The Dog Stars (Vintage Contemporaries)

This is the best new fiction I have read in years!  I would not be surprised if it becomes a classic.  It has it all: flawed yet heroic characters, a riveting plot with edge-of-your-seat danger and suspense, gorgeous spare prose that you want to memorize, and thought-provoking ethical questions about individual choices and also those of human society.  All of that could give you something like Lord of the Flies, which while being a classic also makes you want to take a shower after reading it, but Heller's novel allows for human decency and kindness in his grim scenario, and even lets you hope that they will triumph.  In this dystopian future, a sequence of illnesses have wiped out most of humankind nine years before. The main character, Hig, together with the cold-blooded ex-military Bangley, has carved out a relatively safe area with the basics for survival, but Hig is not satisfied, and thus begins the story.  I can't tolerate pretentious Literature that tries to be clever with showy plot devices.  This book is written in a type of shorthand with limited punctuation which to me accentuates the bare-bones survival mode of the setting, but it adds rather than detracts from the mood and rarely slows down the reader's understanding or flow.  I have read numerous books recently by authors who seem to have attended the same fiction workshop: punchy metaphors every three lines, profound holdings forth.  They try so hard, yet despite the sometimes beautiful turns of phrase, they are often boring (e.g., The Flamethrowers).  Heller hits it just right, with lean descriptions that are never cliché, like, "...the capillaries and arteries of falling water: mountain slopes bunched and wrinkled, wringing themselves into the furrows..." and, "...like I was living in a doubleness, and the doubleness was the virulent insistence of life in its blues and greens laid over the scaling grays of death, and I could toggle one to the other, step into and out of as easily as I might step into and out of the cold shadow of the hangar just outside."  And, "I imagined his mineral eyes when they shift make a dry sound like stirring gravel."  The man simply can write.  But just beautiful prose is not enough, of course.  I have found it increasingly difficult lately to find even simple books with a decently paced plot and interesting characters.  I would much prefer to read a good, tight mystery than a more innovative novel with flat characters or an aimless plot.  This story, however, delivers all that while making you think.  He navigates between human callousness and its capacity for compassion.  I especially like how he shows that daring to trust others in a vicious world requires much more courage than does mere self-defense. Oh, and the technical passages about flying a plane and farming, etc., are authentic and bring you right into the moment, a.k.a. The Martian.  Readers who want feel-good (think Fredrik Bachman) will find this too harsh; while those who require utterly despicable characters in order for a novel to be realistic (Paul Auster) will find it too optimistic.  An author who incorporates both extremes of human nature into a story you want to read has created a masterpiece, in my opinion.

Yes the authors clipped writing style took some getting used to - but not long. It was almost a stream of consciousness approach, which I can appreciate. And, it's different, but in a good way. It fit the tone and theme of the book, and never bothered me. As another review said, it was used appropriately - not a constant dose. The author writes clear, articulate passages that need clarity, but the mix of both writing styles is extremely well done. There is something compelling about post-apocalyptic stories. I read Cormac McCarthy's "The Road" (and also saw the movie - not that that's pertinent here), and plots are somewhat similar - every man for himself. The other character's in the book are more one-dimensonal - usually evil. My one mild criticism is that almost without exception the other survivors that come into Hig's world are not humanized at all - they are cutthroat, bloodthirsty, tattooed cariicatures of wrestle-mania events. But, in a world without law, where literally "might makes right," who am I to say that would not be the case. Even Hig's "partner" Bangley is an off the charts survivalist, but then again that's exactly who I'd want on my side in this world. Hig, on the other hand, is multi-dimensional. We get some insight into his conflicted world. He doesn't want to kill, but understands he has to for survival. But survive for what? It is that thinking that drives the latter half of the book - there has to be something different out there somewhere. His pursuit of that, and the story as it evolves, are a great counterpoint to the first half of the book. It "rounds it out," so to speak. As a reader, the book has action aplenty, interesting characters, great writing, and a tight and enjoyable (in the end) story. It held my interest throughout, and was a page turner. I can easily recommend.

I seldom write reviews, but this story is just that different, that compelling, that I was inspired to put my thoughts on the pad. True speculative fiction written in a fashion that draws the reader into the protagonists' heads and carries the reader fully into their world. Satisfying.

My son read this for school. Arrived promptly and in Excellent condition. He said it was an amazing book and recommended me reading it. He now has faith in his teaching picking out books.

DONT EVER TRY TO READ THIS. WRITEN BY A 5 YEAR OLD

Beautifully written book, very well developed characters and crucially very believable story line. Highly recommend if you're a fan of this particular genre.

Bellissimo e struggente post-apocalittico. Il piccolo Cessna del protagonista diventa simbolo del superamento delle difficoltà e dei propri limiti. Bisogna oltrepassare i confini per rinascere. Hic sunt leones...

Another review called it „like THE ROAD but with hope“ and that’s a very good summary. Heller‘s beautiful writing style, his way of making nature come alive vividly in your imagination, his focus on the human make this a masterpiece that deserves lots more attention.

Why does one like a book, i read it more or less in one go. Only thing is the story is as i expected this book to be. But the author takes you on a journey and succeeds in keeping the reader interested. Well worth the read.