Jan. BotM "Lily and the Octopus"

[Cheryl]

Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley is supposed to be one of those books that makes the reader laugh, and cry, and also feel all heartwarmed. I'm not sure what discussion topics it will evoke... I'll see what I can find. There is not a bookclub appendix (at least in the edition the library got for us). It's fairly short: 300 pp of font that's not too small.

[Ralph]

I enjoyed this audio version of the book. Especially the imaginary voice given to Lilly. I not sure how the written version comes across since the character voices are in your head.
The story brought back memories of all the dogs I have had in my life. The joy they brought and the sadness at the end of their lives.

[Cheryl]

Lovely. I look forward to reading this, closer to the day of the meeting.

[Cheryl]

Oh goodness. I'm not too sure about the Pelagic bit, but this was def. sad & funny & heartwarming as promised. I like the ending, but if (view spoiler)[Byron isn't poetic, at least he's authentic, and likes dogs, so I think our Ted had better make sure not to get all imaginative and project an alter-identity on him but appreciate him for what he is (hide spoiler)].

"Someone once said give a dog food and shelter and treats and they think you are a god, but give a cat the same and they think you are a god."

"Dogs are our witnesses... when we think of ourselves as alone.... They witness without judgement."

(I want to find the poem Funeral Blues by W.H. Auden)

"I always thought Peter Pan was death. An angel of death who came to collect children."

(I tend to order pizza with too many toppings. Ted's craving for pizza with roasted red peppers and black olives makes me think that less is more, and that would be just about perfect.)