The Dog Stars

This book leans a bit more toward the literary fiction category than do most books I read these days, but it’s among my top five because of two elements it develops, and poignantly so: 1) the constant threat of death for not only the narrator but also others he knows, and 2) a love story.

And the love story, much as it got to me emotionally, never once struck me as sappy. Instead, it was very realistic. Very human. Very no-b.s. As a result, altogether, this novel offers terrific storytelling.

Blunt and perturbed, Heller’s inspirational tale astonishes and delights with laughter in this cringeworthy and vulnerable novel that will have you rereading passages with a lump in your gut. One of my most powerful reads in years, The Dog Stars reminds us of the fragile society we live in, and how it all could change with marshal law survival at stake. Trust no one, leave no trace, and fly the airplane like your life truly depends on it. As a professional pilot, I found the aviation scenes accurate and believable, even with a dropped jaw of disbelief through the tough… show more.

This is the rare post-apocalyptic novel that not only describes a violent and disturbing future, but also leaves room for hope. The gentle main character, Hig, is not your typical survivor, and in between fighting for his life and dreaming of a better world, I grew to seriously dislike the man. In fact, at several points in the book, I honestly hoped he would be dispatched by one of the violent, club-wielding fellow survivors, and I felt a palpable sense of disappointment when he survived each encounter. Why would I recommend a book where I can’t stand the protagonist (and… show more.

The Dog Stars is eye-opening not only in style but also in concept. The book starts after a deadly virus has wiped out most of humanity, following widower, Hig, and his dog as they make a home in an abandoned airport hangar. One day a transmission comes through the radio on Hig’s Cessna, giving him hope for a better life with people. The most intriguing aspect about this book is Heller’s writing style. It took me a beat to get into the odd formatting and cadence of his story, but once I did, I was completely immersed. His characters are… show more.

If you want a book that creates a post-apocalyptic world where people still care about one another, this is for you. And there is a fully-realized dog, which I love.

Hig is rare among survivors. He’s a good man who wants to do good. When he hears static on the airwaves, he takes the chance of saving somebody. Hig’s willingness to face danger and probable death helps this story pledge a future that’s not just about power and expedience. Ordinary decent humans can survive the end of the world.

Heller’s language is poetic, at times devastating – there’s heartbreak and… show more.

I like to describe this book as The Road but with hope. It’s a simplification, of course, but also gets at the book’s heart: it’s about a man struggling to make a life in a broken, violent world. But he’s a man who can still see beauty, and he finds meaning beyond just putting one foot ahead of the other. My favorite books are the ones that combine strong writing with nail-biting action. This novel has both those things—and more.