A Dog's Life

by Paul Bailey

In the spring of 1985, the novelist Paul Bailey found himself becoming the unlikely owner of a dog. He saw the puppy in the window of a pet shop and was instantly (and lastingly) beguiled. She was given the name Circe by Bailey's dying partner, David, who was also overcome by her charms, though after a good deal of resistance. This memoir tells of the sixteen years Paul Bailey spent in Circe's company, while also offering portraits of friends and acquaintances, living and dead. There are sketches of the various eccentrics encountered during his walks with the dog, and descriptions of the author's trips abroad - to Romania, Poland, and Hungary, among other countries.

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Peter Harry "Paul" Bailey was a British novelist and critic, as well as a biographer of Cynthia Payne and Quentin Crisp.

Reviews

[Nergis · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a lovely read; the book brought me to tears and made me giggle from one page to another. Paul Bailey's story writing is so elegant and subtle in telling the bad and good in humans, with a sense of humour, and going through grief after a loved one, with grace. This book will stay in mind as a perspective changer and a reminder of the art of living.

[Dani · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF I'm afriad. I just couldn't manage the writing style meaning I wasn't able to buy into it.

[Tiwi · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart was touched by story. An animal can give us a lesson how to become a sincere people.

[Massimo Tallarigo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice and full of life!