How to Bury Your Dog

by Eva Silverfine

How to Bury Your Dog is for readers who love multigenerational stories with a strong sense of setting and a touch of the surreal.

Lizzy has largely retreated from the world: she tends her adopted strays and goes to work, but she has forsaken lifelong pastimes and declines invitations from old friends. On the day she buries Happy, the abandoned basset hound she adopted years before, she learns a real estate developer is threatening the heart of her rural community—a tranquil pond and a relict stand of hemlocks. For Lizzy this is a magical place, hidden from the modern world.

Coaxed by an old friend to join a group fighting the development, Lizzy is reluctant—she wants to avoid both hope and him. But she realizes she can no longer keep the outside world at bay. As the battle over the development unfolds, Lizzy opens herself to two young neighbors who share her love of the natural environment—an awkward sixteen-year-old and an inquisitive ten-year-old. And as Happy’s elements return to the earth, Lizzy experiences her own transformation as buried memories find their way to the surface in increasingly curious ways.

Genres: Fiction

183 pages, Paperback

First published December 2, 2021

About the author

From living above her parents’ hardware store in Brooklyn to living a mile down a gravel road in semi-rural Texas with her husband, sons, and the local wildlife, Eva Silverfine has explored a variety of urban to rural landscapes. On that journey, she earned two degrees in the environmental sciences, worked in a research lab, and eventually retooled as a copyeditor. She freelances for several academic presses and writes personal narrative and fiction in the in-between spaces.

Reviews

[Miriam Kotsonis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite a title that might suggest otherwise, this is not a book that will make you cry! First and foremost, it's a delightful read, something you will savor for its vivid descriptions, evolution of the characters and clear-eyed view into their thought processes, and occasional big surprises (no more about that). Slightly unusual is the amount of botany, biology, and ecology the author manages to infuse into those descriptions without ever becoming too technical, so you never get bogged down (to make a bad pun, given the central role of saving a pond and its surroundings). Even though there are only a few main characters, it feels like a bigger cast because the personalities of several dogs and cats are drawn with the same love and compassion (but not anthropomorphism) as those of the people. Silverfine clearly cares about her characters and their development to their own greatest potential. Perhaps that's the most uplifting part of this novel. It leaves readers satisfied with respect to the story, and hungry to keep developing themselves.

[Isabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was first drawn to Eva Silverfine’s “How to Bury A Dog” by the name alone. I was curious and wondered to myself what type of story could be made from an instructional-like title on burying a dog. I thought of a story on dog rescues, on a family novel, and then on a book about a dog lover who needed to find their way.

Silverfine’s novel encompasses all of this, more or less, but most importantly tackles the greater evil of when the land and earth around us is threatened. “How to Bury A Dog” is a story of fighting for the right to protect your home, to protect the land we all live on, and the fight to not get lost within ourselves. Eva Silverfine has written a beautiful novel full of authentic characters and very real situations that we are all facing — or going to face.

Thank you for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Bury Your Dog is a heartwarming and charming story that will draw readers in. Lizzy, both introvert and animal lover, leads a somewhat lonely life as she takes in strays and goes to work (in the blood lab). Unwilling to get involved beyond that, life changes on the day her beloved dog, Happy, is buried. When she learns that a real estate developer plans to take over a sacred space, Lizzy decides she’s been quiet long enough. These characters could be your neighbors, your friends, maybe even you, and the topics the book tackles—connection, community, and loss among them—will resonate with most readers. Beautiful writing, rich with description—you’re sure to enjoy it.

[Mary Bramwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written with a beautiful meandering prose, you'll soon care about the characters and the trajectories of their lives. It will leave a smile on your face when it finishes all too soon.

[Linda Rosen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming debut novel about the loss of our natural landscapes and the footprints we leave, as well as the tender memories we carry with us as we go forward.

[Ginger Pinholster · Rating 5 out of 5]

In How to Bury Your Dog, Eva Silverfine unfurls an authentically American story about our human connection to the land, to the animals we love, and to the people who can turn a place into a beloved community. Main character Lizzy lives with a menagerie of pets on five acres of land near beautiful, pristine Bartons Mill Pond The death of her old dog Happy coincides with increasing pressure for Lizzy to rejoin her human community – in particular, by fighting a plan to develop the pond. The issue brings Lizzy uncomfortably close to an old friend, Russ, and out of her hard-won “even-keeled” existence. Featuring a quirky, compelling cast of characters and gorgeous descriptions of the physical world, How to Bury Your Dog delves fearlessly into issues such as homeowners’ rights versus the collective good, and our instinctive desire to “get back to the garden.” I especially loved the gentle, big-hearted tone that this book takes; the author casts a loving eye on all of her characters, foibles and all. Silverfine’s heartfelt, thoughtful story will be an easy, pleasant read for anyone who enjoys literary fiction.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lizzy has been hiding out for some years, content to live outside of town with her household of dogs and cats, work in a hospital lab behind the scenes, and have somewhat distant, though friendly relationships with neighbors and acquaintances. When a large development threatens to transform Barton Mills Pond and the surrounding woods and creeks she loves, Lizzy finds she isn’t the only one who is grieving the coming change.

The book unfolds over a year and the natural world (exotic to this native New Englander) is vividly and beautifully described without ever overwhelming the story. There are a few light touches of fantasy, or maybe these are the individual experiences we have that remain without rational explanation, magical and mysterious in our minds. As the seasons change, the characters grow, make connections, help one another thrive, and do their best to save the landscape they love.

Silverfine has written a highly readable novel with solid characters and small town interactions that are based on the real way we deal with neighbors we like and those we don’t (but want to live in harmony with just the same).

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure what to expect based on the title of the book but thoroughly enjoyed the analogy that the passage of time and our interactions with nature are cathartic and perhaps inevitable when dealing with grief. Silverfine has a knack for creating likable empathetic characters in the book. It was a refreshing and uplifting story of an unlikely group focused on preserving a unique ecological area. I found myself rooting for them as they overcome obstacles.

[mad mags · Rating 2 out of 5]

(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through NetGalley. Content warning for the death of a companion animal.)

DNF at 30%

Despite my better judgment, I requested this title as soon as it popped up on NetGalley in October 2021. I say "despite my better judgment" because my dog Finnick had just passed away several months prior, and my grief was still pretty raw. And for that reason, I sat on HOW TO BURY YOUR DOG ... FOR YEARS. Naturally I assumed that a book called HOW TO BURY YOUR DOG would elicit all kind of feels, so I saved it until I felt like I was in the right headspace to deal with a dead dog story.

Turns out I worried for naught, since this book is surprisingly dry and devoid of emotion. Happy bites it in the first few pages, and we barely see his human grieve at all. Yes, grief comes in all shapes and forms, but with the seasonal structure of the book, we literally skip past Happy's death in the span of a chapter. Lizzy seems a little lost the night of, and then bam, it's spring. Even the death scene feels a bit detached - Lizzy's friend Nancy euthanizes Happy, and then ten seconds later he's in the ground, with seemingly little fanfare. His death feels like just another chore to tick off the to-do list.

I assume that Lizzy's suppressed grief will bubble to the surface as she joins her community's efforts to stop a local real estate developer from destroying Bartons Mill Pond ... but I just can't stick it out to see if I'm right. If the death of a dog has taught me anything, it's that life is too short to waste on things you don't enjoy. Or, in this case, to spend a few hours slogging through a book that isn't doing it for you.

[J. Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the charming tradition of Gladys Taber’s Stillmeadow books - but with a more timely edge - How To Bury Your Dog is written with the creative literary prowess of a beautifully-honed novel yet one gently pulsing the sense of urgency (albeit subtly conveyed) which we should feel toward the loss of our connection to the Earth. This sense is just under the surface of the very ponds and puddles to which we are introduced here, with wonderful characters whom we’d love to be our neighbors and supportive, nature-loving friends in the ongoing struggle against humanity’s greed and power-hungry development of our planet.
With crisp descriptions that will have the enchanted reader breathing in deeply to fill lungs with the fresh rural air of Spring, and with characters evolving to bring forth a harmony for which we all could only wish, Silverfine’s delightful work of literature would not be out of place listed on the curriculum for study in English or Biology classrooms. As one who was raised traipsing in the woods and gullies, wading in the creeks throughout every season, this book reminded me of so much of my own childhood, and the aspects of it I still miss most. With each changing season, the reader is brought closer to both the characters (eccentricities and foibles included!), and their maternal parent -- our own dear Mother Nature.

[T R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recluse Lizzy and her menagerie of quadrupeds, surrounded by a cast of interesting characters that play off each other, is an engaging read with current NIMBY themes. On the eve of burying her dog, Happy, Lizzy reads about a developer wanting to undo the serene pond the town loves and protects. The town people vs the developers sets the story’s conflict into motion and holds the scenes together as characters are introduced and the plot fleshes out, all the while inviting and holding this reader’s attention. Being an animal lover, of course I was instantly drawn into the story, and being from a beautiful tranquil small town where developers regularly drip their greedy saliva I couldn’t put it down. It’s a quick, easy read – a few pages in the big scheme of things but holds a mighty punch with the divisions created, similar to so many divisive elements in our society today. I especially liked the attention to nature vs human, of the importance of animals in our lives – especially for lonely kids, and the environmental descriptions - vivid and alive in their portrayals. There is much to draw from this story, and much to enjoy. A good read, Silverfine presented a nice change of pace from the doom and gloom permeating society with her entertaining prose. I’ll be on the lookout for more from her.

[Diane Nagatomo · Rating 5 out of 5]

“How to Bury Your Dog” by Eva Silverfine is a beautifully written literary novel that takes us through one year in the life of Lizzy, who is something of a loner. The story begins when she has to put her beloved “Happy” to sleep due to age and health issues. While grieving for the loss of her dog (surrounded by her other pets), she is drawn into local politics to prevent a large development project from destroying the surrounding nature.

Even though Lizzy is a bit of a loner, she is a part of her community and has friends who lean on each other and help each other get through things both large and small. I especially enjoyed the relationship Lizzie had built with two of her young neighbors. While the story opens with the loss of a pet, the book is not sad or depressing by any means. In a way, it is a celebration of life, of how the small things in our daily lives, particularly found in nature, are the key for living. I feel like I will need to return to this novel again and read it a second or even a third time to catch all that it holds. Reading about this rich country life that Lizzy is leading almost makes me want to leave my urban area and head for the countryside.

Many thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher for an ARC of this book. My opinions are my own.

[Kimberlie Currier]

If You're Not Catholic, Or Love Your Pet, Don't Bother

First off, the Bible tells us in the book of Job that the animals have the same breath of life (soul) that we have. Secondly, I believe God WILL give us our pets back in Heaven. A loving Father would want us to be happy. Thirdly, the book was definitely written full of Catholic doctrine. Many of us are not Catholic. It had bright moments but overall I was bored with it. It was very wordy with not much to say. I won't be reading any more works by this author.

[Jill Caugherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Bury Your Dog is an ode to Nature, community, kindness/compassion, and advocating for sacred spaces. I adored Lizzy, her pets, and her young friends, Jonas and Timmy. Together, they share a love for animals and the natural world, and they unite with like-minded neighbors to protect Bartons Mills Pond (and the surrounding woods) against a power-hungry developer. During the course of one year, Lizzy, Jonas, and Timmy each develops a finer understanding of themselves, their relationship to their community, and to each other. A hopeful, inspiring read.

[kathleen r. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Perhaps I am just dense, but I failed to see the point of this drivel. It went from dumping her euthanized pet into the almost snow-hardened ground within 5 minutes of his passing, to her becoming some sort of advocate to prevent multi-family housing being built by a developer near her property.
And, that's it. If there was a point to this mess, I missed it completely. If the author had something valid to say, I also missed that.
A waste of my time and energy, I cut my losses and dumped it by chapter 6. Total nonsense.

[Andy Bird · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poor. I didn’t like this. There was just very little story. There was lots of descriptive filler about very mundane stuff and the story moved along very slowly. Things also happened which were not fully explained or were not mentioned again. It’s a shame because I really liked all the characters. Also the title is quite misleading, does not really relate to the story much at all. I would not recommend it.

[Sandy Saucier · Rating 4 out of 5]

What makes this story different than the typical tale of developments crowding out family land, is that Lizzy involves the young boys to demonstrate all they observe and learn from Bartons Mill Pond. Lizzy sees that her neighbors are as vital to her as the wonders of nature that surround her.

Deep within the earth and each heart, sorrow is buried and a new beauty emerges in How To Bury Your Dog.

[A.J. McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heartwarming story about Lizzy and her love for her strays and her community. I was intrigued by the main character’s growth throughout the novel as she struggled with the pain and loss of her past, and how she opened her heart and mind to two youngsters and a group of like-minded citizens to help her deal with it. A must-read.

[Jami · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book, but it wasn’t for me. There was a lot of description of nature, so if you are into that, you may enjoy this. I felt like the pacing was slow, there wasn’t enough about the animals (which drew me to this book to begin with) and I didn’t care for the religious aspect. By the end, I didn’t care what happened to the characters.

[Karen Bolles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Satisfying Read

This is the first book I've read by an author I personally know. Some people and roads are familiar due to our kids growing up in rural Texas.
I enjoyed the down-to-earth narrative and the familiarity/knowledge of a subject close to her heart.
Wonderful book

[Mary Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little bit

Of science, a little bit of religion and a whole lot of empathy for the natural world. Lizzy, Jonas and Timmy save their little corner of the world and help themselves in the process.
I was intrigued by the title and wanted to see what the book was like.

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written, enjoyable read with characters I cared about. The author covered coming-of-age with two distinct young characters, a widow working through grief, community support and foibles, as well as environmental concerns, in an engaging way. Highly recommended.

[Daniel Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very heartwarming story about a semi-rural community struggling with the encroachment of suburban development. A vivid sense of place is painted by a cast of sympathetic characters.
The personal struggles of the characters are beautifully intertwined with their environment.

[Linda Beilstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read through NetGalley. Overall I enjoyed this book because I love animals and nature and plants and flowers. I did get a little tired of the underlying political messages or what I interpreted as such.

[Karen Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed meeting Lizzy, her neighbors, and pets. Lizzy's journey is uplifting. Her pets drawn as well developed characters is an added bonus. Beautiful descriptions. Enjoyed the book from start to finish.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Black Rose Writing for choosing me.

I was drawn in by the title, but I just didn't connect to the story. Sadly, it wasn't for me. But I hope it finds its audience elsewhere.

[Haley]

The title of this book grabbed my attention and so did the story. This is a quick read that cannot fail for the price it is listed at. Pick it up and give it a try. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Judith M. Row · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warm, relatable and fu to read. I enjoyed reading it once and enjoyed reading it more the second time.

[Eileen Leight · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is full of descriptions that easily create scenes in your mind’s eye. Get past the title and enjoy this read.

[Saborna Roychowdhury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review coming soon.