Fifteen Dogs

Contributed by Dawson, gr. 12, Jan. 2019

I enjoyed Fifteen Dogs because of its unexpectedly mature subject matter which truthfully - and in harsh detail - describes events from many different points of view.

This short fiction novel is set in and around modern day Toronto and Lake Ontario which plays out around a godly bet -- whether or not fifteen canine souls at the dog pound, will achieve a full life of happiness and fulfilment if given human consciousness.

This book appealed to me because of its point of view; it is narrated from the dogs’ perspective, providing interesting take on the language/culture of animals and on a philosophical question about life. Due to its content and characters, this book contains some sensitive content and describes scenes of violence and suspense as well as language which is commonly undignified, although it is used effectively and only when needed for emphasis.

I would personally recommend this book to mature students in grades 11 to 12 who are effective, thoughtful readers and are willing to stop every chapter or so to reflect on the material. Fifteen Dogs is a refreshing book for anyone who finds themselves bored or unengaged in longer, more traditional novels.