3rd quarter outside reading book review

Marley and Me by John Grogan. Harper, 2005. Genre: Non-fiction (memoir)

Marley and Me is a story based on the author, John Grogan’s life and the day to day adventures he has with his dog Marley. Marley is a yellow lab who lives with John and his wife Jenny and their three kids in Florida, and later Pennsylvania. Marley and John are inseparable and both take turns being the protagonist in this story. The conflict begins as Marley behaves mischievously. As he gets older, the conflict shifts to one of grief, as John and his family deal with the death of their dog, Marley.
“Marley’s tale is really the story of a family in the making, with all the happiness and hurts that go with it.”-South Florida Sun-Sentinel. The author writes this story using humor, but he also writes in a serious voice too. John Grogan talks about events that happened when Marley was making a movie. One story he tells is about a teenage actress in the movie who shrieks loudly during a seen as she sees Marley appear, she cries: “Oh my god, his thing is out.” (pg. 157). On the other hand, the author also shows serious events. At the end of the book when Marley is suffering, the owners, John and Jenny need to decide whether to put Marley to sleep or to put him through surgery.
The book Marley and Me reminds me of the book, Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver. In this book, a boy is adopted by a wolf cub when his dad is killed by a bear. This attachment between the boy and the wolf reminds me of the attachment between Marley and John.
“I was able to entertain our friends by yelling, incoming and watching him crash to the floor all four limbs splayed.”(pg. 95-6) This quote reminded me of my dogs. John Grogan’s writing reminds me of the times I have with my two dogs, Ginger and Chewbacca. He also makes me think of my old dog, Riley who passed away two years ago. It is amazing how attached to a dog you can get. They can drive you crazy sometimes, but as they lie next to you warming your feet, you can’t help to love them. This book Marley and Me definitely points out the bond between a man and his loyal dog!