If you’re looking for a series of short stories that will completely absorb you, the kind that keeps you up later than you intended thinking “I’ll read just one more,” then I’ve got your book.
Eight Dogs Named Jack is filled with everything from street rats and made men to hardworking honest people. Set in the contrasting locations of wooded Northern Michigan and the city of Detroit, all the stories are held together with fascinating characters. Large Italian families fill the pages with lingo that makes one misty-eyed over the loss of The Sopranos. You can’t help but start using words like “mamaluke” or “Maddon” or craving Italian sausages grilled with a little beer dumped on for good measure. The author, ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year finalist Joe Borri, seasons his writing with fantastic metaphors and similes. One of my favorites? “Tighter than an accountant’s rosebud.” No one talks like that in my neighborhood. What a pity.
My biggest surprise in this book was how Borri could take stories anywhere from a tough Detroit setting to the remote and beautiful wilderness of upper Michigan and back, and make it a perfectly cohesive collection. His singular voice pulls all the stories together in a unified group, yet each plot is unique.
And let’s not forget the artwork. Each story contains drawings by the author that I really enjoyed, reminding me of the sort of art I often see in my favorite mystery magazines or pulp fiction novels. The subjects vary as much as the story topics, and it adds to the book’s appeal.
Overall, Eight Dogs Named Jack is an absolute blast to read. Giving you everything from on-the-edge-of-your-seat mob thrills to tear-jerker tales about man’s best friend, this book has wide appeal. So take a copy to your favorite outdoor chair and break out your best cigar. Because if you miss this one – well, fuhgetaboutit.
I’ve got one hardcover copy to give away thanks to Momentum Books, so leave a comment telling me what you find intriguing about the book. If you’re subscribed to my newsletter, you’re automatically entered to win this and all book giveaways here. I’ll select a winner on 03/15/08, 12noon EST. Check the Giveaway Rules for more details and another shot at winning. Don’t be a mamaluke – just enter.
A carp(e) libris goldfish award book.
I love the artwork on the cover- the northern lights are wonderful. And the book sounds like a great read.
The Title
well, that you gave it the goldfish award…that intrigues me (in a good way), so I’d like to read it!!!
Diane,
Thank you for not only the nice, well thought out review, but for the Goldfish Award. I really appreciate that. Hey, if you go to my blog, http://www.eightdogsnamedjack.blogspot.com , you’ll see a post about the contest, but ironically, your name appears above a caricature I did of Nicole Kidman! Check it out. Best regards, Joe
i love the sound of this book, all the different varieties of stories and the fact that they have illustrations that correspond to them, sounds great!
I think the theme of a Detroit Italian family sounds like a recipe for amusement!
Please pick me
this book sounds exciting.
I wonder if the author wrote a series of books before this?
please enter me in this giveaway.
This sounds like a fun book to read! Hope I win!
I would love to have this book, it sounds like a great read!!
looks like a fun read.
I like different types of short stories that hold my attention like this – thank you for the contest
i love the title,it grabs your attention.
I was one of the lucky dogs who got to read these stories in manuscript and said, “This guy’s gonna get there!” He actually made the trek all the way to Northport and did a reading at Dog Ears Books, too. Now I want a new reader for his stsories to be lucky in turn and win the book giveaway.
The title caught my eye and short stories tha keep you interested wasthe other. sounds great.
Oooh I love anything to do with Italian culture! Even the watered down American kind!
Catchy title.
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Wondering if the “Northern Michigan” is the northern section of the Lower Peninsula or “dah” actual U.P.
I like the variety of short stories, plus, who could resist a book of that name. Please include me in your contest.
Thanks.
The locations.
sounds good to me
I find the large Italian family intriguing. I would also like to find out what mamaluke means.
Sounds like a great read!
As always, I’ve posted this at my book review/contest blog – A Book Blogger’s Diary. Thanks!
~aBookworm
This book sounds enthralling, and fascinating reading. Love the cover artwork and the fact that Italian families are featured is a bonus. BTW, mamaluke is Italian-American slang for a family member or relative who does something foolish or silly, the male species.
It sounds like what’s not to like about this book?! The fact that he has his own drawings with the stories intrigues me!
Also, the stories sound so varied in setting and theme. I would love the dog stories. If you gave it your “fish” of approval, that is more than good enough for me. Please enter me in your book drawing. I really appreciate it…..
Thanks,Cindi
We’d love to have a copy!
I added you on prizeatron
http://www.prizeatron.com
I’ll wait to see if I’m a winner. If not, I’m going shopping. This book sounds right up my alley.
I’m an animal freak and would love to know more about all these dogs named Jack
your recommendation and review make this sound like a wonderful read……I love the subject matter…….and miss the Sopranons!
Have you ever read a book that you can’t put down and when you finish it you are actually a little mad because you want more? I am an avid reader and in the masses of books I have read in my life I have come across 2 like this. I am a little worried that based on your wonderful description this book will make that #3. If that is the case I am tempted to tell you to keep it…I don’t need that kind of torture! However if it is that kind of book I don’t want to pass up the opportunity to read it and share another great read with my friends. Those other 2 books I mentioned ended up being gifts for about 20 people because I loved them so much!
Plus I am a big fan of mafia stuff. One of my favorite sites online is ganglandnews.com because it is all mafia related. For whatever reason the whole idea of the mob just intirgues me to no end. It is much like my unusual love of Sumo Wrestling! So as you can see, much like this book my taste runs over a wide range. I really think I must have this book!
Oh and I am dying to see the artwork in this book after visiting his website! His portrait of Obama had me in tears and stitches.
The title
Diane,
Hello there. I’ve been reading all these wonderful comments and just wanted to thank everyone who has shown interest in my work. If I may, I’d like to invite the folks listed here to check out my website at http://www.joeborri.net
On the home page there’s an icon where they can read an excerpt from the title story and further in, can see the facing page illustrations which are considerably different than those caricatures on my blog (www.eightdogsnamedjack.blogspot.com). Please keep me posted on the winner of the contest, and I thank everyone else who is considering the book as well. God bless,
Joe Borri
I would love to read this book!
Your statement of :
“I’ll read just one more,”
I always have a hard time putting a book down. This sounds like something I’d really enjoy.
First of all I am a huge fan of short stories so that in and of itself is a big draw. But I am also really interested in the drawing in the book. Especially that they are by the author.
Thanks for offering this give away.
I’m a huge fan of short stories of all types.
checked out Joe’s website and his page of the illustrations, very nice. I would love to win and read his book
I find anything about dogs intriguing! And this book just seems awesome from the cover to the discription.
My husband is Italian and he loves The Sopranos so I would love to win this for him. It sounds great! Thank you!
if it is being compared to the “sopranos” than I must have this book
I’m a big fan of short stories. Great giveaway! Count me in. bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com
Very intriguing title!
the cover’s artwork–as well as the title…
I’m a big short stories fan and this sounds like a winner.
I adore short story collections. This one sounds like a great one. Please enter me in this giveaway, and thank you for hosting it!
As you say in your review it sounds like
an absolute blast to read… Alan
I like short stories and this sounds like a great collection.
The title itself is intriguing. And, the characters sound vitally alive and varied. (Plus, I enjoy colorful short stories.)
The title is really intriguing