Ghost of A Dog
Ratings1
Average rating4
15
Ratings1
Average rating4
Ghost of A Dog is told in the first person, out of chronological order, and instead in a manner the narrator feels he can emotionally handle. Each chapter almost serves as a story itself as he recounts episodes of his life. It is the dark psychological journey of Vinny Pelletier, who believes he is possessed by the titular spirit, which compels him to kill one person he loves to save the others he loves, or will love, from endless pain. This delusion (or possible reality) is a result of Vinny's emotional immaturity and inability to handle the traumas to which he was subjected in his past, and he fails to get help when he needs it. The novel is a puzzle that solves itself as it inches toward the shocking roots of this delusion and its tragic consequences.
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Full disclosure: the author is a friend of mine. I bought the book with my own money and these are my honest thoughts, but also, like, I'm not an influencer or professional reviewer, so, idk do with that what you will.
Creepy, uncomfortable, and confusing (possibly by design).
Sometimes I struggle with nonlinear storytelling, and other times I can put it together as I go with no trouble. I think it has more to do with my scatterbrain than the media. Here, I definitely did find it a little hard to follow at times, as the main character, Vinny, jumps around recalling events throughout his life. There are still a few plot points that I haven't quite resolved in my mind with any certainty. However, for me it seemed more like a compelling feature of the narrative. In concert with the varying pace and tone, I felt it really served to illustrate Vinny's state of mind and his increasing state of distress and defeated acceptance.
I skimmed back through randomly and re-read my highlights afterward and picked up some connections that I'd missed at first, and that was very neat to find. I suspect that this would likely get richer on a second reading.
It's definitely an uncomfortable book to read, as there are quite a few scenarios and Vinny's reflections on some topics or people that genuinely raise an eyebrow or make you squirm in your seat, which for me worked in favor of the building dread.
I think you're looking for a taut and restrained psychological horror that resists tying things up in a neat bow, then this might be right up your alley. If you like your horror straight-forward and free of difficult subject matter, you might want to tread carefully.
