The Dog Who Danced

By: Susan Wilson

Narrated by: Fred Berman, Christina Delaine

Length: 10 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's Summary

From the New York Times best-selling author of One Good Dog comes a novel about a woman’s cross-country journey to find her lost dog and discover herself.

If there’s been a theme in Justine Meade’s life, it’s loss. Her mother, her home, even her son. The one bright spot in her loss-filled life, the partner she could always count on, has always been Mack, her gray and black Sheltie - that is, until she is summoned back to her childhood home after more than 20 years away.

Ed and Alice Parmalee are mourning a loss of their own. Seven years after their daughter was taken from them, they’re living separate lives together - dancing around each other, and their unspeakable heartbreak, unable to bridge the chasm left between them.

Fiercely loyal, acutely perceptive and guided by a herd dog’s instinct, Mack has a way of bringing out the best in his humans. Whether it’s a canine freestyle competition or just the ebb and flow of a family’s rhythms, it’s as though the little Shetland sheepdog was born to bring people together. The Dog Who Danced is his story, one that will surely dance its way into your heart.

©2012 Susan Wilson (P)2012 Macmillan Audio

New Favorite

What made the experience of listening to The Dog Who Danced the most enjoyable?

I've been waiting for a new Susan Wilson ...she weaves our relationships with pets into her characters flawlessly. You find yourself holding your breath waiting for the dog to work his magic.

What did you like best about this story?

The characters are real people with real problems

Which scene was your favorite?

When Mac begins his journey.

If you could rename The Dog Who Danced, what would you call it?

I wouldn't change a thing

Any additional comments?

Now I have to sit... stay until her next book!

11 of 11 people found this review helpful

A must have for my fellow canine lovers!

What a fantastic story- this is the type of story and performance that I can never get enough of.... I laughed, I cried, I smiled.... I thanked the stars above for my own amazing/precious/priceless "good" dog!!!

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

What a wonderful book.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Dog Who Danced to be better than the print version?

Yes

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Dog Who Danced?

The reunion scene. Brought tears to my eyes and tugged at my heart.

Which scene was your favorite?

The ending.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

If you love, or even like dogs, this is a winner.

Any additional comments?

Can't wait to download the next book.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Enjoyable dog novel

After reading and loving Susan Wilson's "One Good Dog," I returned for another of her dog tales. I liked "The Dog Who Danced," but this one did not compare to the former. This is a story about a middle-aged woman (Justine) who gets separated from her dog on a cross country drive to see her dying father. This novel moves between Justine's search for her dog, and dealing with past and present relationships in her life. The other story line follows her dog Mack, who after being lost gets adopted by an older couple who are still lost in grief over the suicide of their only daughter many years ago. The best story lines are the parts with Mack, the dog. The chapters about Justine and her life were interesting enough, but the most emotion in this novel had to do with Mack with both of his families. If you like dog novels, "One Good Dog" and "The Art of Racing in the Rain" are by far the best. "The Dog Who Danced" is still a pleasant way for a dog lover to spend some time with a book. I liked the pace of this novel, and the narrators were easy to listen to.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

My Heart

I loved the story! The suspense kept me on the edge of my chair (car) and I so felt the the anxiety of Justine! I know how I would feel if this was my dog! I will definitely read (listen) more from this author and performer!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Wonderful story.

Wonderful story. Heart breaking, throughout----then finally heart warming. It was really hard to put down this read. Who could not love a dog like this This book really proves the intelligence of our dogs.
I loved this book.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

The choice!

Where does The Dog Who Danced rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I don't write a lot of reviews so usually try to keep them for special books....those that really filled me with thoughtfulness and enjoyment. This one was one of those. It was certainly a winner. The author beautifully described the special bond we form with our animals and how they change us for the better.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Dog Who Danced?

The end. Won't insert a spoiler but it must be said, "the choice" was there 'til the end.......

Any additional comments?

Highly recommend. Not only for "animal people" but for all of us who continue to grow and learn and love. :)

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Easy to listen

I just loved this book, but you need to be a "dog-person" to understand it. Sometimes I have difficulties in getting into the story - this one was easy from the beginning. Well read - easy for a non-englishspeaking listner

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Not in the same class as One Good Dog.

Would you try another book from Susan Wilson and/or Fred Berman and Christina Delaine ?

I might try another book from the author, because I loved One Good Dog, but not based on this book. Fred Berman's narration is not too bad, but Christina Delaine performance grated on me, like finger nails on a blackboard.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

While this book is not terrible its not in the same class as One Good Dog. I am not sure this story could be saved, I think the plot is rather weak.

What aspect of Fred Berman and Christina Delaine ’s performance would you have changed?

Christina Delaine voicing of Justine.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Great Road Trip Entertainment

My mother and I listened to this book over the course of a weekend road trip. We're both "dog people," but I don't like overly sentimental books or blatantly manipulative tear-jerkers. This book had an interesting story that kept our interest to the very end. In fact, we listened to the last several minutes sitting in our driveway.

For those of you who don't like sad endings, this one shouldn't be a problem for you. Without spoiling it for you, I can say I felt the ending made sense and was actually what my mother and I had both said would be the best solution to a difficult problem.

The main characters in this book were well rounded and interesting, and even secondary characters who started out as stereotypes were mostly revealed as flawed people who had reasons for the things they did.

I enjoyed this book greatly and will look for other titles by this author.

10 of 17 people found this review helpful