Rating: 
Summary: WHY?
Review: Like many other reviewers, I found the idea intriguing, and as a dog lover, certainly sympathized with the idea of trying to find out what's going on behind those eyes. The finish had some emotional content and value.But, the book had so many flaws that I found incredibly distracting:
Even if I hadn't known it was written by a woman, I would have figured it out in a few pages. Paul does, notices, and says things that men probably wouldn't. For example, he mentions Lexy's dress as being embroidered "from bodice to hem." Most men know what those words mean, but I've yet to meet one who would notice it, much less mention it. The man's an idiot--to connect to my point above, he notices clothing and other such things, but somehow doesn't realize his incredibly depressed and suicidal wife is suicidal. And he picked a fight with her the night before she died. Hmmmn. He brings his dog to a cult that mutilates dogs???? That happened to be in his neighborhood???? That there actually was a psychic named Miss Adelle (or whatever it was),instead of that just being the name of the business. And that he found her! And she kept scrupulous notes for a book she was going to write (was it going to be called "every Tarot reading I've ever done"?) The magical plot-forwarding TV that he has. Reports of Dog J getting stolen on the national news? Lexy getting chosen as a sample voice for a commercial? He happened to see it? The Talking Dog thing had very little to do with the story or the plot or the denouement, and of course led us to see Dog J, which was among the most unnecessarily disturbing scenes I can remember reading. That and the even more unnecessary mutilation of Lorelei. That also must be a crazy apple tree, with a ledge at the top and all. That's not really how trees grow--they kind of peter out with smaller and smaller branches. You generally can't stand at the top and just topple over and not hit branches on the way down. And the whole Disney/spontaneity thing. Please. Fine, the idea was original. But I didn't buy that she hadn't thought about it before the date, as evidenced by her strong feelings about ordering dinner. She announces that only appetizers should be eaten, or else the date would have to be over (really? why not just avoid dessert?), but it sounded like a rule she had thought of ahead of time, not the musings of someone making stuff up as they go along. Finally, perhaps the biggest flaw is its overall structure. Paul must have instantly known she had committed suicide. Knowing everything we knew at the end, it was pretty darned obvious. But he knew all of that at the beginning. He didn't discover that she had attempted suicide in the past--he knew it all along. He didn't discover that she had threatened suicide recently--he knew it all along. He didn't just suddenly discover that they had had a terrible fight the night before she died--He picked that fight! I think this would have been a good short story. Everything she used to lengthen it beyond the central concept hurt it.
Rating: 
Summary: A Wonderful Read...
Review: I also loved every minute of The Dogs of Babel. The writing is beautiful and the story carried me along. I tried to pace myself because I didn't want the book to end, but I couldn't put it down. It's rare to read such a combination, a story that is both unique and heartfelt. Yes, there are some quirks, but they are part of the tapestry of the characters and what makes life, life. The book's greatest achievement is conveying the characters' emotions. I really got caught up in the details and the grief and the love, and had a clear picture of it on every page. The novel's twists and turns never seemed overly contrived to be, but seemed part of the curious surprises that life throws our way. The book is wonderfully structured in its narration, letting us glimpse past and present together with hints of what is to come. I thoroughly enjoyed this great debut novel and look forward to more from this writer.
Rating:
Summary: answer to "here's a question"
Review: Babel is the fabeled ancient city where all the inhabitants spoke the same language. They angered God somehow and, as punishment, he spread them across the earth and made them speak languages unintelligible to each other. Just as humans and dogs cannot understand each other's "languages"....Get it now?
Rating:
Summary: A Fabulous Story!
Review: Having just lost a dog (who was 17), I found this wonderful book, describing the connection between people and their pets that everyone can relate to. Lexy is an enigma; that is clear early in the book. But, she loved her dog, Lorelei...and her grieving spouse is seeking the ultimate connection between the two. The metaphors are strong throughout --- from eating habits, creating masks, phone psychics, and secret societies reveal much of how what we look for and what is hidden in our lives. This is an outstanding book --- don't miss it!
Rating: 
Summary: Here's the question,though.
Review: What is the connection of the title to the story? Not one reviewer (professional or general reader) ever expanded on that thought. Why did the writer choose the title?
Rating:
Summary: must have missed it.....
Review: I almost didn't finish this book. I was disappointed because of the lack of development of the characters and it felt like the author was trying to herd cats with as many directions the story traveled. The way it was written gave me the impression that the author was just trying too hard to make it work.
Rating:
Summary: Gone to the dogs
Review: For some reason, there seems to be a plethora of books about dogs or books with dog "themes", and all are bestsellers. Did I miss something? Is it the year of the dog? I first encountered "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime" which is bizarre, excellent, and a must-read. Then I read "Bark of the Dogwood" (yes it does have a dog theme) which is one of the funniest and most entertaining books I've come across. But the latest was "Dogs of Babel." This wonderful, fun, disturbing, and well written book is tops on my list, whether its a list of dog books or not. Parkhurst is an immense talent and should not be missed. Highly unusual and guaranteed to be like nothing you've come across before
Rating:
Summary: ----------- Unique, Moving, Enchanting ------------
Review: A book doesn't have to be perfect or "five stars" to have touched the heart & soul as this one does.
Granted, yes, the plot did get a little loopy, but I think that grabbed me a bit more. The twists & turns were odd, but then again, life can do just that as well.
Any animal lover, I think, will find this book bittersweet & touching. I found myself looking up Lorilei's (our canine heroine) breed on the net just to have a mental pic of her as I read. :)
I do see the correlation with "The Lovely Bones". It has that same feel.
You won't be disappointed in this at all!
Rating:
Summary: A Unique Blend of Writing
Review: "The Dogs of Babel, by Carolyn Parkhurst, is--in my opinion--a unique blending of the writing styles of Nicholas Sparks and Stephen King, however unlikely that may seem. Unlike any other book I remember reading, Ms. Parkhurst's book is one of many surprises... perhaps even with a dash of "The Twilight Zone."
Highly recommended!
--Ron Howe
Erskine, Minnesota
(rchowe@gvtel.com)
Rating:
Summary: Don't Listen to the Naysayers -- This Book is Wonderful!
Review: I found this book to be so romantic in the telling of Paul and Alex's love. And it was one of the saddest books I've ever read, although also one of the most wonderful. It's about love and loss and dealing with all the things that come in between. And yes, the dog in the story is so sweet and I was on the edge of my seat hoping and praying everything would turn out okay. I loved this book and am all the better for having read it.
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