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livres_de_bloss's review against another edition
2.0
What a strange little book.
The characters were flat, unsympathetic and dull. Jonathan, in particular, was a nightmare. I didn’t connect with him at all with his complaining, his oversexedness, his immaturity and his refusal to communicate with others. He was so passive, it was infuriating. I didn’t have much sympathy as he loved to complain but refused to own his mistakes or make tough decisions. He “fell in love” with anything that made eye contact with him too which was absolutely insane.
I didn’t see the appeal of Dr Clare either. I pictured her as a lot older than Jonathan and couldn't comprehend why she’d even entertain dating such an obnoxious man-child.
I liked the dogs. Oddly, I liked Julie and Mark. Max and Greely would good characters as well. I just couldn’t connect with this book because I kind of hated the “hero”.
The book was short (which was its saving grace), but meandering, disorganized and simplistically written. Overall, I don’t recommend this.
The characters were flat, unsympathetic and dull. Jonathan, in particular, was a nightmare. I didn’t connect with him at all with his complaining, his oversexedness, his immaturity and his refusal to communicate with others. He was so passive, it was infuriating. I didn’t have much sympathy as he loved to complain but refused to own his mistakes or make tough decisions. He “fell in love” with anything that made eye contact with him too which was absolutely insane.
I didn’t see the appeal of Dr Clare either. I pictured her as a lot older than Jonathan and couldn't comprehend why she’d even entertain dating such an obnoxious man-child.
I liked the dogs. Oddly, I liked Julie and Mark. Max and Greely would good characters as well. I just couldn’t connect with this book because I kind of hated the “hero”.
The book was short (which was its saving grace), but meandering, disorganized and simplistically written. Overall, I don’t recommend this.
moco71's review against another edition
3.0
Quirky book...but a fun read, especially if you are a dog person. Jonathan can't figure out what he wants to be when he grows up or if he's in love and ready to marry his girlfriend of 4 years. A story about self-discovery and the strange way this character finds his way...
sylviarib's review
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
milliebrierley's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
I really, really enjoyed this. I was so excited to see Rosoff had written a book for adults - I've read several of her YA novels and always admired her plots, characters and variety of genres.
And now she's proved she has comic chops for adults as well. Bravo!
As she's demonstrated before (There is no Dog), Rosoff can do offbeat (and looks to be a dog lover as well!). This starts with a man telling us that his dogs have been talking about him... Jonathan is dog-sitting for his brother, two intelligent and canines that he is sure can understand him and feel human emotions.
Not that the vet believes him. The dogs seem to be trying to control his life as well. Which, to us, couldn't really hurt, as Jonathan is stuck in a relationship that the reader can see is less than perfect and in a job so soul-destroying he doesn't have the energy to do anything about it.
Will his doggy roomies help him to make the changes he needs to find love and contentment in his life?
I found this a pleasure from start to finish. Jonathan needs a good kick up the bum (even the dogs can see that) but I still found myself wanting a happier life for him.
Rosoff's unusual trick, to give (but not give) the dogs human thought (through Jonathan) is clever and works brilliantly. They MIGHT be helping him or it MIGHT all be in his head.
Certainly some things ARE in his head (constantly calling a certain wedding a 'funeral', other incredibly funny yet horrifying hospital and medical scenes).
I finished this and thought - yes, in the end, it takes a well-worn path through to an oft-visited destination, but Rosoff designs a new route for reaching it.
Very clever, very funny, I was amused throughout and loved the characters she created.
A lovely summer read. And you might do a double take the next time you walk past your dog...
And now she's proved she has comic chops for adults as well. Bravo!
As she's demonstrated before (There is no Dog), Rosoff can do offbeat (and looks to be a dog lover as well!). This starts with a man telling us that his dogs have been talking about him... Jonathan is dog-sitting for his brother, two intelligent and canines that he is sure can understand him and feel human emotions.
Not that the vet believes him. The dogs seem to be trying to control his life as well. Which, to us, couldn't really hurt, as Jonathan is stuck in a relationship that the reader can see is less than perfect and in a job so soul-destroying he doesn't have the energy to do anything about it.
Will his doggy roomies help him to make the changes he needs to find love and contentment in his life?
I found this a pleasure from start to finish. Jonathan needs a good kick up the bum (even the dogs can see that) but I still found myself wanting a happier life for him.
Rosoff's unusual trick, to give (but not give) the dogs human thought (through Jonathan) is clever and works brilliantly. They MIGHT be helping him or it MIGHT all be in his head.
Certainly some things ARE in his head (constantly calling a certain wedding a 'funeral', other incredibly funny yet horrifying hospital and medical scenes).
I finished this and thought - yes, in the end, it takes a well-worn path through to an oft-visited destination, but Rosoff designs a new route for reaching it.
Very clever, very funny, I was amused throughout and loved the characters she created.
A lovely summer read. And you might do a double take the next time you walk past your dog...
tinabean's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
tatyanavogt's review against another edition
2.0
Okay, the main guy was supposed to be weird and quirky but he came off as being childish and annoying. I found myself constantly annoyed by the guy and the writing and just wanting for the story to progress and to get on with things. For some reason I expected it to be a romance so it was pretty disappointing when it focused more on this guys midlife crisis wanting to finally grow up and be an adult and thinking a loveless marriage is the answer...
wordynerdyanddirty's review against another edition
4.0
A quirky novel about a guy who watches his brother's two dogs and ends up becoming inseparable from them. Mix in some nerdy references, a straight-laced girlfriend, bad office atmosphere, and an androgynous Zen life coach and you get an entertaining summer read.