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Lost Dog
The Sunday Times top ten bestseller'Lost Dog is already one of my books of the year. Spicer writes like a dream...You will love it.' India Knight, Sunday Times 'Sharply observed and deeply funny, it's one of the best, most enjoyable books of 2019 so far' British VogueMeet woman's best friend.Kate is a middle aged woman trying to steer some order into a life that is going off the rails. When she adopts a lurcher called Wolfy, the shabby rescue dog saves her from herself. But when the dog disappears, it is up to Kate to hit the streets of London and find him. Will she save him, as he has saved her - or will she lose everythingAs she trudges endlessly calling his name in the hopeless hope she may find him, she runs into other peoples landscapes and lives, finding allies amongst psychics, bloggers and mysterious midnight joggers. Trying to find her dog tests her relationship, and her sanity, to its limits and gets her thinking about her life, and why things have turned out as they have for her. A brilliant, life-affirming memoir, Lost Dog is a book like no other about both about the myth of modern womanhood, and the enduring mystery of the relationship between human and canine.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2019
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717 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
September 12, 2021
Uma leitura maravilhosa, a minha opinião em vídeo No Livros à Lareira com chá: https://youtu.be/7DH0tcf8P4s
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2021
Trys viename: Noting Hilas, Bridžita Džouns ir Lesė (arba Reksas)
„Netflix“ filmą pagal šią knygą tikrai žiūrėsiu – skaičiau ir mačiau iš populiariosios juostos „Noting Hilas“ įsimintas gatveles. Žiūrėsiu, nors nežinia, ar kūrėjai ras rolę Hugh Grantui – mano manymu, galėtų. Ne pagrindinę, bet šmėkštelėjimui vertų persanažų yra. Pagrindinė herojė (knygą įkvėpė tikra istorija, ant viršelio – autorės ir pagrindinio herojaus portretas) man šiek tiek priminė Bridžitą Džouns. Tas pats noras žingsniuoti per pasaulį su triušio kostiumu... Tad jau aišku, kodėl filmas bus geras – sukryžminus „Noting Hilo“ romantiką su Bridže garantuotas atominis sprogimas.
Kodėl aš apie filmą, kai aprašau knygą? Šmaikščiu tonu parašytas pasakojimas (o gal tiksliau išpažintis?) taip įtraukia, jog verti puslapius ir atrodo, jog klaidžioji Londono gatvėmis su nenuorama autore. Jauti, kaip ji sėdi prie kompiuterio ir jaučia po kojomis šiltą savo augininio pilvelį. Drauge ašaroji, kai ji blaškosi po tą patį jaukųjį ir ne tokį jaukų Londoną ieškodama dingusio šuns. Gauni krūvą emocijų ir Londono jausmą. Noriu filmo pagal šią istoriją, noriu prasieiti tomis gatvėmis ir.. Ne, dėl augintinio dar neapsisprendžiau, bet knyga abejojančius gali įtikinti, jog ištikimas draugas gali stebuklus.
...
Kam tinka:
Šunų mylėtojams. Ir svajojantiems apie augintinį.
Ieškančiems įtraukiančio pasakojimo. Tai, jog tai tikra istorija, suteikia tik dar daugiau žavumo.
Pasiilgusiems šmaikštaus žodžio. Ir aštraus.
Norintiems pasivaikščioti po Londoną.
„Netflix“ filmą pagal šią knygą tikrai žiūrėsiu – skaičiau ir mačiau iš populiariosios juostos „Noting Hilas“ įsimintas gatveles. Žiūrėsiu, nors nežinia, ar kūrėjai ras rolę Hugh Grantui – mano manymu, galėtų. Ne pagrindinę, bet šmėkštelėjimui vertų persanažų yra. Pagrindinė herojė (knygą įkvėpė tikra istorija, ant viršelio – autorės ir pagrindinio herojaus portretas) man šiek tiek priminė Bridžitą Džouns. Tas pats noras žingsniuoti per pasaulį su triušio kostiumu... Tad jau aišku, kodėl filmas bus geras – sukryžminus „Noting Hilo“ romantiką su Bridže garantuotas atominis sprogimas.
Kodėl aš apie filmą, kai aprašau knygą? Šmaikščiu tonu parašytas pasakojimas (o gal tiksliau išpažintis?) taip įtraukia, jog verti puslapius ir atrodo, jog klaidžioji Londono gatvėmis su nenuorama autore. Jauti, kaip ji sėdi prie kompiuterio ir jaučia po kojomis šiltą savo augininio pilvelį. Drauge ašaroji, kai ji blaškosi po tą patį jaukųjį ir ne tokį jaukų Londoną ieškodama dingusio šuns. Gauni krūvą emocijų ir Londono jausmą. Noriu filmo pagal šią istoriją, noriu prasieiti tomis gatvėmis ir.. Ne, dėl augintinio dar neapsisprendžiau, bet knyga abejojančius gali įtikinti, jog ištikimas draugas gali stebuklus.
...
Kam tinka:
Šunų mylėtojams. Ir svajojantiems apie augintinį.
Ieškančiems įtraukiančio pasakojimo. Tai, jog tai tikra istorija, suteikia tik dar daugiau žavumo.
Pasiilgusiems šmaikštaus žodžio. Ir aštraus.
Norintiems pasivaikščioti po Londoną.
April 13, 2020
This started off great. Fresh, sassy writing with an interesting perspective. It quickly became self indulgent and dull. There’s only so many pages you can read about a spoilt, middle class woman loving her dog. And I love my dog but this got tired very quickly. I started skim reading halfway through and the ending was predictable and kinda boring.
July 13, 2021
3.5/5
Meilės laiškas Londonui. Tačiau ne tas sentimentalus, užglaistant visus trūkumus ir pabrėžiant tik kultūrų įvairovę, skanų maistą, įsimintiną gatvės madą ir daug meno. Šis laiškas – vienas tų, kuriame pasakojama ir apie pretenzingus vakarėlius, ir apie visiškai neglamūrišką narkotikų ir priklausomybių pasaulį, ir apie žmones, su kuriais privalai įsitraukti į beprasmiškus pokalbius. Šalia viso to nepamirštama ir siaurų gatvelių, ne tokių ir prabangių rajonų bei keistuolių benamių. Skaitydama tikrai jaučiausi kaip grįžusi į tą nepaliaujamai gyvybe kunkuliuojantį miestą.
Tačiau knyga, kaip diktuoja jos pavadinimas, yra ne tik apie tai. Ji – apie ryšį. Sunkiai suprantamą tiems, kurie neaugina gyvūnų, tačiau juos turintiems – be galo tikrą ir artimą. Kate Spicer čia taiko tiesiai į širdį ir jos gyvenimą apvertusį šunį piešia tokiomis spalvomis, kad sunku išlikti abejingam. Daug kur kikenau, daug kur pritariamai linkčiojau, nes jausmas, kad keturkojis padaras tave išgelbėjo – pažįstamas. Ramiai, nesiskubindama ir nemelodramatizuodama (bent jau mano akimis, nes panašu, kad su autore mus sieja itin stipri meilė šunims) ji pasakoja apie savo kasdienybę, dalijasi mintimis, kartais šokinėja nuo vieno prisiminimo prie kito ir nebando niekam įtikti. Ji pasakoja apie toli gražu netobulus, tačiau itin apčiuopiamus savo santykius, apie visus pokyčius, kuriuos į gyvenimą atnešė augintinis, o galiausiai apie kai ką kur kas skaudesnio – to augintinio netekimą.
Ir visgi paskutinis knygos trečdalis, kuriame dingęs šuo yra ieškomas, pavertė šią knygą gana vidutiniu skaitiniu. Ji galėjo būti bent kokiais 70psl. trumpesnė, mat pasikartojimai ėmė erzinti, o ir puslapiai jau vertėsi sunkiai. Skausmo, beviltiškumo ir liūdesio įspūdis, iš pradžių toks stiprus, galiausiai blėso, nes buvo per daug ištemptas, o kūrinio ramumas ir neskubėjimas virto į sunkiai pakeliamą lėtą tempą. Tikiu, kad iš knygos išeis puikus filmas – pašalinant viską, kas nereikalinga, ir atskleidžiant geriausias jo dalis – meilę šunims, meilę miestui, ir savęs pažinimą. Tačiau rašytinei pasakojimo versijai būtų nepamaišęs geras redaktorius. Bet jei mylit šunis ir Londoną – griebkit, knyga gali būti būtent tai, ko norisi karštą vasarą.
Meilės laiškas Londonui. Tačiau ne tas sentimentalus, užglaistant visus trūkumus ir pabrėžiant tik kultūrų įvairovę, skanų maistą, įsimintiną gatvės madą ir daug meno. Šis laiškas – vienas tų, kuriame pasakojama ir apie pretenzingus vakarėlius, ir apie visiškai neglamūrišką narkotikų ir priklausomybių pasaulį, ir apie žmones, su kuriais privalai įsitraukti į beprasmiškus pokalbius. Šalia viso to nepamirštama ir siaurų gatvelių, ne tokių ir prabangių rajonų bei keistuolių benamių. Skaitydama tikrai jaučiausi kaip grįžusi į tą nepaliaujamai gyvybe kunkuliuojantį miestą.
Tačiau knyga, kaip diktuoja jos pavadinimas, yra ne tik apie tai. Ji – apie ryšį. Sunkiai suprantamą tiems, kurie neaugina gyvūnų, tačiau juos turintiems – be galo tikrą ir artimą. Kate Spicer čia taiko tiesiai į širdį ir jos gyvenimą apvertusį šunį piešia tokiomis spalvomis, kad sunku išlikti abejingam. Daug kur kikenau, daug kur pritariamai linkčiojau, nes jausmas, kad keturkojis padaras tave išgelbėjo – pažįstamas. Ramiai, nesiskubindama ir nemelodramatizuodama (bent jau mano akimis, nes panašu, kad su autore mus sieja itin stipri meilė šunims) ji pasakoja apie savo kasdienybę, dalijasi mintimis, kartais šokinėja nuo vieno prisiminimo prie kito ir nebando niekam įtikti. Ji pasakoja apie toli gražu netobulus, tačiau itin apčiuopiamus savo santykius, apie visus pokyčius, kuriuos į gyvenimą atnešė augintinis, o galiausiai apie kai ką kur kas skaudesnio – to augintinio netekimą.
Ir visgi paskutinis knygos trečdalis, kuriame dingęs šuo yra ieškomas, pavertė šią knygą gana vidutiniu skaitiniu. Ji galėjo būti bent kokiais 70psl. trumpesnė, mat pasikartojimai ėmė erzinti, o ir puslapiai jau vertėsi sunkiai. Skausmo, beviltiškumo ir liūdesio įspūdis, iš pradžių toks stiprus, galiausiai blėso, nes buvo per daug ištemptas, o kūrinio ramumas ir neskubėjimas virto į sunkiai pakeliamą lėtą tempą. Tikiu, kad iš knygos išeis puikus filmas – pašalinant viską, kas nereikalinga, ir atskleidžiant geriausias jo dalis – meilę šunims, meilę miestui, ir savęs pažinimą. Tačiau rašytinei pasakojimo versijai būtų nepamaišęs geras redaktorius. Bet jei mylit šunis ir Londoną – griebkit, knyga gali būti būtent tai, ko norisi karštą vasarą.
September 26, 2021
„Visiems, žinantiems, ką reiškia šunį mylėti ir būti jo mylimiems.“ Tai meilės istorija - taip skelbia knygos viršelis. Ir aš absoliučiai su tuo sutinku.
Kate Spicer - žinoma britų autorė, žurnalistė ir dokumentinių filmų kūrėja. Jai per keturiasdešimt, ji rašo straipsnius apie gyvenimo būdą, gyvena su jaunesniu vyru, nevengia vakarėlių, kuriuose netrūksta vyno bei kokaino. Skirtingai nei mylimojo, jos gyvenimas padrikas, be aiškių rėmų, be režimo.
Pavargusi nuo tokios chaotiškos kasdienybės vieną dieną Kate nusprendžia įsitaisyti šunį. Ir taip namuose apsigyvena apšepęs lurčeris Volfis. Ir taip gimsta meilė. Ir įneša į gyvenimą tvarkos bei aiškumo.
Antroje knygos dalyje Volfis dingsta ir prasideda ilga atkakli paieška, pasitelkiant žymius žmones, aiškiaregius, klajojant po Londono užkampius, tai prarandant viltį, tai vėl jai įsižiebiant.
Ir ką galiu pasakyti... Mane, kaip ir didelę dalį žmonių, graudina besąlygiška meilė gyvūnams. Man atrodo, mylintys gyvūnus yra ne šiaip žmonės, o labai geros širdies žmonės. Tad visus, o ypatingai šunų mylėtojus, kviečiu paskaityti šviesią, gerą istoriją apie meilę.
„Jei tik santykiai tarp žmonių būtų tokie paprasti, kaip žmonių ir gyvūnų.“
Kate Spicer - žinoma britų autorė, žurnalistė ir dokumentinių filmų kūrėja. Jai per keturiasdešimt, ji rašo straipsnius apie gyvenimo būdą, gyvena su jaunesniu vyru, nevengia vakarėlių, kuriuose netrūksta vyno bei kokaino. Skirtingai nei mylimojo, jos gyvenimas padrikas, be aiškių rėmų, be režimo.
Pavargusi nuo tokios chaotiškos kasdienybės vieną dieną Kate nusprendžia įsitaisyti šunį. Ir taip namuose apsigyvena apšepęs lurčeris Volfis. Ir taip gimsta meilė. Ir įneša į gyvenimą tvarkos bei aiškumo.
Antroje knygos dalyje Volfis dingsta ir prasideda ilga atkakli paieška, pasitelkiant žymius žmones, aiškiaregius, klajojant po Londono užkampius, tai prarandant viltį, tai vėl jai įsižiebiant.
Ir ką galiu pasakyti... Mane, kaip ir didelę dalį žmonių, graudina besąlygiška meilė gyvūnams. Man atrodo, mylintys gyvūnus yra ne šiaip žmonės, o labai geros širdies žmonės. Tad visus, o ypatingai šunų mylėtojus, kviečiu paskaityti šviesią, gerą istoriją apie meilę.
„Jei tik santykiai tarp žmonių būtų tokie paprasti, kaip žmonių ir gyvūnų.“
February 20, 2020
Being the owner of a dog I totally get it!
January 10, 2020
I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review. I found it quite difficult to get into and fully engage with this book although it did improve over time. I liked the story of how the dog created a new way of living for the author but I didn't feel there was enough meat to the bones of this book
November 24, 2020
2.8 While the beginning of the book is catching, relatable for any dog owner/lover and funny, there just doesn’t seem to be much else... I got halfway through and decided to give up as it wasn’t interesting to me anymore. While I understand it’s a biography there doesn’t seem to be any personal growth or development and it feels like you’re almost following her ordinary daily life.
April 20, 2019
A shaggy dog story Kate wants to change her daily routine of casual drink and drug use whilst writing the odd article for numerous lifestyle magazines. She lives with her partner Charlie in a fashionable part of London (but not so fashionable flat) and their relationship could be best described as tolerable. Into her life comes Wolfy a cross lurcher with shaggy dog features loveable and needy, the perfect companion for Kate to turn all her affections "what an unequalled joy it was to love and be loved with no conditions, even by a dumb animal" One day whilst leaving Wolfy in the watchful hands of her brother, Wolfy it would appear, decides he has no further need for his affectionate yet annoying(my opinion) owner and does a runner. The remainder of this "shaggy dog story involves Kate's 9 day search for her loveable pooch and the will she or wont she find him dilemma that ensues. There are some good characters introduced along the way most notable being the midnight runner (likes to train at night when the streets are empty) and Anna Twinney (the founder of reach out to horses...and it would also appear dogs) who for a price will make some "out of this world" contact with the missing pooch the hope being that Wolfy can be found. The excitement builds, the emotions are running high as the reader and Kate stumble from false sighting to false sighting...will she ever find him? You will need to read the story to find out. A pleasant enjoyable read with some tidy life observations...."Love isn't just neurotransmitters, is it? It's not just dependency. It is our route to something beautiful, mysterious and transcendent. Without it, life is a hollow set of functions and, frankly, pointless"....Many thanks to the good people at netgalley for a gratis copy in return for an honest review and that is what I have written.
December 2, 2021
2.5 stars
I received a free digital copy of this book via Netgalley from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
I listened to this book on audiobook, narrated by Kate Spicer.
Journalist Kate Spicer was at the start of a downward spiral of alcohol and drugs when she decided to make a change to her life, and adopt a dog called Wolfy. Pretty much instantaneously Kate's life took on a new meaning, as she adjusted to having a hairy companion and her love for him grew every day. In Lost Dog, Kate documents what life with Wolfy was like during their early years, as well as the terrible time when Wolfy ran away and was missing for over a week.
I enjoyed the narration of this book and because Kate reads the book herself, she does a good job of it (I don't know if she's narrated audiobooks before but I would listen to her again). I also enjoyed learning about Kate's life with Wolfy and I found the latter half of the book when the dog was missing very interesting due to all the things Kate tries to bring him home (dog detectives and dog physics), as well as the people she meets along the way plus the stories they share. There's no doubt that Kate can write a story.
My only problem with this book was that because going into it I didn't really know who Kate was, not growing up in the UK and reading/hearing about her columns and investigations etc, I had no investment in her life and I didn't really care about how she was boo-hooing about her privileged time in London. Kate definitely recognises her privilege and she does admit that she complains about silly things at times (and don't we all complain about our silly, privileged lives at times - she's not the only one) but I just didn't really care enough.
There was also a section in this book when Wolfy is missing about travellers and people's insistence that local travelers may have taken Wolfy in. While Kate didn't show any prejudice unlike some people who talked to her about the possibility, there was a consistent use of a slur to describe the traveling community and I think it could have been left out.
I received a free digital copy of this book via Netgalley from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
I listened to this book on audiobook, narrated by Kate Spicer.
Journalist Kate Spicer was at the start of a downward spiral of alcohol and drugs when she decided to make a change to her life, and adopt a dog called Wolfy. Pretty much instantaneously Kate's life took on a new meaning, as she adjusted to having a hairy companion and her love for him grew every day. In Lost Dog, Kate documents what life with Wolfy was like during their early years, as well as the terrible time when Wolfy ran away and was missing for over a week.
I enjoyed the narration of this book and because Kate reads the book herself, she does a good job of it (I don't know if she's narrated audiobooks before but I would listen to her again). I also enjoyed learning about Kate's life with Wolfy and I found the latter half of the book when the dog was missing very interesting due to all the things Kate tries to bring him home (dog detectives and dog physics), as well as the people she meets along the way plus the stories they share. There's no doubt that Kate can write a story.
My only problem with this book was that because going into it I didn't really know who Kate was, not growing up in the UK and reading/hearing about her columns and investigations etc, I had no investment in her life and I didn't really care about how she was boo-hooing about her privileged time in London. Kate definitely recognises her privilege and she does admit that she complains about silly things at times (and don't we all complain about our silly, privileged lives at times - she's not the only one) but I just didn't really care enough.
There was also a section in this book when Wolfy is missing about travellers and people's insistence that local travelers may have taken Wolfy in. While Kate didn't show any prejudice unlike some people who talked to her about the possibility, there was a consistent use of a slur to describe the traveling community and I think it could have been left out.
April 28, 2020
The book was funny for some parts and easy to read. I think a long article (there might be one) or a short story would have been a more appropriate format. As much as I love dogs and cats and I have been really sad in the past when losing them, I still could not personally empathise fully with many of her very intense feelings. Obviously her drug and alcohol issues are not as serious as the writer of A street cat named Bob, but I saw a lot of parallelisms between the redemption qualities attributed to their pets. As I have lived around Archway and Arsenal for 6 years, it was also really easy to imagine all the places she was describing. I always appreciate a London book!
January 12, 2020
When does it get going?
I wanted to love this book. There’s a lot I did love about what I read of this book. I identified with a lot – I love dogs, I have dogs, my life revolves around them, I come from Notting Hill, I had a not dissimilar shallow, indulgent, fun life for a long time, so it ticked all the ‘appealing’, ‘familiar but different’ boxes. It read swiftly and easily and indulgently. Should have been my ideal read. BUT…
It just never got going. I got to 30% and, much as I love dogs and Notting Hill and shallow, indulgent lives, I found I skim read the latest in the long line of episodes about Wolfy’s adorableness and the shallow awfulness of, in this instance, Groucho’s for only letting in small dogs, and our heroine’s loyalty to her hound as she walked away from an evening of getting wrecked in order to hang with her hound, and I’d had it. I abandoned.
I’m a dog lover – the thought of a lost dog makes my heart shudder. I wanted to see how she managed to lose him, and how the new doggy friends rallied, or didn’t, to help, and how it rocked her newly harmonious relationship, and how her world fell apart only to come back into even better balance when Wolfy miraculously came home, but instead blah blah blah – even I have limits to how much ‘happy dog, happy owner’ anecdotes I can read instead of an actual story.
I wanted to love it. I did love a lot about it. But I wanted a story more. Sorry. And Wolfy sounds ADORABLE btw. Love him big time.
Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy
I wanted to love this book. There’s a lot I did love about what I read of this book. I identified with a lot – I love dogs, I have dogs, my life revolves around them, I come from Notting Hill, I had a not dissimilar shallow, indulgent, fun life for a long time, so it ticked all the ‘appealing’, ‘familiar but different’ boxes. It read swiftly and easily and indulgently. Should have been my ideal read. BUT…
It just never got going. I got to 30% and, much as I love dogs and Notting Hill and shallow, indulgent lives, I found I skim read the latest in the long line of episodes about Wolfy’s adorableness and the shallow awfulness of, in this instance, Groucho’s for only letting in small dogs, and our heroine’s loyalty to her hound as she walked away from an evening of getting wrecked in order to hang with her hound, and I’d had it. I abandoned.
I’m a dog lover – the thought of a lost dog makes my heart shudder. I wanted to see how she managed to lose him, and how the new doggy friends rallied, or didn’t, to help, and how it rocked her newly harmonious relationship, and how her world fell apart only to come back into even better balance when Wolfy miraculously came home, but instead blah blah blah – even I have limits to how much ‘happy dog, happy owner’ anecdotes I can read instead of an actual story.
I wanted to love it. I did love a lot about it. But I wanted a story more. Sorry. And Wolfy sounds ADORABLE btw. Love him big time.
Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy
March 9, 2019
Ok so I’m guessing you’re pretty fond of dogs if you’re tempted by this book. It’s ostensibly about journalist Kate Spicer’s acquisition and love affair with her lurcher Wolfy and what happens when he goes missing. But it’s really a book about Kate’s struggle to make sense of - and peace with - her life.
It’s definitely a book of two halves: the first about Kate’s life and how she grows to love Wolfy, and the second about the hunt for him.
This means that the first half is a little bit of a slow burn and I suspect that whether you like it will depend on whether you like Kate and her addictive personality (I did).
The second half is fast-paced and tense as Kate searches for her beloved dog in increasing despair.
The main issue with this sort of novel is whether the author can write engagingly and Kate - as you’d expect from a journalist - can. She writes in a way that touches your heart. Her relationship with Wolfy is about her as much as her dog.
I’d recommend it to anyone who loves dogs and feel-good novels.
It’s definitely a book of two halves: the first about Kate’s life and how she grows to love Wolfy, and the second about the hunt for him.
This means that the first half is a little bit of a slow burn and I suspect that whether you like it will depend on whether you like Kate and her addictive personality (I did).
The second half is fast-paced and tense as Kate searches for her beloved dog in increasing despair.
The main issue with this sort of novel is whether the author can write engagingly and Kate - as you’d expect from a journalist - can. She writes in a way that touches your heart. Her relationship with Wolfy is about her as much as her dog.
I’d recommend it to anyone who loves dogs and feel-good novels.
August 22, 2019
A must-read for anyone who has loved, owned or lost a dog. Although in parts it is almost unbearably painful Kate Spicer manages to express the reality of the love affair some of us have with our dogs. It is laced with quite a sharp wit, a wry perspective on society and how we live today. I won't go on as I don't want to spoil it.... suffice to say, having started it I could hardly put it down.
January 3, 2022
1. I am a cat person.
2. Nebuvo žadėto subtilaus angliško humoro.
3. Kai veikėjai, pagal mąstymą, poelgius, gyvenimo būdą atrodo turėtų būti ne daugiau 25, o iš tikrųjų ji artėja prie 50-ties, man šaudo saugikliai.
4. Ar tikrai šunų šeimininkams taip suskystėja smegenys? (no offence)
2. Nebuvo žadėto subtilaus angliško humoro.
3. Kai veikėjai, pagal mąstymą, poelgius, gyvenimo būdą atrodo turėtų būti ne daugiau 25, o iš tikrųjų ji artėja prie 50-ties, man šaudo saugikliai.
4. Ar tikrai šunų šeimininkams taip suskystėja smegenys? (no offence)
July 28, 2019
Just a lovely book about a woman who loves her dog.
May 5, 2021
I found it quite drawn out.
September 20, 2021
Kate Spicer „Dingo šuo“: nebijau susirasti priešų
https://m.delfi.lt/moterys/is-pirmu-l...
https://m.delfi.lt/moterys/is-pirmu-l...
November 9, 2023
I liked her dog but I did not like her. Namedroppy, showy-offy, woof woof woof.
December 25, 2023
Kaip pasakė viena kolegė: "Geriau jau būtų ir toliau apie narkotikus rašiusi..." Nu arba apie šunį tik!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2019
Kate wants to change her daily routine of casual drink and drug use whilst writing the odd article for numerous lifestyle magazines. She lives with her partner Charlie in a fashionable part of London (but not so fashionable flat) and their relationship could be best described as tolerable. Into her life comes Wolfy a cross lurcher with shaggy dog features loveable and needy, the perfect companion for Kate to turn all her affections "what an unequalled joy it was to love and be loved with no conditions, even by a dumb animal" One day whilst leaving Wolfy in the watchful hands of her brother, Wolfy it would appear, decides he has no further need for his affectionate yet annoying(my opinion) owner and does a runner. The remainder of this "shaggy dog story involves Kate's 9 day search for her loveable pooch and the will she or wont she find him dilemma that ensues. There are some good characters introduced along the way most notable being the midnight runner (likes to train at night when the streets are empty) and Anna Twinney (the founder of reach out to horses...and it would also appear dogs) who for a price will make some "out of this world" contact with the missing pooch the hope being that Wolfy can be found. The excitement builds, the emotions are running high as the reader and Kate stumble from false sighting to false sighting...will she ever find him? You will need to read the story to find out. A pleasant enjoyable read with some tidy life observations...."Love isn't just neurotransmitters, is it? It's not just dependency. It is our route to something beautiful, mysterious and transcendent. Without it, life is a hollow set of functions and, frankly, pointless"....Many thanks to the good people at netgalley for a gratis copy in return for an honest review and that is what I have written.
November 28, 2022
I'm developing a real soft spot for journalists and their memoirs.
Not aware of Kate Spicer's previous work for the daily newspapers but I'll be looking out for her.
This is a memoir about a middle aged woman who finds joy through a lurcher dog. Then the dog, whilst being looked after by her brother, is lost. Cue a social media campaign supported by the likes of Kay Burley and Jeremy Clarkson to get the dog found.
But is so much more of a memoir than just this - covering womanhood, London living, parenthood, career-hood and more. In a blistering and highly personal start to the book we see how Kate was living pre-dog. Never has the pointlessness of a mid week bender been better put to page. When she arrives home to her sensible partner at 6am - she is accused of searching on a table top for Tequlla. A slurred argument that its actually mescal ensues. Its hilarious and eye-opening.
We then have two chapters of the joy getting a dog brings and then the horror/desperation of losing it. Some tension is lost if you know the outcome, and I am afraid I did. You could also argue that the book is slightly too dense and overlong to carry it through.
A high rating for the quality of the writing.
Not aware of Kate Spicer's previous work for the daily newspapers but I'll be looking out for her.
This is a memoir about a middle aged woman who finds joy through a lurcher dog. Then the dog, whilst being looked after by her brother, is lost. Cue a social media campaign supported by the likes of Kay Burley and Jeremy Clarkson to get the dog found.
But is so much more of a memoir than just this - covering womanhood, London living, parenthood, career-hood and more. In a blistering and highly personal start to the book we see how Kate was living pre-dog. Never has the pointlessness of a mid week bender been better put to page. When she arrives home to her sensible partner at 6am - she is accused of searching on a table top for Tequlla. A slurred argument that its actually mescal ensues. Its hilarious and eye-opening.
We then have two chapters of the joy getting a dog brings and then the horror/desperation of losing it. Some tension is lost if you know the outcome, and I am afraid I did. You could also argue that the book is slightly too dense and overlong to carry it through.
A high rating for the quality of the writing.
February 2, 2020
Kate, a well-known journalist, decides, after one too many nights on the drugs and drink, to adopt a rescue dog - a lurcher called Wolfy. Almost instantly, her messy life is transformed by this adorable creature. She finds herself making better and more responsible decisions, making new friends, her relationship improving, and her world opening up. But then...Wolfy runs away.
I really enjoyed this book. Kate writes so poignantly and honestly about the changes that needed to be made in her life and how becoming a dog-owner helped make those changes happen. And thankfully it does, spoiler alert, have a happy ending.
A must-read for dog lovers!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.
I really enjoyed this book. Kate writes so poignantly and honestly about the changes that needed to be made in her life and how becoming a dog-owner helped make those changes happen. And thankfully it does, spoiler alert, have a happy ending.
A must-read for dog lovers!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.
May 15, 2019
Beautiful. I want a dog more than ever now.
December 30, 2021
Skaityti tik šunų mylėtojams, kiti nesupras pamišimo dėl šuns. Nesu tokios rašymo manieros šalininkė, man kiek per įmantri. Bet filmą mielai pažiūrėčiau.
June 1, 2019
Beautiful
A very well written account of the love that exists between humans and dogs. Kate keeps you in suspense - a page turner. Definitely art.
A very well written account of the love that exists between humans and dogs. Kate keeps you in suspense - a page turner. Definitely art.
May 17, 2025
I'm not a dog person but I enjoyed this book: it's a snapshot of London life that I recognise and the story was well paced making it an ideal companion for night time reading. Some of the phrasing was just perfect and the yearning and fear the author felt came across as authentic and honest. Will be recommending to my dog loving friends.
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April 7, 2021Deze recensie is eerder verschenen op Koukleum.nl.
Aangezien we zelf twee honden en twee katten hebben, hebben boeken over deze dieren ook altijd mijn aandacht. De persmail had dan ook al snel mijn aandacht. Het boek lag dan ook met smart op mij te wachten.
Het boek gaat echter voornamelijk over Kate. Het verhaal wordt vanuit Kate verteld en helaas vind ik Kate geen prettig persoon. Je komt op zich heel wat over Kate te weten, echter blijft het personage heel oppervlakkig. Het gaat voornamelijk over haar feestjes, drank en drugsgebruik en hoe geweldig de drank is. Als de zoektocht naar Wolfy begint wordt Kate iets sympathieker. Ik denk dat je in dit boek heel wat winst had weten te behalen als het verhaal vanuit het perspectief van Wolfy verteld was.
De zoektocht naar Wolfy is het tweede deel in het boek en hierbij leer je Kate als een prettigere persoon kennen. De emoties en spanning lopen hoog op bij Kate. En dit gedeelte is dan ook het meest boeiende gedeelte van het boek. Echter nog steeds weet het verhaal me niet te pakken. Ik merk dat ik me vooral irriteer aan hoofdpersonage Kate. Dit komt naar mijn gevoel vooral doordat de persoonlijke omstandigheden van Kate de boventoon voeren en dit boven de hond en de zoektocht staan.
Ook vond ik de hoofdstukken behoorlijk lang, wat naar mijn gevoel ook de vaart uit het verhaal haalt. Doordat het zo’n lange hoofdstukken zijn, was ik regelmatig geneigd om te kijken wanneer het volgende hoofdstuk begon en dat heb ik niet snel bij een boek.
Daarbij wordt het boek als liefdesverhaal neergezet, terwijl het een waargebeurd verhaal is en ik weet niet of hierbij dan de nadruk op de vermiste hond zou moeten liggen of op Kate, die haar leven op de rit probeert te krijgen en bij wie dit ook aardig lukt dankzij Wolfy?
Ik had gehoopt dat dit boek mij, als hondenliefhebber, echt zou raken, echter helaas is dit niet gebeurd. Hoe hartverwarmend de hele zoektocht ook is, hij wordt overschaduwd door de persoonlijke omstandigheden van Kate. Wellicht als ik meer feeling met de hoofdpersoon zou hebben gehad, dat dit boek inderdaad mij meer had weten te raken.
Aangezien we zelf twee honden en twee katten hebben, hebben boeken over deze dieren ook altijd mijn aandacht. De persmail had dan ook al snel mijn aandacht. Het boek lag dan ook met smart op mij te wachten.
Het boek gaat echter voornamelijk over Kate. Het verhaal wordt vanuit Kate verteld en helaas vind ik Kate geen prettig persoon. Je komt op zich heel wat over Kate te weten, echter blijft het personage heel oppervlakkig. Het gaat voornamelijk over haar feestjes, drank en drugsgebruik en hoe geweldig de drank is. Als de zoektocht naar Wolfy begint wordt Kate iets sympathieker. Ik denk dat je in dit boek heel wat winst had weten te behalen als het verhaal vanuit het perspectief van Wolfy verteld was.
De zoektocht naar Wolfy is het tweede deel in het boek en hierbij leer je Kate als een prettigere persoon kennen. De emoties en spanning lopen hoog op bij Kate. En dit gedeelte is dan ook het meest boeiende gedeelte van het boek. Echter nog steeds weet het verhaal me niet te pakken. Ik merk dat ik me vooral irriteer aan hoofdpersonage Kate. Dit komt naar mijn gevoel vooral doordat de persoonlijke omstandigheden van Kate de boventoon voeren en dit boven de hond en de zoektocht staan.
Ook vond ik de hoofdstukken behoorlijk lang, wat naar mijn gevoel ook de vaart uit het verhaal haalt. Doordat het zo’n lange hoofdstukken zijn, was ik regelmatig geneigd om te kijken wanneer het volgende hoofdstuk begon en dat heb ik niet snel bij een boek.
Daarbij wordt het boek als liefdesverhaal neergezet, terwijl het een waargebeurd verhaal is en ik weet niet of hierbij dan de nadruk op de vermiste hond zou moeten liggen of op Kate, die haar leven op de rit probeert te krijgen en bij wie dit ook aardig lukt dankzij Wolfy?
Ik had gehoopt dat dit boek mij, als hondenliefhebber, echt zou raken, echter helaas is dit niet gebeurd. Hoe hartverwarmend de hele zoektocht ook is, hij wordt overschaduwd door de persoonlijke omstandigheden van Kate. Wellicht als ik meer feeling met de hoofdpersoon zou hebben gehad, dat dit boek inderdaad mij meer had weten te raken.
April 9, 2020
I so wanted to like this book. I followed the hunt for Wolfy on Facebook, and held my fingers crossed for him, I cheered when he was found, and so I wanted to read the rest of his story.
I got about a third of the way through, before Wolfy gets lost, I told myself to keep going, but I just couldn't get past how unpleasant Kate Spicer comes across on paper, and I couldn't finish the book. Does she realise? Did she think it was going to endear her to us to read of her coke habit? Of how she lets people down all the time?
All I wanted was a nice, warm story about a doggy...
I got about a third of the way through, before Wolfy gets lost, I told myself to keep going, but I just couldn't get past how unpleasant Kate Spicer comes across on paper, and I couldn't finish the book. Does she realise? Did she think it was going to endear her to us to read of her coke habit? Of how she lets people down all the time?
All I wanted was a nice, warm story about a doggy...
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