The Dogs of Venice

by Steven Rowley, Neil Patrick Harris (Narrator)

From the bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus, a heartwarming and bittersweet story about finding love and courage in one of the most romantic cities on Earth.

New Yorkers Paul and Darren have planned a winter holiday in Venice. But when their five-year marriage suddenly unravels, Paul endeavors to make the trip alone, despite his heartbreak and anxiety. Far outside his comfort zone, Paul has a to see if he can be adventurous, fearless, free. In short, to become someone new. Soon after arriving in Italy, he notices a small, scruffy, self-assured dog trot alongside a canal with the confidence he so desperately wants for himself. This street dog and his instincts for survival lend Paul’s trip a singular purpose—to determine how his new four-legged friend thrives on his own. A string of additional sightings culminate in a seemingly magical encounter that leads Paul to feel real connection—to a dog, to a foreign city and, most important, to himself.

© 2020 Stephen Rowley (P) 2020 Audible Originals, LLC.

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Short Stories, Contemporary, LGBT, Novella, Animals

1 pages, Audible Audio

First published December 29, 2020

About the author

Steven Rowley is the bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus, a Washington Post Notable Book of 2016, The Editor, named by NPR and Esquire Magazine as one of the Best Books of 2019, and The Guncle, a Goodreads Choice Awards finalist for 2021 Novel of the Year and semi-finalist for The Thurber Prize in American Humor. His fiction has been published in twenty languages. Rowley lives in Palm Springs, CA with his husband, the writer Byron Lane.

Reviews

[* A Reader Obsessed * · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

*Available only as an audio on audible.com*

As Paul takes the time to really explore who he is and what he wants after his marriage falls apart, the independent stray dog he sees on vacation becomes the inspiration for what he wants from his own life.

A nice little audio (free with current membership) that really impresses upon the listener to take time to smell the roses and to cultivate and put oneself first!

[Brandice · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Dogs of Venice is an Audible Original short story about a man, Paul, who travels to Italy following a breakup with his husband. While there, Paul seeks more connection in his life, something he may not have knowingly sought before traveling. I thought the story was fine with good narration by actor Neil Patrick Harris.

[Cheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short audible selection by Steven Rowley (author of Lily and the Octopus) about a man named Paul who has recently separated from his husband, Darren, and leaves their apartment so his ex can move out. Heartbroken, he heads to Venice - a trip they were supposed to take together, where he finds himself obsessing about a homeless dog that he sees, followed shortly by a waiter he meets at a restaurant, who volunteers to walk him back to his room, as he is just getting off his shift and it is late, and well, he’s a visitor from a foreign country.

Exploring the emotions that follow a relationship ending unexpectedly, narrated beautifully by Neil Patrick Harris, this was mildly entertaining if you’re looking for a relatively short audible about stepping outside your comfort zones to find a new life, and a new way at looking at life.

[Maren’s Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ After learning his husband wants a divorce, Paul decides to take their vacation to Venice alone. While there, Paul seeks solace in those he encounters as he searches for what is missing in his life.

This had all of the elements I love, so I’m left puzzled as to why I didn’t go gaga over this one. And I come away, ultimately, realizing Steven Rowley’s writing cannot be contained to such a short book. His beautiful storytelling shines in the characters he develops and the themes he explores. And while Paul is a loveably flawed MC (who is very much like me and cannot live without his coffee) I never fully got a chance to know him properly, nor the sweet pup he encountered who caused such big self reflection.

While the story is a fun shorter read as we head into the holiday season, it really only begins to hit the nail on the head. My hope is it will be expanded to a full length novel. In the meantime, this story is still enjoyable and worthy of a read. And I am sure this will be fabulous on audio.

Read if you like:
▪️novellas
▪️holiday(ish) reads
▪️Venice setting
▪️books about dogs
▪️heartfelt humor

Thank you Putnam for the advanced copy.

[Ana Lelis · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I first saw that Neil Patrick Harris narrates this book I was very excited and asked my BFF to buddy read it with me. It was an unpleasant surprise for both of us. The narration is good, but the story isn't. The author tries too hard to make the connection with the dogs and Paul seem meaningful but that didn't work. I wasn't captivated by it at all.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holidays can sometimes bring loneliness and depression. Dogs and a Venice trip help Paul.

[Angie Miale · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given an ARC of this novella in exchange for an honest review, thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Putnam. A sweet yet sad redemptive story, this is a character study of a man who goes on a romantic Christmas trip solo to Venice. His husband asked for a divorce and he was in denial, but decided to go on his own. Paul seems like a lost soul, and he does a lot of soul searching and seeking connection on his trip.

Obviously this is a shorter story, I can't help but want to know more about Paul. It is almost a creative writing challenge to tell a story in this short of a format. It has sweet dialogue and I found Paul to be relatable. Although he is heartbroken, he is not pathetic and grows over time.

If you have the chance to read this, it is worth the hour it will take to read. It was released as audible only a few years ago, and now it is being released in hardcover. Nice that it will reach a larger audience, but it is a pretty short book to cost $22.

[Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75⭐
Touching, heartfelt, and kind.

After being sucker punched with news of his husband wanting a divorce, Paul ventures to Venice in search of solid ground and understanding his upturned world.

A fantastic novella from Steve Rowley! You can tell a writer's ability when they can deliver fleshed out characters and themes in so few pages. This work offers deep introspection, paired with heartfelt connection, and a dash of levity and joy that culminates in a delightful and sincere romp through an iconic destination.

A special thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for an ARC of this title!

Pub date: Oct. 14, 2025

[Kit · Rating 3 out of 5]

I tiptoed into this book because of the title. I like dogs and Italy, so why not see how this author put the two together. Since this is read by Neil Patrick Harris, an very outspoken gay actor, my suspicions that a gay man would be the main character were soon confirmed. This genre would not normally interest me, but intent on expanding my understanding of more things in 2021, I continued to listen. Plus, it is a short story, so why not?

I was intrigued by the 3rd-person narrative. Rowley's main character, Paul, is revealed to the listener as Paul describes his personal loneliness and insecurity, during a short visit to Venice, Italy. I found the prose just right. I connected with Paul's inner search for confidence.

The story pulls you through Paul's self-talk and actions as he encounters a street-dog, that he imagines has none of the same fears he is having. Can he learn some tips from this dog? There is also mild human interaction but the story is not a gay romance. It is a poignant story of human struggle with the inner self. I really liked the ending. I would read this author again.

[Gabrielle Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a big fan of Steven Rowley. After reading his book, The Guncle, I knew I had to check out this short and sweet book. I loved to see Paul and how he learned such a lesson of not letting his grief get in the way of wanting to do such amazing things, as well as never letting things dull his shine when they don’t turn out the way that you would want them to. I love the inclusion of these dogs that just run around and practically own Venice. Truly, I would say dogs are much more insightful than we give them credit for.

[Mike Finn · Rating 2 out of 5]

My first experience of Steven Rowley's writing didn't go well. I bought his widely acclaimed debut novel, 'Lily And The Octopus', described by The Washington Post as '"heart-wrenching but ultimately breathtaking" and I set the audiobook aside after an hour because I didn't want to spend any more time in the company of Ted Flask. I found him to be insecure, nervous, addicted to therapy from mediocre therapists, introspective to the point of narcissism and so highly-strung that he was exhausting to be with.


That said, 'Lily And The Octopus' was well written so when I saw that he'd delivered an Audible Original that was only eighty-one minutes long, had a great title and was set in a location I know, I decided to try his writing for a second time.


I liked the story idea. Paul finds himself alone in Venice, while his ex-husband, who should have been on the trip with him, moves out of their New York home. Paul is going through a period of introspection and looking to make a connection. Oddly, Paul fixates on a street dog, envying it its confidence and independence and sets out to learn from it. Along the way, he hooks up for a night with a waiter at a local restaurant and spends time in his rented loft or walking the streets of Venice in search of his totem dog.


Paul is a man whose inner life is so different from my own that, if 'The Dogs Of Venice' had been less well-written I'd have been throwing up my hands in incomprehension. Instead, I stuck with it, trying to open myself up to the world as Paul experiences it.


True, I spent a lot of my time rolling my eyes at how insecure and neurotic Paul was. I scoffed at his pseudo-profundities and struggled not to shout 'Why do you make everything so complicated?' at him. Paul is lonely. He lacks confidence. He's been shaken by the failure of his marriage. But does he have to make such a meal of it? I wanted to tell him that an over-explored life is not worth living, that his problems and his solutions were equally imaginary and that his search for guidance from signs and portents was a way of disguising his abdication of personal agency.


Yeah, Paul got under my skin. I was happy to leave him after eighty-one minutes and I doubted that he'd really learned anything about himself along the way although he had constructed a rich fantasy to distract himself with.


All of which I see as a tribute to Steven Rowley's writing. You don't spend so much energy disagreeing with a character without believing in that character.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming short story about heartbreak, starting to heal, and working to change behaviors that hold you back from living the life you desire. And, of course, the magic of canine medicine.

An earlier version of this story was produced as an Audible Original back in 2020 (which I have not yet listened to).

I’m left wondering: are these dogs that roam around Venice neutered/spayed?

[MrsHarvieReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dogs of Venice by Steven Rowley is a charming novella featuring Paul, a man at a crossroads in his life. Paul is blind sided by his husband, Darren, who asks for a divorce on the eve of their long planned vacation to Venice. Paul decides to take the trip solo in an effort to regain his self confidence. I was quickly rooting for Paul on his journey of self discovery, set in Venice, which also features a stray dog. “But while he was there, Paul had traded in other commodities: self-doubt for self-confidence, heartbreak for renewal, an old love for a new sense of self.”

Favorite quote:
“The world was full of wonders to experience and he, alone, was enough to discover them.”

I should mention that Steven Rowley can do no wrong in my mind. This novella was just as heartwarming as I could have hoped. Loved it! 5/5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and GP Putnam for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

[Kelley Kimble · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m generally a sucker for anything with dogs but this was not great. Quick read so I finished but wouldn’t recommend.

[Elza · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a very short and a kind of boring story from Audible.
I picked it up with my bestie and we thought it could be an amazing book considering it's Niel Patrick Harris narrating it.
What a shock! I really didn't enjoy it. I love dogs and I have a thing for Venice but it didn't get my attention!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not always a fan of short stories, cause I feel like there’s no real closure. However , this short story by Stephen Rowley, writer of the infamous the Guncle, really packs a sweet punch.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dogs of Venice is a charming short story by Steven Rowley. It follows a soon-to-be-divorced gay man, Paul, as he goes solo on a trip to Venice that was supposed to be for two. We watch him mosey around Venice, losing his way, and fixating on a particular stray dog (among the many that inhabit Venice, apparently) who catches his interest with the way the dog walks and observes the goings-on around him. Paul has rented an apartment for this trip and the landlady pretty much doesn’t speak any English, which makes for a few amusing encounters. He also has an encounter with a handsome waiter from a restaurant he patronized. Paul takes a cue from this seemingly-confident dog and gradually finds a way to step out of his coupledom comfort zone.

I would have loved to read more of Paul’s adventures, but this was a short story after all. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip down memory lane, having visited Venice with my brother MANY years ago, though definitely not in December. You could consider this a holiday story, since it takes place in the days leading up to Christmas.

[Andria Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A holiday romance wherein nice guys finish last, but the dogs are the star of the show. MMC goes on a trip to Venice to avoid his now ex husband, meets a guy but the guy isn't good for him either, and dogs help him out of his depression of everyone leaving him.

TW: Cheating, miscommunication trope.

[Dan The Teacher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to this quick audiobook while I mowed today. Nothing incredible, but it is a nice short read about finding yourself.

[ancientreader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've really enjoyed a couple of Rowley's other books -- "Lily and the Octopus" and "The Guncle" -- so was pleased to get the ARC of this one. A few pages in, it started to seem familiar, and I realized I'd read it already -- as a Kindle Single, I think, though it's no longer available under that rubric.

Trouble is, as a Kindle Single it was fine, expectations managed, etc.; considered as "a book," though, it's thin. "Show, don't tell" isn't as strict a rule as all that, but there is such a thing as too much telling, when you feel as if you're reading outline for a characterization, rather than the story of a fully emotionally realized character. Or, to put it another way, "The Dogs of Venice" wanted to be a novel, even if Steven Rowley wasn't up for making it into one.

2.5 stars rounded up.

Thanks to Penguin/Putnam and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Frank Socha (franksforeword) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course Steven can pack so much heart into 62 pages 🙂‍↕️

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exactly the kind of book I’ve come to expect from Steven Rowley!

[Erin Cataldi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Big fan pf Steven Rowley and his writing so I was super excited to check out this novella. It was short, sweet, and emotional. Paul and his husband have been planning a Venetian Christmas getaway for months. The only problem is Paul's husband has just decided that the marriage is over. Distraught, Paul decides to still go to Venice to try and soothe his broken heart. While there he discovers the stray dogs of Venice and is besotted with their carefree existence. Maybe there is something to it? A short and sweet novella.

[Marielle Michno · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this story! I think this was the perfect story for a novella as it was not too complex and still had a nice plot!

[Daniel Myatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely listen about finding oneself when you need to!

Venice has never sounded more perfect with its eateries, handsome waiters, and dogs!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

Ok this little novella at only 62 page I zipped through in one short sitting.

This story takes place at Christmas. I figured this was appropriate as it’s Dec 23 today. Paul’s husband leaves him. They had planned this trip to Venice ages ago. He decides to go anyway. It’s mostly a contemplative novel. Paul is pretty pathetic and needy. He really needs to process his life and his constant codependency. At the same time he is adorable and I found myself rooting for him. At times I had to refocus and re read a line as I got bored occasionally.

But it’s cute. 3.5 means I liked it enough I just didn’t love it.


My initial assessment:

Yes:
A book I borrowed from the library to try before I buy (tired buying hundreds books and hating half)

I read first ch or more -first 10-100 pages skim around at times. I read many of my GR friend’s reviews. This is what I did and didn’t like:

Love cover small size and bk cover!!

Scores low GR but high with my friends.

I started it and think it sounds cozy heartwarming & cute! It is a novella so I can understand why the community complained not enough felt explored w mc but sometimes short is good. Great holiday read!!

$18.92 Amazon

[Alexander Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“As he waited, he took everything in one last time, pondering how you ever leave a city like this. You don’t, he realized. You leave with a little bit inside you.”

Summary: New Yorkers Paul and Darren have planned a winter holiday in Venice. But when their five-year marriage suddenly unravels, Paul endeavors to make the trip alone, despite his heartbreak and anxiety. Far outside his comfort zone, Paul has a mission: to see if he can be adventurous, fearless, free. In short, to become someone new. Soon after arriving in Italy, he notices a small, scruffy, self-assured dog trot alongside a canal with the confidence he so desperately wants for himself. This street dog and his instincts for survival lend Paul’s trip a singular purpose—to determine how his new four-legged friend thrives on his own. A string of additional sightings culminate in a seemingly magical encounter that leads Paul to feel real connection—to a dog, to a foreign city and, most important, to himself. (From @audible)

What Worked: Odds are I might have been biased about this story from the start. As a fan of Steven Rowley, Neil Patrick Harris, dogs, and Venice, what to listen to on my drive home from the cottage was a no-brainer! A fellow solo traveler myself (though dining alone still eludes me), I enjoyed following Paul as he explored such an amazing setting. It was so fun to remember my own time in Venice while listening. The plot is a slow burn as Paul goes about his journey of self-discovery, and this is only a snapshot of Paul’s life in a story that makes you desire for more, but if you are willing to get lost in the Italian food and architecture, then this quick and heartwarming story (with a dash of steam) is for you. I know we are all down for some vicarious travelling to escape our couches, am I right?

Rating: Loved It

[Anitra Ralph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Steven Rowley is one of my favorite authors, and I’ve absolutely adored all of his full-length novels—so I was surprised to find myself a bit underwhelmed by The Dogs of Venice. On paper, it had everything I usually love about Rowley’s writing: heartfelt emotion, a touch of humor, and meaningful introspection. Yet somehow, it didn’t fully land for me.

I think I’ve realized that Rowley’s beautiful storytelling simply can’t be contained within such a short format. His greatest strength lies in the depth of his characters and the emotional journeys they take us on, and here, I just didn’t have enough time to truly know Paul—or the sweet dog who sparks his self-reflection. Still, even in this brief story, Rowley’s signature warmth and wit peek through, reminding me why he remains one of my all-time favorite writers.

[Sidney · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last dog I saw in Venice was paddling its way to safety during their historic flood (2019 pre-Covid). This novella has all the cool little streets dry and plenty of wandering dogs. Paul, recently divorced from husband, takes their trip alone to find himself….and possibly a dog. PS paddling dog in 2019 was swooped up by a person wading in hip waders and deposited on the built up sidewalk just in case you’re wondering.

[Maida · Rating 5 out of 5]

An affecting read enhanced greatly by the performance of Neil Patrick Harris. This short listen has a great sense of place and evokes deep emotions.