Clara, The Early Years

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Summary: Finding Pug Talk Magazine
Review: Ms Kaufman speaks of Pug Talk magazine in this book and I cannot find it anywhere. Would someone please help me locate it. Thnx Karen Ward and Owen MacPherson

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Summary: If you love your pug, not a good read
Review: I only read through the first few chapters of this book and had to put it down - forever. I began to hate Margo more and more with each page. She clearly does not "get" what it means to be a dog-owner, especially a pug owner. Her first reaction when she sees her new puppy, Clara, is to call her husband crying because the dog's tail wasn't perfectly curled had a white stripe on it. Give me a break! Any person with an once of compassion would have immediately smothered the puppy with hugs, kisses and love. Margo needs to get over her spoiled, conceited self and learn that she can't always be the center of the universe.

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Summary: Clara: A Shallow View of International Adoption
Review: While, on the surface, "Clara" is a portrait of life with a pug (one of the most marvelous of dog breeds) it is, in fact, the tale of an over-privileged couple's attempt to acquire a child through international adoption. I found the story infuriating because of its utterly materialistic focus. For all the seriousness of the author's venture, there was virtually no reflection on the frighteningly profound nature of the transaction -- its psychology, politics, or potential consequences. The portrait of the pug virtually disappears in the last third of the book as Ms. Kaufman brags on her proficiency at obtaining internationally acceptable legal documents in quadruplicate and in record time, frets over whether to buy a new mink or merely have her old one repaired for the trip to Siberia, and discusses the relative merits of Starbucks gourmet coffees and designer gewgaws as gifts for hosts and government officials overseas. Ms. Kaufman writes without a drop of real feeling, as if she were acquiring a new car rather than a child (or even a dog.) Through it all, her husband is completely disengaged emotionally. Kaufman barely questions this significant reality in her drive to succeed at getting a child. This book provides a sad profile on the types who include children among their "must have" possessions.

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Summary: Pug Mania
Review: I really enjoyed reading this book! As a new pug owner I found that this book shows me what I have to look forward to! Margo Kaufman is a very talented writer and her experiences with her pugs are very funny! This is definately a very good book to read!

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Summary: Pugaholic
Review: I loved this book! It was cynical and funny. Anyone would love this view of pug obsession.

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Summary: A Funny, Light Read - Not Just For Pug Lovers
Review: Yes, I must admit that I am a pug owner. That is one, but only one of the reasons I loved this book. I fell in love with Clara, and really enjoyed all the stories that Margo told us about her. The only bad thing I can think to say about this book is that sometimes Margo comes off as being a little superficial, but it did not get in my way of enjoying the book from beginning to end. Being a mother, I also was very interested in the adoption story and liked learning about the foreign adoption process. I have been in a book discussion group with my local chapter of the MOMS Club for 4 years and I am planning on having this as my "must read" book for the year 2000. I think this book will spark two great discussion topics - pet ownership, and the pros and cons of foreign adoption. I also think my fellow mothers will get a kick out of Margo's funny writing.

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Summary: Great book, definitely has the pug down pat
Review: I thought this book was a great read. She definitely has the pugs character down pat. I found the portion dealing with the foreign adoption process interesting even though it had nothing to do with Clara. Any pug owner would want to read this book.

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Summary: Pugs who own thier owners
Review: This book was so delightful. I laughed and cried. If you own a pug or even know one, this is a must have. It is one of those books you don't want to put down. Well done!

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Summary: Hilarious! Couldn't put it down!
Review: Bah! Humbug to anyone who didn't enjoy this heartwarming, laugh-out-loud tale! Margo Kaufman is a stitch! I could hear, see and smell :) Clara the whole way through! I am a pug-lover and owner in waiting and cannot wait to get one! You'll love this book if you're a pug lover or just an animal lover!

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Summary: It doesn't get better ... than the cover
Review: I picked up Margo Kaufman's CLARA THE EARLY YEARS ready for an uplifting read about the adorable pug princess--it was the most disappointing piece i've purchased since, well, ever. Clara deserves better than Ms. Kaufman who comes off as a spoiled brat who should know better than to foist on a reading public what might best serve as e-mails among gossipy friends and adoring family. Kaufman has the craft, yet lacks the sensibilities, to tell Clara's story without horning in w/her own foibles and baggage. She cannot resist periodically nudging Clara off the pedestal and grabbing the spotlight with her tiresome adoption garbage. I don't remember at what point my eyes totally glazed over and i put the book aside--front cover up, of course, George Lange's photo is a keeper, if nothing else. Margo Margo Margo. What a disappointment.