Red Dog

Red Dog actually existed; the author notes in the author's note that the stories he tells in the book are all based in reality, and that all he invented were the characters. He first came across mention of Red Dog in 1998 when he went to Perth to attend a literature festival; part of the program was that the author would make his way to Karratha, a mining town to the north. There he came across a bronze statue of Red Dog, and wanted to find out more. To write the book, he later returned to the area, and just drove around & collected stories about Red Dog. He got some of his info from newspaper cuttings as well as two other books published about the dog in Australia.

The book is only 119 pages long of which the last three contain a brief show more glossary of Aussie terms. I read that part first and I would advise you to do the same. The story itself isn't one long narrative, but rather short little glimpses of Red Dog's life and adventures. Red Dog was loved by many people, didn't really have an owner, and was independent and assertive enough so that people let him have his way, and eventually, a majority of the people who came in touch with Red Dog ended up loving him.

The book is at times laugh-out-loud funny & you actually begin to feel that you are getting to know this dog while you're reading the book. The story is heartwarming yet a little sad at the end, but what a great story it is!

To be quite honest, I don't normally like stories about animals, and I picked this up only because it was recommended to me as a choice for novels set in Australia or by Australian authors, but I ended up absolutely loving this book. I would simply recommend it to EVERYONE, dog lover or no. For you cat people, there are some funny bits about a cat in here. show less

Compared to de Bernieres' other novels that I've read, this story of a rather whimsical dog is quite light-hearted. It may have moments of sadness (his owner dying in a motorcycle accident) and tension (when he gets in to trouble all over town), but even though Red Dog is put down at the end we've spent so much time laughing alongside on his many adventures that the tone of the book barely has time to feel sad.

Having heard about Red Dog but not seen the movie I was expecting sentimental claptrap. It wasn't - but I still cried as I am a dog person and adore the free spirit and "Austrailainism" that the Red Dog showed in this. A fantastic book that everyone should read - even though there is Aussie slang and swearing - as it captures the outback and the tenacity of its animals and humans to an tee. I loved this book.
GOOD READS REVIEW:
In early 1998 I went to Perth in Western Australia in order to attend the literature festival, and part of the arrangement was that I should go to Karratha to do their first ever literary dinner. Karratha is a mining town a long way further north. The landscape is extraordinary, being composed of vast heaps of dark show more red earth and rock poking out of the never-ending bush. I imagine that Mars must have a similar feel to it.

I went exploring and discovered the bronze statue to Red Dog outside the town of Dampier. I felt straight away that I had to find out more about this splendid dog. A few months later I returned to Western Australia and spent two glorious weeks driving around collecting Red Dog stories and visiting the places that he knew, writing up the text as I went along. I hope my cat never finds out that I have written a story to celebrate the life of a dog.' Louis de Bernieres show less

Really lovely, heartening, amusing and tear-jerking. De Bernières has done a masterful job in reproducing Pilbaran society of the 1970s: my housemate worked in the area portrayed (Mount Tom Price, Roebourne etc) in the early 80s, just a few years after the resolution of these (true) tales, and was struck by the accuracy and evocative nature of the prose. I wondered whether this would work best for young readers and it crossed my mind to read it to my (8-year-old) nephew but I think it would make him too sad!

Purchased months ago due to a recommendation here at LT, this book sat on my shelves, unread, until this evening...

...why did I wait so long to delve into such a charming story?

"Red Dog" is based upon the life of a real dog living in Australia in the 1970s. Owned by no one, and, except for a brief and happy experience, with no master to care for, Red Dog became famous for his travels. He would hitch rides in the local bus with the workers, or in private cars with people he knew. Red Dog was also well known for his ability to snatch a steak or sausage off a barbecue without the owner noticing.

I thoroughly enjoyed "Red Dog", and how well the author portrayed that canine's exploits, as well as the many people who loved him.

Sweet and funny.

A beautiful and heart-breaking book - and I'm not a dog person. This is the antidote to all the terribly parochial 'bush' literature that does the rounds. One of the best books about Australia that I've read.

Edited as of 2011: the movie looks putrid. I refuse to go anywhere near it.

The amazingly charming, seriously funny, and very "true" story of Red Dog - a local resident of the rural Western Australian town of Karratha. He was a local legend and belonged to nobody and everybody simultaneously. He'd be seen riding public transport, spending the night at different peoples houses, and visiting friends at just the right time, never staying long but always there. A modern Australian classic full of heart and community.