Brilliant

by Roddy Doyle

The Black Dog of Depression has descended over the adults of Dublin. Uncles are losing their businesses, dads won’t get out of bed, mothers no longer smile at their children. Siblings Raymond and Gloria have had enough and set out one night with one goal in mind: to stop the Black Dog, whatever it takes. In a chase through the streets and parks and beaches of Dublin, the children run after the Black Dog, and soon dozens, then hundreds, then thousands of kids join in their fight. They discover they have one weapon against the Black Dog. The weapon is a word: “brilliant.”

Illustrated throughout by a bright new talent and told through the masterful dialogue for which the acclaimed Roddy Doyle is known, Brilliant is a very special book with a storybook feel.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Fiction, Childrens, Ireland, Young Adult, Irish Literature

183 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2014

About the author

Roddy Doyle (Irish: Ruaidhrí Ó Dúill) is an Irish novelist, dramatist and screenwriter. Several of his books have been made into successful films, beginning with The Commitments in 1991. He won the Booker Prize in 1993.

Doyle grew up in Kilbarrack, Dublin. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from University College, Dublin. He spent several years as an English and geography teacher before becoming a full-time writer in 1993.

Reviews

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

After I discovered that Roddy Doyle had written a children’s book and that he would be tackling the subject of depression, I was really keen to read it. In Brilliant, he tackles both the economic depression and the illness of depression, illustrating the link that the one can have with the other when a job is lost for example. The story is very readable indeed and captures the menace of the darkness that the big black dog brings with it. With his words he draws on this name for depression, the black dog, and creates a visual identity for it, that sees just such a creature wild in the streets spreading gloom that the children can hear, children who observe so many of the adults around them in Dublin suffering and sad. I found the first half or so of the novel stronger overall. I was really glad to see this author tackle this theme in this way and hope many readers will discover this book.

[Mohammed · Rating 2 out of 5]

عندما سرقت العظمة المضحكة في مدينة دبلن من قِبَل كلب الكآبة الأسود، يقرروا اولاد المدينة ملاحقة الكلب والقضاء عليه.

كنت متوقع من بداية قراءتي أنه لن يبهرني الكتاب بحكم انه كتاب مخصص للاطفال. ولكن للأسف لم اجد شيئا مميزا لأعطيه تقييم مرتفع سوى فكرة الكتاب وهو التحدث عن الاكتئاب وبيان مدى تأثيره على الاطفال.

2.5

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

It started off really well but became quite repetitive - could have been a lot shorter and then more enjoyable. A great idea though and a way for kids to understand what depression is / open up for discussion.

[Auggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

My feelings about this book went back and forth quite a bit. There were bits that I really really enjoyed, that gave me goosebumps, that even made me tear up! Yet, I kept thinking about how I would have felt about this book as a young reader. I doubt I would have been able to understand a lot of the more adult concepts such as the financial stress of a mortgage. Nothing wrong with an adult having to explain a little further, but as a kid I probably wouldn't have asked anyone for clarification.

That bit in particular was a small thing in comparison to some of the choppiness of the writing style. I found myself wondering a few times if I'd missed a paragraph, or if I'd skipped ahead by accident. Also, the placement of the illustrations was confusing. I've never read an illustrated story whose pictures didn't match with the goings on of each individual page. Instead I would see an illustration depicting a scene that had happened a few pages before, or that wouldn't happen until I turned the page.

It was a very simple story about a very serious issue, but that isn't a criticism. This story creates a fantastic adventure out of a real hardship that we can't always protect our children from, or explain to them. It's this story of unwavering hope and determination, the kind adults seem to lose, facing impossible odds and winning. It's children seeing the world a little differently and working their own type of magic to make things right.

As an adult reading the book, I think the power is seeing these children lightening up a dark world. As someone who is going to become a mom very soon, reading this book gave me a fantastic feeling of optimism. Like there's going to be this child who knows better than me in some ways, because they can see things and feel things in a way we adults just can't anymore. Children are like this desperate, shrieking, gigging, unrelenting ray of sunlight in a future that occasionally feels scary and gloomy to us grown-ups.

One of the reasons I couldn't give this above a three, was because I couldn't see myself offering this book to a kid to read. It felt like it was meant for me to read, the clueless adult who needed a reminder. I struggled to grasp what age group this book was meant for (very simple story = much younger reader. Serious and more difficult emotional topics = older) But I'm sure any MG reader would be happy for an adventure where the heroic and unrelenting kids win in the end. Would be a good book for a parent and kid to read together.

[Maxine (Booklover Catlady) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks for the opportunity.

Brilliant is a funny yet meaningful book for middle grade readers tackling the subject of depression in a very clever way.

The Black Dog of depression had invaded the city of Dublin. No humans noticed. But the animals did. The city's pets tried to warn their owners but the humans weren't listening. A bark was a bark, and a mew was just a mew.

When Uncle Ben comes to live with Gloria & Raymond and their family after his business fails and he can't afford to pay the mortgage anymore, the children realise that it's the Black Dog that is to blame for their Uncle's situation.

There are some very clever lines in this book, some profound, others very funny, I did laugh out loud a few times and smiled a lot reading this delightful book.

Gloria & Raymond decide to hunt down the Black Dog along with many more of Dublin's children, so a night adventure begins seeking the elusive Black Dog with the help of talking animals and a whole lot of enthusiasm.

They are determined to get rid of the Black Dog once and for all.

'Brilliant' was a brilliant word. It lit everything around it. It was hard to see the gloom when the word was constantly bursting all over the city, like a firework display that never ended.

This is a very readable book for children, and would create a great opportunity to talk about the subject of depression. It's a lot of fun along the way. Does it have a happy ending? Do the children find, and defeat the Black Dog of Dublin? You will just have to read to find out.

BRILLIANT!

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not much plot here. Two siblings like to hang out underneath the kitchen table late at night listening to adult conversation that they don't understand. At first their parents are aware they are there and watch what they say, but later the adults somehow don't notice them and stop censoring their dialogue. The children then go on a wild goose chase for an imaginary "black dog" that is plaguing all the adults in Dublin. They don't know why they are pursuing this creature, or what they hope to accomplish other than some vague notion that things will somehow improve for their parents and adult relatives. The kids, now an aggregation of other sibling groups and children who don't know one another, literally run through the streets for many pages, without any real incidents occurring. I'm not sure what middle grade readers would grab onto in this novel.

[Rebecca Petruck]

I chased this story through one sweet morning.

In what might seem the simple tale of children chasing down a dog in the night, huge themes are touched on--depression, love, and the power of community. Lovely language, talking animals, and gentle magic culminate in an oddly touching story that ends with a city's funny bone. I teared up and smiled while I did.

"They ran. They stayed warmer that way and running seemed to be the right way to measure their love for Uncle Ben. They wanted to hear their breath, and their feet stamping the ground. They wanted to feel their lungs working, and their hearts."

A perfect paragraph to encapsulate BRILLIANT.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this gentle fantasy set in Dublin. Two young children heard that the black dog (of depression) is ruining their uncles life so they set off on a quest to find and defeat it. The book is like the title - Brilliant.

[Disability in Kidlit]

"When the grown-ups speak sadly of “the black dog of depression,” the children assume that it’s a literal dog that has caused nationwide depression by stealing Ireland’s funny bone.

That premise alone is strange enough, but then this theory that the kids half made up turns out to be completely true. Gloria and Raymond go out one night and actually find the enormous dog that’s caused everyone’s depression. Naturally, such an enemy is dangerous to fight. Getting too close to it can make you lose yourself to depression."

Read contributor Alex Townsend's full review at Disability in Kidlit.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet little book. Wasn’t sure if it was written for kids or adults.

[Tessa Vliet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good metaphores for depression. Loved the animals.

[William Greer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good way to introduce depression to children and fun light reading! Although a bit repetitive.
But the ending was create and all the different side plots were very nice to follow! :)

[Ajay · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story deserves to be commended for tackling some heavy themes while being targeted at a young audience, but the repetitiveness of the plot stops it from being truly exemplary.

[Rory · Rating 4 out of 5]

A silly book but cute! A good metaphor for depression actually. A little repetitive but still good

[Nettie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute story for kids about "The Black Dog of Depression". It was repetitive in some places, but that is my only real gripe.

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Brilliant' by Roddy Doyle and illustrated by Emily Hughes is actually tied in to Dublin's Saint Patrick's Day parade. Back in 2011, Roddy Doyle was asked to write a short story and each chapter would tell a story of the float that people were seeing.

Raymond and Gloria like to sneak down and listen to what their mother and father are talking about. It's a fun game that the adults are in on. Ever since Uncle Ben came to live with them, the growups don't talk out loud at night, and when the kids sneak down, the adults don't notice. It turns out Uncle Ben has some problems and it seems to be even something affecting the entire city. There is a Black Dog of depression that has stolen the city's funny bone.

The kids decide to chase down this black dog and recover the city's laughter. Along the way they are joined by all kinds of other kids who have poignant stories of the sad grownups in their lives. There are other surprises, but I'll leave those for the reader to discover.

My review copy had rough drawings, but I've since seen the finished ones and they are very nice. The story tackles a serious subject but in a kid-friendly way. There is plenty of warmth along the way, including one of Raymond and Gloria's friends who thinks he's a vampire. It's a really lovely story.

I received a review copy of this ebook from ABRAMS Kids, Amulet Books, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.

[Adele Broadbent · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a clever way to show young readers the all emcompassing power of depression. It begins with a game played by siblings Gloria and Raymond. They sneak down and hide under the kitchen table while their parents are chatting. But soon the chatter becomes the 'mumbling.' This is when the laughter goes from the chatter and serious things are discussed. The children learn that Uncle Ben is coming to stay. His business is suffering in the recession and he can't stay in his house.
When they overhear from their granny that 'The Black Dog of depression has taken the funny bone of Dublin,' they are determined to get it back.
With an all night chase of the black dog (in the shape of shadows and clouds) across the city of Dublin, along with many other children who also have friends and family members plagued by depression, they are keen to defeat the Black Dog.
This is a very imaginative fight between negativity and positivity and how powerful the word BRILLIANT and a smile can be.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cute book had such a hopeful and magical feeling about it. When the "Big Black Dog of Depression" takes over the city of Dublin, it's up to the children to get the city's funny bone back and get the adults laughing again. I loved how empowered and caring the children in this story are! The two main characters' (siblings Raymond and Gloria) Uncle Ben has moved in with them while he goes through some hard times. Through some clever eavesdropping, the kids learn their uncle has depression and they also hear the adults use the metaphor of a "big black dog on your back" to describe depression. The story then turns into a grand adventure where Raymond and Gloria, the other children in Dublin, as well as some talking animals try to find and get rid of this big black dog and help their family members. A great way to teach kids about depression and the importance of community.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't sure the pumpkin princesses would enjoy this one as a bedtime story, but they really did. The 10-year old loved it all the way through; the 8-year old thought there was too much aimless chasing toward the end and would have liked a more complex resolution.

[Sarah MacTavish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stole my heart in one sitting. Beautiful, precious, clever, sweet, touching, funny, and important.

[Sarah B · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one of those books that ended up a disappointment. And that actually surprised me as generally I enjoy reading the occasional middle grade / kid's book. And since this was set in Dublin I had thought it would be perfect for a March read. The story itself is actually set on Saint Patrick's Day, can you believe that??

Plus the plot sounded so interesting... A mysterious Black Dog of Depression going around and affecting so many people...and the kids set out to fix it.

The trouble with the book is this: the story was actually putting me to sleep! Because reading it was like a broken record. The same thing was happening over and over and over.

The story also moved at a snail's pace near the beginning. The action didn't actually start until page 53 and then it just kept repeating and repeating. I found that super dull. I very clearly remember struggling to stay awake while reading this.

Now I do understand what the author was saying in here. I believe it's very similar to that famous line from Harry Potter: Albus Dumbledore talking about "Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light". Well that is the theme in here. And it's a grand theme. But I also had a hard time suspending my belief so I could accept what the kids were doing. In other words I had a hard time accepting the fantasy elements in this book. And there is definitely a strong fantasy element, even talking animals of all types plus a family of vampires!

I only kept saying to myself "But it's a cloud..." And that sort of made my brain do a screeching halt. It's like I got stuck on that idea.

The magic in here is not explained in any way. It just is. And I find that odd. I suspect I would have enjoyed this more if the majority of the plot hadn't been a record stuck in a groove repeating the same thing over and over and over... Blah!

The book has many black and white drawings to accompany the story.

I did look over the book again to write this review...but unfortunately often bad books stick in my brain sometimes.

[Kristine L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the Black Dog of Depression comes to Dublin and steals the town’s funny bone, things go downhill fast. Dads won’t get out of bed. Mothers can’t find their smiles. Uncles lose their businesses.

Raymond and his sister Gloria are determined to put a stop to the Black of Dog Depression’s carousing and shenanigans. So on the night before Saint Patrick’s Day they decide to take matters into their own hands. Dubliner children are going to find the town’s lost funny bone and get it back – no matter what. And if that means facing up to the terrible and ferocious Black Dog of Depression, why, they will. And they’ll chase it out of town, too!

What follows is a hale and hearty story filled with humor, magic, and boatloads of creativity. A nimble plot and pitch-perfect pacing propel this engaging and entertaining read forward like a load from a trebuchet. Incoming!

Readers get a sense of excitement and an adrenaline rush as they join the kids chasing the black hound of depression all over town. They trail the dog through a park, a zoo -to the cheers of the animals – and to a beach. Once on the sand, however, the kids realize they may have been had. Will they be able to capture the Black Dog of Depression and send him packing, or is it a trap? Tip: You’d be surprised how much punch one little words packs. Especially if it’s repeated out loud. By a bunch of determined kids. (You’ll get that if you read the book.)

Scene stealer: Chester the dog.

The tie-ins to Irish history, myth and legend are first-rate. Illustrations are Just. Plain. Fun. So is this book. It’s quick. Clever. And brill… Well. You know.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

I recently came back from a trip to Ireland, so I thought I'd read something by the famous Irish writer Roddy Doyle. He's not well known for juvenile literature, so I was surprised he'd written a novel for children, but that didn't put me off. Well-written kids' books can be fun to read, even as an adult. Brilliant starts well: the sparkling Irish humour is there, the childish understanding is there, and the characters are realistic, if not detailed. But when the kids decide to fix everything for the adults, it just falls apart. The huge group of children running around landmarks in Dublin after an imaginary evil dog while talking to animals on their journey doesn't make any narrative sense whatsoever and destroys any suspension of disbelief. I thought it would be a sensitive tale to teach children about depression; instead it turns into a surreal farce, including a rain of dogs' guts and a giant bone, most of the humour disappears by the end, it makes the clear implication that depression can be overcome by just being cheery. So the story teaches nothing except commonplace adult ignorance about a widespread modern problem. This fantastic missed opportunity and the inept storytelling in the second half of the book mean that I can't give it a passing grade. Sorry, Mr Doyle. Better luck next time.

[Inga · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gloria und Raymonds Onkel Ben geht es nicht gut, die Großmutter sagt, auf seinen Schulter sitzt der "schwarze Hund". Der sucht zur Zeit der Wirtschaftskrise ganz Dublin heim, so vielen Erwachsenen geht es nicht gut.
Die Kinder beschließen eines Nachts, dass der schwarze Hund gefunden und bekämpft werden muss und schon rennen sie hinaus in die Dunkelheit Dublins! Plötzlich entdecken sie ihn tatsächlich, einen riesigen dunklen Schatten, der vor ihnen davonläuft - oder will er sie irgendwohin locken? Ein wenig Angst haben sie doch, zum Glück merken sie bald, dass der Hund es gar nicht leiden kann, wenn sie laut rufen "Alles super!", dann scheint plötzlich ein helles Licht. Auch finden sie unterwegs noch andere Kinder mit dem gleichen Ziel und gemeinsam geschieht das Unfassbare - passend zum St. Patrick’s Day ist die Stadt von dem schwarzen Hund befreit!

Roddy Doyle hat ein sympathisches und kindgerechtes Buch zum Thema Depression geschrieben. Das Bild vom schwarzen Hund, der den Menschen auf den Schultern lastet und ihnen einredet, sie seien nichts wert, ist beeindruckend schlicht und auch treffend. Die Lösung andererseits - einfach zu sagen, alles sei super (in der Originalausgabe Brilliant!) - greift zu kurz und ist vielleicht irreführend, es gäbe tatsächlich eine so einfache Lösung für diese schwierige Krankheit.

[Victoria Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

My son and I enjoyed this storytime read... It was a humorous way of looking at hard times people go through and depression, but at the same time, I worry that a child might interpret the message to be "It's up to the children to save the adults from depression," when that is far too great an onus to put on a child... I don't think my son, who is sensitive to inferences, took it that way, but things brew in him for a while before the percolating takes place, so we shall see. If I had a family member with depression I may be hesitant to read this to my child... but at the same time it would be a good way to have a healthy conversation about it in conjunction to the fantasy of the book.

[Jalen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roddy Doyle creates a funny fictional story in his book Brilliant. The story starts off with the Black Dog Of Depression sneaks in to the city of Dublin at night. Nobody else knew until now. Siblings Raymond and Gloria set off to stop the Black Dog so they can save their uncle. They search for it but, they don't know how to be it. . The theme I get from this book is that you should stay positive no matter what. The Black Dog tries to make them feel like nothing but, they always stayed positive.

My favorite part was when they figured out how to take down the Black Dog. After chasing him for a while the found out what his weakness was. My favorite character in the book is Raymond. He was always there to come up with a plan. I can connect to this book because I've seen people depressed before. I've always wanted to help them or cheer them up. This book showed that in funny, kid friendly way.

[Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant is the only word I can even think of to describe this book.

Absolutely the brilliant. A book everyone should read. It follows the journey of understanding depression and waging war against it in such a personal way. Every person needs to read this. The people are crippled by believing lies, but the children discover that the only way to defeat the darkness is to bring light in and to speak truth over themselves. Our lives are the same.


I read this so quickly while sitting by the pool on Memorial Day. Charlie & McCauley came into town for a surprise visit, and it was so sweet!

[Christina Reid · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked many things about this - namely the use of slang so I could point out to my (English) partner - "Look! Other people say 'yer man' 'eejit' and 'fillum'"
The idea of the Black Dog of Depression is creative and could be a great conversation starter for children, especially the descriptions of how it makes you feel hopeless. The story gets a bit repetitive though, with the children running around on what reads almost like a tour of Dublin. I also wasn't a fan of the illustrations.
Interesting read but not a new favourite.
2.5 stars

[Kieran McAndrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uncle Ben has to move in with Ray and Gloria's parents when his business goes under and the children soon become aware that all is not well with him. The black dog of depression is on his back and they leave on a quest to banish the dog from Dublin once and for all.

Doyle deals with adult issues in a very simple way for children and, although the story is very zany and madcap, the theme of depression is handled very well.

[Elizabeth]

I liked it. Simple metaphor with some silly absurdities. Great kid’s chapter book.

Ian read it when we visited Ireland last year and loved it. I loved watching him pick it up every time we got back to the car and carry it into the restaurants. A rite of passage - getting a book from an independent bookstore on vacation.

I picked it up to read when he opted to choose it for his book float for Read Across America day this year and to send a letter to the author.