Erin's review of The Dogs of Babel
The Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst
This book, in a word, stinks. And now I shall tell you why.
The main character marries a woman named Lexy. Lexy is terribly mysterious, and vibrant, and creative, and such and so on. Okay, whatever, she dies by falling out of an apple tree. Now that I have been browbeaten with the symbolism, let's go to a flashback so Parkhurst can work up some sympathy for this dead chick. By having her suggest that they take a spur of the moment trip to Disneyland! Which I hate! Which should be firebombed! While Mickey screams in agony! Seriously, Disneyland? And then she has a fit when someone cuts the line at "It's a Small World?" I hate this woman.
Lexy is an artist. She paints death masks for grieving people. She pulled all her own hair out then had Medusa's snakes tattooed on her scalp. She never wants to have children because she thinks she will be a bad mother. She makes her husband have sex with her while she wears someone else's death mask. Can we guess what really happened...more
The main character marries a woman named Lexy. Lexy is terribly mysterious, and vibrant, and creative, and such and so on. Okay, whatever, she dies by falling out of an apple tree. Now that I have been browbeaten with the symbolism, let's go to a flashback so Parkhurst can work up some sympathy for this dead chick. By having her suggest that they take a spur of the moment trip to Disneyland! Which I hate! Which should be firebombed! While Mickey screams in agony! Seriously, Disneyland? And then she has a fit when someone cuts the line at "It's a Small World?" I hate this woman.
Lexy is an artist. She paints death masks for grieving people. She pulled all her own hair out then had Medusa's snakes tattooed on her scalp. She never wants to have children because she thinks she will be a bad mother. She makes her husband have sex with her while she wears someone else's death mask. Can we guess what really happened...more
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Hi Erin - I had pretty much the same on this book as you did. I was really ready to throw it out the window when it took the turn about what was going on with the dogs, but like you, I kept with it. It got so much attention, I was sadly disappointed.
Half of your review was bagging on disneyland! If you don't like a place that much, don't take it out on a book that is really a touching read.
Diane, I think your expectations were too high when you read it.
I think that you both have a right to your opinion...and that a work of art needs to be critized but still, the book is endearing and touching.
I read it on the request of my mother (she had just read it in her book club) and I had no preconceptions on the content, I merely read it. As with much in life, expectations can make or break your experiences.
I have not read the book. I would like to, especially since it's causing such a stir. I don't really like the style of this review. It's very angry (granted, that's to be expected if indeed, it's such a horrible book), and it gives a lot away about the book. That, my dear, is for the back of the book (which is why I don't read the back) and is not for novice reviews. All things considered, I am going to read this book, most probably because you said not to. That reverse psychology gets me every time. Or pigheadedness. Equally possible.
