Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

In the best of all possible worlds, the spirit of Marley would somehow return and write his own version of life with the Grogan tribe. But even in this best of worlds, Marley's innocence and goodness of heart would prevent him from writing the scathing retort Mr. Grogan deserves. Having disliked the book, I checked out the customer reviews here before I wrote mine. Out of the [presently] 554 reviews, only 25 gave the book one star and went on to discuss the essence of this book: a shallow, self-absorbed, and stupidly arch litany of revelations about "the world's worst dog"--in reality, a normal Labrador Retriever. Perhaps the majority of readers were blinded by their own good-heartedness; perhaps they just plucked out the charms of Marley and didn't dwell on the darker themes that lard the tale. I think most readers must have dwelt on passages that echo their own love of dogs and ignored the rest. The other one-star reviewers have itemized most of the Grogan's shortcomings as Marley's owners--most spectacularly, their leaving an old, ailing, uncomprehending, kennel-fearer in a kennel while they enjoy the thrills of Disney World. I would like to add my own worst moment of repugnance. On their return drive from vacation, they receive a call from the kennel when they are only 4 hours from home. One of the vet's workers tells them that Marley's doing poorly. Marley, the dog who has a history of coming home from kennels gaunt and raw-nosed from trying to get out of cages: Marley, who has a history of serious medical problems; Marley, whom they so love. And Marley who, by the way, they have left behind in the Vet's 24-hour intensive care unit because he's so ill. When do the Grogans pick Marley up from the kennel? Truly, the next day. I suppose they were too full of Disney afterglow, too road-weary to make a beeline to their suffering companion. Yes, this book upset me a lot. I have to indulge in another rant about an example of Grogan's shallow heartlessness and denial. After Marley has been put to sleep, Grogan reflects that at least the procedure had been peaceful and painless, ignoring the three prior, painful attempts to remove Marley's stomach blockage and the insertion of a catheter through the dog's ribs. As literature, this book is written from a tunnel-visioned, self-serving perspective that casts shame on its author. A good read if you're into being horrified. Toward the end of Marley and Me, Grogan speaks of the life lessons--loyalty, courage, devotion, simplicity, joy--that Marley taught him. This was the first laugh I got out of the book.