Rating: 
Summary: NOT a children's book
Review: This book was absolutely hysterical. Peter Mayle is one of the most entertaining and talented writers around. It is one of my favorite books.
Rating: 
Summary: Hilarious and a Classic
Review: This book was absolutely hysterical. Peter Mayle is one of the most entertaining and talented writers around. It is one of my favorite books.
Rating: 
Summary: Sometimes funny, mostly not
Review: This book, about and spoken from a canine named Boy's point of view is about as exciting as the canine's name. Although Boy's experiences are sometimes funny, the book lacks spark.
Rating:
Summary: A Canine Classic!
Review: This is a book I have read every couple of years since it was written. The adventures of "Boy," told from the perspective of the dog himself, always lightens my mood. I just wish Mayle would write a sequel, or perhaps a tale of a different dog's life (told by the dog, of course). An exceptional book for sure!
Rating:
Summary: A book about the favorite canine in your life.
Review: This quaint story by Peter Mayle, about a stray dog he adopted into his family will make every canine lover smile. The dog he names "Boy" takes on the human characteristics that all dog owners know their pets have. Boy speaks, he feels, he loves, he charms and he will make you laugh until you cry. This book is engagingly written and wonderfully illustrated. Peter Mayle, who has succeeded with his previous books, particulary A Year in Provence, soars with A Dog's Life. This book will thrill canine lovers all over the world
Rating:
Summary: Mildly amusing
Review: Though the reviews were underwhelming, I decided I wanted a light, fun read, and heretofore found even Mayle's most underwhelming books a pleasant diversion. The premise for this book is sweet, and it had incredible potential. However, the reviews were on target; this is a lukewarm and disappointing book. The illustrations by Koren, however, are delightful and redeem the book somewhat.Since Mayle's other works seem to effortlessly exude wit and charm in a self deprecating manner it is surprising that this is so flat. The humor seems forced, and in comparison with the Provence series one imagines that he cranked this out (however, his latest "ethnographies" on southern France were clearly produced for the summer vacation market). Had "A Dog's Life" been give little more time and effort it might have fulfilled its potential. I couldn't recommend buying this; if you come across a copy and are lost for something to read, you might enjoy a passage or two. However, don't bother if you have anything with any potential near by.
Rating: 
Summary: Funny and original
Review: What a great thing it is to see the world through the eyes of a dog. Mayle is a good writer, with an eye for details and conveys convincingly (and with a lot of wicked humour) the emotions of human kind's best friend.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect light read
Review: When I picked this book up because, hey, I like dogs, and I had also heard from my parents that Peter Mayle was a very entertaining author, I thought that it might be something to just use as a diversion, like one would a magazine. I was very impressed! In fact, contrary to the thoughts of another reviewer on here, I think this is my favorite book by Mayle. Perhaps it is because I'm a dog person that I like it so much, but I really felt that this book was touching and funny and everything I would want in a light read. I haven't been as able to get into Mayle's other works, but I was immediately immersed in this one. On less subjective notes, Mayle's use of language is excellent and the structure of the book is very pleasing, particularly to those of us who don't mind a little anthropomorphic bits in our lives here and there. Don't fool yourself, if you are thinking this will take any extra time to read, in fact, the book just whizzes by so fast, I was certainly left wanting more when I finished. Also, if you're depressed, this book will make you smile when you don't even think you could.
Rating:
Summary: A long, slow, semi-humorous comic strip.
Review: Where other reviewers seemed to believe that this was "whickedly funny", I can not concurr. It is a sweet little book, but not funny nor interesting enough to keep the reader's attention. Possibly the type of Euro-humor that is sadly lost on me.
Rating:
Summary: This book will have you howling.
Review: Written from a dog's point of view, "BOY" tells us of his trials and tribulations as he reminisces about his life. Born to a litter of 13 pups, feeding was not always easy; sometimes the closest he got to mother's milk was sucking on his brother's ear. The management team, as he so fondly calls his owners, changes after BOY fails at hunting, not realizing he is supposed to point at the bunny in the bush not pounce on it to play. We are privy to his courting of a female half his height, which was doomed from the start, along with his love of chickens and the utilities man, the fun never ends. The scenarios are endless and each one more entertaining than the last. The book on tape is read by Simon Jones whose British accent enhances every sentence. A light, quick read that will lift your spirits and make you smile. Kelsana 3/30/01
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