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Last Days Of The Dog-Men: Stories (2002)

Last Days of the Dog-Men: Stories (2002)

Book Info

Author
Rating
3.86 of 5 Votes: 5
Your rating
ISBN
0393321207 (ISBN13: 9780393321203)
Language
English
Publisher
w. w. norton & company

About book Last Days Of The Dog-Men: Stories (2002)

I am not sure what readers who enjoyed Watson's stories in this collection see that I didn't. Aside from the general set-up (which doesn't ever amount to plot or character sketches or anything resembling an artistic statement or plain, simple point) in the titular "Last Days of the Dog-Men" and the more formulated (though still problematic) "A Retreat", there is nothing in this book worth reading. At least not as complete stories. There are brief moments of good writing, but not enough to even hang so much as an entire scene on.The only reason I went so far as to give this two stars was because of "A Retreat". It has moments that feel absolutely honest (if not real to the author, then definitely real in the world of the narrative character) which show that Watson has talent and skill. Unfortunately, he pre-confounds this with a mannered, effected device that robs the piece of the weight of emotional truth. In fact, almost all of the stories have some feel of a writing exercise, where Watson made an attempt to import or co-opt the style of American 20th Century literary giants. Mixed in was a haphazard style that feels like it was itself co-opted from a copy editor or beat reporter, which only left me wondering if Watson was trying to hide his inability to coney a point (be it direct or subtle) with everything at his disposal.I would not recommend this book to anyone. I may keep an eye out for other Watson books, but I cannot imagine being eager to read any after this experience.

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This is a collection of short stories with a theme of dogs. Very basic and very Southern American. I must admit I did approach this with a bit of apprehension, as I feared the worst for the doggies, but some of the stories were captivating and the writing was fluid.You never hear of dogs named Bill.My favourite story was called BILL. It's a simple tale of an elderly woman who lives with a "trembling poodle" advanced in years, as is Wilhelmina. She doesn't have much connection to anything or anyone and doesn't expect much, either. She and Bill the dog share a wordless bond, her still-living husband no more than a vegetable in a nursing home. Howard had courted her in a horse-drawn wagon. An entire world of souls had disappeared in their time, and other nameless souls had filled their spaces. Some one of them had taken Howard's soul.The other story which hit me was AGNES OF BOB. Agnes is a widow living with Bob, her departed husband's dog. Humor abounds, but so does a trace of wistfulness and the knowledge that time has its own schedule to keep for all of us. All in all, a good collection of short fiction with two standouts. ...light bends to greater forces, and so does fate...Bless them canines. Book Season = Summer (the South)
—GoldGato

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