to all geese, and afterward the rest discussed his point in a subdued and courteous forum." This book was ostensibly about a great bird dog, but was really a metaphor for life, death, and the meaning one may find in it all. I would definitely recommend it to my older readers, but the younger generation raised on Harry Potter and other super easy to read books will likely not have the patience for this book.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've ever read. The only regret I have is that I will never be able to read this book for the first time again. This book takes the reader on an emotional trip through melancholy and triumph. This is not a book for young children but any adult should be able to appreciate it.

[Ellen Spes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of a family who raise pointer dogs. A boy and his dog makes for a good tale.

[Alexandra Kinsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sad. I dislike that they don't explain things that are going on. Why did the dog get sick etc.

[Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a boy who goes and visits his relatives who own a kennel. The kennel is full of hunting dogs. The boy has always wanted a dog. He goes to the kennel were one of the ogs had puppies his uncle said that he could have one. That night the kennel burned down and the only one to survive was algonquin.

The boy and his uncle must raise the dog to be a champion trial dog. The boy doesn't think he can do it.

I liked this book it is good for people thinking about getting a dog or getting into field trialing.

[Avery V]

Right now the boy is visiting the kennel. Because he wants a hunting dog

[Bridgette · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book I ever cried while reading. Need I say more?

[Natalia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I could not get engaged by this book. It started out very dark with fire and loss. And then, it just went nowhere. I tried to skip pages to see what will happen next and could not find any points that would keep my interest. I had to abandon this book. And it is definitely not suitable for young readers.