Fifteen Dogs

By: André Alexis

Narrated by: André Alexis

Length: 6 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

"I wonder," said Hermes, "what it would be like if animals had human intelligence."

"I'll wager a year's servitude," answered Apollo, "that animals - any animal you like - would be even more unhappy than humans are if they were given human intelligence."

And so it begins: a bet between the gods Hermes and Apollo leads them to grant human consciousness and language to a group of dogs overnighting at a Toronto veterinary clinic. Suddenly capable of more complex thought, the pack is torn between those who resist the new ways of thinking, preferring the old dog ways, and those who embrace the change. The gods watch from above as the dogs venture into their newly unfamiliar world, as they become divided among themselves, as each struggles with new thoughts and feelings. Wily Benjy moves from home to home, Prince becomes a poet, and Majnoun forges a relationship with a kind couple that stops even the Fates in their tracks.

André Alexis' contemporary take on the apologue offers an utterly compelling and affecting look at the beauty and perils of human consciousness. By turns meditative and devastating, charming and strange, Fifteen Dogs shows you can teach an old genre new tricks.

©2015 André Alexis (P)2016 ECW Press

Critic reviews

"[Alexis] devises an inventive romp through the nature of humanity in this beautiful, entertaining read.... A clever exploration of our essence, communication, and how our societies are organized." (Kirkus Reviews)

"Alexis manages to encapsulate an astonishing range of metaphysical questions in a simple tale about dogs that came to know too much. The result is a delightful juxtaposition of the human and canine conditions, and a narrative that, like just one of the dogs, delights in the twists and turns of the gods' linguistic gift." (Publishers Weekly)

"...I'm far from being a dog person, but as a book person I loved this smart, exuberant fantasy from start to finish." (Jonathan Gibbs, The Guardian)

Very good story but not exactly light-hearted!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it to be a quick and engrossing read. A friend loaned it to me when my dog passed away and I was expecting an uplifting light story about the kindness in dogs. Instead it is an extremely thoughtful - and at times dark - tale about the complexities of human intelligence, with a very poignant ending. I would recommend this to the modern day philosophers and thinkers, and specifically any of you who live in Toronto!

Just wonderful

This was just a wonderful book. It was also beautifully performed. It did make me cry and go hug my fur babies, but it was a brilliantly written novel.

Interesting, touching, and moving story.

What happens when the Greek Gods give 15 dogs human intelligence and the ability to speak as we do? Will they die happy or unhappy? This book takes a look at the nature of dogs, while also making the reader think of human nature, and creates a beautifully written journey of some of man's best friend as they come to terms with their new gifts and the good and the bad that comes from it. I ended up giving this book only three stars although I would probably give it more like three and a half stars instead. I did enjoy the story and was moved by some of it. I did find the book a little slow for my liking and this book is not my usual cup of tea, but I loved how Andre Alexis tied the Greek Gods into this very modern story and I really enjoyed the story being told from the view of the dogs. The only other thing that I struggled with was the speed of the narration of Andre Alexis. The book itself was slow moving and his narration was just as slow and I had to end up listening to this at a faster speed. But with that said Andre Alexis has a beautiful voice that lends emotion to his book and he makes this journey through the book a very relaxed one.

interesting read

I read this at the recommendation of a friend. I really like the concept and the way it followed reality. We are a dog-eat-dog world, and it put that in perspective. I appreciate that I fell in love with some of the characters and mourned when they were gone (I don't think this is a spoiler--we have to expect death when you read the description). I felt the end didn't fit the book--it felt abrupt and didn't mesh with the rest of the story for me. The author was so thoughtful throughout, then it just ended. I am not sure if I would ever read this again, but I am glad I did. I thought the performance was lovely and gave the characters real personalities.

Unexpected gen

Loved it. Cried a little, it made me miss having a dog. The note st the end about the poetry was an unexpected surprise.

Buying this as a Christmas present for some friends.

profoundly moving

This book is remarkable. It is a profoundly moving inquiry into who we are and who we can be as humanity.

Thought provoking

Very intense book. Wonderful narration done by the author. Excellent example of animals living in the moment versus the chaotic challenge of the human brain. Due to intensity I may not reread for quite some time.

Lord of the Fleas

A sort of Lord of the Flies in reverse, in which we see what happens when beasts are bestowed with human intellect.

Fantastic!

Fifteen Dogs is a beautiful and moving narrative. This recording offers a fantastic reading by the author.

I almost loved it

The story of the dogs we get to know is beautiful and the narrator's voice was the perfect accompaniment. I could have done without the gods, their bet and their intervention.