Red Dog Red Dog

by Patrick Lane
Meeting Date:  November 2009
Hostess:  Dannette (at the pub)

Discussion:  Mostly either did not or were indifferent to this this book.  There were complaints about the writing style and problems with the character development.  Some thought there was way too much description while others liked the description but agreed that there was way too much of it.  There was a comment that this was an example of a Canadian writer trying to prove something.  Overall the story was difficult and this may have led somewhat to our dislike of the book:  there seemed to be no hope, they had no happiness and the characters were seemingly resigned to their fate - they could see nothing more for themselves.  There were two of us who did like the book well enough, and what we found was it seemed to be well-written in terms of being, what we believed would be very realistic for this family.
This meeting we had a special guest, my BFF Emma was visiting so even though she hadn't read the book she did partake in the booze part of the Booze & Book Club and she even kicked out at rating on the book - based on listening to our discussion.

Ratings:
Stacey ................................1
Natalie .............................5.5
Kellie ..................................7
Barb ................................5.75
Lynne ..............................7.25
Dannette ...........................6
Emma (bonus rating) .........2
Overall:  5.4 (or with the bonus rating included 4.9)