Book 41: The Dogs of Littlefield by Suzanne Berne
Book 41: The Dogs of Littlefield.
Author: Suzanne Berne, 2013.
Genre: Contemporary. Literary.Relationship Drama.
Other Details: Paperback. 288 pages.
Littlefield, Massachusetts, named one of the Ten Best Places to Live in America, full of psychologists and college professors, is proud of its fine schools, its girls' soccer teams, its leafy streets and quaint village centre. Yet no sooner has sociologist Dr Clarice Watkins arrived in Littlefield to study the elements of 'good quality of life' than someone begins poisoning the town's dogs. Are the poisonings in protest to an off-leash proposal for Baldwin Park - the subject of much town debate - or the sign of a far deeper disorder? - synopsis from UK publisher's website.
This was not really my kind of book though it was quite an enjoyable read nonetheless. It was long-listed for the 2014 Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction and fits for me into a genre I would term as Literary Chick-Lit.
While the sociologist is mentioned in the synopsis the main focus is upon the life of Margaret Downing and her family and friends. The novel focuses on the kinds of issues facing the residents of an affluent small town in the USA. I tend not to like books where there are animals deaths such as the poisonings here though I felt they were handled sensitively.
There are likely deeper elements that may emerge when discussed at our reading group. However, due to a special event in April this will not take place until the end of May though will update the review after that meeting.
Cross-posted to 50bookchallenge.