A national bestseller combining the emotional depth of The Art of Racing in the Rain with the magical spirit of The Life of Pi, “Lily and the Octopus is the dog book you must read this summer” (The Washington Post). Ted–a gay, single, struggling writer is stuck: unable to open himself up to intimacy except through the steadfast companionship of Lily, his elderly dachshund. When Lily’s health is … Lily, his elderly dachshund. When Lily’s health is compromised, Ted vows to save her by any means necessary. By turns hilarious and poignant, an adventure with spins into magic realism and beautifully evoked truths of loss and longing, Lily and the Octopus reminds us how it feels to love fiercely, how difficult it can be to let go, and how the fight for those we love is the greatest fight of all.
Introducing a dazzling and completely original new voice in fiction and an unforgettable hound that will break your heart–and put it back together again. Remember the last book you told someone they had to read? Lily and the Octopus is the next one. “Startlingly imaginative…this love story is sure to assert its place in the canine lit pack…Be prepared for outright laughs and searing or silly moments of canine and human recognition. And grab a tissue: “THERE! WILL! BE! EYE! RAIN!” (New York Newsday).
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I am not one to cry at books. EVER. I did not cry at the end of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I did not cry at The Fault in Our Stars. I did not cry at The Time Traveler’s Wife or The Notebook or even Me Before You.
But the end of Lily and the Octopus had me sobbing on my train ride home from work. I had to put the book away because I was certain other commuters would think I was having a mental breakdown. When I got back to my apartment and continued reading, I thought I had collected myself and I would be ok — but I completely lost it and was BAWLING uncontrollably on my couch.
This is an absolutely beautiful novel about a man and his dog. From the opening pages you learn that Lily the dachshund has a tumor on her head, and you know she is going to die. And somehow her death caught me by surprise. There’s some interesting magical realism, as Lily “talks” a lot through the book, but this book just overflows with sweet moments that every dog lover will appreciate.
Even if you don’t want to get invested in a sad book, or think you hate being emotionally manipulated, this is a MUST READ.
OMG. I bought this book because I love a good animal story. This had such a big twist, I was in awe. I think this has to be one of my favorite books ever!!!!!
Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley is a book the crushed me! I had my heart touched gently, soothed, then broken in multiple pieces! Listen with tissues handy! Lily is a little dog and loved by her human so much but she develops a tumor in her head…an “Octopus”! This is the story on Lily, her human, the octopus, and love! Beautifully written and narrated wonderfully by Michael Urie. He was just right for this book. A touching, clever, heartwarming and heartbreaking book of love and growth.
Octopus in the title grabbed my attention and I’m so glad it did! This was one of those stories that I’m glad I took the chance on!
As a dachshund lover …I probably give a little more latitude in my critique. Love the ending but overall a little disappointed.
Very touching and ultimately inspiring. Quite simple tale of how the love of a pet ultimately rescues the main character from his emotional isolation. If you’re not a dog person then maybe skip this one. But if a dog ever made you feel thankful for it’s companionship then you’ll probably be amused and comforted by this story.
Beautiful reflection on grief, by way of the loss of a much-loved pet. Sad, funny, poignant.
There should be a way to give it 4.5 Stars! I give less than a 5 Star because
I must admit that I thought “Ted” was a bit “off his rocker” about the Octopus – and he was seeing a ” counselor”. It was a great read and I definitely had “rain drops falling on my eyes” and enjoyed the whole trip.
Loved this book and I’m not a dog person! This was amazing!
Loved it, the main character is original, yet we have all known someone who fits this mold.
A disappointment. Self absorbed male worries more about himself than his dying dog. It was nothing like “Racing in the Rain.”
As a fur mother of 3 dachshunds, this book really called out to me. Especially with one of my own becoming older and entering his golden years. Definately brought a few familiar giggles as well as tears. Amazing story
I appreciated the heartfelt story, but it got a little exaggerated and dragged on too long.
Original and compelling
There were moments of fantasy and sadness. It focused on the connection of a person and a dog and the sorrow of loss.
I don’t know how to rate this book. I loved the beginning and I loved the end. I loved the family dynamics.
I’ve been there — dogs with seizures, dogs with tumors, blind dogs, old dogs — even one that does “talk”: I hear his responses in my head! I get all that.
What I did not get was the “ocean voyage” and battling the octopus. That part just got wilder and wilder, as I wracked my brain trying to identify the metaphor. (I couldn’t)
Lily was diagnosed around New Years. The “ocean voyage” happened mid-summer. Ted got a lot more time to come to grips with this than a lot of us do. He should appreciate every precious moment. Like a lot of other readers, I did tear up at the end. But I’m glad I got this book from the library and didn’t spend money on it.
It doesn’t matter that we anthropomorphise our pets, give them personalities and whatever, because most of all, we give them our unconditional love.
Steven Rowley has written a moving story of the love he has for Lily and how he tries to cope with the inevitability of demise in old age. Anyone who has ever loved an animal will see themselves in the protagonist. We love our life partner, our children, our family and yet it is often a pet that will teach us our first lesson in unconditional love, empathy, kindness and compassion. It is often a pet that will introduce us to the finiteness of life and to grief.
Rowley has written something amazing; more meaningful than Life if Pii, deeper than Marley and Me. “Lily and the Octopus” expresses a grief that anyone who has ever had a pet die, will recognise. Even if you’ve never had a pet, you will still recognise the power of his love for Lily.
I especially enjoyed the literary references and the metaphors the Rowley has embedded in the story. This is a very good literary novel. Absolutely loved it.
A book about love and loss. Okay it is between a man and his dog but the emotions involved are the same. This book is a charmer.
I loved this book! I don’t usually read tear jerkers, but we just lost our red dachshund 3 months ago, and Lily was so like our Little Miss! I cried, but am so glad I read it. I won’t give away the ending, but it was very much as it should be.
I loved this book; even when I realized that it was going to end sadly I kept on reading right through the very realistic last hours of Lily’s death (I’ve been through this experience).
The book is humorous as well; I loved Lily’s speaking with ! marks between words — I didn’t get tired of it.
And Lily’s owner grows as he learns about love.