The Hidden Life of Humans

By Erika Ritter

Book Overview

Erika Ritter's funny and audacious debut novel examines contemporary human conditions through the eyes of a woman and a dog. Single and on the downhill side of forty, Dana Jaeger has an unswerving... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1550139029
• ISBN13: 9781550139020
• Release Date: September 1997
• Publisher: Key Porter Books
• Length: 376 Pages
• Weight: 1.02 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.3" x 1.1" x 5.3"

Customer Reviews

A good light read, some existential angst...

As a part-time dog-owner and long-time dog-lover, I was intrigued by the cover of this book peeking out at me on bookstore shelves (or screens). As it turns out, a friend who hadn't liked it gave it to me while I was on vacation, and I must say it made for pretty good light reading.One of the main features of this book is, of course, that part of it is written from the viewpoint of a dog, who has pretty good insight into human behaviour. There are even a few poetic bits about the inner life of dogs - their dreams and so on.The main story takes place over a few months, I guess. We witness the existential musings of a middle-aged female writer who can't seem to enter into a committed relationship. Her love life is a seemingly endless succession of 'Marrieds', as she calls them. Until... well, you'll just have to see for yourself. Of course, there is a (somewhat predictable) cast of minor characters - the gay friend, the cowboy, the loony stand-up comic....On the whole, though, I must say, I did enjoy this book and was drawn into the story. I appreciated its terse style and its humour, which pokes fun at the writing business and the somewhat bohemian lifestyle that a lot of us in creative jobs seem to have a knack for - with eccentricities such as refusing to learn to drive. I found the main character quite endearing and had no difficulty understanding why Erika Ritter is a successful playwright. I don't know if men can readily identify with the protagonist and her quest (for true love, etc.), but I think that Ritter has succeeded in creating a quirky, likeable character struggling with some current (and some timeless) questions. Not the best thing I've read in years, but a pleasant, effective, quite original work by a talented fellow Canadian. Excellent subway or holiday reading, and a must for people who love dogs.