I've been looking forward to this blog tour for a while and I'm happy to be finally sharing my review of Dan Knew by F J Curlew as part of the blog tour.
Dan Knew
A Ukrainian street dog is rescued from certain death by an expat family. As he travels to new countries with them a darkness grows and he finds himself narrating more than just his story. More than a dog story. Ultimately it's a story of escape and survival but maybe not his.
The world through Wee Dan's eyes is told in a voice that will stay with you long after you turn that last page.
The animals in this book are all real, as are their stories. The people's names have been changed to protect their privacy. Fact or fiction? Well, dogs can't talk, can they?
My Review
Oh boy, this book! This book tore my heart out and made me fall in love all within 331 pages. I warn you that you will need tissues both for tears of laughter and sorrow.
I was so naive going into Dan Knew, I was aware that it was a book from the perspective of a dog, but I tend not to read the synopsis just before reading a book as I like to try and go in knowing as little as possible. What I didn't know was that this was a book that not only looked at life and the world through the eyes of a different species, but also took a look at how complicated and heartbreaking life is.
The writing is very well done and though it is through the eyes of a dog, it's very easy to read and it's interesting to see how F J Curlow has imagined (or did Dan really talk) that Dan saw and understood the world. I was sucked in from the first page and I had to drag myself away when it was time to put the book down as I became so invested in the lives of Dan and his family, both human and canine alike. Each character is captured beautifully and I've come away feeling like I really knew each and every one of them.
I thoroughly enjoyed Dan Knew and I recommend this to absolutely everyone!
I gave this book 5 stars.
About The Author
Fiona dropped out of school aged 15, because being the consummate rebel, she hated it! After becoming a single parent she decided to return to education, graduating in 1996 with an honours degree in primary education. Ah, the irony!
As soon as she graduated she packed everything she owned into her Renault 11, including her daughter, two dogs and a cat, and headed off to Estonia to become an international school teacher. After fifteen years of teaching, predominantly in Eastern Europe, she returned to the UK .
She now lives on the east coast of Scotland with two Scottish rescue dogs and a disgruntled Portuguese cat.
Fiona is the author of two books:
To Retribution – A love story/political thriller set in times of turmoil.
Dan Knew – A fictionalised account of her travels told through the eyes of Dan, her rescued Ukrainian street dog.
Don't Forget To Check Out The Rest Of The Tour
Thank you so much Helen for this beautiful review :)
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