Book cover of A Three Dog Life

Book description

When Abigail Thomas's husband, Richard, was hit by a car, it destroyed his short-term memory and consigned him to permanent brain trauma. He had been taking their dog, Harry, out for a walk, and Harry had come home alone. Subject to rages, terrors, and hallucinations, Rich must live the rest…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked A Three Dog Life as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I love this book and keep it on my desk because opening it to any page is to be invited to share the humanity of a writer who knows how to deliver a universal tale through a deeply personal story. Thomas is the master of the short form, creating whole chapters in half a page and taking on grief in this slender, transformative volume.  

From Marion's list on learning to write a great memoir.

This one knocked me to my knees with so many poignant observations of daily life brought into sharp focus. Abigail examines the most mundane moments and polishes them into sentences you want to devour. She writes about love and life and loss with such honesty and beauty, but sprinkled with humor at just the right moment.

This book shows us what it is to be human, to lose a loved one, and how tangled time and emotions and relationships can get, but don’t be fooled, it’s layered and elevated, and honest.

From Vanessa's list on memoirs by badass women with grit.

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