A Dog's Purpose [Paperback]

Reincarnation is certainly nothing new when it comes to plot devices for many fiction novels. However, when the individual being reincarnated and then narrating the subsequent experiences is a dog, it tends to get your attention right out of the gate.

Having multiple perspectives through which to view your life can illustrate just what your time on Earth has meant. George Bailey was the beloved character in the holiday classic "It's A Wonderful Life" who lamented that his life had been an abject failure, and then (with the assistance of an angel in training) received an opportunity to see what his life may have turned out like, had he never been born. Bailey, in "A Dog's Purpose" follows a similar whimsical path, living several different lives to learn his function in the grand scheme of things.

As the inquisitive pup is reincarnated over and over to live amazingly diverse lives he (occasionally she) inevitably comes to ponder what many humans do - what am I here for, what is my purpose? The attention to detail by author W. Bruce Cameron engages the reader, from items as small and realistic as the bugs that captivate the newborn pup's attention in one passage, to the accuracy of the dog's feelings to both his siblings, and the assortment of people that enter each of his lives. The first time the young pup meets a human child, he is overcome by emotions that bond them both for life.

The richness in "A Dog's Purpose" is the accumulation of these moments as Bailey, somewhat like Bill Murray's character in "Groundhog Day" awakens from the end of one life to begin the journey of another - with all the subsequent relationships, dramas and discoveries. About three-quarters through the book, he comes to terms with his own mortality - but there is still more of his life to be lived, and lives that he will occupy doing so.

When it does arrive the finale is equal measures heart-wrenching, and heart-warming - as Bailey comes to terms with his purpose in life, which just may have you thinking about your own...

NOTE: There is an amazing, interactive Facebook page dedicated to this novel, including loads of discussion, feature dogs, and more. Well worth a visit...

I highly recommend this book to dog lovers. Beautiful, so well written. I could not put this book down and finished it within less than a week! As a dog owner, I found myself being able to relate to this book. The story is written from a dog's perspective, and as crazy as it sounds it has made me more aware of my dog's body language. Dog owners will definitely enjoy this book... I laughed and cried (ALOT!) and gave my beagle a big hug as soon as I finished reading the book. Have already ordered "a dog's journey"!

I love my dog, I love my dog more because of this book. Make no mistake this is a blatant sentimental, tearjerker, so what, it's about dogs . . .