Henry Ford, the cutest Border terrier puppy, lives with his papa Alan and mama Jenny. Alan loves his job, playing golf and above all, Henry. Jenny loves designer clothes, handbags and shoes. She doesn’t love Henry. When Jenny insists on a week of high life on Majorca, Henry’s world takes a nosedive.
An attempted dognap and a traumatic stay in the veterinary clinic leave Henry a sad and confused puppy. Desperately lonely he sets off on an adventure with his friend Bully, a streetwise Essex bulldog, where he meets the beautiful Paula and for the first time experiences the heartbreak of puppy love.
Back at home, his mama and papa’s marriage is on the rocks – will Alan agree to Jenny’s ultimatum? Will he choose Jenny or Henry?
My review
Talking animals tend to be so closely associated with entertainment for children – books, films etc – that it’s most certainly not an easy task to produce a book for adults narrated by a dog. David Pipe succeeds triumphantly. He uses this literary device to great effect in a totally suitable way for adults. There’s subtlety, nuances, elements of self-discovery and development, and even a little bit of adult dog content!
Henry makes for a good narrator, and he interacts in an entertaining and interesting way with a variety of fellow canines and humans, both pleasant and unpleasant. He has some rather stressful adventures but takes it all in his stride, and the ending is definitely the one we want for him. This is a fun novel, but some serious issues are touched on, which just adds to its texture and persuasiveness.
I don’t think you even need to be a dog-lover particularly to enjoy this story. It’s a tale for anyone who’s looking for something that’s entertaining, ultimately uplifting and definitely a bit different.
Purchase Link
About the author
David Pipe was born in 1949 in a small Essex village. He attended a local grammar school then the University of Hull where he took a B.Sc in chemistry. He worked in the pharmaceutical industry in England and South Africa before studying for a PhD in organic chemistry at Imperial College. After spells at universities in Geneva and Mulhouse he joined the oil industry in Germany where, aged 53, he gratefully took a redundancy package. Following a period of self-employment he wound down his business, eventually giving it up to scratch the writing itch which has produced Sacrificing Starlight, a timely reminder of the risks our children face and Henry’s Tale, where ghostwriting for his furry friend he describes the emotional growth of a puppy on the rollercoaster of life, compressed into a few weeks because puppies learn faster than their staff.
When he’s not writing David spends his time travelling, reading, swimming and jogging. He is married and lives in Hamburg with his wife and their Border terrier Henry.
Note from me: there should be more graphics but I’m currently unable to download them as our internet is playing up today! And just to mention this is a blog tour organised by the awesome Rachel of Rachel’s Random Resources.
I’ll add the other pictures just as soon as technology permits!
Social Media Links –
Twitter @dfpwriter