It might come as surprise to some people but this little book about the Ingram family and their dog called Mr Mosely is probably my most controversial.
Not that it hasn’t been popular. On Goodreads for example where it’s had 860 ratings, 76% of people have given it 4 or 5 stars out of 5 which is lovely.
But then there’s the 6% who gave it ony 1 or 2 stars. They reeeeeally didn’t like it!
So while I’m pleased that most readers love the story, it does have its critics.
Some of the criticisms are relatively minor. For example:
Some people find the writing style a little annoying at times citing the repetition of certain words (like ‘like’ and ‘anyway’) and a few sentences that end with ‘but’. (The narrator is an eleven year old boy but!)
Other people believe that a couple of the incidents involving Mr Mosely are ‘unrealistic’ – a dog wouldn’t/couldn’t do that! (Ironically the incidents cited were actually based on real events involving the dogs I grew up with. So there!)
But the major criticism of the book comes from readers who feel that some parts of the story are “disturbing” or “inappropriate”. One reader was so offended that they threw the book into the fire. Yikes!
Most of this controversy arises from confusion/disagreement over what might be the appropriate age for readers of the book.
Although it was first thought the story might be more suited to Young Adults, after some scenes and language in the original manuscript were slightly toned down, the book was finally marketed as a mid-grade novel – suitable for readers from 8 to 12 yrs.
Personally I think Just a Dog works best for adult readers. I’ve always thought of it as an adult story but one told in the simple vocabulary of a young boy and filtered through his somewhat innocent eyes and his sometimes limited understanding.
But in any case Just a Dog is definitely not a book meant for very young children. While it does have plenty of funny light-hearted moments and chapters that can be enjoyed on their own, overall it’s not a just ‘happy doggy story’.
I actually think that’s pretty obvious from the opening paragraph and from the rest of the short first chapter. Maybe even from the opening sentence.
The day my Dad said Mister Mosely was ‘just a dog’ my Mum punched him.
Not a punch like the one Dad gave Uncle Gavin that time when Uncle Gavin’s tooth came out and there was all the blood and everything. But not a girl punch or a mucking around punch either. My Mum really meant it. You could tell by the way she scrunched her face right up and made her eyes go small.
‘Don’t you say that! Don’t you dare say that!’
As the narrator, eleven year old Corey’s focus is on telling the stories of the family dog Mr Mosely. That’s why every chapter title includes Mr Mosely’s name.
But serious family dramas and tensions play out in the background of those stories that Corey doesn’t always understand fully, or understand at all. Older readers will. Younger readers, like Corey himself, may or may not depending on their age and maturity. I do like that the story can be read on different levels and will reveal different things at different ages.
But since the story does contain scenes that involve fighting and some level of violence, as well as marital tension, alcohol use, loss, sadness and some bad people, discretion is definitely needed when buying or recommending the book for any young person.
My advice?
# If you are thinking of buying a copy for a young person, whatever their age, I think you should definitely read it first.
# Depending on their age and maturity it may be better for a parent or adult to read the book with or to a young reader that way certain sections can be discussed and explained or even left out entirely if needed.
Way back when I submitted the original manuscript my publisher asked me who I thought the story was aimed at. It was a tough question because I really wasn’t sure. But I’ve always believed that the first and most important audience for any author, is themself.
So in the end my answer was, “Maybe it’s just for me.”
I was wrong. I’m very glad and thankful that a whole range of readers have felt that it was for them too.
If I had to submit a Goodreads review for this little book, it would be this:
I haven’t written anything that I’d rate more highly than Just a Dog – and I doubt I ever will.
Cheers
Michael
PS: Brand spanking new editions of Just a Dog are now available hot off the presses! Maybe it’s time to update your old copy? OR if you’ve never read it perhaps you should buy a copy or two to see what all the (minor) controversy is about and judge for yourself!
PPS: New editions of the ISHMAEL TRILOGY are also out now!
Michael Gerard Bauer Author 