Dog Days: An Animal Chronicle

by Patrice Nganang, Amy Baram Reid (Translator)

"I am a dog," the narrator of Patrice Nganang's novel plainly informs us. As such, he has learned not to expect too much from life. He can, however, observe the life around him―in his case the impoverished but dynamic Cameroon of the early 1990s, a time known as les années de braise (the smoldering years). When he isn't limited by the length of his master's leash, the perceptive, even ironic, Mboudjak wanders the streets of Yaounde, a capital city caught in the throes of social and political change. Only partly understanding the words spoken around him (the other dogs are as unreliable as the humans), Mboudjak relates an experience that not only evokes the wildly diverse language of the streets―a heady brew of French, Pidgin English, the indigenous Medumba, and the urban slang Camfranglais―but also reflects the elusiveness of meaning in politically uncertain times. Mboudjak is not alone in his confusion or in his hardship. The blows he receives from humans and the mocking laughter of other dogs are indicative of a larger pattern of abuse that indicts the ruling regime. Despite its unflinching depiction of a seething, turbulent society, Dog Days is not a somber story; it is propelled by the humor that is Mboudjak's greatest survival tool, and even by a certain optimism. In the vibrantly chaotic marketplaces, in the bustling energy of Massa Yo's bar, and in the escalating political demonstrations, a brighter future for Cameroon can be glimpsed. This story told by a canine everyman offers something for any reader interested in freedom withheld and the early stirrings that will someday win it back.

Genres: Africa, Fiction, Cameroon, School, Contemporary

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[in8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://5cense.com/21/949.htm

[M.i. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dog days simply put is a microcosm of daily life in the inner cities of the African continent.

It is a commentary on the workings of a small town in Cameroon, yet I can relate being from a West African country myself. The brilliance of this book besides Nganang's excellent portrayal of life in Yaounde, is also the fact that this story is told from the perspective of a dog and works so beautifully.

[Alyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that gets its point across with a dog as a narrator. Interesting relationships between humans/animals and the potential issues with both communities. Also a detailed long into Cameroon, which as described by Wikipedia, one of the top places for political corruption. Yay. There's also more than just political corruption though - socially, through rumor, and individually, through how others antagonize one another. The book is a bit boring though and def needs analysis to be worth of merit.

[Nishtha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this would have been a better read for me if I had context going into it.

[Jaimie Cerretta]

to-read

[J. Baranzelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mboudjak is as real as they come!

Overall a very enjoyable albeit strange read, the Crow was my favorite character for completely non biased reasons

Ending left some to be desired

[Andreas Steppan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eine Art Schelmenroman auf Afrikanisch. Patrice Nganang analysiert mit spitzer Feder die kamerunische Gesellschaft, geprägt von staatlicher Willkür und Korruption, von Grausamkeit und Resignation, von Feigheit und Sinnentleerung sowie der Flucht in Klatsch, Tratsch, Wichtigtuerei und theatralische Privatdramen.
Der literarische Kniff dabei ist das Erzählen aus der Perspektive eines Hundes. Mit wissenschaftlichem Interesse und einigem Befremden beobachtet der Vierbeiner das Treiben in der schlichten Kneipe seines Herrchens in einem populären Stadtviertel von Yaounde. Die Erzählweise ist geprägt von Zynismus und Galgenhumor und lässt kaum Identifikation noch Mitgefühl aufkommen - zumindest nicht mit den zweibeinigen Figuren. Das macht die Lektüre (oder in meinem Fall das Hörvergnügen) etwas kopflastig - zumal es aufgrund der episodischen Struktur auch praktisch keine Dramaturgie gibt.
Berührt hat mich das Buch trotzdem auf seine Art. Zwischen allem bitteren Lachen sind die Schlussfolgerungen des Hundes immer wieder tieftraurig: dass den Menschen in einem Land, das keine Perspektiven bietet, Menschlichkeit und Solidarität abhanden kommen. Das ist hier in einigen sehr prägnanten Sätzen formuliert, die durchaus emotionale Kraft entwickeln.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. This book was ponderous but clearly the writer meant it to be that way. Sadly, I don't agree with him about the mentality of the oppressed so that makes it hard to love the book too. I did like Jak though. He was an interesting character.

[Teresa Weber-freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Dog Days and chose this book for our book club. It was a re-read for me. Unfortunately my book club partners couldn't get through it.

Note: In reading this book I became the Dog.
Become one with the book and I think you'll like it.