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Dogs of India
"Dogs, monkeys, corruption and sexual politics: Dogs of India draws on the complex, chaotic and colourful tradition of Indian storytelling in a spicy literary blend of Animal Farm vs. Holy Cow via Bollywood."
Revenge. A dish best served cold. Or if you’re Sydney native Lola Wedd, with a broken heart and a life in chaos, a dish served up by heading to India to marry a total stranger as part of an international visa scam.
Lola naïvely thought she would ‘find herself’ in India. Instead she is enmeshed in a drama worthy of Bollywood, starring an abandoned Pariah dog, a dead civil servant, a vengeful actor, a suicidal housewife, a boutique hotel owner, a blushing chauffer, an absent groom, an ambitious girl journalist and a megalomaniac monkey.
As Lola begins to understand the consequences of her choices, she ignites a series of events that lead to a Diwali Festival more explosive than anyone in New Delhi could have imagined.
Revenge. A dish best served cold. Or if you’re Sydney native Lola Wedd, with a broken heart and a life in chaos, a dish served up by heading to India to marry a total stranger as part of an international visa scam.
Lola naïvely thought she would ‘find herself’ in India. Instead she is enmeshed in a drama worthy of Bollywood, starring an abandoned Pariah dog, a dead civil servant, a vengeful actor, a suicidal housewife, a boutique hotel owner, a blushing chauffer, an absent groom, an ambitious girl journalist and a megalomaniac monkey.
As Lola begins to understand the consequences of her choices, she ignites a series of events that lead to a Diwali Festival more explosive than anyone in New Delhi could have imagined.
- GenresFiction
192 pages, Paperback
First published May 11, 2015
356 people want to read
About the author
Polly McGee
5 books24 followersDr Polly McGee is an author, entrepreneur educator, digital strategist and yogi. She has managed multimillion dollar innovation grants programs and worked with hundreds of start-ups to refine their business ideas and connect with their market.
A prolific speaker and writer on digital strategy and small business, Polly has contributed to a range of business and digital publications for private enterprise and government clients and created a suite of digital and video content and workshops.
As co-founder of Start-up Tasmania, she was voted one of the most influential people in Australian Start-ups, and continues to coach and advise heart-centred entrepreneurs so they can scale their impact in the world.
Polly is strongly committed to philanthropy, equality, compassion and the good hustle, and believes all of life's problems can be solved with yoga, meditation and patting retired greyhounds.
A prolific speaker and writer on digital strategy and small business, Polly has contributed to a range of business and digital publications for private enterprise and government clients and created a suite of digital and video content and workshops.
As co-founder of Start-up Tasmania, she was voted one of the most influential people in Australian Start-ups, and continues to coach and advise heart-centred entrepreneurs so they can scale their impact in the world.
Polly is strongly committed to philanthropy, equality, compassion and the good hustle, and believes all of life's problems can be solved with yoga, meditation and patting retired greyhounds.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 30, 2015
Unputdownable (is that even a word?!)
Nevertheless thanks to the beautifully descriptive imagery when you pick up this book you are truly immersed in what it must be like to live in New Delhi. The smell of indian spices, the colours of Diwali and the odorous stench of the city literally leap from the page as you become embroiled in life in the city.
A wonderfully poignant piece, cleverly told, with a clear message made all the better for the superb characterisation of the main players who you seem to love, hate, love, loathe (briefly) and then ultimately feel sorry for.
Whether you are a bollywood fan, have a general interest in India or know nothing about the subcontinent it will still take you on an incredible journey.
Highly recommended and even better all for a good cause!
Nevertheless thanks to the beautifully descriptive imagery when you pick up this book you are truly immersed in what it must be like to live in New Delhi. The smell of indian spices, the colours of Diwali and the odorous stench of the city literally leap from the page as you become embroiled in life in the city.
A wonderfully poignant piece, cleverly told, with a clear message made all the better for the superb characterisation of the main players who you seem to love, hate, love, loathe (briefly) and then ultimately feel sorry for.
Whether you are a bollywood fan, have a general interest in India or know nothing about the subcontinent it will still take you on an incredible journey.
Highly recommended and even better all for a good cause!
December 4, 2015
A wickedly witty novel which vividly evokes the essence,the colour,the mosaic of India. Imaginative,perceptive,brimming with empathy. Slumdog Millionaire meets Animal Farm and adds so much originality to the lure of India. A fresh exciting and rewarding experience.
October 30, 2015
This is fabulous. A lovely romp through New Delhi - full of colour, wisdom and humour.
November 5, 2015
Fantastic read. Polly writes with a richness, colour and wit that is very entertaining.
December 27, 2016
Lola is in India to get married, but things aren't going as planned. She doesn't get to see the groom as he has no intention to come home. Instead she spends her days helping her future mother-in-law. She's being paid to get married and take the groom back to Australia, so he can start a new life there. When after a long time Lola still hasn't seen the groom she knows something is wrong. Is marrying a stranger in exchange for money what she really wants though?
Lola lives at Hastinapuri Estate. Her future in-laws are working there. She discovers what life in India is like. Even though things are a mess, something good might come out of her stay. She meets new people, she eats delicious food and she has the chance to learn what it's like to live in India. Will Lola get what she moved to India for or will she have a completely different experience?
Dogs of India has quite a variety of characters. Of course there's Lola, her absent fiancé-to-be and her hopeful parents-in-law. There's the estate owner who loves dogs, there's a former actor who has crazy political ideas, there's a talented journalist with a good nose for a story and there's a kind chauffeur. Two other important characters are a scruffy dog and an aggressive monkey. I loved the combination of humans and animals.
Dogs of India is a funny story with a great message. I admire the way Polly McGee combines humor with a political angle. It's very clever and because she uses a light tone while discussing a serious topic there's a good balance. I was pleasantly surprised by the combination of fascinating personalities and vivid colorful descriptions. The story comes to life very well and there is plenty of chaos, but it's always controlled. Each character plays a key part. I loved how everything eventually converges and the ending is fabulous.
Polly McGee has a great writing style and her sentences flow beautifully. I couldn't put this book down and wanted to keep following the lives of the main characters. There are quite a few dramatic twists and turns and all of them are equally creative. I was both entertained and captivated from beginning to end. I like it when a story is different and original. I really enjoyed reading about the dogs and the monkeys. If you're looking for a challenging entertaining read with fantastic main characters and plenty of priceless scenes you should get this book. I absolutely loved this brilliant story and highly recommend it.
Lola lives at Hastinapuri Estate. Her future in-laws are working there. She discovers what life in India is like. Even though things are a mess, something good might come out of her stay. She meets new people, she eats delicious food and she has the chance to learn what it's like to live in India. Will Lola get what she moved to India for or will she have a completely different experience?
Dogs of India has quite a variety of characters. Of course there's Lola, her absent fiancé-to-be and her hopeful parents-in-law. There's the estate owner who loves dogs, there's a former actor who has crazy political ideas, there's a talented journalist with a good nose for a story and there's a kind chauffeur. Two other important characters are a scruffy dog and an aggressive monkey. I loved the combination of humans and animals.
Dogs of India is a funny story with a great message. I admire the way Polly McGee combines humor with a political angle. It's very clever and because she uses a light tone while discussing a serious topic there's a good balance. I was pleasantly surprised by the combination of fascinating personalities and vivid colorful descriptions. The story comes to life very well and there is plenty of chaos, but it's always controlled. Each character plays a key part. I loved how everything eventually converges and the ending is fabulous.
Polly McGee has a great writing style and her sentences flow beautifully. I couldn't put this book down and wanted to keep following the lives of the main characters. There are quite a few dramatic twists and turns and all of them are equally creative. I was both entertained and captivated from beginning to end. I like it when a story is different and original. I really enjoyed reading about the dogs and the monkeys. If you're looking for a challenging entertaining read with fantastic main characters and plenty of priceless scenes you should get this book. I absolutely loved this brilliant story and highly recommend it.
November 1, 2015
This is such an entertaining and engaging page turner. You'll feel the heat, smell the spices and feel like you're right there in all the action. It'll keep you guessing with its twists and turns and you'll be enthralled from the first page right through to the last. Do yourself a favour and read this book...I'll guarantee you'll rave about it and recommend it.
October 31, 2015
I've never been to India, so what I know, I know from Bollywood, or Hollywood - the visuals and the colour. Reading Dogs of India, I am there, with just as much colour and intrigue and crazy humour as a film. The protagonists are vibrant, the bad guys obscene, the animals a beautiful mix of humour and good will. Just read it and enjoy it!
November 2, 2015
Dogs of India is the debut novel of Tasmanian author Polly McGee and one of the first releases by innovative new company The Author People, co-founded by former Simon & Schuster MD Lou Johnson and Tom Galletta.
I am not quite sure how to approach this review and I’m still not quite sure how I felt about the book. The writing style was easy to read, the descriptions were vivid and really brought the landscape to life.
Many authors write animals that are characters in their own right, McGee has given this some extra depth employing anthropomorphism to completely humanize some of her animal characters.
The setting is New Delhi, a city overcrowded with beings of all species. Some of the humans of New Delhi have had enough of the vermin and are demanding the council remove them, sparking what is supposed to be a war on monkeys and pariah dogs.
The cast of characters is quite large and extremely diverse. Novels often have 2 or 3 main characters, a handful of important secondary characters and a bunch of extras; Dogs of India has more like half a dozen lead characters and that many secondary characters. The cast is huge and their ties begin quite tenuous but we watch them slowly strengthen.
Dogs of India is definitely a story with great depth; touching on politics, corruption, religion and Indian traditions. The plight of women is sensitively addressed and the characters aimed to raise awareness to help change things for women, to start them on the road to safety.
The council declared war on the animals but one of the monkeys, with a massive ego, had other ideas; as leader of the pack he trained his army and he waged war on the pariah dogs of the park.
Lola Wedd is an Australian with a broken heart and a taste for revenge. She gets herself tangled up in a situation that I would have thought is just for the movies, but is written so authentically that I’m starting to think maybe it really does happen. She arrives in India, a country she has fallen in love with from afar, for a three month stay and her background is fed to us slowly throughout the story.
I found Dogs of India to be a very slow burning book. The pacing was quite drawn out and it took me a while to really get involved. Early in the story Rocky the displaced house dog and Paksheet the macaque monkey leader get their introduction and it took me a while to warm to their leading roles in the narrative.
The remainder of the review will be live at bookgirl.beautyandlace.net
I am not quite sure how to approach this review and I’m still not quite sure how I felt about the book. The writing style was easy to read, the descriptions were vivid and really brought the landscape to life.
Many authors write animals that are characters in their own right, McGee has given this some extra depth employing anthropomorphism to completely humanize some of her animal characters.
The setting is New Delhi, a city overcrowded with beings of all species. Some of the humans of New Delhi have had enough of the vermin and are demanding the council remove them, sparking what is supposed to be a war on monkeys and pariah dogs.
The cast of characters is quite large and extremely diverse. Novels often have 2 or 3 main characters, a handful of important secondary characters and a bunch of extras; Dogs of India has more like half a dozen lead characters and that many secondary characters. The cast is huge and their ties begin quite tenuous but we watch them slowly strengthen.
Dogs of India is definitely a story with great depth; touching on politics, corruption, religion and Indian traditions. The plight of women is sensitively addressed and the characters aimed to raise awareness to help change things for women, to start them on the road to safety.
The council declared war on the animals but one of the monkeys, with a massive ego, had other ideas; as leader of the pack he trained his army and he waged war on the pariah dogs of the park.
Lola Wedd is an Australian with a broken heart and a taste for revenge. She gets herself tangled up in a situation that I would have thought is just for the movies, but is written so authentically that I’m starting to think maybe it really does happen. She arrives in India, a country she has fallen in love with from afar, for a three month stay and her background is fed to us slowly throughout the story.
I found Dogs of India to be a very slow burning book. The pacing was quite drawn out and it took me a while to really get involved. Early in the story Rocky the displaced house dog and Paksheet the macaque monkey leader get their introduction and it took me a while to warm to their leading roles in the narrative.
The remainder of the review will be live at bookgirl.beautyandlace.net
August 19, 2017
India is a place that I find fascinating and I've read a lot of the classic books on it, Suitable Boy, God of Small Things, White Tiger and quite a few more including A Fine Balance, one of the best books I've ever read. The things is with these books is they are always a bit depressing. The country is an amazing, vibrant place full of colourful characters but there has been so much poverty and suffering there, particularly in the last century. Dogs of India has more of the colourful characters and Bollywood type scenarios and less of the depressing stuff. I also love dogs so that encouraged me to give it a try. I enjoyed the story but only give it 3 stars in the end as it was a bit too far fetched , perhaps I need the "gritty realism" that in fact upsets me. It was a much lighter hearted story than I've read on India before with happy endings for all the nice people and comeuppance for the baddies.
March 28, 2016
What I liked most about this book was that it was different. The style in which it is written makes it fast to read, keeps your interest, and it was cute to live in animals' brains for some chapters. It also had a good humor about it. What I'm not sure I liked was that it seems to touch on just about every socio/political issue out there. How can you cover animal cruelty, immigration, gay rights, rape, suicide, political corruption, poverty, religion, etc. etc. etc. in 181 pages? When you think this book is about one thing/message BAM! you get slammed with another plight.
April 9, 2016
This story is like Bollywood in a book. I was a little concerned when I first started the book as it begins from the perspective of a dog & a monkey however they intricate way all the characters in the book come together and that most of the book is from a human perspective make it a very enjoyable read. The portrayal of India with the colours, smells and characters just further fuels my desire to visit and makes you really feel like you are experiencing it. The book was well written and a lot of fun, add some music and it would fit right in there with good Bollywood movies.
October 30, 2015
this book has all of the drama, romance, villainous goings on and glitter of a Bollywood Movie. The fast paced narrative will keep you engaged and delighted throughout, it's a finely balanced story with enough realism to hurt a little bit. Make sure to give yourself time to enjoy this book, settle in with a cup of chai, maybe burn some incense, order some indian take away and get yourself in the mood for a fantastic journey. I love this book!
September 20, 2016
Such a charming book, but I wish it had been longer! I loved being immersed in the sights, sounds, and smells of New Delhi, and the characters were clever and fun. The plot was quirky and interesting, but I really felt as though it was rushed at the end, and I would have happily read another 200 pages to learn more about the characters and the setting. Overall, an enjoyable and lighthearted story.
September 20, 2016
Surprisingly, I really enjoyed this book. The writing style is breezy and the intertwined storylines are interesting and fun, and at times a little bizarre. I found myself really getting involved and often found it a little hard to put the book down, wanting to know more of what was about to happen. Sometimes I felt that I needed to know more about key characters, but overall it was a good, easy, refreshing read with unusual twists and turns.
October 29, 2015
This book has all the warmth, excitement and chaos that makes India the exotic and addictive place that it is.
The story is purely delightful, and I am looking forward to the next chapter in the lives of these intriguing and unique characters, both human and animal alike. This is a book that you can read more than once, and is a gem to add to your collection.
The story is purely delightful, and I am looking forward to the next chapter in the lives of these intriguing and unique characters, both human and animal alike. This is a book that you can read more than once, and is a gem to add to your collection.
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October 30, 2015Funny and page turning tale of moving to India. I really liked it.
I also love that a percentage of sales supports the work of Vets Beyond Borders in India.
I am passionate about their work and volunteered for them in India last year, desexig street dogs and vaccinating them for Rabies.
Improving the health of dogs and people.
I also love that a percentage of sales supports the work of Vets Beyond Borders in India.
I am passionate about their work and volunteered for them in India last year, desexig street dogs and vaccinating them for Rabies.
Improving the health of dogs and people.
August 14, 2017
Rich and colourful like India itself. This tightly plotted story intertwines the lives of a troop of monkeys, wild dogs, and their human neighbours with the flair and fantasy of a Bollywood novel. It's a light read, which doesn't shirk some real emotions. With her first novel, the delightfully named Polly McGee has delivered a little gem which is well worth your time and attention.
December 9, 2015
This is the book to buy those friends who love great writing but have already read everything! I've bought several copies as gifts now and have received rave reviews from each recipient. Dogs of India is fun, funny, beautifully written and compelling.
November 14, 2015
I loved this book! Such a great story on many levels, all coming together beautifully.
The phenomenon that is India is described with humour and love, as it should be.
The phenomenon that is India is described with humour and love, as it should be.
December 12, 2015
Fabulously entertaining and at the same time multilayered and multidimensional; populated by a cast of characters, both animal and human that showcase Indian life in all its guises
December 31, 2016
I didn't know quite what to make of this book. The cover blurb presents it as a light-hearted story centred around a single central character. In fact there are many central characters - to the extent that it becomes distracting at times - and the story deals with some serious themes and is actually often quite unpleasant.
The descriptions of India are evocative but sometimes feel overwritten. At times I felt like the author wanted the reader to notice how clever she was being with a turn of phrase ('a call to alms' is one example).
I couldn't really warm to any of the characters, and found Lola's character in particular to be inconsistent. At times she is competent and capable, allowing nothing to faze her - but then she fails to take any logical steps to address the awkward situation she finds herself in in the later part of the book.
The book is interspersed with Indian words and phrases. I was frustrated that these weren't explained, as I did not realise until finishing the book that there was a glossary at the end.
I really wanted to enjoy this book more, but ultimately found it unsatisfying.
The descriptions of India are evocative but sometimes feel overwritten. At times I felt like the author wanted the reader to notice how clever she was being with a turn of phrase ('a call to alms' is one example).
I couldn't really warm to any of the characters, and found Lola's character in particular to be inconsistent. At times she is competent and capable, allowing nothing to faze her - but then she fails to take any logical steps to address the awkward situation she finds herself in in the later part of the book.
The book is interspersed with Indian words and phrases. I was frustrated that these weren't explained, as I did not realise until finishing the book that there was a glossary at the end.
I really wanted to enjoy this book more, but ultimately found it unsatisfying.
January 6, 2016
This is a charming, fun, and full-of-adventure read. The plot twists and turns, links and unravels like silk from a sari. Straight out of Bollywood, the characters are easy to picture, easy to love and loathe, and McGee's passion for animals is obvious in the major role they play tying the action together. I had fun from the very start, read it in one sitting, and would thoroughly recommend this book both for your bookshelf and for that of a friend.
July 17, 2017
Quite a strange read. I felt the book was too "light" and silly of a read to then pounce heavy issues of feminism towards the end. I can see how the metaphors of the monkeys and dogs are transferred to human behavior but thought that all of these messages were muddled with the actual human characters comings and goings.--- too many different directions. I did like the immersion in Indian culture and Hinglish references, however.
October 7, 2016
Ho hum. Extra for the mostly authentic Indian setting. Less for the fairly tale tone - monkeys with strategic plans etc - and other less than believable elements. There are better things to do with my time....
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews