My Dog Tulip

By: J. R. Ackerley

Narrated by: Ralph Cosham

Distinguished British man of letters J. R. Ackerley hardly thought himself a dog lover when, well into middle age, he came into possession of a German shepherd named Tulip. To his surprise, she turned out to be the love of his life, the “ideal friend” he had been seeking in vain for years. My Dog Tulip is a bittersweet retrospective account of their 16-year companionship, as well as a profound and subtle meditation on the strangeness that lies at the heart of all relationships. In vivid and sometimes startling detail, Ackerley tells of Tulip’s often erratic behavior and very canine tastes and of his own fumbling but determined efforts to ensure for her an existence of perfect happiness.

My Dog Tulip has been adapted to screen as a major animated feature film with a cast that includes Christopher Plummer, Lynn Redgrave, and Isabella Rossellini. It has been heralded as “a stroke of genius” by New York Magazine and “the love story of the year” by Vanity Fair.

©1965 Joe Randolph Ackerley (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“One of the greatest books ever written by anybody in the world.” (Truman Capote)

Quirky Book for True Dog Lovers

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would recommend this for someone who is a true dog lover. The author is a little weird in his obsession with having his dog Tulip mated.

What does Ralph Cosham bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The proper British accent and attitude.

Do you think My Dog Tulip needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No, we know enough about Tulip.

Disappointing

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I had heard that this was an excellent dog book, written by a man who loved his dog. I'm not sorry that I read it to satisfy my curiosity. However, I wouldn't recommend it and I certainly won't listen to it again. Ackerley seemed completely fixated on Tulip's elimination and reproductive functions. I know those things are part of owning a dog and can be amusing. They were quite funny in this book the first several times he described them. However, there are many other things that go into a person's relationship with their dog, and the book barely addressed them. Ackerley clearly loved Tulip, but I found myself shouting,

What does Ralph Cosham bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

Ralph Cosham convincingly spoke in Ackerley's voice. I probably wouldn't have finished the book in print form. The narration improved the experience.

Could you see My Dog Tulip being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

My Dog Tulip was made into an animated movie. I watched it before reading the book and thought they did an excellent job. It was actually more entertaining than the book. I had hoped for more depth from the book, but unfortunately I got only more vivid descriptions of Tulip's bladder and bowel issues along with her sexual frustration.

Any additional comments?

Save your time and watch the movie.

Interesting Story About Human/Canine Relationship

I love dogs and dog stories and have listened to many. This one was not one of the more emotionally compelling ones, but the writing was good (although a bit challenging to get used to) and I learned a lot of "dog stuff" I didn't know. The owner's love for his dog is clearly and touchingly described. Worth a listen.

A Positive View of a German Shepard aka Alsatians

A very interesting true story that I found from a review in The Week Magazine. However, Mr. Ackerley's love and care of his dog, Tulip, was more obsessive in ways that made me uncomfortable. Specifically his fascination with Tulip's sexual behavior. It just struck me as weird. No question that he was dedicated to the happiness of Tulip, but he was oblivious to or misinterpreted some of her needs. I recommend this book only to the most ardent dog lovers who can overlook Ackerley's eccentricities.

Recording Errors

There were unexplained skips in this recording- not in the time stamp but in the sense of the words being read. It makes me wonder what was left out— and the ending was so abrupt that it feels like the material must have been abridged.