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27th out of 441 books
—
973 voters
A Big Little Life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog
by
Dean Koontz
"In each little life we can see great truth and beauty, and in each little life we glimpse the way of all things in the universe."DEAN KOONTZ thought he had everything he needed. A successful novelist with more than twenty #1 New York Times bestsellers to his credit, Dean had forged a career out of industry and imagination. He had been married to his high school sweetheart...more
Hardcover, 288 pages
Published
August 25th 2009
by Hyperion
(first published August 1st 2009)
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This book was passed along to me by my sister-in-law, so I felt I had to read it. As a long time fan of Dean Koontz, it was fun to read a book that helped me feel like I know him a little (he's a quirky guy - kind of OCD, it seems to me). This is not a typical Dean Koontz book, obviously, but instead, a typical memoir-of-a-dog book. Of course the dog dies at the end and you bawl your eyes out. And of course you laugh out loud in parts, because dogs do hilarious things and good writers describe t...more
As a member of the floridasaintrescue.com and a lifetime lover of animals, dogs in particular, I know of the intelligence and emotional awareness of dogs. Koontz vividly explores his very special Trixie's emotions, self awareness and intelligence and moreso, conveys her impact on his life and the lives of all who knew Trixie.
I am honored to have been given a glimpse of Trixie's being through her and Koontz' writing during the time they had together.
I thank Dean Koontz for the solace he's given u...more
I am honored to have been given a glimpse of Trixie's being through her and Koontz' writing during the time they had together.
I thank Dean Koontz for the solace he's given u...more
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This is a lovely story about a very smart golden retriever, who had to end his career as a helper to the disabled due to his bad elbows and then went to live with author Dean Koontz and his wife. Considering that I have never had a dog and never even wanted a dog, it's funny that some of my favorite books are about dogs: Nop's Trials, Watchers, and Cowboy and Wills. We finished this 4 CD abridgement just before arriving in Mammoth on Saturday and on Monday I went to the library to get my next bo...more
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Loved this book! I haven't read any of Dean Koontz's books, but was given this one by another dog lover. What a great story and he wrote this story so well. It made me laugh in so many places and I felt like I knew his furry daughter, Trixie. I think his insights to dogs and their intelligence (and everything) is really so incredible. I have been a dog lover and mom for most of my life and I share in many of his experiences with Trixie. He and his wife were so fortunate that things worked out fo...more
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To be honest, I’ve never read a book by Dean Koontz until I got this one for my mom for Christmas. She loves books about dogs, and I thought she’d enjoy this one. When I went up to the counter to pay for it, the lady there said she read it and really liked it.
My mom was pretty excited to get it for Christmas, and about a week later she told me that I HAD to read it. I got didn’t get around to it til last week, but I have to say, it lived up to her enthusiasm. I enjoyed it a lot. Dean managed to...more
My mom was pretty excited to get it for Christmas, and about a week later she told me that I HAD to read it. I got didn’t get around to it til last week, but I have to say, it lived up to her enthusiasm. I enjoyed it a lot. Dean managed to...more
This was a beautiful book. Dog lovers, beware. It's a memoir, so it's not a spoiler to know that he writes about the end of his dog's life. Just about killed me to read it, but so worth it. Dean Koontz is a wonderful, funny and charming storyteller and not at all like I imagined him to be. He's silly and self deprecating and even though we are on opposite ends of the spectrum as far as organization and neatness, I can imagine being his friend. He and his wife are kind, caring, funny and dog love...more
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This is really a story of the private life of Dean & Gerda Koontz before and after getting Trixie, the release dog from Canine Companions for Independence (CCI). Very very funny, insightful about their lives, private as they are, and the amazing character of the dog. As a volunteer for CCI, I am one of the puppy raisers he speaks of in his book and proud to be a part of this this fabulous organization he so generously supports. I real MUST READ for any dog lover!!! Dean Koonts really is a br...more
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Dean Koontz's first ever nonfiction book, the deeply moving story of his life with his good dog TrixieDean Koontz is known for exploring the dark side of human nature in his fiction. But his softer, playful side comes out when he talks about his beloved dog, Trixie, a golden retriever.Trixie had a special place in Dean's heart. And now, in this, his first non-fiction book, Dean opens his heart to his readers to give us memories of Trixie, of the glorious dog who changed him and changed his life....more
Any fan of Dean Koontz may think he has had canine children since, well, since Watchers came out. How else could he write a completely enchanting storyline about the relationship between a man and a dog with almost human intelligence. That would be a very smart person, even.
When a local library fundraiser, featured Dean Koontz as the guest speaker, it was with pleasure I departed with two tickets for the luncheon. My daughter was my date and we wondered which dog would appear with him: the Gol...more
When a local library fundraiser, featured Dean Koontz as the guest speaker, it was with pleasure I departed with two tickets for the luncheon. My daughter was my date and we wondered which dog would appear with him: the Gol...more
Any pet dog an author, musician, artist, soldier, actor or a director have becomes an inspiration to what they do. They do their best in everything from work, family and friends. The memoir of Trixie, a retired companion dog which was adopted by the Koontz made me happy and sad after reading the book. This is just like any other dog biographies in the like of Marley and Hachiko. Each of them have their own personalities but in the end they stay true and loyal to their owners.
Trixie was believed...more
Trixie was believed...more
This book was a Christmas gift from my son Thad, and as I hadn't read any of Koontz's many other books I wasn't sure what to expect. Clearly he and his wife also didn't know what to expect when they got their first dog, a golden retriever named Trixie. They fell completely in love with her, and he is a good enough writer to make me fall in love with her too. I believe all dogs are remarkable in their way, but Trixie was an especially remarkable dog, a retired trained canine companion for disable...more
I mentioned to someone how much I loved W. Bruce Cameron's A Dog's Purpose, and they recommended this book to me.
Meh.
I don't doubt that Trixie was an amazing dog, and my life has also been blessed by the love and companionship of an amazing dog...but Koontz writes in such broad generalizations that I just found myself frustrated. For example, one anti-poverty program that the author worked with in perhaps the 60s or 70s was, he felt, only there to enrich the administrators. Therefore, ALL anti-...more
Meh.
I don't doubt that Trixie was an amazing dog, and my life has also been blessed by the love and companionship of an amazing dog...but Koontz writes in such broad generalizations that I just found myself frustrated. For example, one anti-poverty program that the author worked with in perhaps the 60s or 70s was, he felt, only there to enrich the administrators. Therefore, ALL anti-...more
For me this story was less about liking Dean Koontz and his writing as it was about loving dogs and agreeing with how he perceived his dog to be special. Trixie reminded me heavily of a past dog of my own and that helped to relate my own life with her into his tales. Koontz took a beloved pet and made a memoir worthy of her and any beloved pet be it dog, cat, ferret or what have you.
The downside to this story was his ego showing through parts, however I did not feel that it overwhelmed the stor...more
The downside to this story was his ego showing through parts, however I did not feel that it overwhelmed the stor...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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It's hard to imagine that a slight book about a perfectly sweet and charming dog could be so wretched, but Dean Koontz manages to write one. I've got two main objections:
1. The author's ego. No one has ever worked so many hours in every day and every week for so many years. No one. He has to tell us that the hallway in his house is lined with all the editions of his books--more than 5000 total. He has to tell us, repeatedly, how generous he's been to the companion dog program he supports and yet...more
1. The author's ego. No one has ever worked so many hours in every day and every week for so many years. No one. He has to tell us that the hallway in his house is lined with all the editions of his books--more than 5000 total. He has to tell us, repeatedly, how generous he's been to the companion dog program he supports and yet...more
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I seem to be drawn to stories about dogs. You know going in if you're reading a story about a dog, chances are pretty good that there is going to be a sad ending. Some of these books become terribly maudlin and you wonder why you wasted your time ("Rescuing Sprite" by Mark Levin is a good case in point), but then you come across a brilliant gem like this story of Dean Koontz dog, Trixie, and you understand why you keep reading them.
In his book, "Darkest Evening of the Year" (which I haven't read...more
In his book, "Darkest Evening of the Year" (which I haven't read...more
What was it that made me roll my eyes repeatedly while reading this book? It certainly wasn't the dog, Trixie, who seemed to be a perfect canine ambassador. It was the author's "hey, look at how great I am" attitude that ran throughout the entire story. From the house that he mentions took 10 years to build (with several floors, in-home theater, elevator, "sweeping staircase", ocean view, etc etc) to Trixie's weekly appointment at the groomers (in addition to the 45 minute daily brushings (in th...more
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Mar 19, 2010
Annie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Dog lovers (specifically Golden Retrievers/CCI dogs)
Shelves:
memiors,
non-fiction
Firstly, I am a Dean Koontz fan.
I am frequently frustrated by his wordiness. His tendency to exaggerate to make his point. My eyes generally get a great workout from rolling frequently. In spite of this, I love his books dearly. All of them.
Something I learned from this book was that all of my very favorite of his novels were written post-Trixie. Silly maybe, but this instantly made me love her.
Yes, its sappy. Yes, it is most definately a love letter to his dog. Koontz is a writer. He writes....more
I am frequently frustrated by his wordiness. His tendency to exaggerate to make his point. My eyes generally get a great workout from rolling frequently. In spite of this, I love his books dearly. All of them.
Something I learned from this book was that all of my very favorite of his novels were written post-Trixie. Silly maybe, but this instantly made me love her.
Yes, its sappy. Yes, it is most definately a love letter to his dog. Koontz is a writer. He writes....more
I've never read any of Koontz's other books. I think he mostly writes mysteries. This book is about his golden retriever named Trixie. Guess where he got her from?! CCI! If you've read my blog you've seen the pictures of my dad and his wife's new dog Emma (formerly known as Marla). Emma was given to them by CCI (Canine Companions for Independence) because he and Trudy do fundraisers and other volunteer work for them. How surprised I was then to see how much A Big Little Life focuses on the CCI p...more
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This is going to sound cliche, but there is no other way to put this. If you love animals, especially dogs, you must read this book. My next statement is cliche too. The book made me laugh out loud and cry real tears. It really did. I have never read anything Dean Koontz has written, but I have become a fan of his because of this book.
A Big Little Life is the story of Trixie, Dean and Gerda Koontz's adopted service dog. Trixie is a golden retriever with so much intelligence, beauty, joy, and lov...more
A Big Little Life is the story of Trixie, Dean and Gerda Koontz's adopted service dog. Trixie is a golden retriever with so much intelligence, beauty, joy, and lov...more
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Last week, on Monday, I went searching for some new books to read. This in itself was not unusual, but the distance between my usual secondhand store and the others in my town are a few blocks, and I rarely venture into them. I walked into the Salvation Army, and picked up two animal books- saving cinnamon, and the dog that saved my life, as well as a few other fiction novels. I left the store with the feeling that I'd missed something however, and returned a few days later to find this beautifu...more
I was very pleasently surprised with this book. It made me laugh out loud many times and of course I cried at the end. This is of course a memoir of a dog, so I don't think that's a To be honest I'm not much of an animal person. I have nothing against them, I just find that I don't have the time to properly care for one, so I don't think about them often. This book made me sure that I do not have the ability to care for an animal. I have neither the time or desire. But I wish I did. Before readi...more
May 28, 2012
Brenda Gail
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
cupcakes-war-reading-challenge-2012,
memoirs
This was actually the first Dean Koontz book that I have read and I really enjoyed it. Having been blessed with three golden retrievers in my life. Toby, our first golden, was the sweetest dog and grew up with our boys. When Toby was getting older, we bought Amber, our second golden. Amber had such a loving heart and then when Toby died, we bought our third and best golden, Cody. Cody reminded me of Trixie from this book. She was so kindhearted and got along so well with people as well as other...more
This book affirms my love for Dean Koontz - I think if I had the opportunity to spend any time with him, I'd be laughing until my sides hurt and wishing I had half of his sense of humor.
As a fellow dog lover (and a huge fan) when I saw this book I knew I absolutely had to read it. I'm so glad I did. Koontz brings Trixie to life in a beautiful, moving way, and every page is saturated with the love he had for Trixie. Short Stuff, Golden Girl, Trixter - this dog was like a child to the Koontz famil...more
As a fellow dog lover (and a huge fan) when I saw this book I knew I absolutely had to read it. I'm so glad I did. Koontz brings Trixie to life in a beautiful, moving way, and every page is saturated with the love he had for Trixie. Short Stuff, Golden Girl, Trixter - this dog was like a child to the Koontz famil...more
I'm kind of a sucker for dog stories that rein in the sappiness a bit but still yank the heartstrings. I listened to Marley and Me on CD during a road trip but was frustrated most of the time with how irresponsible the humans were in the story, although I did cry pitifully in the car for miles while the last part unfolded. There is only one way that these stories end, and Dean Koontz really hits hard when it's his turn. Do not read the last two chapters in public, as if you have a heart, then yo...more
I thought this would be a quick and easy read... ha ! The first 3rd of the book was tedious in the authors description of his very planned life. I had never heard of anyone who measured the distance from the plate to silverware ( with a ruler) when setting the table... I have been enlightened, this is done by many, including the Queen of England. Koontzland is a well oiled habitat and Dean and his wife Gerda are pleased as punch with lots of order.
Having worked around and with companion dogs, th...more
Having worked around and with companion dogs, th...more
This book is only for extreme dog lovers or those who allow that other people sometimes love their dogs like family. No one who has ever said or would say "It's only a dog." should read this, because they will suffer injury from excessive and extreme eye-rolling! I, personally, am a dog lover, so I could handle it. My father always says, "Never trust anyone who doesn't like dogs." :) I also happen to like Dean Koontz's writing.
Dean and Gerda Koontz never had children of their own. When they deci...more
Dean and Gerda Koontz never had children of their own. When they deci...more
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Sappy pooch portrait produces cornball canine cartoon
Dean Koontz's attempt at nonfiction in A Big Little Life is a presumptuous and predictable love letter to his dog. Reading it was like being trapped at the office Christmas party by a co-worker whose kid made the little league all-star team over the summer.
But I found an escape. Just when I considered tossing the thing a third of the way through, I realized I actually wanted to see how the master of suspense would handle the death of his belo...more
Dean Koontz's attempt at nonfiction in A Big Little Life is a presumptuous and predictable love letter to his dog. Reading it was like being trapped at the office Christmas party by a co-worker whose kid made the little league all-star team over the summer.
But I found an escape. Just when I considered tossing the thing a third of the way through, I realized I actually wanted to see how the master of suspense would handle the death of his belo...more
I LOVED this book. Capital L-O-V-E-D!
This is such a great memoir of an amazing Golden Retriever named Trixie! I have never read a Dean Koontz book before, mainly because he writes a genre that is not my cup of tea, but he is a laugh out loud author. There were SEVERAL parts of this book that I laughed to myself and read the story with a smile. I took my time with this book because I wanted to enjoy Trixie's life through her memory. She was indeed a VERY special dog.
I cried too. :( I had fallen...more
This is such a great memoir of an amazing Golden Retriever named Trixie! I have never read a Dean Koontz book before, mainly because he writes a genre that is not my cup of tea, but he is a laugh out loud author. There were SEVERAL parts of this book that I laughed to myself and read the story with a smile. I took my time with this book because I wanted to enjoy Trixie's life through her memory. She was indeed a VERY special dog.
I cried too. :( I had fallen...more
4 likes · like · see review
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Acknowledged as "America's most popular suspense novelist" (Rolling Stone) and as one of today's most celebrated and successful writers, Dean Ray Koontz has earned the devotion of millions of readers around the world and the praise of critics everywhere for tales of character, mystery, and adventure that strike to the core of what it means to be human.
Dean R. Koontz has also published under the na...more
More about Dean Koontz...
Dean R. Koontz has also published under the na...more
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“No matter how close we are to another person, few human relationships are as free from strife, disagreement, and frustration as is the relationship you have with a good dog. Few human beings give of themselves to another as a dog gives of itself. I also suspect that we cherish dogs because their unblemished souls make us wish - consciously or unconsciously - that we were as innocent as they are, and make us yearn for a place where innocence is universal and where the meanness, the betrayals, and the cruelties of this world are unknown.”
—
153 people liked it
“Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one, is a life diminished.”
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56 people liked it
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