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The Lost Dog

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( 940 ratings, 167 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Lost Dog by Michelle de Kretser is a beautifully woven narrative that explores themes of uncertainty and search for belonging. It follows a middle-aged academic whose beloved pet disappears, prompting reflections on his life, relationships, and memories. Set in Australia, the story intricately interlaces his personal journey with the immigrant experience, creating a rich tapestry of human emotion and connection.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this novel if you appreciate intricate narratives that weave together themes of memory, longing, and connection. The story beautifully explores the search for belonging and identity, set against a rich Australian landscape. It's perfect for readers who enjoy thoughtful and introspective fiction with well-developed characters and nuanced storytelling.

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'...the best novel I have read for a long time.' - A.S. Byatt, Financial Times Long-listed for the Man Book Prize and published to wide acclaim, The Lost Dog is a moving, funny and beautiful contemporary Australian novel filled with luminous writing and startlingly wise observations.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Tom Loxley is holed up in a remote bush shack trying to finish his book on Henry James when his beloved dog goes missing. What follows is a triumph of storytelling, as The Lost Dog loops back and forth in time to take the reader on a spellbinding journey into worlds far removed from the present tragedy.

Set in present-day Australia and mid-twentieth century India, here is a haunting, layered work that brilliantly counterpoints new cityscapes and their inhabitants with the untamed, ancient continent beyond. With its atmosphere of menace and an acute sense of the unexplained in any story, it illuminates the collision of the wild and the civilised, modernity and the past, home and exile.

The Lost Dog is a mystery and a love story, an exploration of art and nature, a meditation on ageing and the passage of time. It is a book of wonders: a gripping contemporary novel which examines the weight of history as well as different ways of understanding the world.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Lost Dog by Michelle de Kretser has been praised for its intricate exploration of loss, identity, and the complexities of modern life. Reviewers highlight the author's elegant prose and atmospheric storytelling, drawing readers into the nuanced dynamics between characters. Some critique the book for its intricate narrative that demands careful attention, but overall, it is celebrated for its depth and literary sophistication.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781741756067

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 August 2008

Country: Australia

Imprint: Allen & Unwin

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 195.0mm

Weight: 322g

Pages: 368

About the Author

Michelle de Kretser was born in Sri Lanka and emigrated to Australia when she was 14. She was educated in Melbourne and Paris. Michelle has worked as a university tutor, an editor and a book reviewer. She is the author of two other novels, The Rose Grower and The Hamilton Case.

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