Second Quarter Outside Reading Book Review
Marley & Me by John Grogan. HarperCollins, 2005. Genre: Nonfiction
Marley & Me is a touching and memorable story about one family and a dog that would change their lives forever. This story begins with a young married couple, Jenny and John Grogan who begin to live their lives together in Palm Beach, Florida. However life would never be the same after they bring home Marley. Since the day they brought home their rowdy yellow fur ball of energy, trouble was around every corner. Marley, despite his flaws of destroying furniture, clawing through walls and excessive drooling, was always a member of the family. This story is about the life and love with the world’s worst dog, and the roller coaster journey of Marley’s life, through all the ups and downs.
“Expect to laugh, cry, and shake your head as you read this book. John Grogan understands that the journeys that people and dogs sometimes take together are a reflection of us and our world – of our own humanity and of the joys and sorrows and ups and downs of life. Marley is a great and memorable dog, and in the hands of a write as observant, unsentimental and piercing s Grogan, this is a human-canine journey dog lovers will want to take.” – Jon Katz, best-selling author of A Dog Year and Dogs of Bedlam Farm.
Marley & Me is John Grogan’s first book and by reading this book, I would have never guessed. Marley & Me is such a heartwarming story about love and the bond between a man and a dog. Marley, since day one, was always trouble for Jenny and John Grogan. Whether he pretended to be a chipper – shredder, shredding through an entire wall, or exploring the inside of couches contents. Marley is adventurous, wild, and free. Grogan describes Marley to be energetic and full of happiness despite being constantly scolded and after reading the book, it is very clear, Marley to me is simply high on life. Grogan has very unique writing style. He uses a lot of humor and turns the saddest parts into something more hopeful and optimistic for the readers. Its almost like he doesn’t want the reader to experience the hardships in his family’s life, but to look forward with a better note, kind of like telling the reader, ‘don’t worry, we got past it, its in the past, its over, done.’
“As we fought, Jenny absently walked to the stereo and pushed the play button on the tape deck. It was one of her marital combat strategies. When in doubt, drown out your opponent. The lilting reggae strains of Bob Marley began to pulse through the speakers, having an almost instant mellowing effect on us both.” (12)
After reading Marley & Me I found myself in love with Marley despite all his flaws and mishaps. Even tough Marley was the world worst dog; literally, you can’t help but love him. John and Marley’s relationship really showed what a love-hate relationship is, and how a dog is a mans best friend. I really enjoyed how Grogan made the book humorous and also very descriptive. I really enjoy how he sets the scene for the reader letting them get a setting in their mind before he goes of on another one of Marley’s incidents. Grogan really allows the reader to tap into his life, making it so that the reader is part of Marley’s journey through life. A life that was at times wild, crazy, painful, and sad.
