The Dog Star, Sirius, is tried for murder by his heavenly peers and found guilty. His sentence: to be reborn on Earth as a dog until such time a... read full description
reviews
Apr 17, 2011
Joel
rated it: 
The librarians of my childhood failed me. I'm sorry, there isn't a nice way to say it. They let me check out armloads of Goosebumps books week after week, when just a few shelves away, there were a dozen magical, wonderful books by Diana Wynne Jones just aching to be discovered and devoured by a dork like me, who would clearly have loved them. At least I was lucky enough to randomly stumble across Daniel Pinkwater on my own.
Of course, I can't judge the librarians too harshly. The la More...
Of course, I can't judge the librarians too harshly. The la More...
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Apr 18, 2011
Fiona
rated it: 
I first read this book when I was nine and I can't count how many times since that I've read it.
Since acquiring an Amazon account though I've been able to buy more DWJ books and then managed to own my very own copy of Dogsbody. I wish I could have the version of book I read as a kid though.
This is the first book I could say I truly loved, adored and became obsessed with. It doesn't matter how many times I've read this, I still enjoy it each time - nothing has diminished. More...
Since acquiring an Amazon account though I've been able to buy more DWJ books and then managed to own my very own copy of Dogsbody. I wish I could have the version of book I read as a kid though.
This is the first book I could say I truly loved, adored and became obsessed with. It doesn't matter how many times I've read this, I still enjoy it each time - nothing has diminished. More...
Jan 09, 2011
Heather
rated it:
Sirius, the denizen of the Dog Star, is wrongly convicted of murdering another denizen and as a punishment is sent to Earth where he is 'reborn' as a puppy and given the life-span of that dog to clear his name.
On Earth he's adopted by a young girl called Kathleen. DWJ does a fantastic job of showing us the world from a puppy's point of view and there were some laugh out loud moments as well as lots of cute ones (the personifications of the different dogs were hilariously accurate). B More...
On Earth he's adopted by a young girl called Kathleen. DWJ does a fantastic job of showing us the world from a puppy's point of view and there were some laugh out loud moments as well as lots of cute ones (the personifications of the different dogs were hilariously accurate). B More...
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Aug 01, 2009
Ken
rated it:
Dogsbody is a Young Adult book, written in 1975 and now out of print. I would never have known about it, except that Jeri Smith-Ready, an author whose work I really enjoy, recalled loving this book herself. I found a copy in the library (there are also lots of used copies for sale all over the place).
Sirius, the Dog Star, has a fiery temper and has been convicted of a crime of passion that resulted in the death of a luminary, and the loss of the mysterious zoi -- a powerful and dange More...
Sirius, the Dog Star, has a fiery temper and has been convicted of a crime of passion that resulted in the death of a luminary, and the loss of the mysterious zoi -- a powerful and dange More...
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Mar 29, 2011
Mary Anne
rated it: 
What better thing to do when going in for a day of jury duty than start and finish a relatively short book? Mostly because the Kindle was temporarily out of commission due to someone not paying off her credit card on time. I digress.
I really wanted to give this book a higher rating, and I think the reason that I can't is that I didn't get it. I get that Jones created a fantasy, and while I would have appreciated a somewhat better explanation, it worked out well enough. I have difficu More...
I really wanted to give this book a higher rating, and I think the reason that I can't is that I didn't get it. I get that Jones created a fantasy, and while I would have appreciated a somewhat better explanation, it worked out well enough. I have difficu More...
Jul 31, 2010
Heather
rated it:
What if the stars weren't just distant balls of gas: what if each one had, or might have, a "denizen," a being who inhabited its sphere? What if these denizens had their own lives, their own politics, courts, and jealousies? That's part of the premise of this novel, which the flap-copy describes, sort of cheesily but also accurately, as a book that is "a tense, exciting, science-fiction fantasy, a thriller, and a touching dog story all in one." Sirius, the dog star, has been
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Feb 23, 2008
Koeeoaddi
rated it:
Just 60 pages in and I'm snagged - hook, leash and bone. This is a wonderful book!
Update: I loved it! Anyone out there with a kid who reads should grab this book. My only (minor) complaint was that the celestial world was a little under-defined. But nevermind, most of the action happens on earth and it's well written, funny and zips by before you can say "Good boy, Sirius! Now go lie down."
Update: I loved it! Anyone out there with a kid who reads should grab this book. My only (minor) complaint was that the celestial world was a little under-defined. But nevermind, most of the action happens on earth and it's well written, funny and zips by before you can say "Good boy, Sirius! Now go lie down."
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Jan 13, 2011
Julie
rated it: 
The dogstar Sirius has been convicted of a crime and condemned to a mortal life, as a dog. He is being given a chance to find who actually committed the crime he is accused of. First, however, he must learn to navigate the world and life as a dog, beginning as a newborn puppy. This gives the author the opportunity to write about understanding the world from a canine point of view and later, as he meets some cats, from his interpretation of a feline POV as well. Sirius belongs to a gentle, nature
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Dec 28, 2011
T.L.
rated it:
I checked this book out of the library from a small town I lived in for a short time. I think I was in fifth grade. The book managed to haunt me (in all the right ways) well into my adulthood, but I could never find it again until someone ordered a copy off Amazon and gave it to me my freshman year of college.
The second time I read it, I finished it in a couple of hours.
It made me cry both times.
The plot does fail to explain itself. Something deep and More...
The second time I read it, I finished it in a couple of hours.
It made me cry both times.
The plot does fail to explain itself. Something deep and More...
Jan 02, 2011
Kwoomac
rated it:
I read somewhere that this was a must-read for dog lovers but I wasn't actually impressed with the dog character. An interesting premise; Sirius the dog star is sent to Earth as a dog to find something(a zoi, similar to a meteor) he was blamed for sending hurtling to Earth in a fit of rage. I think it could've been better, maybe by making the object an actual meteor as opposed to some made up object with mysterious powers. Maybe I just don't like sci-fi. I did like the little girl, who adopted S
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Dec 20, 2009
Jennifer
rated it:
I found this book very hard to get into and for a YA book I was surprised because if I were a young reader I think I would have put this down rather than kept trying to see what the hype was about. The concepts are all very well done - Sirius, the luminary in dog's body, is a perfect vehicle to witness the Duffield family and to explain some adult concepts such as the Irish/English relationship or redemption and betrayal, in a simple way. But there are many aspects of the plot and the characte
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Aug 31, 2010
Marcus
rated it:
I love this book. It definitely rivals Howl's Moving Castle as my favorite Diana Wynne Jones book. It is meant for children, but, like Pixar movies, everyone can enjoy it.
She seems to know animals as well as she knows people. Every Jones book I've read has had remarkable insight into characters' motives and their relationships, and Dogsbody is no different. There are no one dimensional characters here. Even the mouse given to Sirius, the dog, as a gift had layers.
Also More...
She seems to know animals as well as she knows people. Every Jones book I've read has had remarkable insight into characters' motives and their relationships, and Dogsbody is no different. There are no one dimensional characters here. Even the mouse given to Sirius, the dog, as a gift had layers.
Also More...
Sep 01, 2011
Norain MT
rated it:
The premise was weird: Sirius the luminary was accused of murder and as sentence, he (it?) was turned into a dog and had to look for the Zoi, but what was a Zoi?
I almost fell asleep, reading the first half of the book which described about Sirius trying to adapt to his new life as a dog while feeling that actually he was not really one, and suspecting that he had something important to do. Maybe if I were a dog lover or had the experience of keeping one as a pet, or if the story were More...
I almost fell asleep, reading the first half of the book which described about Sirius trying to adapt to his new life as a dog while feeling that actually he was not really one, and suspecting that he had something important to do. Maybe if I were a dog lover or had the experience of keeping one as a pet, or if the story were More...
Apr 15, 2010
Victoria
rated it:
Oh, I REALLY enjoyed this book! Though this is targeted toward the young adult market, I think it is a story for all ages! The premise of a celestial being trapped in the body of a dog on Earth is definitely unique, but the way it is written, though it is a fantasy novel at heart, there are a lot of realistic details about a dog's life. Anyone looking for a unique spin on a dog book would definitely enjoy this! The dog/star's perspective was wonderful and just completely unlike anything else I h
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May 13, 2009
Lily
rated it:
In the universe of Dogsbody, stars are ruled by spirits called luminaries. When a nearby star "goes nova" and a device called the Zoi falls to earth, the luminary of Sirius is falsely accused of murder. His punishment is to be born on Earth as a dog and retrieve the Zoi--or die trying.
Yes, it's quite a bizarre book. I normally associate DWJ's stories with whimsy, charm, and magic, and this book is a bit of a departure from those themes. Of all the books by her that I've re More...
Yes, it's quite a bizarre book. I normally associate DWJ's stories with whimsy, charm, and magic, and this book is a bit of a departure from those themes. Of all the books by her that I've re More...
Apr 10, 2008
Jackie "the Librarian"
rated it:
All the stars are inhabited by powerful entities, and one of them is in big trouble! Sirius, the Dog Star, has a bad temper, and it got away from him, and now another entity is destroyed.
As punishment Sirius is sentenced to life as a mortal being. He awakens to find himself in a new body - a puppy just becoming aware of the warm sun on his face, and the entity that is Earth watching over (under?) him. He finds a home with a kind girl who herself could use a better home.
As Sirius gro More...
As punishment Sirius is sentenced to life as a mortal being. He awakens to find himself in a new body - a puppy just becoming aware of the warm sun on his face, and the entity that is Earth watching over (under?) him. He finds a home with a kind girl who herself could use a better home.
As Sirius gro More...
Jul 28, 2007
Jill
rated it:
If you talk to dog owners, you will find that many of them think that their dog is the smartest dog on the planet. In the book, Dogsbody, by Diana Wynne Jones, a girl named Kathleen swears that her gigantic mutt Leo has learned English and can understand her every word. Little does Kathleen know, however, that she is exactly right. In spite of his appearance, Leo is definitely not an ordinary dog, but is instead a former star that was exiled into the body of a dog.
Sirius, also kno More...
Sirius, also kno More...
May 03, 2011
Chris
rated it:
This is one of the books that turned me into a science fiction writer. I can't count how many times I read it in middle school ... Or how many library fines I racked up because i just could not bring myself to take it back and run the slightest risk that someone else would check it out and I wouldn't be able to read it for ... Two ... Whole ... Weeks!
I'm really excited that it seems to be coming out in a new edition after being OP for a long time. I need to read it again. It's been wa More...
I'm really excited that it seems to be coming out in a new edition after being OP for a long time. I need to read it again. It's been wa More...
Jun 09, 2011
Cheryl
rated it:
This was a warm, engaging story from Ms. Wynne Jones.
Sirius, the Dog Star exiled to Earth and forced to live out his life as a dog after being convicted of a crime he did not commit, was such a typical pooch--loving, loyal, charming and goofy. There were some truly funny, cute moments in the book, such as his first terrifying bath, his relationship with the cats and the other dogs, and his discovery of ice cream.
The book also dealt with some more serious issues as well More...
Sirius, the Dog Star exiled to Earth and forced to live out his life as a dog after being convicted of a crime he did not commit, was such a typical pooch--loving, loyal, charming and goofy. There were some truly funny, cute moments in the book, such as his first terrifying bath, his relationship with the cats and the other dogs, and his discovery of ice cream.
The book also dealt with some more serious issues as well More...
Jan 02, 2012
A.
rated it:
I first got this book way back in the early nineties in a trade paperback edition. A few months ago, I finally remembered the title and bought a used paperback copy to reread it.
I enjoyed the book and found the narrative compelling, finishing it in a few days. In a way, I wish the book had kind of continued on because I am curious about the Sirius's "owner's" story, but feel that the book actually ended where it needed to and was largely satisfied with the story as a wh
I enjoyed the book and found the narrative compelling, finishing it in a few days. In a way, I wish the book had kind of continued on because I am curious about the Sirius's "owner's" story, but feel that the book actually ended where it needed to and was largely satisfied with the story as a wh
Feb 17, 2009
Andrea
rated it:
This is truly a tour de force from an author who is one of my very favorites. It tells the story of Sirius, the dog star, who is framed for a celestial crime and sent to earth in the body of a dog, given the opportunity to repair the damage he's caused but limited to the abilities and lifespan of the body he now inhabits. What an amazing concept! How beautifully Ms. Jones weaves the story of love, betrayal, and redemption! This is a book not to be missed.
Jun 08, 2010
Robin
rated it:
I love Diana Wynne Jones, and her stories are whimsical and wistful, and a lot of fun in some cases. This is probably my least favorite of her books I've read, however, not because it's a bad book by any means, but because it was a bit dull at times and the ending seemed a bit dissatisfying to me.
Despite that, I think this is definitely a book for dog lovers, or anyone who has enjoyed her works in the past. It is a beautifully written book, and highly imaginative.
Despite that, I think this is definitely a book for dog lovers, or anyone who has enjoyed her works in the past. It is a beautifully written book, and highly imaginative.
Sep 16, 2010
Ellie
rated it:
Not Jones' best book, but it was really sweet. I think it suffered a lot from having so many characters and not having enough time to give them more depth. Duffie was nothing but a terror, Kathleen was nothing but a sweet, loving girl.
The concept was really cute and it was a fun, fast read. I just wish it had a little more meat to it, so to speak.
But Sol was awesome. Milky Way, represent!
The concept was really cute and it was a fun, fast read. I just wish it had a little more meat to it, so to speak.
But Sol was awesome. Milky Way, represent!
Dec 06, 2009
Michelle
rated it:
Interesting world building as usual by DWJ, though since most of the story took place down on Earth, she didn't go into it as deeply as most of her works. I was also dissatisfied with the characterizations of the main human characters: they were far more black-and-white than I was expecting, or just not very well fleshed out, particularly in the case of Mr. and Mrs. Duffields, the distant-antagonists, and Kathleen, Sirius's 'owner', who mostly gets saddled with a martyr-personality. Not my favor
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Dec 06, 2010
Chupa
rated it:
Excellent. A book for adults and kids about 10+. Unlike a lot of stories aimed at a younger audience, the main character's arc is subtle and the ending has some ambiguity, instead of shoving rainbows and flowers down our throats. The secondary characters are also rich and diverse especially given the books short length.
Definitely going to go back and read this again in the not-to-distant future.
Definitely going to go back and read this again in the not-to-distant future.
Dec 17, 2010
Clare
rated it:
Trying to remember what put this book on my radar in the first place. Kinda surprised I enjoyed this book as much as I did. I've never been much of a science fiction/fantasy fan. Then add the fact that it's over 30 years old and written for the younger set... Wonder how well-known it is these days.
Jul 25, 2011
Jean
rated it:
This is an amazingly brutal book. Animal lovers beware - the Death By Newbery Medal effect is in full force, with the attempting drowning of puppies and several cases of animal abuse. Diana Wynne Jones did not pull punches when she wrote this.
The world is wonderfully magical and varied, ranging from the stars as angelic beings to the Wild Hunt. The ending is bittersweet - it's not a very happy story in general, though it has its moments. Dogsbody is far from her best work, but it lea More...
The world is wonderfully magical and varied, ranging from the stars as angelic beings to the Wild Hunt. The ending is bittersweet - it's not a very happy story in general, though it has its moments. Dogsbody is far from her best work, but it lea More...
May 18, 2009
Joyce
rated it:
Loved this book! would have given it five stars, but some of the scenes between "bad" humans and the animals were upsetting to this "sensitive reader". Let's just say that young Kathleen's "Aunt Duffie" makes the Dursleys look like positive lambs. All was made right (or nearly so) in the end, however. All in all, a fantastic, imaginative, and enjoyable read.
Dec 15, 2008
Brooke
rated it:
This is a book I owned as a kid and I read it so many times that it finally fell apart and I no longer have a copy...I'd like to own it again though - I really loved this book and I think I would love it again as an adult
Nov 06, 2009
Jan
rated it:
I read this as a teen/young adult and remember it being a really fun book to read with a great concept and storyline. Told from the dog's point of view as the narrator of the story. I will be looking for it soon to read again.
