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Nop #1
Nop's Trials
A novel about the bond between a farmer and his black-and-white border collie that James Herriot called “beautiful [and] as gripping as any thriller.”
On Christmas Day, Virginia livestock farmer Lewis Burkholder and Nop, his black-and-white border collie, go out to feed the sheep. But the holiday is shattered when Nop fails to return home. Stolen by two hardened criminals who see in the young stock dog a $300 payday, Nop suffers abuse and brutality as he courageously adapts to his new life, which holds no shortage of surprises. At the same time, Lewis refuses to believe that his beloved dog is gone for good. His determination to be reunited with Nop—and Nop’s own unswerving loyalty—reveals the depth and strength of the bond that can exist between humans and dogs.
On Christmas Day, Virginia livestock farmer Lewis Burkholder and Nop, his black-and-white border collie, go out to feed the sheep. But the holiday is shattered when Nop fails to return home. Stolen by two hardened criminals who see in the young stock dog a $300 payday, Nop suffers abuse and brutality as he courageously adapts to his new life, which holds no shortage of surprises. At the same time, Lewis refuses to believe that his beloved dog is gone for good. His determination to be reunited with Nop—and Nop’s own unswerving loyalty—reveals the depth and strength of the bond that can exist between humans and dogs.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
105 people are currently reading
619 people want to read
About the author
Donald McCaig
35 books126 followersDonald McCaig was the award-winning author of Jacob’s Ladder, designated “the best civil war novel ever written” by The Virginia Quarterly. People magazine raved “Think Gone With the Wind, think Cold Mountain.” It won the Michael Sharra Award for Civil War Fiction and the Library of Virginia Award for Fiction.
Donald McCaig wrote about rural American life, sheepdogs, and the Civil War. He also wrote poetry and wrote under various pseudonyms.
Donald McCaig wrote about rural American life, sheepdogs, and the Civil War. He also wrote poetry and wrote under various pseudonyms.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
December 12, 2024
I have no trouble giving this book 5 STARS. I knew I would like the book, as I've always liked books that feature dogs, and this is one of the best books I've read about dogs. It's the story of a Virginia sheep farmer, Lewis, and his border collie, Nop. Nop disappears one Christmas day and Lewis goes all-out to find his beloved dog. Nop undergoes ordeals, always trying to get back to Lewis and the farm...At times, a little hard to read, but I had to keep turning pages to get to the reunion of man and dog. You knew it had to happen.
In a blurb on the cover of my edition, there's a quote from James Herriot, saying that the book is "poignant, authentic, and beautiful. " I agree with those words...
In a blurb on the cover of my edition, there's a quote from James Herriot, saying that the book is "poignant, authentic, and beautiful. " I agree with those words...
August 29, 2007
I originally read this book soon after acquiring my first border collie. The book is about a young, tremendously talented sheepdog named Nop and his gruff owner, Lewis. When Nop isn't making a big impression on the trial field, he is Lewis' right hand dog when it comes to his sheep. On Christmas morning, Nop disappears and the book is about Lewis's quest to find his dog.
The book is fast moving and gut-wrenching, with beautiful descriptions of the work of these sheepdogs. Even the uninitated sheepdogger (or everyday pet owner) can understand the impact of this loss on Lewis and the farm. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat for most of the story and will be well worth it! There are some graphic and hard scenes, so this may not be the book for someone looking for a "feel-good" animal story.
The book is fast moving and gut-wrenching, with beautiful descriptions of the work of these sheepdogs. Even the uninitated sheepdogger (or everyday pet owner) can understand the impact of this loss on Lewis and the farm. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat for most of the story and will be well worth it! There are some graphic and hard scenes, so this may not be the book for someone looking for a "feel-good" animal story.
July 18, 2014
A warm, endearing, close-to-life story of the lives of a Shenandoah Valley farmer, his wife, adult daughter, and especially hardworking Border Collies, Nop and Stink Dog. The latter once came too close to the livestock and was "stove-up," rendering it unfit for running and herding. But the two dogs unite in relating their interjected portions of this tale, against the author's narrative backdrop.
It's easy to understand how this book became an immediate classic, for its endearing story and valuable life lessons. I readily engaged with the novel and read it in no time at all. I think it would be suitable reading for middle grades on up, and with judicious selection, to read to younger children as well. Who wouldn't adore these beloved dogs?
May 20, 2017
I read this book for a challenge. This was not the type of book that I normally read. On Christmas Day, Virginia livestock farmer Lewis Burkholder and Nop, his black-and-white border collie, go out to feed the sheep. But the holiday is shattered when Nop fails to return home. Lewis did everything he could to find him he refused to believe that his dog was gone. Nop went through a lot of abuse it was sad as a dog owner I would hate to have my pet go through the things that he went through. With that being said I read this book for a challenge. This book was well written with no erros in grammar or spelling.
September 19, 2015
It's rare to find any person who has a great understanding of people and a great understanding of dogs. It is even more rare for that person to also be a great writer. But Donald McCaig can do it all -- "get" people and dogs, and tell a damn good story, so good I wanted to immediately go out and read everything he's ever written. This book is about Nop, a young border collie who belongs to Lewis Burkeholder. Lewis is a humble Virginia farmer, soft-spoken, man-of-few-words, guy who does the right thing. Not rich by any means, but likes to train dogs and compete with his dogs now and then. Nop is a young dog, coming along well, who has the misfortune to get stolen from Lewis, which sets him off on a lengthy series of misadventures until he is finally reunited with Lewis. A truly great dog story, a classic. Read it!
June 28, 2022
So, the cover on my copy of Nop’s Trials has a blurb from James Herriot that says:
“Nop’s Trials held me in fascinated suspense to the last page. Poignant, authentic, and beautiful.”
I will use that blurb to organize my review and how I thought it fit that description.
First, I thought the start of the book was a little slow. I actually started this book a long time ago and put it down until now. I saw a review or two where people quit reading the book either in this slow beginning or in the next part when the villains come into the picture. It takes a while before the ‘fascinated suspense’ gets started, and I think the pace of the rest of the book makes up for that slow start.
Second, poignant means ‘evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret.’ I don’t really like sad. If you really like sad, read Beem by Gavriil Troyepolsky. In this story, sad means bad people do mean things to dogs including Nop. If you hate that kind of thing, maybe find another book. In this book, there is the challenges the dog has to go through and we are just hoping somehow there of a happy ending. Actually, in this book, Nop is thrown in and out of a bunch of bad situations. At some points, it was not fun reading for me. I wondered if I would wind up giving the book only 3 stars for inventing situations and people who do mean things to dogs. But in fairy tales, there are monsters and it is the overcoming of them that makes the ride worth it and in this case, Nop’s Trails redeemed itself for me.
James Herriot’s blurb also used the word ‘authentic.’ The author does know his herding, farming/ranching details and it shows in the book and I think that is what he is referring to. The book is good storytelling, but no bits of prose stuck out enough that I wanted to copy out and add to my list of favorite quotes.
The last word in the blurb was ‘beautiful.’ Not sure if I felt that, but I did cry at some points. And to me when a book generates strong emotions (except for hate of the book of course like Beem), it means the book really had me engaged.
Lastly there was some unexpected things in the book that added to me enjoying the book; the rodeo part, the part dealing with a fire engine, the part with the dog named stink. Those of you who have read the book will know what I mean. Hope you do choose to read the book and would love to share comments on it.
“Nop’s Trials held me in fascinated suspense to the last page. Poignant, authentic, and beautiful.”
I will use that blurb to organize my review and how I thought it fit that description.
First, I thought the start of the book was a little slow. I actually started this book a long time ago and put it down until now. I saw a review or two where people quit reading the book either in this slow beginning or in the next part when the villains come into the picture. It takes a while before the ‘fascinated suspense’ gets started, and I think the pace of the rest of the book makes up for that slow start.
Second, poignant means ‘evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret.’ I don’t really like sad. If you really like sad, read Beem by Gavriil Troyepolsky. In this story, sad means bad people do mean things to dogs including Nop. If you hate that kind of thing, maybe find another book. In this book, there is the challenges the dog has to go through and we are just hoping somehow there of a happy ending. Actually, in this book, Nop is thrown in and out of a bunch of bad situations. At some points, it was not fun reading for me. I wondered if I would wind up giving the book only 3 stars for inventing situations and people who do mean things to dogs. But in fairy tales, there are monsters and it is the overcoming of them that makes the ride worth it and in this case, Nop’s Trails redeemed itself for me.
James Herriot’s blurb also used the word ‘authentic.’ The author does know his herding, farming/ranching details and it shows in the book and I think that is what he is referring to. The book is good storytelling, but no bits of prose stuck out enough that I wanted to copy out and add to my list of favorite quotes.
The last word in the blurb was ‘beautiful.’ Not sure if I felt that, but I did cry at some points. And to me when a book generates strong emotions (except for hate of the book of course like Beem), it means the book really had me engaged.
Lastly there was some unexpected things in the book that added to me enjoying the book; the rodeo part, the part dealing with a fire engine, the part with the dog named stink. Those of you who have read the book will know what I mean. Hope you do choose to read the book and would love to share comments on it.
January 4, 2008
A must-read for any dog lover. And the best part is, there is a sequel!
May 19, 2008
I loved Nop! You'll love him, too!
March 11, 2012
This is a neat dog story. Nop is a border collie who is a working sheep dog and trial champion. He gets separated from his home/farm and the book tells of his adventures and his owner's search for him. The characters are interesting - both human and canine. Though it's not a gripping read, the pages keep turning. The last few chapters it gets to be "I HAVE to find out what happens!".
The writing wasn't amazing, but not terrible, either. I'd recommend the book to anyone who likes dogs.
The writing wasn't amazing, but not terrible, either. I'd recommend the book to anyone who likes dogs.
November 20, 2023
Couldn’t put it down. Suspenseful and very sad in places. Great story telling.
December 28, 2017
Great books, I read Nop’s hope first not knowing there was another book first.
However that being said I was glad I did, Nop did have lots of trials not the ones I thought they would be.
Since I read the second book first I knew he would persevere but I was so sad at what he went through. Glad it is fiction, I am a huge dog lover and it would be heartbreaking to know it was real. That being said, watch for animal abuse it happens right under our noses.
I volunteer for our local humane Society and see how the poor things are mistreated. Pets are a responsibility we take for life, like marriage and parenthood
I have one border collie whose work is her frisbee, although she is 13 now and has hip dysphasia her day is not complete without “working” her frisbee
Wonderful book don’t pass it by.
However that being said I was glad I did, Nop did have lots of trials not the ones I thought they would be.
Since I read the second book first I knew he would persevere but I was so sad at what he went through. Glad it is fiction, I am a huge dog lover and it would be heartbreaking to know it was real. That being said, watch for animal abuse it happens right under our noses.
I volunteer for our local humane Society and see how the poor things are mistreated. Pets are a responsibility we take for life, like marriage and parenthood
I have one border collie whose work is her frisbee, although she is 13 now and has hip dysphasia her day is not complete without “working” her frisbee
Wonderful book don’t pass it by.
October 3, 2020
The dog ("Nop") is consistently cool, but I couldn't help but be reminded of those 1980s Disney flicks that tried to get grittier, but always revealed, by story's end, that melodramatic arc. This one might be a bit saltier, with a few characters and situations that could have easily come from an Elmore Leonard novel, but you knew that dog & owner would eventually be OK. Fascinating details on Border Collies and dog shows.
September 2, 2014
Nop is a young border collie, happily living the border collie life on a Virginia farm with livestock farmer Lewis Burkholder. On Christmas Day, Nop and a neighbor's dog are let out to play, and don't come back. They've been stolen, and Nop's life has undergone an alarming and disorienting change.
In alternating sections, we follow Nop's struggles to survive in a life much harsher than he has known till now, and Lewis Burkholder's search for his missing dog.
There's dog drama here, and the dogs are wonderfully authentic and satisfying, but there's also human drama--Burkholder's obsession with finding the dog friends tell him is probably dead, and the strains this creates with his pregnant daughter, the son-in-law he doesn't like or quite trust, and his devoted wife. Beverly doesn't want Lewis to give up on Nop, but she's frustrated that since Nop's disappearance he doesn't really seem to see her anymore.
Meanwhile, Nop is learning the ins and outs of rodeos, shelters, and life on the streets.
I first read Nop's Trials when it came out in 1984, and I'll confess that thirty years later, what I remembered was Nop and his struggles. At the time, the human drama apparently made no lasting impression at all. Now, I attribute that to my youth and inexperience. McCaig develops his human characters and their struggles with subtlety and grace, just as he does the dogs.
Highly recommended.
I received a free electronic galley of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.
In alternating sections, we follow Nop's struggles to survive in a life much harsher than he has known till now, and Lewis Burkholder's search for his missing dog.
There's dog drama here, and the dogs are wonderfully authentic and satisfying, but there's also human drama--Burkholder's obsession with finding the dog friends tell him is probably dead, and the strains this creates with his pregnant daughter, the son-in-law he doesn't like or quite trust, and his devoted wife. Beverly doesn't want Lewis to give up on Nop, but she's frustrated that since Nop's disappearance he doesn't really seem to see her anymore.
Meanwhile, Nop is learning the ins and outs of rodeos, shelters, and life on the streets.
I first read Nop's Trials when it came out in 1984, and I'll confess that thirty years later, what I remembered was Nop and his struggles. At the time, the human drama apparently made no lasting impression at all. Now, I attribute that to my youth and inexperience. McCaig develops his human characters and their struggles with subtlety and grace, just as he does the dogs.
Highly recommended.
I received a free electronic galley of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.
January 3, 2022
On the day of Christmas when Luke Burkholder, a livestock farmer and sheepdog trainer dwelling in West Virginia was enjoying his family dinner, his talented young black-and-white border collie, Nop was stolen. This novel is a story of the abuse and brutality Nop suffers and how his Human Luke is emotionally involved in finding him. It explores the depth of love and devotion that a human and dog can feel towards each other.
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It was a good read. I recommend this to all the Pet lovers
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It was a good read. I recommend this to all the Pet lovers
October 14, 2014
Wow, this is exciting, a canine Perils of Pauline. If you like dog stories you don't set this one down until it's finished. I think I lent my copy to someone who never gave it back, 'cause otherwise I would have read it for a third time at some point in the last couple of years. Instead, I forgot all about it. Rem to self: make a new shelf for animal stories
May 26, 2009
Sadly, I didn't like this book. I know it's about a dog, but there's terribe violence and I couldn't get very far. I get enough of that in my work.
August 1, 2017
Nop is a working stock dog, a border collie, and this is his story. He is happiest doing the work for which he was bred and trained, and loves his master, Lewis, almost as much as his work. Together they have won several competitions, and together they manage the sheep and cattle on the farm.
On Christmas morning, after feeding the stock, Nop and a visiting puppy go out to stretch their legs, and that's when his trouble starts. A pair of local thugs steal them, and Nop must fight a huge. Norwegian elkhound to save his friend. She is killed instantly, and Nop badly injured, which only begins his life of abuse. Even while Lewis tries to find him, Nop lives a nightmare of abuse, and we follow him on his odyssey in the dog underworld. He works the rodeo circuit, adopts and protects a bag lady, and eventually is sold to a research lab, where his future looks grim indeed, and he watches for his first opportunity to escape.
The charm of Nop's story is that we see it mostly through his eyes. We also learn about his people, and the world of competitive working dog handling, but we feel first Nop's joys, sorrows, loves, losses, fears, and loyalties. We experience his intelligence and resourcefulness, such that even hired thugs respect his strength and worth, and cannot bring themselves to kill him outright. It is his own strong spirit that saves his life and eventually brings him home.
On Christmas morning, after feeding the stock, Nop and a visiting puppy go out to stretch their legs, and that's when his trouble starts. A pair of local thugs steal them, and Nop must fight a huge. Norwegian elkhound to save his friend. She is killed instantly, and Nop badly injured, which only begins his life of abuse. Even while Lewis tries to find him, Nop lives a nightmare of abuse, and we follow him on his odyssey in the dog underworld. He works the rodeo circuit, adopts and protects a bag lady, and eventually is sold to a research lab, where his future looks grim indeed, and he watches for his first opportunity to escape.
The charm of Nop's story is that we see it mostly through his eyes. We also learn about his people, and the world of competitive working dog handling, but we feel first Nop's joys, sorrows, loves, losses, fears, and loyalties. We experience his intelligence and resourcefulness, such that even hired thugs respect his strength and worth, and cannot bring themselves to kill him outright. It is his own strong spirit that saves his life and eventually brings him home.
June 21, 2020
My Mom recommended this book to me(the infamous James Harriot recommends it as well). It took me 2 - 3 yrs to get around to reading it. I had to put it down for about 7 or 8 months because it got really rough on my "limbic system". But I finally picked it back up and finished it. It was well worth it. My Mom helped me to get two puppies that were not recognized by the AKC at the time, but those two were my best buddies growing up. Nothing like a Border Collie. At the time, like most kids of that day, I wanted a Lassie. Once you have one and bond, there is nothing that can match it(although Belgian Shepherds can come very close). Thanks Mom, for all the guidance you gave me. I wish you were still around.
June 6, 2017
I am not a dog owner (though I do like sheepdog trials) and I loved this book. I wanted to read a book about a part of the country I don't know well, about people living lives very different from my life on a topic about which I know next to nothing. So I bought this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. The story is totally engaging, the characters very well drawn and the writing is lovely. I particularly liked the way the dogs refer to each other as "Thou," although I don't want this comment to make you think this is a book about anthropomorphism. It is not. It's a different kind of adventure, and I really pulled for Nop and Lewis all the way through.
February 16, 2018
I'm not sure why I added Nop's Trials to my Kindle, because I tend to be really picky about the books I read, and it's very much outside my usual/preferred genres. I'm glad I read it, though. It was something different, and McCaig has a laudable understanding of canines. Nop's Trials is a sweet story of one dog's resilience in the face of hard times and one owner's perseverance in getting his dog back. Some readers might be put off by the animal cruelty displayed throughout the novel, but I thought it made the story more realistic--and it allowed me to appreciate the perseverance and resilience even more.
September 16, 2018
I believe this book is for anyone who ever loved an animal. It was written in the way I remember great books used to be written: a story for the sake of a story. No social or political agenda to push, multiple POVs layered to show depth and insight, even the quirky writing device of the dogs' thoughts - basically all the good things that are missing from writing today. Anyone who loved James Herriot's stories will enjoy Nop's Trial. It reads like the Black Beauty of the dog world, so be prepared for cruelty toward animals at the hands of humans. Still, the story ends on a satisfying, hopeful note without sacrificing believability.
January 3, 2021
I've had this book for several years because of a need to be emotionally ready to read "dog" stories. They all share similar characteristics based upon our differing life spans. Although this book was hard to read sometimes, it truly was more inspirational than draining. A good story about a dog, more specifically a border collie, whose character is more admirable than those of the people around him. Yes, plenty of talk around sheep/dog trials but those can be lingered over to each reader's level of interest. I would definitely recommend reading the book and try to slow down your pace to enjoy the final chapters.
May 19, 2022
I was so excited to read that James Herriot recommended this story about a farmer / sheep herder who refused to stop looking for his stolen dog. I cannot give it the same rousing endorsement. Maybe it's all the bad news in the world today, but I became more and more depressed about all the bad situations Nop the dog experienced. It was like reading Beautiful Joe or Black Beauty. There is a happy ending but all the heartache along the way! It was like the author tried to come up with every way humans abuse dogs and put it in his story. I'm sorry, but if you want an uplifting story all the way through, this isn't it.
July 27, 2023
Suspense filled book about a border collie who is stolen one night and the poor dogs harrowing story back to his owner. It kept me interested enough to see what happened but it was so filled with horrible images of the cruelty humans inflict on dogs that it was difficult to read at times.
The writing is also a bit crude but I learned a lot about herding and dog trials. As an owner of border collie mix dogs I know and can relate to the images of their intuition and intelligence.
It’s worth a read but be prepared to be uncomfortable with the images of animals being abused and ill treated.
The writing is also a bit crude but I learned a lot about herding and dog trials. As an owner of border collie mix dogs I know and can relate to the images of their intuition and intelligence.
It’s worth a read but be prepared to be uncomfortable with the images of animals being abused and ill treated.
November 27, 2018
A cute story that is admittedly a little bit dated, although having been published in the 70s that is to be expected.
I was a little disappointed to be honest. I expected - I'm not sure exactly what. But definitely more than what I got. Still a very adorable story though, especially the parts from Nop's perspective.
The parts I enjoyed the most were actually the bits about Penny and Stink, I think I would absolutely love their story. I'll look around to see if I can find it, and maybe one day I'll even read it!!!
I was a little disappointed to be honest. I expected - I'm not sure exactly what. But definitely more than what I got. Still a very adorable story though, especially the parts from Nop's perspective.
The parts I enjoyed the most were actually the bits about Penny and Stink, I think I would absolutely love their story. I'll look around to see if I can find it, and maybe one day I'll even read it!!!
February 14, 2018
I love dogs. I thought by the cover, the book would be similar to a James Herriot book (which I really like!).......but that was not so! The author did a heck of a job of telling this story.....but there is so much graphic violence against animals/dogs in the story.....that it made it a very tough read. All that violence is what prevents me from giving it any more stars, but it probably is what makes the story so compelling? Yikes.
July 17, 2018
This is my second reading of this book; a recent day spent at a professional-level sheepdog trial prompted me to reread it. I enjoyed it as much the second time around. McCaig is a grand storyteller, creating characters who are realistic and subtle, and a plot line that carries the reader along easily. He also knows dogs, and writes about them with great respect and realism. All in all, a refreshing page-turner with a satisfying ending (for those of us who occasionally read to escape!)
November 24, 2021
A bittersweet novel that unfortunately probably has a good deal of truth in it. While I don't think a lot of owners would go to the extent Lewis did for his dog, I think the trials Nop faced in this book are common for dogs with less than perfect luck. I practically had to chain myself to my chair to keep myself from running to my local humane society and adopting every dog there! Highly recommend to any dog lover with thick skin!!
August 29, 2022
Adventure, heart warming and dogs. What more does a good book need? Being that this is an older book, I was expecting something much more formal and with a review from James Herriot, something more like he writes. But it wasn’t. It’s fiction, but also a full blown adventure. It’s sad at parts and made me upset because I have no idea if dog dealers are still a thing, but they were and the attitude still exists. But it was a good book about a good dog.
December 28, 2022
The bond between man and dog can be a very wonderful thing. Dogs give us their love and their loyalty and when it is mutual it is amazing! This is the case with Nop and his owner and Master. Nop is stolen and he goes through some terrible things but so does his owner while looking for him. When I started this novel I wasn’t sure I was going to like it but by the end of the first chapter I just couldn’t put it down. I am a sucker for a good dog story and this is definitely one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews