A review of The Dog Stars by Peter Heller. Post may contain affiliate links.
The Dog Stars by Peter Heller is not my usual type of book. I know there are readers who regularly read post-apopolytic end of the world fiction, but I am not one of them. Perhaps I should start reading more of that genre because I really enjoyed this book.
The main character is HIg. He is a pilot who lost his wife to the pandemic flu. He is living simply with his dog Jasper and another man Bangley. Hig is a simple man, he gardens, fishes, and misses the world that was.
This is more than just a band of roving bandits attacking each other (though there is some of that) story. This is a love story. Platonic love between two men who care for each other and would die for each other, between a man and his dog, a man and his land, memories, dreams.
The writing is different. Stark. It fit well with the smallness of the world that was left.
"Bangley held his Coke in both hands in his lap. He kind of hunched over himself maybe remembering. Suddenly remote like his spirit retreated to a safer distance. To watch. From a distance. Still rocking the chair that didn't rock."
I received an ARC of this book.
Ellen Pilch says
Anything post- apocalyptic gives me nightmares, but my husband loves that kind of stuff. I will suggest this to him .
Tina Culbertson says
I like this sort of lit and you know, it's been on my to-read shelf for ages. My husband liked the writing. Glad you reminded me about this book.