Angus: A Memoir

by Charles Siebert

A sincerely written attempt at creating an "autobiography" for a beloved Jack Russell terrier, Angus is told almost entirely from the dog's perspective. (Amazon)

About the Author: Charles Siebert was born in Brooklyn, New York, where he currently resides. He is the author of the memoir Wickerby: An Urban Pastoral. His poems, essays, and articles have appeared in numerous publications, including The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, Harper's, Outside, and Esquire.

Genres: Dogs, Animals, Fiction

176 pages, Hardcover

First published May 9, 2000

About the author

Charles Siebert is a poet, journalist, essayist, and contributing writer for The New York Times Sunday Magazine. His work has appeared in a broad array of publications, including The New York Times Sunday Magazine, The New Yorker, Harper's, Vanity Fair, Outside, Esquire, and Men's Journal.

Reviews

[Lisa Banik · Rating 5 out of 5]

If this dog story doesn't move you to tears, don't become an organ donor: you have no heart.

[Lynn Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have ever loved a dog, this book will tug at your heartstrings! Written from the dog's point of view, he thinks back over his years with his family and remembers his favorite moments. Nicely written. Even though you know the dog's predicament early on, it does not spoil the story. Be prepared with a box of tissues!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A memoir by a critically injured Jack Russell terrier, this could have been the most annoyingly precious book, but it's not at all. The dog's point of view is believable, and his struggle to return to his humans after being attacked by a wild animal is heartbreaking.

[Michelle Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read and write about a lot of dog “autobiographies,” a genre which began in 1801 with /Bob the Spotted Terrier/. What I appreciate about /Angus/ (and other more contemporary dog autobiographies) is its reflectiveness about the nature of the dog-human bond—a reflectiveness that I think could have gone further, been prodded at a little more thoroughly, in /Angus/.

In the nineteenth century, this genre took for granted that dogs love their humans to the end of their earth. This is, in fact, their purpose. Angus, however, has other purposes (namely the terrier task of burrowing after and killing rodents and other prey)—purposes which he openly admits are thwarted by his humans Huge-Head and Sweet-Voice. (Making fun of humankind has been a staple of dog autobiographies since very early on, those who chuckle at “Huge-Head” should note.) His separateness from his humans has no bearing on his love for them, though, something upon which he regularly reflects: “Is it enough that we couldn’t care less for your plans or regrets, and yet any more deeply for you and for the moment at hand? I’ve never wanted one thing—not a mouse, a badger, not a sidewalk dream-steak—more than I want to get back to you now...” (136). Angus is continually perplexed at how quickly and how strongly he grew attached to his humans, and it is this very perplexity that sets the twenty- and twenty-first century dog autobiography apart from its ancestors.

To have Angus reflect further on the reason for his attachment may well go against the very nature of a modern dog autobiography: after all, Angus frequently points out that his capacity for worry is very limited, which is how he ended up in his predicament in the first place. But there is a rather unreflective epilogue by Angus’s (real-world) owner, which leaves plenty of room for the types of exploration that the novel/memoir (it is called both in different editions) lacks. Angus asks early and often what humans want from him, and whether or not he is giving it. Maybe the effect would be spoiled with answers, but once put in a place for reflection, I desired more of it.

[Kristal Stidham · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you need a good cry, this little book will do the trick.

A young dog looks back on his life as he lays dying from a coyote attack. It's written from the POV of the dog, but otherwise appears to be a true story. The author has a talent for prose and for looking at the world the way a dog would. Though terribly sad, I was completely interested from beginning to end.

[Frank DiPrimo · Rating 2 out of 5]

First book in 3 years that I put down in less than 25 pages and never picked up again.
Just didn't like way author wrote and his prose
not for me, and don't see value in this book

[Susan Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like my fierce little jrt/beagle mix could have written this book. The author really tapped into his dog's mind.

[Bridget Petrella]

With 'Angus,' Charles Siebert, author of the critically acclaimed memoir 'Wickerby: An Urban Pastoral,' offers us a wry, poignant, and ultimately redemptive view of life and death as perceived through the heightened senses of one very brave, winsome, unforgettable Jack Russell terrier. At once poetic, thoroughly canine, and unsentimental, Angus is a brilliant feat of the imagination that illuminates our often ambiguous relationship with our fellow creatures, while delivering us to a fuller understanding of the forces that make us all one. “Angus is one of the all-time great dog books. It’s up there with My Dog Tulip, and surely will become a classic.” —Elizabeth Marshall Thomas, author of 'The Hidden Life of Dogs'. “Siebert reveals an uncanny ability to inhabit the mind, heart, and soul of a dog. With enormous sensitivity, he plumbs the depths of the mysterious ties that bind us like no other to an alien species. No one has ever gone so deep inside the canine mind-reporting back the solution to one of the great puzzles of nature: what do dogs think of us?” —Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, author of 'Dogs Never Lie About Love'. “A remarkable exploration of the understandings and misunderstandings between two people and their dog–a triumph of canine creative writing.” —Rupert Sheldrake, author of 'Dogs That Know When Their Owners Are Coming Home'. “This fine tribute deserves a place alongside Donald McCaig’s classic Border collie epic, Nop’s Trials, and Paul Auster’s recent tale of the loyal mixed breed, Timbuktu.” —Audrey C. Foote, Washington Post Book World. “Siebert, a gifted poet and essayist, has written a love poem (in prose) to Angus that brought me to tears more than once... 'Angus' is small and perfect, so sad and beautiful that to read it again would break my heart.” —Robert D. King, Austin American-Statesman. I couldn't agree more. If you've ever owned a dog... or have taken the time to get to know one, you'll understand why this book has received such rave reviews. The verdict is in, 'Angus' is well worth a read... or two.

[Ophelia3339 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Told from the perspective of the dog, Angus is really a metaphor for life and life with dogs. I have read a lot of books where the dog is the main focus and Angus is just about the best I've ever come across.

[Nancy DiPaula · Rating 4 out of 5]

tear jerker

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

The language was a little challenging, but overall I ejoyed it. Interesting perspective, written from the POV of the pup, Angus.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure how I feel about this book. When Angus tells his story, I'm not sure he is happy or sad being with his people. The book has a heart warming finish which will leave you heartbroken.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly poetic and philosophical, and of course, devastating from beginning to end.

[Kimberly]

It gave a cute explanation of the view from a dog. Sad.

[Bill Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid interesting story from the dogs point of view

[Samantha Banik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed, I cried...a lot...a perfect little read.

[Mcvalens · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok, cute little story. fun to read from the dog's perspective.

[Kimberly Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book turned out to be just what I needed. Full of sweetness, all the feels and a few tears.

[Liz McNulty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will never understand why more people don’t know about this book. It’s so good and sweet and, unless you’re a soulless, heartless person, you WILL cry. Please read this book.