11 replies to this topic

[Lewis Moon]

After finishing this book last evening, I struggled to write an internet friendly review (dense and short) but I found myself straying into too many mine filled cul-de-sacs. As the author, Donald McCaig, is both revered and present, I run the risk if seeming either obsequious or snotty if I don't walk a very narrow path. So, to skip right to the blowing off of the legs, here goes: I loved this book. It is simultaneously a mash note to the simplicity, beauty and toil of rural farming, and a dog's eye view of work and his often flawed relationship with man.
While some might find the stilted, archaic English used by the canine characters to be jarring and phony, I found it to be an excellent device to separate dog language and thought from that of the human characters. It also nicely conveyed the station and relationship of dogs in the human world; that of loyal, essential and symbiotic junior partner. The much used character of the faithful English butler, or Batman’s “Alfred” sprang readily to mind….only with sharp teeth and sheep poop on his fur.
The story itself, with the exception of a few broadly painted stereotype characters and situations, was enormously engaging. Be warned, it can sometimes be brutal, as truth can be without the bows and lace some authors use to gussy up the things that hurt deeply, but it rarely strays from a realistic and cracking good narrative. However, as with many books that find their way onto my permanent, never to go to the used bookstore, shelf, it is the small, intense flashes of beauty, as seen by the characters and conveyed by the author, that make this book special. The joy and exhilaration of Nop’s “pear shaped” outrun; heart pounding, tongue hanging out a yard. The intense green of the Kentucky trial grounds. The simple farm house kitchen, Formica table surrounded by work cracked hands holding sturdy cups of instant coffee.
The characters of Lewis Burkholder, his wife, daughter and son-in-law afforded a view of the hardships and pleasures of rural life. As a 50 something father, it wasn’t hard to step into Lewis’s skin and observe the beauty of a daughter blossoming into a capable, strong and independent woman. As a 50 something husband, the unintended drift away from his wife caused by press and pull of circumstance, reminds me of some work I dearly need to do.
Nop, Stink, Bit and the other canine characters convey essential…well…doggness. Some would pin McCaig with anthropomorphizing. I find his portrayal a subtle (and sometimes not so) and intuitive representation of canine behavior. I now can’t help but look over at Cerb, dozing on the couch with one eye open and observing me type, and wonder “what the heck are you thinking…and why?

So, to restate my earlier assessment; I loved this book. Perhaps this is because, as with the character Nop, this history is in my DNA. My granddad’s south eastern Ohio farmhouse is there. The simplicity and frugality of my mom’s depression era childhood is there. Precious things that I am all-to-quickly losing are there. I’ll keep this book to help me remember.

[rushdoggie]

Nop, Stink, Bit and the other canine characters convey essential…well…doggness. Some would pin McCaig with anthropomorphizing.

Being as the book is a work of fiction, I think that is OK.

I read this book many years ago and its one of the few works of fiction I have re-read. It made me cry the 1st time I read it.

[Sue R]

The first time I read it, I didn't think I could stand to read it again - too much cruelty, too much sadness. But there's too much love of Lewis and his family for the dogs and too much resilience and courage in the dogs (Nop and Stink-dog especially) to not read it again and again.

[KeithB]

I just read it in 2 days, great book, i ran every range of emotion as i read it. Loved the ending.

Awesome job Donald!

[The Good Shepherd]

I was reading the book last christmas eve and day.
I will read it again this christmas eve and day

[Tea]

I read Nop's Trials years ago. And loved it.



I think the reason was it was like my Granny's stories. Myth and heros and impossible things. And deep down, rare and beautiful, the good of the Earth and humanity and dogs. All these make life worth living.



And So Sheepdogging Geezer I may name a dog, Nop, someday in honor of a good book and your storytelling.

[Sue R]

Or you could just name a dog, Geezer, in honor of Donald!

[KeithB]

Just read Nop's Hope, again well done Donald

[Lewis Moon]

Mr. McCaig is contributing to the delinquency of a minor:
I caught my eleven year old daughter up an hour past bedtime last night. She was reading "Nop's Trials" by flashlight.

[RachelO]

I remember being introduced to Nop's Trials and Nop's Hope by accident. I had been searching for books on training herding dogs on amazon.com, and both titles kept coming up. I ordered both of them, and I have to include them both in my all time favorite books. There was nothing trite or "disney-esgue" about the way in which the dogs were depicted communicating with one another. Both stories were quite moving and both are the type of story that, once read, stays stuck deep in your soul.

[frisbeegirl]

Finished Nop's Trials last night. Extremely moving, and yes dark but alas that is the world for many canines.

Keeva's dam's name is Bit. (always thought she may have been a nipper). My surprise that it is a well known border collie name.

Hope to start Nop's Hope over the holidays.

Well done!

[terrecar]

Finished Nop's Trials last night. Extremely moving, and yes dark but alas that is the world for many canines.

Keeva's dam's name is Bit. (always thought she may have been a nipper). My surprise that it is a well known border collie name.

Hope to start Nop's Hope over the holidays.

Well done!

I'll have to be in my "happy place" before I tackle this book. I tend to avoid the sad ones. I guess I am overly sensitive.

I think one of the things that would draw me to read this book, if some of the reviews are right, would be the lack of sentimentality. Given the subject, it seems to me that it would be easy for an author to lapse into it, and I don't like my emotions manipulated. One thing I love about John Irving's writing, for example, is that he is able to convey suffering without sentimentality (though some may not like his use of the absurd). I can appreciate a book of that sort.


ETA: Good reminder for those of us who are fairly new to the board. I'll put it on my wish list!