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.
“…everything from street rats and made men to hardworking honest people.”
Sounds most intriguing, as many before me have noted.
cheers, g
just to cool
sounds good!
The story format really intrigues me, count me in please!
Doubly intrigued after reading the authors comments above! I would really like to win this book!
Short stories is all my attention span can handle. smile
Wow! “Eight Dogs Named Jack” by Joe Borri sounds like a terrific read! Growing up in the exact area, I can most definitely relate. Literally, I originated from Detroit and have parents that purchased a ‘cottage’ up north…five hours away from the dusty streets of Detroit. So thrilled were us ‘kids’ (at the time!) to be away from the city, it was as if we were another planet. I’d love to be considered for this book give-away!
i love short stories, it’s great how there are illustrations to go with the different stories. The stories sounds really interesting, they’re about family, but that’s something we can all relate to.
Love the title
I’m a voracious bibliophile and would love to add this book to my collection.
The title and cover…can’t wait to open book!
I used to live in Alaska so the cover reminds me of the Alaska winters and I would love to add this to my book collection.
awesome!!!
http://s3.excoboard.com/exco/index.php?boardid=3241
I like that they are short stories and the artwork has me intrigued!
would love to read this.
enter me please, thank you for the contest
the title – makes me curious
need to read more.
A curious sounding titlte…
A curious sounding title…
i enjoy reading all types of books. This book seems to contain the things I like. Mystery, family, and otherrs are a few of the genres of books I read. I just finished Into the wild, which to me is a book about family, mystey, self discovery and many other things. This new book just sounds very interesting to me. Thanks
Diane,
I’m blown away at all of the interested parties that have entered the contest. I want to again thank everyone out there who has visited my website and found the book intriguing enough to poke around. Hope you’ll give it a chance. I certainly appreciate the support.
Best regards,
Joe
the artwork is amazing!
An excuse to read an adult book–with pictures? Count me in!
looks great – love it
Very cool book!
We would love to have a copy!!
I added you on prizeatron!
http://www.prizeatron.com
this sounds like a very unique and interesting book; love the title and if the stories are tied into one theme that in itself would make it a great read; i wish i could write; i know i have a story in me, but i just don’t know how to get it out; cudos to the author
the artwork looks great
I certainly don’t want the mob after me for not reading this book! Thanks for the chance to win!
I love short stories and I love to read about cultures and how
their work impacts their lifestyle.This would be so exciting please enter me
pretty cover
The setting in Michigan sold me.
AVID READER UNIKE TITLE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR NEW BOOKS AND AUTHORS
I love the sound of a book that can make me be scared and sad. I love a roller coaster ride. The short stories sound great!
The title made me want to find out what this book was about.
Sounds very interesting!
I like the fact that it is a story of blue collar men..and their struggles
Trying to get back to reading more. Best of luck to all who enter.
The diverse cast of characters in the large family intrigues me.
I find the different story topics intriguing.
I don’t have a lot of time to read these days, so short stories fit my bill to a t. thanks for the chance
I love the idea of short stories that have a similar theme. I just don’t always have time to read a long book.
Sounds very interesting and I love to read.
I would love to have the time to read in the short stories in between drag the kids all over and waiting for them in my car. The short stories get read for me that way
I was born in Michigan and would love to read a book with descriptions of it,it probably would bring me back to my beloved home state.
Interesting title
Take me home.
Stories about dogs are irresistible. Reading this collection would be a real literary treat. Thank goodness there are authors who do appreciate man’s best friend.
I love the artwork on the cover.
I am the owner of 2 dogs named Jack, they were both adopted and came with that name, just by coincidence.
Read it in English…but looking forward to the French version, just to make sure i got everything