I love poetry–especially rhyming, metrical poetry. I’ve learned over time to appreciate blank verse and the like, but in my heart, I’m always going to be a sucker for a good old rhyming couplet. To illustrate: while most people would probably say T.S. Eliot’s greatest work is The Waste Land, give me Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats any day.
That’s why it was such a delight to read this amusing collection of poems, about the mis-adventures of the author’s dog, Ani. All the poems are light, bubbly and amusing, and sure to make any dog lover smile as they read Ani’s antics with tennis balls, vacuum cleaners and–the pup’s ultimate nemesis–baths.
Ani’s human, Sue Vincent, has a great knack for sparkling, crisp verse and a delightful wit. In a few poems based off of Shakespeare’s works, she does a fine job in the style of the Bard. And most of all, she has a wonderfully endearing love for her dog, and one that Ani clearly reciprocates as only canines can.
Doggerel is a charming book that anyone who loves poetry and/or dogs is sure to enjoy. It’s also illustrated with pictures of the four-legged protagonist, who looks like every bit the lovable scamp portrayed in the poems.
(P.S. I am very grateful to my friend A.C. Flory for bringing this author’s work to my attention.)
This book is on my TBR! Good review.
Thank you. 🙂 I think you’ll like it.
Sounds delightful, Berthold – thanks for reviewing!
Certainly. 🙂 It’s a fun book.
Oh this is such a wonderful review, Berthold! I’ve only just started reading Doggerel, but already I feel like saying ‘I’ll have what he’s having’! Seriously, I’m tickled pink that I could play matchmaker between you, Sue and Ani. 😀
-huge hugs-
Thank you again! 🙂
😀 😀
I enjoyed this book too. So full of humor and fun. Wonderful review, Berthold.
Morning, Diana and Berthold. 🙂
I couldn’t figure out how to leave a comment other than reply! So I picked you. Lol
lmao – I know, it’s tricky isn’t it? I love when my friends chat to each other but I never quite know whether I should add my 2 bits worth or just ‘Like’ what you say to each other.
Who would have though online etiquette would prove to be such a minefield. 😀
Lol. I like the chatting too. So feel free to do so on my blog… any time!
Will do. 😀
Thank you! 🙂
Nice to see this review, Berthold. I’ve followed Sue’s blog for some years and really ought to read more of her books, especially after reading your and Andrea’s reviews.
Thanks! Her writing is a real treat. 🙂
Had a look inside the book on Amazon to get a flavour of Sue Vincent’s poetry – so adorable and funny! Shall pop it in my basket 🙂
Yay! It’s a very sweet book. 🙂