Jenny Willow: A Novel

by Mike Gaddis

Jenny Willow is a love story, one that explores the love of a man for a dog, a dog for a man, and a man for a mountain. Ben Willow loves above all else setter dogs, the mountains of West Virginia, and grouse. At eighty-three, a lonely widower, he finds himself also without a dog. A twist of fortune brings one last dog into his life, Jenny, a little English setter pup of undeniable brilliance. She proves to be among the very best he has ever known. With her, he rediscovers hope and living, pledging himself again to the birds and the hills. He hopes he can live long enough to last Jenny's lifetime. The greatest betrayal to a gun dog is to deny her her reasons for her master, the gun, and the hunt.

Jenny Willow is a story about a great dog, but it is more than a dog story. Beautifully told, steeped in the natural wonders of West Virginia's mountains, it is about one man's transcendent love of freedom and the loyalty true friendship requires. No one who reads this first novel will ever forget Ben or Jenny Willow.

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[RobinJoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although you would think this is a book about hunting, and don't get me wrong it is, it is about far more then just the hunt. Jenny Willow tells the story of an aging hunter, the love of his last dog, and the choice to spend eternity in the mountains of West Virginia. This is not a normal read for me and the descriptions were sometimes too detailed for my tastes. However, the overall story of love, loss and the finding of dreams was heartwarming, engaging, and enjoyable. I would have no trouble recommending Jenny Willow and would encourage even non-hunters to step into the world of wilderness and experience it for awhile.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

One is tempted to write that it's a book about a man and his dog, but that's not accurate. Yes, there's always a male with Jennie when she's scouring the woods for grouse, but not just one man is involved; she's given to an older man whose forays with her are described in great detail, but then he dies, she's lost in the woods and put upon by wild dogs. Finally found with one of society's misfits who has to be murdered to make off with her, she's then in the home of the old man's best friend until he decides that she'd have a better life with a young teenager. So the story is appropriately named. It's all about Jenny and it's very interesting reading if you're a dog fancier.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dan reviewed 2/19 but I will read it too. A must read for dog lovers and grouse hunters. A love story of a man for his childhood sweetheart, of nature, of grouse hunting, of a dog, of a mountain, of life, and of death. An adventure in a beautiful setting. A story where paragraphs are reread for the beauty of the prose. This is a great story of a dog, and a great man. Hard to set it down once you start.

[Mark Carey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is possible to feel for the man and the dog in this story even if you are not a hunter. However, as a hunter who has spent many a day afield, gun in hand, over a brilliant dog... that experience defies description. For a hunter there are moments that shine through all else in a life. This story is filled with such moments, skillfully told, wistfully and often painfully remembered. Thank you Mike.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful story about an elderly man who loves to hunt with his dog. The descriptions of the hunt and the scenery is excellent. I have never hunted, but this book certainly drew me in to the excitement of working as a partner with a dog. Also the passages about the man aging spoke to me. It is a book that causes you to smile, cry and embrace the characters.

[JeanAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bill enjoyed this book. I'm next to read.

Even though I'd told Carolyn just yesterday that I was going to read Jenny Willow slowly to enjoy the beautifully descriptive prose, it was a book I couldn't put down. In fact, through many tears, I found myself scanning quickly through the prose because I was so anxious to see what was going to happen.

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional story told in the beautiful setting of the West Virginia's mountains. Although a bit fluffy at times, the story is well conceived and written. Being a English Setter man, the premise of this book was especially interesting to me and I am better for having read it. Highly recommended.

[Lj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this on vacation. Spent a lot of time crying on an airplane with this story.

[JeanAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Dan Feb. 19, 2011

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've ever owned an English Setter, you will love this book. It's a great story.

[Andrew Wayment · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was pretty good and was well written, but the whole spreading Ben Willow's ashes all over the covert was a bit weird, but to each his own.

[Ellen Nadler · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books i've ever read. It has a happy ending, but some of the scenes are disturbing.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

pretty good read...a bit hoaky