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City Dog
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 television show, and the explorer begins to take on a life of his own, Amy?s world takes a surreal turn.
But just when Amy starts thinking it?s a dog?s life after all, she figures out a way to make everything change. And though life in New York isn?t always a walk in the park, it might just take her exactly where she needs to be.
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 television show, and the explorer begins to take on a life of his own, Amy?s world takes a surreal turn.
But just when Amy starts thinking it?s a dog?s life after all, she figures out a way to make everything change. And though life in New York isn?t always a walk in the park, it might just take her exactly where she needs to be.
288 pages, Paperback
First published August 21, 2008
7 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
About the author
Alison Pace
28 books108 followersI'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 teach creative writing. I'd love to hear from you at alison@alisonpace.com.
My memoir, You Tell Your Dog First, just came out.
I live in New York City where I teach creative writing. I'd love to hear from you at alison@alisonpace.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
March 1, 2009
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 character of City Dog is a young woman named Amy. She is in her mid-30’s, divorced and sharing a one-bedroom apartment with her dog. Amy has already successfully published a run of children’s books starring her dog, Carlie, and an adventurous Scottish-American hunk named Robert Maguire. Throughout the story, Amy struggles with writers block while she attempts to complete the next Carlie book and/or dedicate her soul to writing and finishing the novel she knows she’d rather write. In addition to writers block, Amy has also been spending an unhappy amount of time on the set of What to do in the City with your Dog, a cable television show based on Carlie’s books. Amy struggles through some personality clashes with “the talent” and the producer but fortuitously meets a man named Nick (who wears eyeliner but only when he’s on TV). Chick lit antics ensue.
The story is told in first person by three different narrators: Amy, Carlie and Robert Maguire (who in Amy’s mind has morphed from children’s book character to Mr. Perfect: the ideal man who makes all flesh and blood love interests pale in comparison). While using several narrators to tell the same story was interesting, about half through the book I became distracted by it when I realized that Amy’s, Carlie’s and Robert Maguire’s voices all sounded identical. At the start of each chapter you were told who the narrator was, except I kept forgetting because I couldn’t tell them apart.
On one hand, I get that Robert Maguire was a figment of Amy’s imagination and so they were arguably one and the same. And I get that pet people (I’m a pet person) often project their own desires and opinions to their pets (and luckily pets are awesome and they will always go along with it for the oh-so-small price of your undying love and devotion). And yet I can’t help but feel that if each of these characters would have narrated in a more dramatically different style, it may have added more. I don’t know. Maybe that’s only a half-formed thought.
Overall, the book was very cute and quite sweet and I thought the author’s writing style was approachable and conversational.
The main character of City Dog is a young woman named Amy. She is in her mid-30’s, divorced and sharing a one-bedroom apartment with her dog. Amy has already successfully published a run of children’s books starring her dog, Carlie, and an adventurous Scottish-American hunk named Robert Maguire. Throughout the story, Amy struggles with writers block while she attempts to complete the next Carlie book and/or dedicate her soul to writing and finishing the novel she knows she’d rather write. In addition to writers block, Amy has also been spending an unhappy amount of time on the set of What to do in the City with your Dog, a cable television show based on Carlie’s books. Amy struggles through some personality clashes with “the talent” and the producer but fortuitously meets a man named Nick (who wears eyeliner but only when he’s on TV). Chick lit antics ensue.
The story is told in first person by three different narrators: Amy, Carlie and Robert Maguire (who in Amy’s mind has morphed from children’s book character to Mr. Perfect: the ideal man who makes all flesh and blood love interests pale in comparison). While using several narrators to tell the same story was interesting, about half through the book I became distracted by it when I realized that Amy’s, Carlie’s and Robert Maguire’s voices all sounded identical. At the start of each chapter you were told who the narrator was, except I kept forgetting because I couldn’t tell them apart.
On one hand, I get that Robert Maguire was a figment of Amy’s imagination and so they were arguably one and the same. And I get that pet people (I’m a pet person) often project their own desires and opinions to their pets (and luckily pets are awesome and they will always go along with it for the oh-so-small price of your undying love and devotion). And yet I can’t help but feel that if each of these characters would have narrated in a more dramatically different style, it may have added more. I don’t know. Maybe that’s only a half-formed thought.
Overall, the book was very cute and quite sweet and I thought the author’s writing style was approachable and conversational.
November 27, 2009
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 not ashamed to say it was because of the beautiful cover. If you haven't seen it, it features Alison's very own West Highland Terrier Carlie stood on top of a taxi with New York City in the background. Carlie is incredibly cute and was the whole reason I wanted to read the book. Alison offered me the chance to read City Dog and I jumped at it. I finally got around to reading it this weekend and I'm pleased to say the story was just as good as the fab cover.
The book opens with Amy on a date, a date which doesn't work out due to the man's use of a verb (you have to read it to get it). Amy then tells us all about how she met her now-ex-husband Jonathan. Then, as Amy's date finally ends, we meet Carlie. Cue point of view change to Carlie, West Highland Terrier extraordinaire. From then on the book changes points of view intermittently as Carlie becomes a TV star in the making. The book is all told in the first person and we have three narratives: Amy (human), Carlie (Westie) and Robert Maguire (fictional Scottish hero).
You may be slightly confused and wondering why on Earth a dog and a fictional hero would be narrating a novel, but trust me, it works. In fact Carlie's insights made the book for me. I have a Westie and could imagine my dog, Suki, thinking everything Carlie thinks and says. Robert Maguire didn't really work for me, I thought that was a stretch too far, but it didn't hinder my enjoyment of the book. Amy was the more prominent of the three narratives but for me it was Carlie who stole the show. The relationship between Amy and Carlie was wholly believeable - if you have a dog, you'll know - and that's the kind of relationship we have with our two dogs.
Amy was quite puzzling to me, which I found unsettling. I liked her, yes, but I didn't love her. I felt for her when Carlie suddenly became the main focus and she felt left out, but I felt there was something there which was stopping me from fully connecting with her. It was very peculiar as that rarely happens. It was Carlie who carried the story for me. She was essentially the main focus of the book and I loved that. Robert Maguire may provide a narrative but I wouldn't call him a main character, he was just someone who dropped in and gave his opinions once in a while. I quite liked Nick, who Amy meets at the TV studio where Carlie films her show, I thought he was lovely and I really liked him. I'd have loved it if he had narrated some of the book, it would definitely have added another dimension to the book. There were a few other minor characters in the book - Bonnie, Carlie's co-host, Erin, who works on the TV show, Renee, Amy's book agent, but they only made fleeting appearances.
Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed City Dog I just felt as if there was something stopping me from loving it completely. As I mentioned earlier, it was a strange feeling, not being able to connect fully with a book or its main characters. Alison Pace's writing is fantastic and she manages to capture the love between humans and animals perfectly. Even if I wasn't already aware Alison had a dog I'd have guesed it from her writing. Carlie was such a fantastic little character to have in the book and my love of dogs helped no end. I probably wouldn't recommend this to someone who isn't a fan of animals and in particular dogs as I'm sure a lot of people will find this quite an unbelievable story. For me though, I really enjoyed it and look forward to trying to get my hands on Alison's other novels.
I'd wanted to read City Dog for quite a while and I'm not ashamed to say it was because of the beautiful cover. If you haven't seen it, it features Alison's very own West Highland Terrier Carlie stood on top of a taxi with New York City in the background. Carlie is incredibly cute and was the whole reason I wanted to read the book. Alison offered me the chance to read City Dog and I jumped at it. I finally got around to reading it this weekend and I'm pleased to say the story was just as good as the fab cover.
The book opens with Amy on a date, a date which doesn't work out due to the man's use of a verb (you have to read it to get it). Amy then tells us all about how she met her now-ex-husband Jonathan. Then, as Amy's date finally ends, we meet Carlie. Cue point of view change to Carlie, West Highland Terrier extraordinaire. From then on the book changes points of view intermittently as Carlie becomes a TV star in the making. The book is all told in the first person and we have three narratives: Amy (human), Carlie (Westie) and Robert Maguire (fictional Scottish hero).
You may be slightly confused and wondering why on Earth a dog and a fictional hero would be narrating a novel, but trust me, it works. In fact Carlie's insights made the book for me. I have a Westie and could imagine my dog, Suki, thinking everything Carlie thinks and says. Robert Maguire didn't really work for me, I thought that was a stretch too far, but it didn't hinder my enjoyment of the book. Amy was the more prominent of the three narratives but for me it was Carlie who stole the show. The relationship between Amy and Carlie was wholly believeable - if you have a dog, you'll know - and that's the kind of relationship we have with our two dogs.
Amy was quite puzzling to me, which I found unsettling. I liked her, yes, but I didn't love her. I felt for her when Carlie suddenly became the main focus and she felt left out, but I felt there was something there which was stopping me from fully connecting with her. It was very peculiar as that rarely happens. It was Carlie who carried the story for me. She was essentially the main focus of the book and I loved that. Robert Maguire may provide a narrative but I wouldn't call him a main character, he was just someone who dropped in and gave his opinions once in a while. I quite liked Nick, who Amy meets at the TV studio where Carlie films her show, I thought he was lovely and I really liked him. I'd have loved it if he had narrated some of the book, it would definitely have added another dimension to the book. There were a few other minor characters in the book - Bonnie, Carlie's co-host, Erin, who works on the TV show, Renee, Amy's book agent, but they only made fleeting appearances.
Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed City Dog I just felt as if there was something stopping me from loving it completely. As I mentioned earlier, it was a strange feeling, not being able to connect fully with a book or its main characters. Alison Pace's writing is fantastic and she manages to capture the love between humans and animals perfectly. Even if I wasn't already aware Alison had a dog I'd have guesed it from her writing. Carlie was such a fantastic little character to have in the book and my love of dogs helped no end. I probably wouldn't recommend this to someone who isn't a fan of animals and in particular dogs as I'm sure a lot of people will find this quite an unbelievable story. For me though, I really enjoyed it and look forward to trying to get my hands on Alison's other novels.
July 18, 2012
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 doggie antics down. But I wasn’t sure about Robert McGuire’s narration. I found myself jumped out of the flow of the novel, which Carlie’s also did, but I was more amused with the doggie thoughts than those of Amy’s fictional character.
I also grew tired of Amy’s lack of movement forward. She came across as very depressed and with it being three years after her marriage dissolved, I wanted to shake her to get it together (and prayed this won’t be me in three years – see, maybe not the best judge). I didn’t feel much connection to her, or any of the other characters really and wasn’t sure about her love interest, nor did I feel much of a connection even between them.
In the end, I was left with how wonderful doggie love is and how much I missed my dog, but didn’t take away much else from this novel – except maybe how I don’t want to be in the same place as Amy three years from now!
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 doggie antics down. But I wasn’t sure about Robert McGuire’s narration. I found myself jumped out of the flow of the novel, which Carlie’s also did, but I was more amused with the doggie thoughts than those of Amy’s fictional character.
I also grew tired of Amy’s lack of movement forward. She came across as very depressed and with it being three years after her marriage dissolved, I wanted to shake her to get it together (and prayed this won’t be me in three years – see, maybe not the best judge). I didn’t feel much connection to her, or any of the other characters really and wasn’t sure about her love interest, nor did I feel much of a connection even between them.
In the end, I was left with how wonderful doggie love is and how much I missed my dog, but didn’t take away much else from this novel – except maybe how I don’t want to be in the same place as Amy three years from now!
August 1, 2009
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 devotion and concern for Carlie.
Overall, I thought it was an okay read. I just expected more from this book. I thought it would be a cute, fun read about a girl living in NYC wanting to make it big, but instead has to live vicariously through her dog. Having the book told by the three different voices was tolerable, however I think I would have enjoyed the book more if it were only Amy and Carlie. Robert Maguire’s voice ruined the flow of the story for me.
I did like the ending and thought Amy would see her dreams come true in time. Although this book did not keep my interest, I still think other readers will enjoy 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 devotion and concern for Carlie.
Overall, I thought it was an okay read. I just expected more from this book. I thought it would be a cute, fun read about a girl living in NYC wanting to make it big, but instead has to live vicariously through her dog. Having the book told by the three different voices was tolerable, however I think I would have enjoyed the book more if it were only Amy and Carlie. Robert Maguire’s voice ruined the flow of the story for me.
I did like the ending and thought Amy would see her dreams come true in time. Although this book did not keep my interest, I still think other readers will enjoy it.
November 20, 2008
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 characters. I thought the Carlie chapters were amazing, hands down my favorite, and the chapters narrated by the fictional character were original and intriguing. Bonus points too for the 80s music references which happily brought me back. Loved this book and highly recommend.
October 20, 2008
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 week - but, hey, I liked it.) If they got Gerard Butler to play Robert Maguire it would be just like Nim's Island for grown-ups.
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 week - but, hey, I liked it.) If they got Gerard Butler to play Robert Maguire it would be just like Nim's Island for grown-ups.
August 1, 2008
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 dogs I know, a fluffy white one in particular though I may be biased by the cover.
September 8, 2008
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.
October 1, 2008
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.
November 17, 2008
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.
April 1, 2009
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!
August 30, 2008
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 :)
October 14, 2008
expected a lot more from this book.
November 30, 2008
eh, ok
March 20, 2009
This one was a little darker and depressing in tone then I expected. Still liked it, but only so much.
October 1, 2018
So Amy is recently divorced and living on her own. She always wanted to be a "great " writer and constantly laments the novel she isn't writing, even though she has a bestselling children's book featuring her own dog Carlie. Amy feels in a pretty stagnate position in life when she gets the opportunity for a television series featuring Carlie. Although she is hesitant to commit, she does, but it's either going to be a great decision or one of her worst.
This is a pretty light read but it was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon. I really liked Amy although I do think at times she was a very "Can't see the forest because of the trees" kind of gal. "City Dog" does not focus a lot on romantic elements, but because of the nature of the book, you know it's going there. Amy does meet a guy named Nick who is a host of an flashback 80's music show and I loved how the author used 80's song titles and lyrics for the chapter titles. I recognized almost all of them so that was some added fun. Also, there are chapters from Carlie's POV as well as from Carlie's fictional pal, Robert McGuire, who Amy has fashioned as the perfect man (and which is why she probably can't find a "real" man). Carlie is definitely the smartest "person" in the whole book. I also felt for a moment that a dreaded love triangle was being introduced but it was almost like Pace saw where it was headed and put on the brakes before it got out of hand.
Overall I enjoyed "City Dog." I loved meeting Carlie and found it to be more a book about self discovery than one about just romance. If you like contemporary reads or better yet, dogs, I think you'd enjoy "City Dog."
This is a pretty light read but it was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon. I really liked Amy although I do think at times she was a very "Can't see the forest because of the trees" kind of gal. "City Dog" does not focus a lot on romantic elements, but because of the nature of the book, you know it's going there. Amy does meet a guy named Nick who is a host of an flashback 80's music show and I loved how the author used 80's song titles and lyrics for the chapter titles. I recognized almost all of them so that was some added fun. Also, there are chapters from Carlie's POV as well as from Carlie's fictional pal, Robert McGuire, who Amy has fashioned as the perfect man (and which is why she probably can't find a "real" man). Carlie is definitely the smartest "person" in the whole book. I also felt for a moment that a dreaded love triangle was being introduced but it was almost like Pace saw where it was headed and put on the brakes before it got out of hand.
Overall I enjoyed "City Dog." I loved meeting Carlie and found it to be more a book about self discovery than one about just romance. If you like contemporary reads or better yet, dogs, I think you'd enjoy "City Dog."
August 30, 2019
I had high hopes for this book as the blurb in the back sounded interesting.
OMG, Amy was very, very boring and hesitant like ALL THE TIME! I found that the only redeeming point is Carlie's POV. Amy is a successful children's book writer, who is divorced and living in an apartment with her dog, Carlie. Amy has writers block, is so obsessed over Carlie like an overbearing mom, appears to be very clueless half the time and is just so unsure of herself as a person.
Carlie was very interesting, I really enjoyed the story being told from her perspective. She definitely makes the story interesting and kind of keeps me motivated in reading it.
This was honestly a very boring and pointless read. Skip.
OMG, Amy was very, very boring and hesitant like ALL THE TIME! I found that the only redeeming point is Carlie's POV. Amy is a successful children's book writer, who is divorced and living in an apartment with her dog, Carlie. Amy has writers block, is so obsessed over Carlie like an overbearing mom, appears to be very clueless half the time and is just so unsure of herself as a person.
Carlie was very interesting, I really enjoyed the story being told from her perspective. She definitely makes the story interesting and kind of keeps me motivated in reading it.
This was honestly a very boring and pointless read. Skip.
July 3, 2019
Gave up. I tired so hard. I did like the ending though (I skipped to the end.)
September 8, 2020
Loved this book just like the other two.
March 1, 2017
I couldn't finish it. It sounds like a cute book but I just couldn't finish it as I lost interest about a quarter of the way in.
April 26, 2014
After her divorce, Amy Dodge thought she'd finally write the next Great American Novel. Instead, she's now the author of a bestselling children's book series, "Run, Carlie, Run!," starring her adorable and spirited West Highland White Terrier, Carlie, and a dashing (but fictional) Scottish explorer, Robert Maguire. When Carlie is offered the starring role in her own television show about activities for urban canines, and Robert Maguire begins to take on a life of his own, Amy's world takes a turn toward the surreal.
As Amy finds herself getting cropped out of Carlie's many photo opportunities and unable to get the image of Robert Maguire out of her head, the city she once loved begins to lose its appeal. But just when Amy starts to think that it's a dog's life after all, she figures out a way to make everything change. And while life in New Your is not always a walk in the park, it just might take Amy and Carlie exactly where they need to be...
My Thoughts...
I read another book by this author, Alison Pace, "Pug Hill" a few years ago, and enjoyed it. So a year ago while visiting a bookstore going out of business I was delighted when I found this book for $1.00.
This was a sweet and cute story about a girl, her dog, and a few quirky characters that kept the story moving right along. It was a quick read, but I think that dog lovers would like the story much more than people who are not pet lovers. We pet lovers take our pets very seriously, and love them like one of the family. I know that to people who don't care for pets, they probably have trouble understanding that.
Anyway, I enjoyed this story enough to award it 3 doggie paw stars. This book is a part of my personal library.
As Amy finds herself getting cropped out of Carlie's many photo opportunities and unable to get the image of Robert Maguire out of her head, the city she once loved begins to lose its appeal. But just when Amy starts to think that it's a dog's life after all, she figures out a way to make everything change. And while life in New Your is not always a walk in the park, it just might take Amy and Carlie exactly where they need to be...
My Thoughts...
I read another book by this author, Alison Pace, "Pug Hill" a few years ago, and enjoyed it. So a year ago while visiting a bookstore going out of business I was delighted when I found this book for $1.00.
This was a sweet and cute story about a girl, her dog, and a few quirky characters that kept the story moving right along. It was a quick read, but I think that dog lovers would like the story much more than people who are not pet lovers. We pet lovers take our pets very seriously, and love them like one of the family. I know that to people who don't care for pets, they probably have trouble understanding that.
Anyway, I enjoyed this story enough to award it 3 doggie paw stars. This book is a part of my personal library.
September 29, 2008
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) Scottish explorer staring in her Carlie books. Now Carlie is offered a starring role in her own television show and Amy’s world takes a surreal turn.
Soon Amy finds herself getting cropped out of Carlie’s many photo opportunities and she can’t get the image of her Scottish explorer out of her head. Plus the city she once loved begins to lose its appeal. Amy must figure out what needs to happen in order to change her life and take her and Carlie exactly where they need to be.
I completely judged this book by its super cute cover and was a little let down with the results. The story just didn’t catch my interest and I almost didn’t finish the book. The story is told in three voices; Amy, Carlie and Robert Maguire (the fictional Scottish explorer). In my opinion it would have been better off with just Amy’s and possibly Carlie’s but with Robert’s thrown in it just didn’t work for me and I can’t exactly pinpoint why. I did however like the way the book ended and consider it the only thing that saved the book from being too bad.
Soon Amy finds herself getting cropped out of Carlie’s many photo opportunities and she can’t get the image of her Scottish explorer out of her head. Plus the city she once loved begins to lose its appeal. Amy must figure out what needs to happen in order to change her life and take her and Carlie exactly where they need to be.
I completely judged this book by its super cute cover and was a little let down with the results. The story just didn’t catch my interest and I almost didn’t finish the book. The story is told in three voices; Amy, Carlie and Robert Maguire (the fictional Scottish explorer). In my opinion it would have been better off with just Amy’s and possibly Carlie’s but with Robert’s thrown in it just didn’t work for me and I can’t exactly pinpoint why. I did however like the way the book ended and consider it the only thing that saved the book from being too bad.
November 20, 2008
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 each individual character thought about the events in the novel.
Our main character Amy, works through many real-life situations as she struggles with independence and finding herself and her direction in life. Amy is a very relatable character in which a young woman would easily share the very same interpersonal struggles. It takes Amy quite a while with many different experiences to gain self esteem and realize that she is a strong independent woman. At the conclusion of the novel, Amy is a confident young woman who has finally found her life direction and acts on her self-discoveries.
I truly enjoyed experiencing and working through Amy and Carlie’s situations, but was especially happy that Amy had found inner peace at the end of this novel.
As a side note for Alison - I hope the “Carlie” children’s books are in the works because I know for a fact my kids would love to read the adventures of Carlie and Robert Maguire!
Our main character Amy, works through many real-life situations as she struggles with independence and finding herself and her direction in life. Amy is a very relatable character in which a young woman would easily share the very same interpersonal struggles. It takes Amy quite a while with many different experiences to gain self esteem and realize that she is a strong independent woman. At the conclusion of the novel, Amy is a confident young woman who has finally found her life direction and acts on her self-discoveries.
I truly enjoyed experiencing and working through Amy and Carlie’s situations, but was especially happy that Amy had found inner peace at the end of this novel.
As a side note for Alison - I hope the “Carlie” children’s books are in the works because I know for a fact my kids would love to read the adventures of Carlie and Robert Maguire!
July 29, 2009
When I first picked up this book, it sounded like a fun book with a very cute dog on the cover. It is told from the alternating points of views of Amy, her dog Carlie and the fictional main character from Amy's book. I wasn't really a fan of the chapters narrated by the character from Amy's book. I'm not exactly sure why. Some parts of the book seemed a little vague, I wanted to know more, but there just wasn't a whole lot offered. I liked Amy and identified with her in some parts of the book. I wished that she stood up a little more to the crew on the television show however. Maybe it had something to do with her contract or maybe she was just that weak - I don't know, I just wished she had done more. I liked Nick but I didn't feel that I knew much about him and I wish I did. I didn't get his annoyance with Amy not getting his 80's references, not everyone knows everything about the 80's even after living through them so why be annoyed? It just bothered me a little bit and maybe the annoyance was more perceived by Amy and not so much what Nick actually felt, but it was there nonetheless.
Overall, it was a light read and entertaining. I thought Carlie was cute and was definitely an accurate representation of a Westie.
Overall, it was a light read and entertaining. I thought Carlie was cute and was definitely an accurate representation of a Westie.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2016
This is the tale of a neurotic, annoying main character who desperately longs for co-dependence. Theoretically she "finds herself" in the end, but by the time I got there, I just didn't buy it. The protagonist was so desperate for a man's attention that she developed her "dream man" as a character in her children's novels. Where that might be cute otherwise, this book is peppered with chapters *written by him.* Every male character is one-dimensional (but sometimes they also get to be a total cliche, too!), has to be compared to a children's book character... in his own voice.
The addition of the chapters done in the dog, Carlie's, voice was a cute choice, but even that got spoiled by how over-the-top neurotic the protagonist is regarding her dog. Oh no! The dog vomited twice and has (gasp!) little spots on its nose. Time to have a nervous breakdown! But don't worry, there is a sexy vet there with no personality that you can compare to your children's book character.
All in all, this book disappointed me as a feminist and dog owner. I would do 1.5 stars if I could, only because Carlie was adorable.
The addition of the chapters done in the dog, Carlie's, voice was a cute choice, but even that got spoiled by how over-the-top neurotic the protagonist is regarding her dog. Oh no! The dog vomited twice and has (gasp!) little spots on its nose. Time to have a nervous breakdown! But don't worry, there is a sexy vet there with no personality that you can compare to your children's book character.
All in all, this book disappointed me as a feminist and dog owner. I would do 1.5 stars if I could, only because Carlie was adorable.
April 1, 2009
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. Confused? It is not as confusing as it sounds, but I did find it a bit too contrived and silly. I could have handled the dog's point of view, which was cute at times but nothing particularly creative. (For a much more hilarious story from a dog's viewpoint, read Merrill Markoe's "Walking in Circles Before Lying Down".) 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 disappointed and I would not recommend it.
February 27, 2009
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 parents' Westie.
All in all, an enjoyable, quick read - especially if you are a dog lover, and a Westie lover in particular.
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 parents' Westie.
All in all, an enjoyable, quick read - especially if you are a dog lover, and a Westie lover in particular.
February 16, 2019
DNF. 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 (b/c she stops herself all the time -- vs woe)-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 disappointed and I would not recommend 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 (b/c she stops herself all the time -- vs woe)-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 disappointed and I would not recommend it.
January 24, 2014
The reason I chose 'City Dog' is because I have a Westie. The cover spoke to me and I had to read the novel. I am not much of a fan of 'chick lit'. I find the stories rather tedious and the plot lines very cookie cutter. That being said, I did enjoy 'City Dog'. If you are looking for a quick, enjoyable read, this is a great book to choose.
I think a lot of women can identify with Amy's character. Myself, I identified with Charlie. I love my little Westie and thought the author did an awesome job portraying the breed.
I will be taking a break from 'chick lit' for a while. But whenever I need a quick, relaxing read I will find this genre.
I think a lot of women can identify with Amy's character. Myself, I identified with Charlie. I love my little Westie and thought the author did an awesome job portraying the breed.
I will be taking a break from 'chick lit' for a while. But whenever I need a quick, relaxing read I will find this genre.
March 19, 2009
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. In the end, it was short, easy reading, and told a cute story.
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