A Three Dog Life in The Complete Idiots Guide to the Ultimate Reading List

Nov 07, 2008 Joanie rated it really liked it

Shelves: bookclub, memoir, non-fiction, brain-injury, south-shore-readers

Abigail Thomas book begins with a blurb that explains that Aborigines used to sleep with their dogs to keep them warm. Really cold night were referred to as "three dog nights." I was totally sucked in after reading that part but as much as I liked the book (maybe 3 1/2 stars would be more appropriate) it didn't quite live up to my expectations.

The author's husband suffers a severe traumatic brain injury when he is hit by car. He requires constant care and supervision and he ends up in a locked u ...more

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Oct 15, 2012 Lisa (Harmonybites) rated it it was ok

Shelves: ultimate-reading-list, memoir, non-fiction, biography, science

I feel bad giving such a low rating to this--it's so...literary in its intent, and Abigail was a woman I found it easy to identify with undergoing a terrible tragedy. It wasn't far in that she was telling of her first date with her husband at Moon Palace in the Columbia University area of New York City, and it brought back memories--it was where my mother took me for my first taste of Chinese food as a child. There were a lot of landmarks for me such as that one in this memoir. But some of that I feel bad giving such a low rating to this--it's so...literary in its intent, and Abigail was a woman I found it easy to identify with undergoing a terrible tragedy. It wasn't far in that she was telling of her first date with her husband at Moon Palace in the Columbia University area of New York City, and it brought back memories--it was where my mother took me for my first taste of Chinese food as a child. There were a lot of landmarks for me such as that one in this memoir. But some of that identification was undercut by my feeling too conscious of the literary style--usually first person, but sometimes second person, often in present tense, shifting in time, with jumbling, stream-of-consciousness touches. Abigail Thomas teaches writing and at times the book screamed New Yorker to me. (The magazine, not the people.) I do like literary fiction; I can even name entire novels I've read--and enjoyed--in the exotic second person. But the good books make me forget I'm reading in a literary style--this made me overly aware of it.

The other reason I can't honestly rate it high is that it was such a downer. Please understand, for me ratings are a completely subjective marker--and if I'm honest this isn't a book I enjoyed. Despite what the title and cover might lead you to believe, this isn't a heart-warming book about dogs. This is the epigraph heading the book:

Australian Aborigines slept with their dogs for warmth on cold nights, the coldest being a "three dog night." - Wikipedia

Abigail Thomas enters a "three dog life" when her husband is severely injured by a car accident. His frontal lobe gone, like others who have sustained Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), her husband Rich would suffer: "psychosis, paranoia, hallucinations, aggressive behavior, rages." The man she'd known and loved was--gone. Yes, there are three dogs who feature in the narrative--but this isn't a story about dogs. This is about mourning a person not yet dead but just as irretrievably gone. And despite mentions of family and friends in this memoir she comes across as isolated, alone. Not even three dogs can provide enough warmth to withstand the chill this book exuded to me. ...more

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Oct 19, 2008 Nicole rated it liked it

Shelves: nonfiction

This memoir was different from most - more of a stream of consciousness type of storytelling. The story was not one of my favorites but I still couldn't put it down. The terror of finding that your husband has suffered a brain injury is inconceivable and Thomas does a great job of sharing this with the reader. I had hoped for a little bit more to connect with, but I also recognize that the style parallels the connections she is no longer able to make with her husband. Unsettling so I suppose it ...more

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Sep 02, 2008 Carrie rated it really liked it

Shelves: biography, non-fiction

A straight forward, honest look into her life. Gives you some things to think about & I appreciated her sharing her story. It was a glimpse into something that we don't want to accept, that life can change forever in an instant. ...more

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Jul 12, 2009 Janet rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2010

Warm and inviting,the cover says it all! A great example on how to carry on after tragedy, get over survivors guilt, and cherish all that's left! An enjoyable read! ...more

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