• A Big Little Life

  • A Memoir of a Joyful Dog Named Trixie
  • By: Dean Koontz
  • Narrated by: Christopher Lane
  • Length: 6 hrs and 37 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (1,272 ratings)

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A Big Little Life  By  cover art

A Big Little Life

By: Dean Koontz
Narrated by: Christopher Lane
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Publisher's summary

In a profound, funny, and beautifully rendered portrait of a beloved companion, best-selling novelist Dean Koontz remembers the golden retriever who changed his life.

A retired service dog, Trixie was three when Dean and his wife, Gerda, welcomed her into their home. She was superbly trained, but her greatest gifts couldn’t be taught: her keen intelligence, her innate joy, and an uncanny knack for living in the moment. Whether chasing a tennis ball or protecting those she loved, Trixie gave all she had to everything she did, inspiring Dean and Gerda to trust their instincts and recapture a sense of wonder that will remain with them always. Trixie lived fewer than 12 years; in this wide world, she was a little thing. But in every way that mattered, she lived a big life.

©2011 Dean Koontz (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A humorous, poignant portrait of [a] remarkable dog." ( Kirkus Reviews)
"One dog book that everyone... will deeply enjoy.” ( Booklist)
"A delightful read...an unusually effective brief for the joy that dogs bring us.” ( The American Spectator)

What listeners say about A Big Little Life

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great story well read

like listening to a story told by a friend. felt part of his family. well done.

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TRixie

Was done beautifully!!! I plan to hear this book again and recommend it to others

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Very well wrote! I love it so much! emotional!

It was a very well wrote story! the narrator was amazing! it feels like you are in the story! It a good story for a family and would recommend it very much. A little sad but mostly happy😁
10000000/10

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  • MJ
  • 02-08-21

Wonderful

What a joy it was to silence to. The story reminds every dog owner who have loved and lost their dogs what a wonder each was in their own way. True human growth can always be enhanced by love of a dog.

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Humbled

I was humbled by this story and found myself reflecting upon how my own little life can better serve and encourage others. What an incredible love - what a wonderful blessing.

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A wonderful story

Brought up so many memories of all our dogs. Good memories and funny little things dogs do that go unnoticed by the average owner. Not Dean Koontz- oh no he picks up on why we love our dogs so very much. Thoughts of spoof, Berg, duchess, Bronson, small breet, Becca breet, Bandit the erobe, ruby bring me so much joy and our sheepdog Gracie and dude the golden who I can’t wait to get home to see tonight. Thank you Trixie for a wonderful big life.

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Delightfully warm and fuzzy!

This is one of the best books I have ever listened to. The story is wonderful and sweet! Trixie seemed like a pure joy to have around. She was lucky to have such loving "parents" and they were just as lucky to have such a great "daughter." My favorite part is her classroom antics. She certainly lends proof to the magic a dog can bring to your life.

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  • K
  • 11-30-22

Beautifully written memoir to a beautiful soul

Touched my heart. Dean Koontz is a master at his craft but it was wonderful to be invited in to the story of their sweet girl.

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Amazing

Have enjoyed the work of Dean Koontz since first reading LIGHTNING. Admiration extended further upon reading STRANGERS. Cannot explain the emotions pulled from my subconscious when I read WATCHERS.

WATCHERS is the book that will make you fall in love with tue Golden Retriever breed. This book shows you why.

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Breezy, Lovely collection of memories

I do not rate with 5’s often but this book was a joy, weaving memories of the authors life with that of Trixie…. made all the better with the delightful narration of Christopher Lane. Just the book to kick off the summer season.

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