Un chien à New York

by Tor Seidler

Gulliver leads the cushiest life imaginable. His master, a well-to-do professor, gives him everything a Lhasa apso could possibly want: a fashionable Manhattan address, a fancy collar, classical music, premium dog food. They even spend their summers in Paris! But it’s in Paris that his master, Professor Rattigan, falls in love with a woman who turns out to be allergic to long-haired dogs. Forced to choose between his prospective wife and his beloved pet, Professor Rattigan sadly gives Gulliver up—to his doorman, Carlos Montoya. And so it is that the refined, purebred Lhasa finds himself in a cramped, ramshackle household in Queens, along with a family of raucous human beings and three deplorable mutts. Once the initial shock and horror wear off, Gulliver forms a plan to escape his wretched situation. The plan goes awry. But just as Gulliver begins to make a grudging peace with his new reality, the Montoyas take him along for a day at the beach, where he gets swept up in a harrowing new adventure. Only after crossing an ocean and learning a thing or two about what’s really important in life does Gulliver find his true home.

Genres: Animals, Fiction, Dogs, Childrens, Middle Grade

208 pages, Pocket Book

First published January 1, 1949

Reviews

[Mari]

Gulliver's snobbishness felt so grownup to me that I'm not sure a kid would enjoy reading this. I was also really disturbed at the way the adults in the book let the younger kids do things that I think are extremely "not OK" to do with animals (bounce them on a trampoline, bury them up to their necks in sand at the beach right near the water's edge, etc.).

[Butterfly McCurdy]

I liked it but it had some drinks in it that I thought did not need to be in the book.

[Autumn Leaves]

Gully's Travels never fails to break my heart, grab my hand, walk me home, and tuck me into bed. In that order specifically.

[Kate]

This book is a learning adventure for young readers. Not everyone is from NYC; this book introduces NYC and its diversity, neighborhoods to independent readers. There is a bit of suspense, oh, and we get to visit Paris and a few eateries, a couple of her people and a snooty dog factors in. Gully goes on an unexpected adventure. Where will this romantic little dog finally end up? And who does Gully choose to say "this is my home"? Many illustrations, practically every page. A reader will be entertained. Even though it is a simple story, it kind of grew on me...there's a lesson on just what it takes to make a happy domicile.

[Bridgette]

Was touching. At first I was annoyed at Gulliver for being so stuck-up (but I guess that's what the readers' are supposed to feel), and the ending surprised me a bit, though it didn't really disappoint.

[Justin Hardy]

I wanted to give this five stars, but there is a suicide attempt in it that didn’t feel in keeping with the reading level or the overall tone of the book. Other than that though, this was an engaging and funny tale powered by class (and pet) frictions in NYC.

[Deb Hill]

Interesting story of humility and loyalty from the dog's perspective, which is also the main character.

[Lauren]

Wonderful children's book about classism. Didn't like it when Gully talks about what size he wants his girlfriend to be, though.

[Sam Bloom]

I really, really enjoyed this; the only thing keeping at from a 5-star rating is some rather uneven pacing (slow and semi-boring at the beginning, picked up pace after somewhere around the 70-page mark). Gulliver is a posh, pampered dog living with his master, Dr. Rattigan, on 5th Avenue in Manhattan. His only concern is being able to one-up Rodney, whose master plays chess with Dr. Rattigan, in the fancy-schmancy department. But Gulliver's world is turned upside down when Dr. Rattigan has to give Gulliver up to his building's doorman, Carlos. At first Gulliver doesn't understand what is going on and thinks Dr. Rattigan is coming back. When he finds out this isn't the case, Gulliver's devastation is genuine and extremely painful. But the new family isn't all bad, and watching Gulliver come to this conclusion is really fun. A great talking-animal book in the tradition of Charlotte's Web and Mrs. Frisby, but not quite at the same level quality-wise.

[Erin Sterling]

Gully is a snobby, purebred dog—a lhasa apso--who lives with a NYU professor in Manhattan and only associates with other purebred dogs, turning up his nose at mutts. He eats only Prime Premium dog food, travels to France each summer, and generally lives a plush life. When the professor leaves Gully at the house of their doorman Carlos because he marries a woman allergic to long-haired dogs, Gully goes into a culture shock of sorts. Forced to play with gregarious and overly enthusiastic children, associate with mutts, and eat regular dog food, he goes on all sorts of travels to find his professor, all the while falling in love with the new family. The writing is witty and clever and the story is equally endearing to children and adults. This book is highly recommended for children in grades three and up.

[Salsabrarian]

Gulliver is a high-falutin' lhasa apso much accustomed to a refined life of premium dog food, classical music, antique furnishings and annual jaunts to Paris with his master, Professor Rattigan. But the posh life comes to a crashing end when Dr. Rattigan decides to marry a woman allergic to dogs and Gulliver is (in his mind) unceremoniously dumped with the doorman's noisy family in hardscrabble Queens. Big and small degradations transform the once snooty Gulliver into a humbled, less narrow-minded Gully. Eloquent writing and vivid characters. This reminded me of the inner transformation in "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane."

[Pandora]

A charming book about a dog - Gulliver who moves from a fashionable Manhatten apartment to Queens when his master gives him to his doorman. At frist Gulliver now Gully wants nothing to do with the doorman and his family but, in a series of adventures Gully learns lessons about what home and family really is.


The book is told in a warm loving tone. The story is akin to The Miraculos Journey of Edward Tulane but, with a lighter touch. Read the book quickly. Probably would had enjoy it more if I had taken my time with it.

[Janet]

poor pampered pooch gets handed over to a rowdy crowded Brooklyn family after his professor falls in love with a lady who has allergies; has his own adventures and travels and has to learn to be on his own the hard way. Not sure there's a clear message here - except that even when everyone else abandons you, you learn to make do? I'll ask my daughters what they got out of it.

[Sarah]

A cute tail (tale? tail? get it? ok, it's a bad joke) about a distinguished doggy who is suddenly thrust out of his owner's arms and into the ragged and rude (that's his opinion, at least) family of the doorman. It is then he learns his true place in the world.
Sure, I reccomend it. Not anything totally amazing, but it made me smile.

[Vicki]

Gulliver loves his life in Manhattan, until he is given to the doorman of his building family who live in Queens. There are other dogs, a cat, goldfish, and a gerbil JC. He is wretched and miserable and decides to leave on his own to find his way home. Good

[Susan]

Good early chapter book. I felt bad for poor Gulliver, though.... he had to deal with a lot of rejection.

[Anita]

Oh man this is one of those great books that's for kids AND adults. I love Gully! and I love his adventures!
(PS. I also <3 Astoria)

[Laura]

A very sweet easy chapter book with adorable illustrations. It's a fun book for dog lovers, both kids and adults.

[Heather Pehnec]

This is a story about Manhattan dog snobbery. Quite funny, and would make a terrific read-aloud for young children.

[Daria]

This was a cute dog book. I am partial to dog books so I'm not sure if I liked it because it's a dog story or a good dog story.

[Bridget]

This was a very sweet story. I had a whole nice review written out and then failed to hit save. No patience to do it again. Give it a read; it's worth it!

[Georgene]

This was a great story, but some of the vocabulary would be challenging. I would recommend this for 3rd-5th graders who like stories with dogs that talk.

[Nancy]

Delightful book!

[J New]

Old-fashioned sweet readaloud in the vein of Cricket in Times Square... not something I see kids picking up though on their own unless they are very young?

[Debbie McNeil]

THE Most Popular Book!!!!!!!!!!!!.......of the New York City 55+Lhasa Apso CLub.

[Karen]

I am reading this becasue my nephew told me too. It's a hoot!

[Alison Strumbeck]

Another bittersweet story but very touching.

[Amy S]

I read this to my son over a period of time. Was a very cute book, we both enjoyed it!

[Jane Reid]

This fun story about a dog is an exploration of love & real living. This dog has quite an adventure and learns to distinguish real love from the artificial.