'Truthful - and often very funny - and raw . . . this is as true a book about a dog as you will find' - Telegraph
'A stirring tale of the bond that can form between human and hound' - The Times
From one of the world's great storytellers and author of The Book Thief, Markus Zusak, this is a tender, motley and exquisitely written memoir about dogs, love and nature.
What happens when the Zusaks open their family home to three big, wild, pound-hardened dogs - Reuben, a wolf at your door with a hacksaw; Archer, blond, beautiful, deadly; and the rancorously smiling Frosty, who walks like a rolling thunderstorm?
The answer can only be chaos: there are street fights, park fights, public shamings, property trashing, bodily injuries, stomach pumping, purest comedy, shocking tragedy, and carnage that needs to be seen to be believed . . . not to mention the odd police visit at some ungodly hour of the morning.
There is a reckoning of shortcomings and failure, a strengthening of will, but most important of all, an explosion of love - and the joy and recognition of family.
Three Wild Dogs (and the truth) is the human need for both connection and disorder; but it's also a love letter to the animals who bring hilarity and beauty - but also the visceral truth of the natural world - straight to our doors and into our lives, and change us forever.
'A stirring tale of the bond that can form between human and hound' - The Times
From one of the world's great storytellers and author of The Book Thief, Markus Zusak, this is a tender, motley and exquisitely written memoir about dogs, love and nature.
What happens when the Zusaks open their family home to three big, wild, pound-hardened dogs - Reuben, a wolf at your door with a hacksaw; Archer, blond, beautiful, deadly; and the rancorously smiling Frosty, who walks like a rolling thunderstorm?
The answer can only be chaos: there are street fights, park fights, public shamings, property trashing, bodily injuries, stomach pumping, purest comedy, shocking tragedy, and carnage that needs to be seen to be believed . . . not to mention the odd police visit at some ungodly hour of the morning.
There is a reckoning of shortcomings and failure, a strengthening of will, but most important of all, an explosion of love - and the joy and recognition of family.
Three Wild Dogs (and the truth) is the human need for both connection and disorder; but it's also a love letter to the animals who bring hilarity and beauty - but also the visceral truth of the natural world - straight to our doors and into our lives, and change us forever.
Truthful - and often very funny - and raw . . . this is as true a book about a dog as you will find Telegraph
"Heartrending...With a soft heart and a fluid pen, Zusak delivers an elegy for three misfit creatures that will resonate even with those who've never picked up a leash." - Publishers Weekly
:"A self-deprecating tale of dog-ownership mayhem that is sure to win over many a reader." - Kirkus
"Zusak's garrulous style gives appropriate spotlight to his furry subjects (a few cats are involved too), celebrating their indomitable spirits in a convivial, all-but-exasperated tone. [His] innate humor jostles readers throughout, creating a wholly different page-turning experience from the epic nature of his fiction. Dog lovers will surely find a lot to chew on here as Zusak mines for the truth the title intimates that those touched by a dog will all agree: we are changed for having known them." - Booklist (starred review)
"Three Wild Dogs (and the Truth) will be enjoyed by readers of the best dog tales, such as The Art of Racing in the Rain, for its ability to evoke both the aggravation and deep love that dogs foster in those who build their lives around these creatures." - BookPage
"Humorous and sage. Zusak is offering his many readers-and pet lovers perhaps new to his work-a view of what goes on behind the scenes in the household of a dedicated writer. This is punctuated by a lively look at how pets can and do affect the dynamics of family, neighborhood and the human heart." - BookReporter
:"A self-deprecating tale of dog-ownership mayhem that is sure to win over many a reader." - Kirkus
"Zusak's garrulous style gives appropriate spotlight to his furry subjects (a few cats are involved too), celebrating their indomitable spirits in a convivial, all-but-exasperated tone. [His] innate humor jostles readers throughout, creating a wholly different page-turning experience from the epic nature of his fiction. Dog lovers will surely find a lot to chew on here as Zusak mines for the truth the title intimates that those touched by a dog will all agree: we are changed for having known them." - Booklist (starred review)
"Three Wild Dogs (and the Truth) will be enjoyed by readers of the best dog tales, such as The Art of Racing in the Rain, for its ability to evoke both the aggravation and deep love that dogs foster in those who build their lives around these creatures." - BookPage
"Humorous and sage. Zusak is offering his many readers-and pet lovers perhaps new to his work-a view of what goes on behind the scenes in the household of a dedicated writer. This is punctuated by a lively look at how pets can and do affect the dynamics of family, neighborhood and the human heart." - BookReporter