Lives of the Monster Dogs

A Novel

By: Kirsten Bakis

Narrated by: George DelHoyo, Mary Jo Smith

In the year 2008, a Malamute arrives in New York City, followed by a pack of German Shepherds, Dobermans, and Great Danes, all dressed in grand old Prussian style. They become the toast of Manhattan - Monster Dogs. But who, or what, are they really? Outfitted with voice boxes and prosthetic arms, the dogs are the result of an experiment begun years ago in a tiny Canadian village. But their creators did not anticipate that these decadent dogs would be threatened by a strange, incurable illness. In Lives of the Monster Dogs, Kirsten Bakis has created a haunting parable for our times.©1997 by Kristen Bakis (P)1997 by Audio Literature

short but good

I like dogs, and this book plays them out in a complex way. The story moves along at a good pace, and the readers' voices (1 male, 1 female) are very good to the parts. Although the mechanics of a humanoid canine are quite awkward, it's past to look past that into the story. If you like German history and large breed dogs, you'll like this story. I was bummed in the missing Rottweiler, a must-have German breed, and my favorite... and that the story was too short. At least, I don't recall hearing anything about rotties.

William Wegman Nightmare

Not a fantastic story. It would make a great movie with a little more action. Imagine a story where Artist William Wegman (the photographer who dresses Weimeraners) meets Dr. Frankenstein. It's a great idea, great narration, but I think there could have been more done with the story. Sound quality was also poor.

Fascinating Story, Dark, and poignant

I went into this book with no expectations because I bought it on someone's recommendation but had somehow never heard of it. The story of the crazed man creating a dog army, capable of fighting for a country that gave up on him. The notion of talking, upright dogs arriving in New York... all of this is a grand parade, and the back story is both touching and fascinating.

But the strength of this short book is in the last chapters. The relationship the protagonist, who is not, in fact, a dog, with these creatures is poignant. There is a letter from one character to another near the end that is one of the finest bits of writing I've encountered in a very long time. I cannot recommend this too highly, though I will say in the form of a slight trigger warning, there are some very dark parts in early life of Rank, the creator of the dogs.

I listened to the audiobook edition of this, performed by George DelHoyo and Mary Jo Smith, who turned in stellar performances across many characters, some with odd accents.

Highly recommended.

Fabuloso

really well written, worth a listen.

amazing story

this author is absolutely extraordinary. There are a few paragraphs in the final chapter that in my opinion parallel some of the greatest passages and literature I have ever read. They transcend rationality and reason and touch upon something absolutely true and ethereal about existence and spirit and love. I was absolutely astounded as I listened to those passages, the hair stood up on the nap of my neck, and I got shivers all over my body. This passage stands in start contrast to the rest of the story which is more stately and paced, in a beautiful way. That very literary structure contributes to the profound message, which can never be distilled to any particular words.