Marley and Me is a well-known, bestseller story about the Grogan family adopting a yellow lab named Marley. This book makes sure to point out that Marley is no typical dog: he flunks obedience school, chews off drywall, steals a Thanksgiving turkey, chases the UPS guy, and goes absolutely bonkers at the sight of lightening. But, although we might laugh at whatever ungodly thing that this dog has done, this book tells the story of how something so crazy can bind an average family together, and to realize how precious everlasting love really is.
Personally, I admire this book, even as an avid cat lover. It’s sharp, funny, and always makes you beg the question, what has Marley done now? Not only that, but the story has a serious and a bit more philosophical side and John Grogan certainly does well to blend it in. However, there are a few things about the book that were not highlights. For one, the story is about the dog, the family and nothing else, which doesn’t give much room to write anything more thrilling. Sure, Marley might assault the obedience instructor one day, but what if the John told the reader about how awful his day was on that day already, and then have the dog do such a thing? I would think that would be a bit more interesting. Also, I might be some strange exception, but I can see this book to have a very narrow audience- that is, and audience who are dog-lovers. Had it be written more openly, or in a way that would captivate a larger audience, I would think it a more satisfying read. For example, here would be a short alterative ending:
“Marley looked up at me from his tense stoop on the porch. Today was the day after his visit to the vet. She told me he had a twisted stomach, which if he had had again, would mean putting him to sleep. Even though it hadn’t happened again, I felt worried. To lose him would be like losing a dear, undying friend; but that look in his eyes, of sorrow and pain, wasn’t common with him. In fact, I had never seen it.
However, it’s easy to say that now that feeling was unnecessary, because as finish with these last few closing words, Marley is close by me sleeping, with less vigour in his life, but still nonetheless the world’s worst dog.”
Marley and Me is one of my favorite books. It was truly magical. It is one of the only books that I have cried at the ending of. The fact that I found it so touching was not at all contested by me being an avid cat lover. In my opinion you, sir, are being to hard a one Mr.Grogan.I thoroughly enjoyed that book, and I hope you did as well
ReplyDeleteI read marley and me last year and thought it was nothing special. Even though i love dogs, i didnt see the exitment in the story. i personally enjoy suspensfull exiting stories, and all though funny at times and quite sad, i didnt find that the book fit that criteria. I did enjoy it but not to the extreame level that some have. What did you think of the book in general?
ReplyDeleteMarley and me is an exciting book. It suprised me how they could write so much about one dog and make it entertaning, then make a movie out of it. After I read it I was interested by the simplicity of it and how it was so compelling.
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