Walking in Circles Before Lying Down: A Novel | 
 enlarge | Author: Merrill Markoe
Publisher: Villard
Category: Book
List Price: $13.95
Buy Used: $0.96
You Save: $12.99 (93%)
New (38) Used (97) from $0.96
Rating:  54 reviews
Sales Rank: 69255
Media: Paperback
Pages: 288
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.4
ISBN: 0812975464
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780812975468
ASIN: 0812975464
Publication Date: August 28, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Condition: Used Condition - GOOD can be a well cared for Book (including Audio) that is in great condition to a Book that may show some signs of wear. GOOD Books may be marked; have some spine or page creases; exibit signs of aging or an ExLibrary copy. ** Possible marking on cover. 100% Satisfaction guaranteed on all purchases. Delivery is 7-14 days for standard mail. **
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Product Description
Dawn Tarnauer’s life isn’t exactly a success story. Already twice divorced, the young Californian is too busy job-hopping to start a career, her current boyfriend insists on living “off the grid,” her Life Coach sister perpetually interferes with incomprehensible affirmations, her eccentric mother is busy promoting the culmination of her life’s work: The Every Holiday Tree, and her father is ending his brief third marriage while scheduling two dates for the same night.
Dawn’s only source of security and comfort, it seems, is Chuck, a pit-bull mix from the pound. So, when her boyfriend announces that he’s leaving her for another woman, a despairing Dawn turns to Chuck for solace.
“I should have said something sooner,” Chuck confides, as he tries to console her. “Couldn’t you smell her on his pants?” Dawn is stunned. It’s one thing to talk to your pets, but what do you do when they start talking back? It’s not just Chuck, either; she can hear all dogs–and man’s best friend has a lot to say. The ever-enthusiastic Chuck offers his tried-and-true advice on the merits of knocking over garbage and strewing it everywhere, auxiliary competitive peeing etiquette, and the curative powers of tossing a ball. Doubtful of her own sanity, Dawn considers that, in the ways of life and love, it might be better to trust Chuck’s doggie instincts instead of her own.
Filled with sharp wit, biting humor, and canine conversation that would make Doctor Dolittle’s jaw drop, Merrill Markoe’s engaging, cleverly written novel is about the confusing search for love and the divine acts of dog.
From the Hardcover edition.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 45 more reviews...
 She calls herself a writer? December 25, 2008
Strypz1 (yakima, wa United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I bought this book from the Amazon review. I did not know I would be bombarded with the F Bomb and all of the other profanity. All it does is distract from a story that in all honesty isn't that strong.
Couple this with a pathetic heroine and high school level writing (atrocious) and decided I had wasted my money. Maybe the author should read a real dog book like Marley or Merles Door to provide guidance (or maybe take a Creative Writing class or English 101).
 Delightful and entertaining! December 23, 2008
Melody Dugan (Indianapolis, IN)
Being a dog lover (2 Great Danes) I was first intrigued by the title of this book. After reading it, I am so glad I did! It is such fun to be able to pick up a really good book just for the enjoyment of it, and not have to worry about the "whos" and "whys" behind the writing. After all, isn't that what books are supposed to do? Entertain us?
I worked at a bookstore for 3 years, and was asked for referrals of good reads daily. This was one of my top referrals after I'd read it. If you want plain enjoyment, read this. My hat is off to the author, and I can't wait to read more books written by her!
 Just waiting for my dog to ask me for stew November 26, 2008
Theoden Humphrey (Oregon, US)
My wife recommended this one to me, because we are very happy puppy parents, and we have been doing the talking for our dog all of his life. She picked this one up and enjoyed it so much she had to keep reading passages out loud to me so I could laugh with her. This was a wonderful book. The writing was good, the characters were outstanding, and I enjoyed the plot, both the human interactions and the interactions between two-legged people and four-legged people.
The main character, Dawn, is terrible at romance. She's been through two marriages and divorces, both because she jumped in too deep, too fast; her only lasting and positive relationship is with her dogs, first an adopted Newfoundland named Swentzle and then a pit bull puppy named Chuck. She has a psychotic family, between her father the rockabilly guitarist who is trying to be a player/groupie collector in his 60's, her mother the egotist with her newest invention of the Every Holiday Tree (I loved that Dawn's mother took credit for being the first to describe coffee in wine terms -- bold, nutty, exciting, that sort of hooey -- and used it as evidence of her innovative brilliance), and her sister the up-and-coming Life Coach; meanwhile, Dawn herself has no particular career goals. She is trying to write a book, and in the meantime is just trying to get her life in order. Which is when, in the middle of another emotional crisis -- when her newest boyfriend, Paxton, dumps her -- her dog Chuck starts talking to her.
The dogs -- since every other dog Dawn meets starts talking to her after Chuck does -- are depicted perfectly. They have the instinctive wisdom of animals, and the total inability to understand human society that anyone who owns a dog knows they all share. One of the best parts of the book is when Chuck decides to use his instincts to find Dawn a suitable mate, since Chuck and Paxton don't get along. Chuck takes her to the dog park and starts sniffing men, muttering "A#$hole . . . moron . . . a&%hole . . . a@#hole" as he passes by each one, and recommending men to her regardless of human morals: first a five-year-old (since Chuck himself has had pleasant romantic encounters with one-year-olds, and so doesn't see Dawn's issue with this kid), then a married man there with his family, then an 80-year-old before he finally settles on a gourmet butcher who . . . poses a whole new problem for Dawn once she gets to know him a little bit better. It was hilarious, and felt very true to life; I think dogs would have the same issues with the reasons people find for accepting and rejecting love.
The story ends well, with the right reconciliations and the right alienations, and with a good resolution to a very scary part when Chuck runs away. It was a fun book to read, very well written, and clearly written by someone who shares my love of and respect for animals, which was just icing on the cake.
I hope dogs don't really talk like that November 24, 2008
Kay D. Summers
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Like many of the other dog loving reviewers before me, I was hoping for a good read here. What a disappointment! The profanity from both dogs and humans was a real turn-off. If my dogs talked like that, I'd wash their mouths out with soap. Didn't finish, only read 70 pages, so I don't know if a story line ever developed or not. Waste of money and bigger waste of time.
SOO cute... October 21, 2008
M. Henson (California)
I LOVE reading, but lately havent found the time to do so as much as I would like... But I recently became a dog owner and when I saw this book on the shelf I had to get it. Turns out the book is the funniest thing ever! Chuck has to be the funniest dog on earth! I loved his insight on not just love, but on everything. I find myself constantly wondering what my dog is thinking! It is very well written, and kept my attention from the frist page... The first 75 pages or so before the dogs start talking were good on their own and I was kinda dreading when they did start talking because I thought it would then make the story corny and unbeleiveible... But as it turns out they were hilliarious and made the book that much more fun! I definately recommened the book to anyone who has a dog, knows a dog, or who has had that boyfriend you just cant bring yourself to walk away from... Seripusly read the book, it will make you laugh out loud at least once! I do however, as much as i loved the book... The ending was a little... hollow, abrupt, not as wonder as the rest of the book... but... it all worked somehow!
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