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The Little Dog Laughed
Ennis Price, a bitter invalid, Sparky, a small dog with a big grudge and freakish psychic powers—these are the significant others in Regina Barbaria’s joyless world. But the elderly schoolmarm’s life changes when Ennis purchases a mobility scooter, a modern-day Tardis, a time-machine with the capability to restore youth for as long as the traveler remains in the past.
One morning Reggie borrows the scooter while her partner is sleeping and ends up in 61AD. Sparky has never forgiven her for having him “fixed”, and maroons her in Epping Forest on the eve of a battle between the armies of rebel queen, Boadicea and Roman general, Suetonius Paulinus. Fearing capture, Reggie - now a captivating young woman - disguises herself as a boy. Her ruse rebounds when she falls into the hands of an outlaw and is sold to General Paulinus—the most ruthless general in the whole of the Roman Empire.
As Reggie fights her feelings for the notorious general, Ennis, now the prime suspect in her disappearance sets off to find her, with his reluctant little dog. Suspenseful, endearingly romantic and awash with social comedy, The Little Dog Laughed is a riotous tale of exuberant she-warriors, lustful legionnaires and delightful small animals with personalities all their own—close both to reality, and the secret world of our imaginations.
One morning Reggie borrows the scooter while her partner is sleeping and ends up in 61AD. Sparky has never forgiven her for having him “fixed”, and maroons her in Epping Forest on the eve of a battle between the armies of rebel queen, Boadicea and Roman general, Suetonius Paulinus. Fearing capture, Reggie - now a captivating young woman - disguises herself as a boy. Her ruse rebounds when she falls into the hands of an outlaw and is sold to General Paulinus—the most ruthless general in the whole of the Roman Empire.
As Reggie fights her feelings for the notorious general, Ennis, now the prime suspect in her disappearance sets off to find her, with his reluctant little dog. Suspenseful, endearingly romantic and awash with social comedy, The Little Dog Laughed is a riotous tale of exuberant she-warriors, lustful legionnaires and delightful small animals with personalities all their own—close both to reality, and the secret world of our imaginations.
322 pages, Paperback
First published January 15, 2016
15 people are currently reading
435 people want to read
About the author
Ann Massey
11 books27 followersAnn Massey writes fiction that draws on different literary traditions. Ann calls her books square-pegs because they don't slot neatly into a specific genre slot. She is the author of four genre-bender books. Her latest book, "The Little Dog Laughed", a quirky historical fantasy was published on 15 January 2016. Ann holds a college degree in teaching and currently teaches English Literature. Outside of teaching, she worked in the newspaper industry as a sub-editor and marketing manager. In 1986 she won the prestigious INMA marketing award. After living in England and Borneo, she has settled in the beach-side suburb of Quinns Rocks in Western Australia.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 20, 2016
It takes one hell of a lot of imagination to come up with a plot like this! If you heard in a couple of sentences what this story is about you may think it was madness but it is a fabulous read!
Time travelling pensioners and their dog collide with Roman history in Britain at the time of Boadicea. Instead of a Tardis they have a time travelling mobility scooter! When they arrive back in ancient Britain they are 18 years of age and caught up in an adventure with a great array of characters.
As I love any story about Roman Britain especially books by Simon Scarrow, I was worried I might find fault in the historical elements but the author has done a great job of weaving a story around real characters and events from the past and even given us some romance.
There is some humor but this book is also a page turning adventure and I loved the ending!
Highly recommended!
Time travelling pensioners and their dog collide with Roman history in Britain at the time of Boadicea. Instead of a Tardis they have a time travelling mobility scooter! When they arrive back in ancient Britain they are 18 years of age and caught up in an adventure with a great array of characters.
As I love any story about Roman Britain especially books by Simon Scarrow, I was worried I might find fault in the historical elements but the author has done a great job of weaving a story around real characters and events from the past and even given us some romance.
There is some humor but this book is also a page turning adventure and I loved the ending!
Highly recommended!
April 9, 2016
I really enjoy this author's voice. I have to say, I have enjoyed her other work more, maybe because their tones seemed heavier. Massey is very skilled at fleshing out very true-to-life characters that have very personal details and quirks. The characters come across very life like, not as caricatures. That said, If you are looking for a light and comedic read, this book is a wonderful adventure. The "Aussie-isms" are charming and it's full of actual guffaw moments that made my spouse ask what I was reading.
March 16, 2016
Looking for something unique, refreshing, funny, and wildly creative? Read this book! It reminded me a bit of Kurt Vonnegut, but lighter and much more fun. Ann Massey’s insightful wit is a treasure. The Little Dog Laughed is one of the best, most memorable books I’ve read in years.
July 22, 2020
Hang on for a Wild Ride!
Gritty and sexually explicit, which I usually eschew, Ann Massey’s “The Little Dog Laughed” gets 5 stars from me for its unique time travel through history to Roman occupied Briton during the first century AD, and for its humor, suspense, and honest portrayal of life and war. Neither sex nor profanity was used gratuitously or out of context with the actions and conversations of the characters. Queen Boadicea, Gaius Suetonius Paulinus, Julius Agricola and Boadicea’s daughters came alive and mixed realistically with modern day people who we might recognize as our own neighbors.
The plot was intriguing, the twists were thrilling, and the mix of Latin phrases and accurate historical events and people transport readers to the first century just as surely as the time machine in the novel.
Gritty and sexually explicit, which I usually eschew, Ann Massey’s “The Little Dog Laughed” gets 5 stars from me for its unique time travel through history to Roman occupied Briton during the first century AD, and for its humor, suspense, and honest portrayal of life and war. Neither sex nor profanity was used gratuitously or out of context with the actions and conversations of the characters. Queen Boadicea, Gaius Suetonius Paulinus, Julius Agricola and Boadicea’s daughters came alive and mixed realistically with modern day people who we might recognize as our own neighbors.
The plot was intriguing, the twists were thrilling, and the mix of Latin phrases and accurate historical events and people transport readers to the first century just as surely as the time machine in the novel.
December 9, 2017
The Little Dog Laughed is like no other book that I have ever read. Saying it’s out of left field doesn’t cut it. It’s off the planet.
The author has a remarkable imagination (think Stephen King without the extreme horror) and has conjured up a story about a delightful little Jack Russell (Spartacus or Sparky to his friends), an accidental time machine, two septuagenarians who rediscover their youth, and history when Boadicea battled the Romans and Rome’s most feared general, Suetonius Paulinus.
This book has humor, romance, history and violence all rolled up into one incredible tale. It’s an easy, very enjoyable, fun read. Highly recommended.
The author has a remarkable imagination (think Stephen King without the extreme horror) and has conjured up a story about a delightful little Jack Russell (Spartacus or Sparky to his friends), an accidental time machine, two septuagenarians who rediscover their youth, and history when Boadicea battled the Romans and Rome’s most feared general, Suetonius Paulinus.
This book has humor, romance, history and violence all rolled up into one incredible tale. It’s an easy, very enjoyable, fun read. Highly recommended.
October 3, 2017
Such a fun book! I am now going to find me some more Massey books.....
January 29, 2016
The Little Dog Laughed by Ann Massey is a light-hearted romp into the past, a romantic Shakespearean comedy with a cast of characters you won’t forget. Regina Barberia and Ennis Price are in the winter of their years, accompanied by their scruffy old dog Sparky. Their humdrum end-of-days existence takes a sharp turn in a mobility scooter bought for Ennis. They find it has magical powers as it transports them back through time to 61 AD. Their shock is turned to elation as they find one of the side effects has restored their youth. Only it is a temporary victory as they find themselves entrenched in the world of the psychotic Emperor Nero, who has dispatched one of his most capable generals to subjugate Brittania. The platonic pals find the romances of their lifetime though their lives hang in the balance amidst a cataclysmic struggle. Yet Massey is able to use the grimness of the situation in predicating uproarious moments in this fast-paced comedy caper.
The subplots abound as Ennis’ heartthrob, Princess Henna, is prepared to turn to the mystic Druids of Eire in a desperate attempt to repel the Roman invaders. As their romance blooms, Regina’s fortunes wane as she is taken captive by the marauding armies. She finds herself subjugated under the roof of Madam Julia Pacata, whose conniving husband Classianus seeks to improve his position at the expense of General Gaius Paulinus. Only Regina has disguised herself as a boy, which proves greatly disadvantageous as she develops a crush on Paulinus. It becomes a comedy of errors reminiscent of Barbra Streisand's Yentl as Regina faces the impossibilty of winning his heart, helping him overcome internecine treachery, and somehow save the day.
For history buffs, romantic comedy lovers and those looking for a fast-paced, enjoyable read, The Little Dog Laughed by Ann Massey is a worthy addition to your library.
The subplots abound as Ennis’ heartthrob, Princess Henna, is prepared to turn to the mystic Druids of Eire in a desperate attempt to repel the Roman invaders. As their romance blooms, Regina’s fortunes wane as she is taken captive by the marauding armies. She finds herself subjugated under the roof of Madam Julia Pacata, whose conniving husband Classianus seeks to improve his position at the expense of General Gaius Paulinus. Only Regina has disguised herself as a boy, which proves greatly disadvantageous as she develops a crush on Paulinus. It becomes a comedy of errors reminiscent of Barbra Streisand's Yentl as Regina faces the impossibilty of winning his heart, helping him overcome internecine treachery, and somehow save the day.
For history buffs, romantic comedy lovers and those looking for a fast-paced, enjoyable read, The Little Dog Laughed by Ann Massey is a worthy addition to your library.
Read
July 12, 2016I won this book on good reads. The story was a good read for history buffs. Some parts were a bit hard to follow. Reggie went from being an insignificant mouse to someone of great influence someone to be reckoned with, a bit smarter than originally thought. General Paulinus becomes a real person not just a famous name in an ancient culture. It is difficult to understand time machines and their workings. Especially if the time machine is an automated wheelchair. The fact that you could meet yourself coming or going is a strange concept . The idea was innovative. The authors' explanation of how her characters overcome adversity and changed history is very understandable. The story does not leave you hanging, it ties up all loose ends. I thank the author for that. Whether true or not I found the book to be a good read.☺
April 20, 2016
The Little Dog Laughed is a rollicking romp into ancient Rome as the author weaves one hopeless elderly woman, her invalid friend, and an unforgiving pup into a tale featuring laugh-out-loud comedic genius and time travel. The lucid prose depicts the Roman era with a merciful dose of gripping realism as Regina’s modern-day scooter thrusts her (and her little dog, too—insert Wicked Witch’s evil laughter) back in time, and eventually into the arms of a ruthless general. While the satire and wit will have readers waking their sleeping spouse with laughter (as I did), the literary artistry will impress you. A beautiful blend of passion and humor, be prepared for a descriptive trip with these unforgettable characters. You'll be glad to have taken the voyage.
February 22, 2016
Highly recommended if you like something different. A light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek romp through Roman occupied Britain in ancient times .. about 60AD. A bitter old couple get transported back in time when they try out their new mobility scooter. There they find renewed youth and everything that goes with it while keeping just a bit of the wisdom of old age. Their strong-minded little Jack Russell terrier, vengeful after having been de-sexed in his prime, goes with them and plays a key role in alternatively trapping them back in the past, right in the middle of vicious battles, slave-taking and the political intrigue and saving them from a series of dangers. Lots of fun, some romance and a great insight into characters and events that light up Britain's ancient history.
January 17, 2016
A five-star reward for this story! The Little Dog Laughed has it all - time travel, history, suspense, comedy, romance, and a cute little dog. This is a time-travel romp that begins in Australia then takes the reader to Roman-occupied Britannia 61AD. This is a story of a courageous woman - Regina Barbaria - who matches wits and skills with Queen Boudica (queen of the British Iceni tribe), Gaius Suetonius Paulinus (Roman general, defeater of the rebellion of Boudica), Ennis Price (a bitter invalid who subjects Regina to his cruelty), and Sparky (a grudge-holding terrier dog). You will laugh, you will learn history, and you will root for the happily-ever-after for some of these characters.
April 12, 2016
From A Re-enactor
I enjoy dressing up and going to Renaissance Festivals and re-enacting the period as a merchant's wife. So I felt somewhat familiar with Reggie and Ennis. Only they went way back. I don't think I would have wanted to live back then but each of them had reasons for their final decision on using the wayback machine for staying or going and I understand. We each have a dream, but only some of us have the courage to follow it.
I enjoy dressing up and going to Renaissance Festivals and re-enacting the period as a merchant's wife. So I felt somewhat familiar with Reggie and Ennis. Only they went way back. I don't think I would have wanted to live back then but each of them had reasons for their final decision on using the wayback machine for staying or going and I understand. We each have a dream, but only some of us have the courage to follow it.
May 2, 2016
Just couldn't get into it. Too similar to other books I've read with the exception of the device used to travel through time. Didn't get the laughs that other readers referred to and had to put it down in favor of a book with more depth.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews