"The Dogs of Babel" Review

 

The Dogs of Babel

By Carolyn Parkhurst

10/10

 

My Synopsis:

Paul is a professor and Lexie is his wife.  One day Lexie is found dead in their backyard having fallen out of the top of a tree.  “Fallen” is what the police have concluded but Paul isn’t sure if he can accept this conclusion.  There are things that are out of the norm that cause Paul to question what has transpired.  Did she fall?  Did she jump?  Was there foul play involved?  The only one who knows the truth is Lorelei.  Trouble is Lorelei is a dog and unable to communicate just what she saw that fateful day.  So Paul sets out on a journey to teach Lorelei to communicate so the details of Lexie’s death can finally be known.

 

 

My Opinion:

I bought this book as I do so many of my books at a garage sale or thrift store or library sale.  I bought it because I had heard the name before somewhere and I was looking for a good deal on some well known titles.  When I got home and read the synopsis, I was not real interested.  How can they make a whole book out of this?  A guy teaching his dog to talk – um, really?  Then I saw that it was written by Carolyn Parkhurst who wrote Lost and Found, a book I very much like.  So I eagerly dove into The Dogs of Babel and was not disappointed in any way.  The book is truly amazing.  The writing sucks you in and keeps you wanting more.  It has the ability to be light, beautiful and sweet and yet portions are depressing, dark and disturbing.  It is both happy and sad.  It is everything that you want in a book all rolled into one.  The storytelling powers of Ms. Parkhurst are excellent.  Her ability to forge words into poetic prose in unparalleled.  I often found myself reading passages out loud to my husband so that he could experience the book as well.  The descriptions of Lexie’s battle with her internal demons are intense and from someone who has experience with depression, unbelievably accurate.  I love books like this.  In fact, I liked this one better than Lost and Found.  Even the end was pleasing and rewarding.  I had no idea how she was going to wrap things up until she did and then I was content.  This book is riveting and captivating.  A true gem.  Best fifty cents I’ve spent in my life.  10/10