Genre: Biography
Length: approx 300 pages
Author: John Grogan

There's a reason that the dog on the cover of this book looks like the Andrex dog. It's because you are going to need plenty of them. Marley and Me holds the honour of the only book that has ever managed to make me cry, probably because I usually tend to avoid books about animals but Marley and Me was the exception. The cover of the book is actually pretty misleading as the little pup here looks like the picture of innocence. However what the story is really about is an out of control animal who drives his owners to madness.

Plot

Marley and Me is the story of how a pet can become an integral part of a families lives. Kicked out of obedience school Marley is an absolute menace, nontheless he is there no matter what, through family joy and heartbreak. A loveable rogue Marley worms his way into the hearts of the family until they can no longer imagine life without him.

The book

Written by John Grogan a full time writer, Marley and Me is his debut novel, inspired by his experiences with his own loveable mutt Marley. The book provides a telling insight into the pains and loves of Grogan's life and it is impossible not to find yourself deeply ingrained within the books pages. There from the very beginning of Marley's life Grogan weaves in and out of tragedy and trivial day to day life until Marley's old age. Reading this book, it almost feels like the reader is a part of this family too treated to their most private moments.

Later made into a film with Owen Wilson and Jennifer Anniston, Marley and Me has been snapped up by Hollywood. This is a film I refuse to watch as I don't want to let it soil my perception of the family and their life. The book is far too beautifully written to be beaten by the box office.

In the copy of the book which I own, (the hardcover) there are also photographs in the back of the book with photos of Marley from the puppy years to adult. This is a lovely touch as once again Grogan shares his memories with us and gives a sense that he wants Marley to be as much a part of our lives as he was of his.

Praise

This book is heartwarming and touching, a biography that not just focuses on the life on the writer but also on that of his dog who is as much a member of the family as the humans. It reads more like a work of fiction than a biography however this is not a negative. Clearly there can be no other dog like Marley.
Written with love and care Grogan shows us all what unconditional love is.

Price

Retailing in the shops for around five pounds I would say it is definitely worth shopping around on the internet as you should be able to pick it up for a lot cheaper there. Unfortunately I have only read this book once for as beautiful a story as it is, I remember too clearer the sadness I felt after finishing it and therefore haven't yet managed to bring myself to pick it up again!

Grogan has since written a series of books about Marley for children to enjoy as well so if you have kids maybe Marley can become a part of their life too.