Angus

by Charles Siebert

Book Overview

Angus was born at Pollard's Combe, a farm in Devon, on a dark and stormy night, from whence he was removed from his mother and brother by a tall booming-voiced American man and his fluttery-fingered... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0609604945
• ISBN13: 9780609604946
• Release Date: May 2000
• Publisher: Crown Publishing Group (NY)
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.8" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Talk About Richer For Having Experienced...

... Angus! How I'd love to write such a book "for" my dog (well, with a different purpose and ending)! Too bad I have neither talent nor imagination that Charles Siebert has. I'll bet many others feel the same way after reading Angus' memoir.I was in some ways disappointed with the picture of how unsentimental Angus' feelings were towards his humans, as I take such comfort in thinking how my dog worships me. I find myself thinking, "You don't feel that way, do you boy? After all, Angus is a JRT and you're a miniature poodle! You're not NEARLY so motivated by the scent and hunt, like Angus is, as you are motivated to please and be with us!" Oh, I suppose the author's take is much closer to accurate, so the exposure to it is good for me! (I wonder... if Charles Siebert had a poodle for a while, and then wrote the poodle's memoir, would it be so very different, and undisappointing to me?)I found that much of my love for this book seems to be related to the fact that my own dog is like Angus in that he is, for most of the story anyway, the only dog of a couple - not one of several dogs, and not owned by a family with small kids or of a single person. Angus is the author's "child" just as our small dog is our "child" - so I felt I related more than I might have if I had human kids or were a single person. And I find myself thinking about which of our couple-friends-with-dogs to recommend this book to.If you're not impassioned about your dog, you're doubtfully not reading this review, so take my word for it, you'll love this book!

Re: Angus: A Memoir

Angus: A Memoir is a beautiful book. I recommend it especially for dog lovers in general, and Jack Russell Terrier fans specifically. Angus is the story of a small dog looking back on his life as he lies dying. He contemplates his early life on a small farm in England, his adoption at eight weeks of age by two American authors and his adventures with them in England, NYC and the wilds of Canada. I really loved the author's ability place himself into the mind of a Jack Russell Terrier and to tell Angus' story from Angus' own perspective, without ascribing any sentimentality or human emotions to Angus. I found myself thinking "that's probably how my dog thinks".I was also enjoyed Mr. Siebert's ability to make everyday relationships between humans and dogs exciting with his lyrical and fast-paced writing. I found myself crying and laughing, and crying and laughing over and over again as I read Angus' adventures.At its deepest level, Angus is the story of the complex relationship between man and his civilized world, and the animal world which we still inhabit, to some extent.I would highly recommend this book for a nice fall Saturday, or a foggy late summer day in a beach cabin. It is reflective and philosophical, without being tedious. Although the book deals with a small dog's death, the overall tone is not depressing. I found myself looking at my dog in a new light, and grateful for her companionship.

Not just for dog lovers; this book is for WRITING lovers!

It's not just the information that gets you inside Angus' mind--smelling what he smells, tasting what he tastes, the constant straining, straining... it's also the physical layout of the pages that force you into the rhythm of this Jack Russell's life experience. Staccato sentences. Head-tilts. Poignant heart-tugs with no extraneous words. This book isn't written; it's crafted. I'm not much of a dog lover, but I surely love Angus and I surely love this book.

Intelligent, creative, highly entertaining read!

Siebert's prose style is stunning. Those who think this book is a "failed" children's book (whatever!) miss the point entirely (as did the PW reviewer last month.) Not only does Siebert's style and composition philosophize on the contemporary dilemma of the sprawling urbanism of our utterly lost and hopeless humanity, but his eye is sharp enough to focus on the permanence of this. In the words of Angus: this book's a many-beat tug at the heart.