Why read Shaggy Muses?

Book cover of Shaggy Muses: The Dogs Who Inspired Virginia Woolf, Emily Dickinson, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Edith Wharton, and Emily Bronte

Book description

“Move over Marley. Make room for Carlo (Emily Dickinson's giant Newfoundland). Or Flush (Elizabeth Barrett Browning's golden cocker spaniel). Or, maybe, Keeper (Emily Bronte's intimidating mastiff mix). In self-contained chapters of "Shaggy Muses," the work of each author is viewed intimately within the context of the canine companions who provided…

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Why read it?

1 author picked Shaggy Muses as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Rona Maynard

Author

Emily Dickinson composed poetry aloud while walking her Newfoundland, Carlo.

Edith Wharton wrote in bed, surrounded by the lapdogs she adored.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning was a housebound invalid until the “dognapping” of her cocker spaniel, Flush, drew her into one of London’s most dangerous corners to save the friend of her heart. The escapade set her on the path to independence, marriage to Robert and literary renown.

For each woman profiled in this book, writing was an act of courage. Dogs pulled them forward—if not with their vulnerability to armed criminals, then with their steadfast devotion in the face of…

From Rona's list on the power of loving a dog.