Dogs of Babel, The

by Carolyn Parkhurst | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 0316168688 Global Overview for this book
Registered by Watchcat of Nutley, New Jersey USA on 6/4/2003
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5 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by Watchcat from Nutley, New Jersey USA on Wednesday, June 4, 2003
From Publishers Weekly: "It's a terrific high concept: a woman falls from a backyard tree and dies; the only witness is the family dog, a Rhodesian Ridgeback. To find out what happened--accident? suicide?--her grieving husband tries to teach the dog to talk."


This is a copy of the uncorrected proofs.

Journal Entry 2 by Seferim from Columbia, Maryland USA on Saturday, June 14, 2003
Thank you so much for sending me this one--I will be ahead of the rush now--I have a feeling this is gonna be a big bestseller from what I have read! Thanks again... will review soon!

Journal Entry 3 by Seferim from Columbia, Maryland USA on Thursday, March 4, 2004
When Paul Iverson's wife dies, he becomes obsessed with finding out how she died. He turns to the only witness: the couple's Rhodesian Ridgeback, Lorelei. He wants to teach Lorelei how to talk, and how to tell him what really happened the afternoon of his wife's death.

The book explores one man's grieving process, and how he reacts to those around him. He becomes a joke at work, and begins a short correspondence with a prison inmate who succeeded in making a dog "talk". These scenes were the most disturbing in the book, because as an animal lover, I found it extremely difficult to read. Thankfully, the scenes are short, and through the experience in the book, Paul realizes that he needs to center himself. It struck me that Paul's life and work focus on language and communication; yet, he and his wife could have solved a number of problems had they just communicated better with each other.

Overall, this book is a great accomplishment. It is especially good when you read it with your dog at your side.

MARCH 5th:
Going to jblueafterglow in British Columbia-- Enjoy!

Journal Entry 4 by jblueafterglow from Coquitlam, British Columbia Canada on Saturday, March 20, 2004
Just arrived in the mail yesterday. Thank you, Seferim. It appears to be a great idea for a book and I will get to it as soon as I finish the book I'm working on..

Journal Entry 5 by jblueafterglow from Coquitlam, British Columbia Canada on Sunday, August 1, 2004
Somehow a few other books budged in front of this one. I am now starting it. Sorry it took me so long. I hear that this book "is especially good when you read it with your dog at your side." Therefore, "here Archie, c'mere boy... Good dog."

Journal Entry 6 by jblueafterglow from Coquitlam, British Columbia Canada on Monday, August 23, 2004
I read this while traveling the east coast of the United States, so I was not able to have my dog at my side.. The premise for the book is unusual, and that is what drew me in. I like how Paul has a mission, and doesn't care how others perceive him while fully submerged in his project.. There are many other things, big and small, that I like about this book, so let me just say that I would love this book if not for two things:

1. There is one point in the book where it is quite obvious that Lorelei, the dog, should not be left alone in the backyard. Either lock her up inside the house, or, better yet, don't leave her alone!

2. You can not spell the word "lost" by using the letters from the name Lexy Ransome.

Released 19 yrs ago (9/26/2004 UTC) at Word on the Street (see release notes for details) in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Released as part of the "Word on the Street" mass release! Released at the 'Whales Tales' orca (pictured), and didn't have to wait long before seeing a father of a young'un pick it up and keep it.. I think he'll like it, I hope he journals..

Journal Entry 8 by wingAnonymousFinderwing on Tuesday, October 26, 2004
I was at the central library with my family for a reading fair. I thought the book was lost and was thrilled to find out its origin. Very cool that the previous owner observed my finding the book. So many narratives in the city. I wonder did I look guilty thinking I'd found something and it was finders keepers. The book was great and I would have loved to have read it with my dog Kimi who was named after the woman who introduced me to my wife. Alas, the dog has passed on but fortunately my wife remains. My wife read this first and thoroughly enjoyed it. She had concerns that it might be a little "girlie" for me. It wasn't...i'm past that stage in my life. I connected with the book and was continually reminded of my own mortality. I loved Lexy and was touched by the honesty of her character flaws and all. I have another 50 or so pages and i will report back once i finish the story and release the story back to the wild. For now i will share this story with my grade 8 students who are now listening to my teaching partner share Word to Caeser.

CAUGHT IN VANCOUVER BRITISH COLUMBIA CANADA

Journal Entry 9 by pvance from Port Moody , British Columbia Canada on Wednesday, December 15, 2004
I just found the book and plan to read it over the Christmas break

Journal Entry 10 by wingAnonymousFinderwing on Tuesday, March 15, 2005
This book was found by a close friend of mine, sitting on a bench in front of A restourant she has been gpoing to everyday for the last fifteen years. After she read it, she passed it on to me, knowing that i am a huge book fan. I have not yet finnished it, (although i only have a few chapters left), but since i have started it has been next to impossible to put it down. This is one of the best books i have ever read, and to think, it came from a bench!!! When im done with this book i think i plan on "accidently" leaving it on a bus somewhere. or perhaps i will take it with me on my trip to victoria next month. Who knows!! Thanks bookcrossing!

CAUGHT IN PORT MOODY BRITISH COLUMBIA CANADA

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