It’s great to see these kids “so enthusiastic about committing high treason.” (historical note) (Historical fiction. 10-12)

Dogs of the Deadlands: SHORTLISTED FOR THE WEEK JUNIOR BOOK

This was a real emotional read and I admit to shedding a tear or two in a few places. The relationships between both humans and dogs, and dogs and other animals is beautifully written. I particularly loved the bond between brothers Misha and Bratan. The story then follows Zoya, who finds life in the woods, starts a family, and then we see her son and his journey. It is a book about struggle, some of it very harsh as Misha tries to survive. It’s also about coming home and making a life even in the midst of hard times. We also see Natasha grow up and become a focused and sullen scientist, but one with deep wounds. Those wounds can only heal if she can take a step outside of herself and build the relationships she desperately needs.This book’s strengths come in the tales of camaraderie and survival among the dogs and wolves, culminating regularly in small skirmishes and epic standoffs. The author spares no one harm, so the reader is kept in suspense to see whether their favorite dogs will make it through. Another strength is its setting; I read this in the summer in the US Midwest, but certainly you can feel the cold USSR (note: Chernobyl is in modern Ukraine) and its forests, including the area around Chernobyl, whose wildlife have had to adapt to more than just predators. There are also multiple coming-of-age stories within the main thread, done fairly well, especially as the dogs are concerned. Another strength is the sheer ambition of writing such a story, and the amount of research that likely went into both the area and the nature of dogs and wolves (and other wildlife). I feel like I know a lot more about my own dog after reading about Misha and the others! Such a sad story, based on the true events of Chernobyl, and the pets left behind when humans evacuated the area, leaving their dogs to either starve or survive in the savage wilds, alongside the wolves, bears and other occupants. I'm hoping McGowan has a comic or light-hearted book lined up for us next, I'm sure he needs it as much as we do!

Dogs of the Deadlands eBook by Anthony McGowan | Official Dogs of the Deadlands eBook by Anthony McGowan | Official

Will Zoya survive? If so, how will she make a life for herself in the wild? What about Natasha? How will her life be after losing everything including her beloved puppy? Will she ever be able to reunite with Zoya? Growing up in the shadow of the ruined nuclear power plant, pups Misha and Bratan need to learn how to live wild—and fast. Creatures with sharp teeth, claws and yellow eyes lurk in the overgrown woods. And they’re watching the brothers… The second challenge this book faces is in its weaving of its characters’ stories. To be realistic, the author tells several different dog stories (since dogs don’t live as long as humans), and then weaves in one brief human story while putting the primary human mostly on hiatus. Natasha plays a much smaller role than I expected at the beginning, and by the time her adult story is really told, the main action and arcs of the dogs are mostly finished, so it feels like an afterthought, thrown in for denouement. While the end is ultimately satisfying, there are multiple ends throughout the book, which keeps you guessing exactly how the author wants this to wrap up. This is a strength for some, but could be considered disjointed or incomplete for others. The author mentions War and Peace as an inspiration, and having read that tome this year, I can say that that’s not for everyone: it’s a very difficult task to weave so many arcs together and still satisfy your (young?) readers. The dogs’ arcs are compelling, but the humans’ feel rushed, despite the difference in lifespan. A stimulating and rewarding on-stage conversation; a lively informed and tolerant audience; privileged access to the great treasures of the Bodleian, and finally, wonderfully interesting dinner companions to help me conclude the best day I have enjoyed at any festival – anywhere.

Reviews

Twelve-year-old Lily has lived with her emotionally distant oncologist stepfather and a succession of nannies since her mother died in a car accident two years ago. Nannies leave because of the difficulty of caring for Adam, Lily’s severely autistic 4-year-old half brother. The newest, Suzanne, seems promising, but Lily is tired of feeling like a planet orbiting the sun Adam. When she meets blind Zoe, who will attend the same private middle school as Lily in the fall, Lily’s happy to have a friend. However, Zoe’s take on the plight of the captive dolphin, Nori, used in Adam’s therapy opens Lily’s eyes. She knows she must use her influence over her stepfather, who is consulting on Nori’s treatment for cancer (caused by an oil spill), to free the animal. Lily’s got several fine lines to walk, as she works to hold onto her new friend, convince her stepfather of the rightness of releasing Nori, and do what’s best for Adam. In her newest exploration of animal-human relationships, Rorby’s lonely, mature heroine faces tough but realistic situations. Siblings of children on the spectrum will identify with Lily. If the tale flirts with sentimentality and some of the characters are strident in their views, the whole never feels maudlin or didactic. This is recommended for 10+ and I would definitely agree with this, as it doesn’t shy away from the hardships and reality of the dogs survival. Many poor creatures meet their ends in the name of dinner! The fight for supremacy in the wilds is often portrayed as realistically brutal too. Weaknesses: I'm not much for narratives told from a dog's perspective, and I somehow missed where Misha was the son of Zoya. After the whole regurgitated worm thing, I found it a little hard to concentrate. The answer to all these questions can be found in Anthony McGowan’s spellbinding novel, Dogs of the Deadlands. The award-winning author weaves a tale that is bound to tug at your heartstrings right from the beginning. His writing style is vivid and has a lyrical lilt to it. Each and every word seems to speak to you and make you feel like a character of the story. I was indeed moved by the intense descriptions of hunger and loss, love and loyalty. The travails of the animals, their desperate attempt to quench hunger, the fight to stay alive, and the intense battles with dangerous predators like lynxes, bears, and wolves keep you on the edge throughout the story. Add to that, a dash of romance, a pinch of deep friendships, and sacrificial familial loyalty, and you have yourself a winner. The beautiful sketches by Keith Robinson enliven the story even more. It’s April 1986 and, not far from the Chernobyl nuclear plant, a little girl can’t sleep. It’s her 7 th birthday and today her greatest wish came true. The puppy she had always dreamed of is finally hers and she is overcome with excitement and love.

Dogs of the Deadlands - Booktopia Dogs of the Deadlands - Booktopia

With ever-present threats from wolf, bear and lynx, much of the action is visceral and bloody, reflecting lives lived on the edge where life and death choices are a daily challenge. This gripping and unusual tale imagines how life might have evolved for the domestic animals forced to become wild in the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster and the repercussions for their owners. He would grumble about the decline and fall of the old Soviet Union. "Once the people were in charge. Now only oligarchs. Billionaires. Thieves," he would mutter." - This example. so much wrong in these two sentences. While I don't want to go down the road explaining the history in this review... and while some people in occupied countries might have thought (or still think), this is absolutely disgusting message to send to the kids. If the story is meant and aimed for adults, or young adults and the author feels the need to include politics (which is not bad thing per se), some knowledge of the era, country and its history would be beneficial. Dogs are a man’s best friend. However, what happens when there are no men available for a dog to befriend? Do they survive and if they do then how? Conversely, what happens to a person who is compelled to lose their dog, their best friend? This is NOT a fluffy dog story full of cuteness. This is brutal, dark and dog-eat-dog... so to speak.

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Zoya is one such puppy, a Samoyed left behind by a traumatised little girl, taken away to the city and promised a swift return which never comes. It also shows us Misha, born in the wild to a dog and raised among savagery and Darwinian 'survival of the fittest' principles. Amidst the gore and trauma is a remarkable and intimate story of loyalty and love, resilience, survival and hope.