There is no dog review

Title: There is no dog

Author: Meg Rosoff

Release date: 4^th August 2011

Publisher: Puffin

In the beginning there was Bob.

and Bob created the heavens and the earth,

and the beasts of the field,

and the creatures of the sea,

and twenty-five million other species,

including lots of gorgeous girls.

And all of this he created in just six days.

Six days! Congratulations, Bob.

No wonder Earth is such a mess.

Imagine that God is a typical teenage boy.

He is lazy, careless, self-obsessed, sex-mad – and about to meet Lucy, the most beautiful girl on earth.

Unfortunately, whenever Bob falls in love, disaster follows.

Let us pray that Bob does not fall in love with Lucy.

Bob is a teenage boy full of raging hormones and testosterone. He also happens to be the God of a little planet called Earth. Bob doesn't realise that he has to be attentive to his creations and often doesn't get up til midday, leaving his assistant, Mr B to get on with running the planet. But what happens when Mr B resigns? Can Bob ever restore humanity's faith in God?

This book caught my eye a few months ago because of its unusual title and the fact that it was also available in Playaway format at my local library. (Playaways are audio books stored on an MP3 player so they are easier to carry on the go). I must admit I couldn't get into the audio (although I do struggle with audio books at times) but was hooked with the book straight away. The book opens with a humorous quote from Stephen King which sets the tone of the book immediately.

This book had a Terry Pratchett feel to it and was very amusing throughout. I could just imagine the third person narrative being used as a voice over to a discworld film. The way each character is described with all their flaws gives the narrator a definitive character. However, I would add that Rosoff still has her own unique style and the book merely manages to capture Pratchett's hilarious and blunt omnipotent voice rather than mirroring his work. 

My favourite character was Estelle as she manages to command the page without doing or saying anything vitally important. She is a brilliant example of a magical supporting character. With her help, Mr B realises that he has more to offer the people of earth than Bob ever could do and helps offer a happy ending to the tale.

I found the book really funny and engaging with a variety of plot twists and a collection of well developed characters. The book works so well as a completed piece because each element of the novel is captivating and so well thought out. Rosoff has produced something that I would recommend for all readers, whether you are a fan of Pratchett or not.  

5/5 Something unusual that will appeal to fans of good, creative literature.