This is an excellent book. Achingly sad, yet funny at times... I just loved it.

Mom read it as well and loved it.

I will keep this one reserved to see if Rainbowbabe or Akiree (or both) would like to read it.

Released to Rainbowbabe during her fun visit to Virginia!

This book looks quite good! I may read it next - I just read the first paragraph, and it really caught my interest.

Thanks, R.C.!

I just started this book today, and I do find it quite interesting and well written! I'm just making a journal entry for R.B.Jr. who read this book while on spring break. In a burst of articulateness, she answered my question of how she liked the book: "Eh." Which means, I think, so-so. Oh, well! :-)

I will try to phrase things in a more enlightening way myself, once I've finished reading.

I have such mixed feelings about this book! I ended up having a "book hangover" when I was done reading, and that doesn't happen too often. By that I mean I was very wrapped up in the characters, and when I finished reading I just felt - numb, I guess.

I wasn't sure about one of the subplots - seemed like quite a stretch to me - but I was impressed by the characterization of Lexy. (Good name, by the way, given the whole focus on language in this book!) She really came to life for me - and I think it's her character, more than anything else, that made me feel this book so intensely.

Whew!

And this was Parkhurst's first book. I will keep my eye out for more of her work!

R.C., do you know if Akiree wants to read The Dogs of Babel? I could mail it to her if you want me to.

Mailed this book to Akiree a few days ago. I just now figured out the new format of the bookshelves! Oh, well. :-)

Enjoy, Akiree!

This came as a complete surprise, just when I was finishing my last BC book, Cold Sassy Tree. Thanks! Will start right away.

I stayed up all night reading this one and went out and bought my dog a huge bag of treats as soon as I finished it. Usually I'm a bit resistant to stories chronicling the loss of a loved one, but Parkhurst's writing was just light enough to make the loss come across to me as sad and bittersweet, not cloying pathos. I was really drawn by all 3 of the characters - Lexy, Paul, and Lorelei, although I agree the dog speaking aspect was a bit out there! I may pass this on to a friend, but for now consider it up for grabs.

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