Lester M. (ThreeCats) reviewed Rescuing Sprite: A Dog Lover's Story of Joy and Anguish on + 34 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 10
I think this is not going to be a popular review. Also, it contains a ***spoiler***.
This book is not "Marley and Me." This book is poorly written and the only emotion it provoked in me was disgust at the author's self-centered attitude. His central theme is how the long final illness and death of the dog affected him, and he includes as evidence long quotes of emails and IMs from his friends, with considerable name-dropping and what seemed to be the promotion of his blog and radio program.
The writing is pedestrian. Short sentences. Paragraphs full of short, choppy sentences describing scenery or the furnishings of his house. The author never tells us what Sprite was like, what made this dog unique, only what his own reactions were to Sprite's horrific illness and finally, thank heaven and St. Francis for mercy, death.
If you think you must read this book, consider checking it out of the library.
This book is not "Marley and Me." This book is poorly written and the only emotion it provoked in me was disgust at the author's self-centered attitude. His central theme is how the long final illness and death of the dog affected him, and he includes as evidence long quotes of emails and IMs from his friends, with considerable name-dropping and what seemed to be the promotion of his blog and radio program.
The writing is pedestrian. Short sentences. Paragraphs full of short, choppy sentences describing scenery or the furnishings of his house. The author never tells us what Sprite was like, what made this dog unique, only what his own reactions were to Sprite's horrific illness and finally, thank heaven and St. Francis for mercy, death.
If you think you must read this book, consider checking it out of the library.
Helpful Score: 5
Oh, boy, is this book a tear-jerker! But I am glad to have read it.
Angela N. (arnichols) reviewed Rescuing Sprite: A Dog Lover's Story of Joy and Anguish on + 33 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
This is definately a must-read for animal lovers. It will pull at your heart strings. It is written very simply, so everyone can understand this man's emotions.
A++
A++
Gini F. (passionforbooks) -
Helpful Score: 3
Maybe, for some, the writing style isn't up to Mark's usual excellence, but the book came across to me as an emotional outlet for the grief he felt over his beloved pet's decline and subsequent death. His memories of the acquisition of this dog, and of the new dog are precious. The struggles of properly caring for a dog despite the schedules in a busy household was delightful. And most of all, Mark nails it on the head when he describes the anguish you feel and the steps you must take when you make the difficult decision to end the suffering in the life of an animal that you dearly love.
Holly S. (Holly1970) reviewed Rescuing Sprite: A Dog Lover's Story of Joy and Anguish on + 12 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
i absolutely loved this book. for those of you who have and love dogs, you will understand and know what it means when you lose them. it is very well written and yes, i cried when i read it. (which means it was a good book) this book will touch your heart and soul.
Sue E. (Susanaque) -
Helpful Score: 2
A must read book if you have ever had to put a pet to sleep. Sprite was really something else.
Cleta P. (Cleta) reviewed Rescuing Sprite: A Dog Lover's Story of Joy and Anguish on + 6 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
You definitely need a box of tissues. Especially if you are like me and have an older, rescue pet.
It is a wonderful story of a families love for a dog and the dog's love for his family.
Rescuing Sprite is now being passed around to all my family members.
It is a wonderful story of a families love for a dog and the dog's love for his family.
Rescuing Sprite is now being passed around to all my family members.
Helpful Score: 1
Sorry I don't get what all the hype about this book is. I kept waiting for it it to start and it never really did. The author seemed more intent to drop names in his book and describe his declining personal health then talk about Rescuing Sprite.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a very boring book. Very basic details of this dog's life and the author's anguish over his death, which is understandable, but at some point you have to pull up your bootstraps and get on with life. The author dwells too much on his depression while the rest of his family has gotten on with living.
Helpful Score: 1
This must have been a very difficult book for Mr. Levin to write. It was not his normal writing style and obvious that the words came straight from his heart. We recently lost one of our own dogs from a sudden and untimely illness and found Mr. Levin's experiences in Sprite's last days to be very close to our own as we were losing her. It was heartwrenching to read, but I'm grateful he was able to share his story. Hopefully this story will inspire others to give good homes to rescue dogs.
Terri E. (stocktonmalonefan) - reviewed Rescuing Sprite: A Dog Lover's Story of Joy and Anguish on + 58 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
If you are a dog lover--you will love this book! As most dog stories go, it is very emotional, even heart-breaking. The story also has so much love and joy in it. It touched me deeply. I would recommend it to everyone who loves dogs.
Nancy B. (NancyBGramalabama) reviewed Rescuing Sprite: A Dog Lover's Story of Joy and Anguish on + 30 more book reviews
Well, if you want to cry through an entire book you better decide to do it in 1 day or over the course of 2 days. It was a great book as I had just lost my rescued Pug, Bailey and my yellow Lab, Jake. Both were adopted by us Jake, was 1 when we adopted him as his family couldn't take care of him properly and Bailey was a breeding Pug in the boon docks. Bailey was flea infested, had a urinary tract infection, had to have teeth extracted and her nose clipped and throat attended for better breathing all within a couple of months from adopting her. When my husband showed up to look at Jake he mistakenly left the van door open and as soon as Jake met my husband he ran and jumped into the van. The family was going to give Jake to someone else and my husband convinced them to sell him to us. Both dogs were loved as much as Sprite and Pepsi. Both dogs loved all of the new grandchildren. As each baby came into our lives each dog took care of the babies slept under their cribs, worried about them when they went into the pool, cleaned up under the high chairs and went on many stroller walks with us. Bailey sat underneath the stroller when she got to tired. It took us 3 years to find a new dog Buddy, a Labradoodle. This book was great but a tear jerker all the way through. Mark did a great job of reminiscing. It's nice to know so many people care about animals. Whew it is going to take me a day to recover. I still have both of my dogs in a ginger jar together on our mantle.
Gen F. (Gen) reviewed Rescuing Sprite: A Dog Lover's Story of Joy and Anguish on + 20 more book reviews
Wonderful.
Made me cry.
Made me cry.
Ed (LazerFlash) -
The story of the Levin family and their interactions with the dogs they've shared their lives with is a sad tail (pun, intended) that most dog lovers can relate to. Mark Levin has a real talent for reliving his experiences and putting them down in words. "Rescuing Sprite" Was a 'hard' read for me - I just couldn't read it at the normal speed with which I devour books. I often found myself choking up and reliving times & events from my own life with the critters who have shared my life with me. In my mind, this is the true gift of this book. I highly recommend "Rescuing Sprite" to all pet owners, although it's probably not the best read for those who have recently lost a beloved pet. Also, beware - you will need to have a tissue or two handy as you read parts of this book. ;-)
Oh, and for those who have certain preconceptions about RP Rush Limbaugh, you will be seriously rethinking them after reading this book. 'Nuf said about that; read the book and find out what I mean by that. :-P
Oh, and for those who have certain preconceptions about RP Rush Limbaugh, you will be seriously rethinking them after reading this book. 'Nuf said about that; read the book and find out what I mean by that. :-P
Jeannie H. (ilovebooksanddogs) -
The author poured his heart and soul into this book which I hoped helped him get through his grief. Short but sweet, I loved the simplicity of his writing, I think it made the book flow well. If you are an animal lover and/or share your heart with one then this is a must read.
John O. (buzzby) -
I guess his handlers thought they needed to show Levin's warm, fuzzy side.
Melissa M. (sassenach) reviewed Rescuing Sprite: A Dog Lover's Story of Joy and Anguish on + 18 more book reviews
I didn't enjoy this book, and if it hadn't been so short wouldn't even have finished it. The writing was terribly simple and flat. The author also seemed to be very self-centered and concerned only with dropping the names of his famous friends.
If you want a wonderful book about people's relationships with their dogs, read Marley and Me.
If you want a wonderful book about people's relationships with their dogs, read Marley and Me.
Rebecca W. (vizslalady) reviewed Rescuing Sprite: A Dog Lover's Story of Joy and Anguish on + 169 more book reviews
This book will make you laugh and cry. Anyone who has ever loved a dog will enjoy this book. Anyone grieving the death of a dog will want to read this book. And if you have dogs now, this book will help you to treasure them even more.
Carrie E. C. (cef424) reviewed Rescuing Sprite: A Dog Lover's Story of Joy and Anguish on + 67 more book reviews
This was a wonderful book!
Nicole B. (CreativeType) reviewed Rescuing Sprite: A Dog Lover's Story of Joy and Anguish on + 3 more book reviews
I ordered this book for a friend who lost her dog recently. My husband had heard Mark Levin on the radio, and knew many callers said the book really helped them with the grieving. He read the book as well and said it brought tears to his eyes. It is a simple read, but nice. My neighbor reported back that the book is very cathartic, and helped her be able to adopt a pet sooner than she would have been able to.
Katie W. (katiedawn) reviewed Rescuing Sprite: A Dog Lover's Story of Joy and Anguish on + 7 more book reviews
A true tear jerker! As per the previous comments ... it is mainly based about the authors journey and secondly about the dog. But all in all I did like the book.
Sharon T. (r801) reviewed Rescuing Sprite: A Dog Lover's Story of Joy and Anguish on + 122 more book reviews
The title gives away the ending of the book, but there is so much joy, fun, and happiness between the pages. Sprite (Spritey), brings a love to the Levin household that animal lovers can identify with and Mr. Levin is honest with all the stages we go through with the introduction of a new pet in our home to the grief when we loose them and all the fun times in between those two events. Thank you for sharing your journey with us!
Erika S. (BusyTeach) reviewed Rescuing Sprite: A Dog Lover's Story of Joy and Anguish on + 6 more book reviews
I could not get through the entire book. It was poorly written -- shame on the editor! I thought it would to Marley and Me - now that was a good book! Unfortunately, I couldn't wait to get rid of it!
Jeanie G. (Dabbadooey) reviewed Rescuing Sprite: A Dog Lover's Story of Joy and Anguish on + 90 more book reviews
I have to agree with several reviwers who said the book was poorly written. I didn't feel that I came to know the dog at all. I can see why this was not a bestseller.
