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Marley and Me by John Grogan (by Apple, 15)

"A story pet owners really ought to read - it's love and life with the world's worst (yet lovable) dog!"

Book Rating: **** four stars (incredible)
Book Subcategory: Children's

Briefly tell us what this book is about (without giving away the ending, of course!).

It's all about how a newly married couple's life turns upside down when they bring home a new addition to their growing family - a Labrador Retriever called Marley! Yet through the chaos and hilarity, he won hearts and became a dog that would shine forever in memories as a grand family pet, even at the end of his life. A truly beautiful tale!

How does the title relate to the storyline?

It's actually a biography of the author! The story is a real one about the author and his wife Jenny and their hilarious darling of a dog Marley.

Is there something interesting that the author does to present the story?

It's written in outstanding accuracy about a true story. The author is amazingly frank and the best thing of the the story is that the whole biography is a mixture of humour, advice, techniques, descriptions of a variety of topics, and heart-braking sentiment of family life. Just how many authors can write a story like that, I ask you?

If you could rewrite the story, what would you change to make it better?

There is no way in which I could change even a word of it - it's a story from the bottom of the author's heart and I love it just the way it is.

Why would you recommend (or not recommend) this book to a friend?

I would definitely recommend this book to both animal-lovers and animal-haters alike. It would definitely teach a few lessons and provide a good read on how a life with a pet seems from another person's view to animal-lovers, and it would pour a gallon of sentiment even on the most rock-hard hearts of animal-haters. It's a terrific book!

Why did you choose to read this particular book?

My father gave this book to me with a couple of others after he came back from a business trip abroad. It's funny, because I actually read this book last out of the three books my father gave me, because I had been convinced it would be the most boring. But it turned out to be my favourite in the end! Thanks daddy!

Complete this sentence:

When I finished reading the last page of this book, I felt... Sad, I loved the book and didn't want it to end.

What type of reader do you think this book is appropriate for?

This book is a perfect one for dog-lovers and all animal-lovers alike. It is a book that could send you rolling with laughter, biting your nails with anxiety, or wiping your eye with a hanky after crying out loud. But I won't give away all the facts of the book - read it yourselves, you guys!

Give at least one example of a memorable quote, moment, or theme from the book.

It's a quote at the start of the story when the author relates an incident where his new wife accidentally kills the house plant he gave her as present by overwatering it each day. He looks at the dead shriveled image of the plant and his wifes desperately incredulous expression on her face at the shock that she couldn't even keep a house plant alive, and he thinks "Man, someone who believes in omens could have a field day with this one". The perfect start to a miraculously funny and sentimental family story!

Would you ever read another book by this author?

No

In your overall opinion, this book is...

Definitely worth your time.

About the Reviewer

What is your favorite book?

Owl Babes (it's a picture book my mom gave me when I was small)

If a book is turned into a movie, what are you most likely to do?

Read the book first and then see the movie.

What is your favorite movie?

All movies that is produces by Disney pictures

What color most describes your personality? Why?

The colour that describes my personality is purple. I don't have any reason why - it's just that I love the colour.