Official Review: The Little Dog Laughed by Ann Massey
Posted: 04 Feb 2016, 09:00
[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Little Dog Laughed" by Ann Massey.]
4 out of 4 stars
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The Little Dog Laughed by Ann Massey can be described as a cross between historical fiction and fantasy genre, or simply a time travel fantasy. Regina Barbaria, or Reggie, who is nearing seventy, is struggling with her complaining partner. Ennis Price, a septuagenarian, is bitter about how old age has treated him and spends the chief of time finding faults in Reggie. As for Sparky, their dog, since the day Reggie had him “fixed”, he naturally has a grudge against her, and spends most of his time using his telepathic powers to influence Ennis.
Their monotonous, end-of-days life is interrupted with the entry of a new mobility scooter, which Ennis bought despite heavy doubts. This scooter transports Reggie and Sparky to Britain in 61 AD, where Sparky finally gets his chance to get even with Reggie, and leaves her in the past, while he travels back to the present without Ennis being any wiser about what has transpired. However, with the mysterious disappearance of Reggie, Ennis is the prime suspect in her alleged murder. With no option left, Sparky reluctantly takes Ennis back to where he left Reggie. The pleasant surprise of the return of their youth is nullified when they land in middle of the war between Roman forces and rebel queen, Boadicea. Will the three of them find their way back to present or will they be stuck in past forever?
One look at the illustration on the book cover is enough to conclude that this is one hilarious tale, or so I thought. Since this book is set in first century Roman Empire, moreover, during a gory battle, the author provides pretty graphic details of sexual violence and a sacrificial practice that made my skin crawl. However, the element of violence in the plot is cleverly underplayed, despite the descriptive writing style, and on the whole, the story maintains its comedic atmosphere. The book is written in the third person and covers the story from various angles, following the three central characters.
On the slightly technical front, the author provides a useful (and witty) cast of characters in the beginning of the book. The author’s note given at the end of the book, should be read as well, since the author has taken creative liberties in her portrayal of historical personalities which might offend some readers (not me, definitely). I liked the use of endnotes in the book, instead of giving a glossary, since the reader can check out the meaning of words simultaneously.
Coming to the central plot, it envelopes various themes like loyalty, patriotism, kindness, regret, bitterness, jealousy, and a little bit of romance. Reggie’s character development from a timid, ‘prudent old woman’ (as she describes herself), to a resourceful and plucky girl, helped on by the restoration of her youth, is wonderful to read about, especially how she keeps up her charade of being a boy or deals with her confused teenage feelings clashing with her wisdom acquired with age. On the other hand, throughout most of the book, Ennis and Sparky came across as rather selfish to me. However, towards the end of the book, the author gives a glimpse into what might have influenced the behavior of both males. Sparky, in fact, is wittier than both his human masters, and the author’s portrayal of his dog personality is highly amusing. Add some political intrigue and adventure to this mix, and an entertaining plotline is ready.
The author’s ability to conjure something fresh in the long list of time-travel fiction, moreover with a storyline that is fraught with unexpected twists, encompassing so many emotions and yet, not too long to bore the reader, is why this book gets a 4 out of 4 stars from me. Readers who want to read something new should try this one.
******
The Little Dog Laughed
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4 out of 4 stars
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The Little Dog Laughed by Ann Massey can be described as a cross between historical fiction and fantasy genre, or simply a time travel fantasy. Regina Barbaria, or Reggie, who is nearing seventy, is struggling with her complaining partner. Ennis Price, a septuagenarian, is bitter about how old age has treated him and spends the chief of time finding faults in Reggie. As for Sparky, their dog, since the day Reggie had him “fixed”, he naturally has a grudge against her, and spends most of his time using his telepathic powers to influence Ennis.
Their monotonous, end-of-days life is interrupted with the entry of a new mobility scooter, which Ennis bought despite heavy doubts. This scooter transports Reggie and Sparky to Britain in 61 AD, where Sparky finally gets his chance to get even with Reggie, and leaves her in the past, while he travels back to the present without Ennis being any wiser about what has transpired. However, with the mysterious disappearance of Reggie, Ennis is the prime suspect in her alleged murder. With no option left, Sparky reluctantly takes Ennis back to where he left Reggie. The pleasant surprise of the return of their youth is nullified when they land in middle of the war between Roman forces and rebel queen, Boadicea. Will the three of them find their way back to present or will they be stuck in past forever?
One look at the illustration on the book cover is enough to conclude that this is one hilarious tale, or so I thought. Since this book is set in first century Roman Empire, moreover, during a gory battle, the author provides pretty graphic details of sexual violence and a sacrificial practice that made my skin crawl. However, the element of violence in the plot is cleverly underplayed, despite the descriptive writing style, and on the whole, the story maintains its comedic atmosphere. The book is written in the third person and covers the story from various angles, following the three central characters.
On the slightly technical front, the author provides a useful (and witty) cast of characters in the beginning of the book. The author’s note given at the end of the book, should be read as well, since the author has taken creative liberties in her portrayal of historical personalities which might offend some readers (not me, definitely). I liked the use of endnotes in the book, instead of giving a glossary, since the reader can check out the meaning of words simultaneously.
Coming to the central plot, it envelopes various themes like loyalty, patriotism, kindness, regret, bitterness, jealousy, and a little bit of romance. Reggie’s character development from a timid, ‘prudent old woman’ (as she describes herself), to a resourceful and plucky girl, helped on by the restoration of her youth, is wonderful to read about, especially how she keeps up her charade of being a boy or deals with her confused teenage feelings clashing with her wisdom acquired with age. On the other hand, throughout most of the book, Ennis and Sparky came across as rather selfish to me. However, towards the end of the book, the author gives a glimpse into what might have influenced the behavior of both males. Sparky, in fact, is wittier than both his human masters, and the author’s portrayal of his dog personality is highly amusing. Add some political intrigue and adventure to this mix, and an entertaining plotline is ready.
The author’s ability to conjure something fresh in the long list of time-travel fiction, moreover with a storyline that is fraught with unexpected twists, encompassing so many emotions and yet, not too long to bore the reader, is why this book gets a 4 out of 4 stars from me. Readers who want to read something new should try this one.
******
The Little Dog Laughed
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like ananya92's review? Post a comment saying so!
Fantastic job on the review and congrats to the author!