Reviews

Thomas's multifaceted discussion of canine life was a 28-week PW bestseller. (Mar.)

This is a recording of Thomas's much-publicized book that purports to be a scientific study of dog behavior. The author makes much of the many hours of observation and contact she has had with this least elusive of species, as if she were the only owner of multiple dogs to have watched and noted canine habits and relationships. Additionally, Thomas's assumption that the behavior of her dogs is representative of all dogs is unwarranted. She endangers her dogs by allowing them to roam free, cross highways, and violate local laws. She often uses anthropomorphic language, and many listeners will find this either annoying or endearing. Swoosie Kurtz is an absolutely marvelous narrator, but the incidental music at times intrudes upon her talented reading. While the scientific pretensions of the author are irritating, the audiobook does contain some extremely interesting anecdotes about the lives and habits of Thomas's dogs and will likely circulate well. For most popular collections.-- Stacy Pober, Manhattan Coll. Libs., New York