skylarmarija's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
yayitskristin's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Murder
ipb1's review against another edition
4.0
Far too feral for kiddies, although all of that tearing out of throats (canine and human) would make for an interesting bedtime story. Your classic 'canine picaresque', which becomes something quite elegiac in the latter stages.
efrancis's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
aaron_j136's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
Very brutal. I enjoyed it but I was confused with the language at multiple times.
Very brutal. I enjoyed it but I was confused with the language at multiple times.
lelekochka's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
mynameisstu's review against another edition
5.0
I didn't know what this book was about when I started reading it. I was quite surprised when the protagonist turned out to be a dog. I was engrossed the whole time tho, really really good!
dorothy_gale's review against another edition
4.0
This was not what I expected, but I gave it 4 stars because of the incredible detail, the interesting point of view which broadened over time, the fact that it was written in 1903 and managed to hold my attention, and its ability to push my buttons around the treatment of animals and the characterization of women. Surprisingly, the characterization of Natives was not bad.
I had added it to my list a year ago because it was a classic, and because it shows up on lists of books on resilience. I bumped it up after seeing that a movie version came out starring Harrison Ford (of course my daughter wanted to see it), so I needed to screen it. After finishing the book, I thought there is no way I'm letting my 7 and 8yo see it. I checked the movie ratings, and it's PG (for some violence, peril, thematic elements and mild language.) All versions of the movie (I think there are at least 4) are PG. So then I checked Commonsensemedia.org for their take on age appropriateness of the book. Experts said ages 12+, parents said 13+, kids said 12+. So, they must've stripped quite a bit out for the movies. My kids are animal lovers though, so I think Harrison Ford can wait.
As of today, this book had a 3.87 average by 326,848 reviewers. It will likely be the lowest-rated book I will read this year, but I suspect the lower ratings come from younger audiences who were assigned to read it.
I had added it to my list a year ago because it was a classic, and because it shows up on lists of books on resilience. I bumped it up after seeing that a movie version came out starring Harrison Ford (of course my daughter wanted to see it), so I needed to screen it. After finishing the book, I thought there is no way I'm letting my 7 and 8yo see it. I checked the movie ratings, and it's PG (for some violence, peril, thematic elements and mild language.) All versions of the movie (I think there are at least 4) are PG. So then I checked Commonsensemedia.org for their take on age appropriateness of the book. Experts said ages 12+, parents said 13+, kids said 12+. So, they must've stripped quite a bit out for the movies. My kids are animal lovers though, so I think Harrison Ford can wait.
As of today, this book had a 3.87 average by 326,848 reviewers. It will likely be the lowest-rated book I will read this year, but I suspect the lower ratings come from younger audiences who were assigned to read it.