What's the Name of That Book??? discussion
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The Dog Days of Arthur Cane
SOLVED: Children's/YA
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SOLVED. YA Fantasy Fiction. Read in 1986-90. A boy gets turned into a dog and is adopted by a jazz (?) musician. Spoilers ahead. [s]
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The Dog Days of Arthur Cane by T. Ernesto Bethancourt?From Kirkus: "Long Island teenager Arthur Cane wakes up one morning after a mild beer party with what seems to be an unduly severe hangover--but no; through the intercession of an African exchange student who's miffed by his "arrogant, ignorant" put-down of "witch doctors," Arthur has been turned into a mongrel dog . During his summer as a homeless mutt Arthur is kicked out by the cleaning lady, abused by strangers, hit by a car, fed poisoned meat, and locked up in the pound where he's about to be gassed when, repentant, he suddenly changes back to himself; but he's also taken in by a local black family and, later, in New York, by a blind young street musician who is saving for an eye operation so he can return to his true occupation, painting. The lessons (in tolerance, etc.) that Arthur learns from all of this are so obvious from the start as to be dismissible, and day by day his tribulations are more reminiscent of a run-of-the-alley dog story (and, where his blind friend comes in, a sentimental One at that) than they are of Gregor Samson's dilemma; certainly there's not the vitality here that the author brought to New York City Too Far From Tampa Blues (1975). But there is some distressful humor in Arthur's first recognition of his plight, and throughout, his human reactions give the adventure a slightly wiggy twist. (Kirkus Reviews, September 1, 1976)"
Rainbowheart wrote: "Also made into a movie in the '80s!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XImeY..."
The book reminded me of Fluke which was also made into a movie. It was different enough not to bother suggesting it, though.
What's the Name of That Book???
Books mentioned in this topic
Fluke (other topics)The Dog Days of Arthur Cane (other topics)
Spoilers >>> He ends up in the dog pound and thinks he's going to be put down, but gets adopted by a jazz musician. He goes with the musician to gigs. He ends up preferring his life as a dog to his life as a human. He does get turned back into a human, but wakes up naked in a dog pound. It's left open as to whether he goes back and finds the jazz musician.