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194th out of 268 books
—
164 voters
City Dog
by
Alison Pace (Goodreads Author)
New from Alison Pace, the author of Pug Hill.
After her divorce, Amy Dodge thought she?d finally write the next Great American Novel. Instead she?s written a bestselling children?s book series, Run, Carlie, Run! starring her adorable and spirited West Highland White terrier and a dashing (but fictional) Scottish explorer. When Carlie is offered a starring role in her own t...more
After her divorce, Amy Dodge thought she?d finally write the next Great American Novel. Instead she?s written a bestselling children?s book series, Run, Carlie, Run! starring her adorable and spirited West Highland White terrier and a dashing (but fictional) Scottish explorer. When Carlie is offered a starring role in her own t...more
Paperback, 288 pages
Published
September 2nd 2008
by Berkley Trade
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Chick lit is not one of those genres I read often. But this book was an easy, gentle read that I quickly finished over the weekend despite having my husband talking to me nearly the entire time I was reading--it’s funny, if I set whatever book I’m reading down to give him my full attention, he either clams up or wanders into another room to pursue his own interests but shortly after I pick up my book again, he makes an appearance and gets chatty all over again--anyway, so it goes.
The main chara...more
The main chara...more
5 likes · like · see review
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Nov 19, 2008
Mallory
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
friends, dog-lovers, romantic comedy fans
If Andy Warhol Had a Girlfriend, which is one of my all-time favorite books. Of all her books, City Dog reminds me the most of that. City Dog is a warm-hearted, fun and funny story with moments of genuine hilarity and also some very thoughtful parts, too. This story of a writer (and her dog) coming to terms with career, love, and life in the big city was an absolute pleasure to read. The book was narrated in alternating chapters by the writer, Amy, her dog, Carlie, and one of her fictional chara...more
Without a doubt, this was the best dog story/love letter to eighties music I have ever read.
At times, it was heartbreaking to read about how isolated Amy's life was, but I absolutely loved the chapters written from Carlie's perspective. Yes, I can see a somewhat hyper little Westie thinking that way. Amy's relationship with fictional Robert Maguire was also a nice touch.
I could completely see this book being made into a nice PG-rated little romantic dramedy. (Okay, or a Lifetime movie of the wee...more
At times, it was heartbreaking to read about how isolated Amy's life was, but I absolutely loved the chapters written from Carlie's perspective. Yes, I can see a somewhat hyper little Westie thinking that way. Amy's relationship with fictional Robert Maguire was also a nice touch.
I could completely see this book being made into a nice PG-rated little romantic dramedy. (Okay, or a Lifetime movie of the wee...more
Another charming story by Alison Pace, and a highly enjoyable, readable book. If you've ever left the love of your life, or imagined that you have, your pain is accurately, acutely, captured by Amy. Ms. Pace describes perfectly how lonely NYC can be, even when you have friends, if you're from somewhere else. Her descriptions of Colorado are especially accurate--she even gets the 312 days of sunshine and the good hair days! I especially like the narration by Carlie, which seems just like many dog...more
Who wouldn’t love a novel that is centered on a cute and funny White Terrier? My neighbors have two and they have such wonderful personalities but, back to Alison’s wonderful novel, “City Dog.” This novel is very unique in that Alison uses various view points to relay her messages throughout the novel. Even Carlie (the main character, Amy’s Terrier) has her turn at telling the story. These individual and unique viewpoints pulled me through Amy and Carlie’s experiences as I was interested in what...more
Originally Reviewed at Novel Escapes
Unfortunately this single girl tale didn’t grab me as much as I would have liked. I’m not sure I’m the best judge though, having not only recently separated from my husband but left my dog with him as well, and I found myself struggling with this chick lit novel.
The concept of three narrators was interesting and I laughed at the Carlie’s narration, amused because I could just picture the doggie thoughts racing and distracted. Alison Pace definitely has the dog...more
Unfortunately this single girl tale didn’t grab me as much as I would have liked. I’m not sure I’m the best judge though, having not only recently separated from my husband but left my dog with him as well, and I found myself struggling with this chick lit novel.
The concept of three narrators was interesting and I laughed at the Carlie’s narration, amused because I could just picture the doggie thoughts racing and distracted. Alison Pace definitely has the dog...more
After leaving her ex-husband Jonathan, Amy Dodge thought she'd write the Next Big American Novel. Instead she's the author of the highly popular children's series Run, Carlie, Run starring her very own West Highland Terrier Carlie and the fictional Robert Maguire. When Carlie is offered her own TV show, Amy starts to feel a stranger in her own life. Can Amy claw her way back into Carlie's life and can she start to re-love New York City again?
I'd wanted to read City Dog for quite a while and I'm...more
I'd wanted to read City Dog for quite a while and I'm...more
Ok, I’ll admit it. My initial attraction to this book was its cover. (Seriously, how cute is that dog??) I had seen this book several times while browsing at the book store and just decided to go ahead and buy it.
The story is mainly told by Amy, however Carlie and Robert Maguire appear as needed to share their insights about Amy’s life. As much as I enjoyed reading Carlie’s perspective, I didn’t feel connected to Amy. I felt something was lacking about her character. I did, however, admire her d...more
The story is mainly told by Amy, however Carlie and Robert Maguire appear as needed to share their insights about Amy’s life. As much as I enjoyed reading Carlie’s perspective, I didn’t feel connected to Amy. I felt something was lacking about her character. I did, however, admire her d...more
I'm actually torn between the two stars I've given it and three stars. I enjoyed the book, but I didn't really ever get into it get into it like I have with quite a few books. The main character Amy was just a bit too insecure for me to really really like it. I do like the way that it ended.
I get really excited when I see there's a new Alison Pace book out, because her books are always lively and happy and sweet. City Dog made me extremely happy, especially the chapters narrated by Carlie, the Westie of the title.
The voice Pace found for Carlie was perfect - smart, matter-of-fact, and perfectly charming. Carlie had a lot of great lines, but I won't share them because it's much more fun to discover them on your own.
The voice Pace found for Carlie was perfect - smart, matter-of-fact, and perfectly charming. Carlie had a lot of great lines, but I won't share them because it's much more fun to discover them on your own.
This is the first book I have read by Pace, although I have read good reviews of her other books. I thought this book would be right up my alley but I was disappointed by the story. It is chick lit about a woman who owns a Westie and writes children's books featuring the dog as the main character. There are chapters told from the point of view of the writer, but there are also chapters told from the point of view of the dog and the fictional adventurer featured in the books with the dog. Confuse...more
I wanted to like this book more than I did, it was really cute and I'm glad the chapters from the dog's point of view were kept to a minimum (they were really cute but they would have gotten old quickly). Very quick read.
This is a great, fun story. I especially like the different points of view in each chapter. Every time I read one of her books, it makes me appreciate my dog more :)
This isn't a bad book, it just doesn't have a lot of depth. What I loved was the main dog character, Carlie. Pace has such a great understanding of the Westie, I felt like she was describing my own Westies. Many of the quirks and mannerisms she described were familiar, and the chapters that were in Carlie's voice were really cute. The story itself is just short and a little flat. I also didn't like her writing that much. Someone should count how many times the word "really" occured in the book....more
Didn't even finish it I was so bored by it.
I quote/echo a few others, last being most pertinent:
This isn't a bad book, it just doesn't have a lot of depth.
The writing was OK, but I found the story to be plodding.... I kept getting annoyed with the main character who complains fairly non-stop about her whoa-is-me life.
The chapters told from the point of view of the fictional character are what put it over the top in my opinion. The story was predictable and not all that original. Overall I was d...more
I quote/echo a few others, last being most pertinent:
This isn't a bad book, it just doesn't have a lot of depth.
The writing was OK, but I found the story to be plodding.... I kept getting annoyed with the main character who complains fairly non-stop about her whoa-is-me life.
The chapters told from the point of view of the fictional character are what put it over the top in my opinion. The story was predictable and not all that original. Overall I was d...more
expected a lot more from this book.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Amy Dodge owner of a West Highland White Terrier named Carlie and author of the bestselling children’s book series, Run, Carlie, Run! has a dilemma. She has a major case of writers block. All she can think about is how different life is from what her plans were when she optimistically moved to New York from Colorado over 10 years ago. She’s divorced, she still hasn’t started writing the next Great American Novel and every guy she dates she compares unrealistically to the dashing (but fictional)...more
Alison Pace has some of the cleverest sentences and paragraphs. And I really enjoy her writing style. This might be a lighthearted, "fun" book, but Pace really can write!
As a whole, the book just didn't come together for me though. I just couldn't get over the fact that one of the narrators was an imaginary character. Of course it didn't bother me in the least that a dog was another narrator....but at least he was a real character in the book!
As a whole, the book just didn't come together for me though. I just couldn't get over the fact that one of the narrators was an imaginary character. Of course it didn't bother me in the least that a dog was another narrator....but at least he was a real character in the book!
I almost did not bother finishing this book. The premise was cute - the life of a woman told from the perspectives of herself, her dog, and one of her fictional characters (she is a writer). I do believe that the author executed the three perspectives pretty well but the book was all "woe is me". It was one long complaint about how horrible the main characters life was when in reality it was not all that bad. I wanted to just say to her, give me a break and get over yourself!
Hilarious. Switches narration to the characters real life dog, and then to the fictional dreamboat she writes about in her children's series. He's wrapped up in her romantic escapades, as he is the standard to which she compares all men.
The writing is deceptively simple - Pace uses her words sparingly, and well. She doesn't have to say much and yet you know exactly what she is talking about...
The writing is deceptively simple - Pace uses her words sparingly, and well. She doesn't have to say much and yet you know exactly what she is talking about...
A cute little animal story about a woman and her westie. Anyone who loves dogs (especially westies!) will enjoy this book. It is a short, easy read; do not expect complex writing or exceptional imagery. However, the main character is interesting and her views on other characters and situations will keep you interested, not to mention the antics of her now-famous pup.
This book was a bit disappointing. I had enjoyed Alison Pace's Pug Hill and had hopes for City Dog. Unfortunately, I found the plot lacking in anything interesting and the constant change between narrators (the main character, the dog, the main character's book character) awkward and at times just plain out of place. Not a book I'd recommend to others.
This is a cute, quick read. Amy set out to write the Great American Novel, but instead has written a series of children's books starring her dog Carlie. I liked the story of how pets can be family, fictional characters sometimes feel real to their authors (or readers!), and in general Amy's experiences in the city. I especially enjoyed the chapters written from Carlie's point of view.
I really liked the 80s music references. :) It was cheesy but cute when her dog took turns narrating chapters. It was cheesy but not cute when the romantic hero of her fictional children's book series took his turns narrating. It gave me great hope for future publication, though!
There was a time when no matter how terrible a book was I would finish it to the bitter end. Life is too short. The second chapter of this book is written from the perspective of the dog. Enough said.
This was a cute book, and fun to read. I especially enjoyed the perspective of Carlie (the Westie). It was so typical of how a dog things...me me me. I was laughing out loud in many places, and I liked the ending. Overall fun read!
Cute book, not outstanding. I've already read her other books, "Pug Hill" and "If Andy Warhol had a girlfriend." I enjoyed them all about the same - good, easy read, but nothing extraordinary.
Not impressed with this book but as I have a Westie too, I had to buy it. The chapters "written" by the dog were definitely the best of the book and I think it would have been a better book had Carlie the dog written it all. Otherwise, too light and fluffy for me.
I was surprised by this book. I thought it'd be funny, but it was actually sadder than I thought it would be. It didn't end on a sad note, the ending was actually very uplifting, but the majority of the time, the main character isn't happy.
The highlights of the book, for me, were all of Carlie's chapters. Being a fellow Westie owner, I loved how well Alison captured all the funny quirks that make Westies so special - particularly since I could find similarities with Carlie and my 2 and my parent...more
The highlights of the book, for me, were all of Carlie's chapters. Being a fellow Westie owner, I loved how well Alison captured all the funny quirks that make Westies so special - particularly since I could find similarities with Carlie and my 2 and my parent...more
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I'm the author of the novels If Andy Warhol Had a Girlfriend, Pug Hill, Through Thick and Thin, City Dog and A Pug's Tale . My essays have been included in several anthologies including Everything I Needed to Know About Being a Girl I Learned from Judy Blume, and Howl: A Collection of the Best Contemporary Dog Wit.
My memoir, You Tell Your Dog First, just came out.
I live in New York City where I te...more
More about Alison Pace...
My memoir, You Tell Your Dog First, just came out.
I live in New York City where I te...more
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