Book Review: “The Viking Way: A Walk for Denver”
I am so grateful to Dan Santos for this empathetic, compassionate and honest review of my book. What an honour Dan, Thank you so much.
This is one of the most wonderful books about a dog I have ever read.
Denver was a Chocolate Lab, Malcolm Buckley’s best friend for almost 10 years. They had one of those relationships that death cannot touch, but it did. Their bond was one of those that ordinary people cannot understand, so they didn’t. But they did not have to understand it because no one else mattered. And they who mattered understood it and lived it fully until one day death came between their bodies but could not touch their souls.
Some people cannot understand a grown-up man sobbing uncontrollably as he walks alone in the same places they used to walk together. And these places are beautiful and real. The ordinary reader has never experienced the English eastern coast described so exquisitely as Buckley does because his words come from love. The ordinary tourist has never felt the rain fall on them like it falls on the trails Denver and Malcolm walked. They will never enjoy a pint in a pub close to where their memories welded together to form the magical land they used to call theirs. They can’t. The walk belongs to Malcolm and Denver alone.
We Americans may draw a blank at the inner Sea bank at Wainfleet where Malcolm asked his and Denver’s ashes rest some day in a watery grave; or Lincolnshire Wolds around Belchford, Fulletby and Scamblesby where their bond solidified. Few will understand why Malcolm decided to honor Denver’s memory by walking the 147 miles of confusing trails known as The Viking Way. But they don’t have to. He understands it. So does Denver.
Why would a man torture himself on a trek of grief and tears? Only his soul can explain it and won’t until the day they meet again. “Where there is deep grief, there was great love,” writes Buckley as he remembers carrying Denver’s collar throughout the entire pilgrimage. And you know what? Even in the loneliest, most difficult segments of The Viking Way he was never alone.
What a beautiful book from a wonderful person who loves a dog.
Five lovely Stars.
This is one of the most wonderful books about a dog I have ever read.
Denver was a Chocolate Lab, Malcolm Buckley’s best friend for almost 10 years. They had one of those relationships that death cannot touch, but it did. Their bond was one of those that ordinary people cannot understand, so they didn’t. But they did not have to understand it because no one else mattered. And they who mattered understood it and lived it fully until one day death came between their bodies but could not touch their souls.
Some people cannot understand a grown-up man sobbing uncontrollably as he walks alone in the same places they used to walk together. And these places are beautiful and real. The ordinary reader has never experienced the English eastern coast described so exquisitely as Buckley does because his words come from love. The ordinary tourist has never felt the rain fall on them like it falls on the trails Denver and Malcolm walked. They will never enjoy a pint in a pub close to where their memories welded together to form the magical land they used to call theirs. They can’t. The walk belongs to Malcolm and Denver alone.
We Americans may draw a blank at the inner Sea bank at Wainfleet where Malcolm asked his and Denver’s ashes rest some day in a watery grave; or Lincolnshire Wolds around Belchford, Fulletby and Scamblesby where their bond solidified. Few will understand why Malcolm decided to honor Denver’s memory by walking the 147 miles of confusing trails known as The Viking Way. But they don’t have to. He understands it. So does Denver.
Why would a man torture himself on a trek of grief and tears? Only his soul can explain it and won’t until the day they meet again. “Where there is deep grief, there was great love,” writes Buckley as he remembers carrying Denver’s collar throughout the entire pilgrimage. And you know what? Even in the loneliest, most difficult segments of The Viking Way he was never alone.
What a beautiful book from a wonderful person who loves a dog.
Five lovely Stars.
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