Just Life

As a general rule, I typically decline any and all books to do with dogs because they just give me too many feels…..good bad or otherwise!

However, there was something about this one that sounded really intriguing…..maybe it was the hint of a scientific type of story line…..I don’t know but something just said ‘read me’ about this book.

An unidentified virus is spreading through the New York City neighborhood of Riverside, near Central Park.

Despite the desperate need for answers, the medical community can only determine the cause is zoonotic, suggesting birds one day and dogs the next as the possible source.

Despite the lack of information, the politically ambitious governor orders the National Guard to enforce a quarantine of all dogs. At the heart of this conflict, veterinarian Samantha Lewis is struggling to keep her no-kill shelter open.

She finds support in a motley crew of friends that range from a local priest, to a troubled nineteen-year-old emancipated foster child, to a former psychologist whose life was destroyed by addiction. But the one person that Sam needs is the last one she’d ever want to call on–and contacting him will mean confronting every painful memory of her past.

While this is a wonderfully written novel that will move you in many ways…..it gave me just too many feels! I was torn between wanting to finish it but the sweet cuddly dogs that needed protecting were just doing me in! I can’t stand to see sick animals or anything like that….it does me in every time and when I am reading I don’t want to book that makes me cry. Yet at the same time there was just something about this book that kept me hooked….feels and all!

This book was complex and multi layered. It was so much more than just a book about pets and science–it was a book about faith and relationships as well. There was an element of suspense to the story which I also felt was well done. The characters were not cliche in any way, even the villain of the story was complicated and didn’t fit into the traditional ‘villain’ category. She simply felt that she had a purpose so you couldn’t fully dislike her.

Sam as a main character was wonderful! I loved her. Her tenacity was admirable and her ability to face a traumatic past won me over as a reader. I love characters who win me over and show their worth on the pages!

I have never read anything by this author nor am I familiar with his writing style etc. I was impressed with his level of knowledge on humanitarian issues. He made me think about how our society addresses issues like animal abuse etc. It made me question what I would do if there was a viral outbreak and I had to choose between my dog and the virus etc. This would be an interesting book to debate in a political science class or something similar.

A couple of things to note, there was a lot of profanity in the book…..for me personally it didn’t bother me but I know some readers are sensitive to things like that so just something to keep in mind if you are considering reading this book. The other thing I didn’t especially like was the cover of the novel. I know that sounds trivial but for me a catching cover is important. I would have liked the dog to be a little more eye catching.

With the darker colors of the police and the person holding the dog on the cover, I felt his brown coat got lost. I would have liked to have seen a lighter shirt on the guy holding the dog so there was more of a contrast. I am not a huge fan of ‘real life’ photos on the covers of books so I wondered if maybe just a picture of the dog would have worked better than a whole scene? Not sure but the cover just didn’t grab me like I had hoped and this is a really wonderful read (feels and all) and I felt like I would probably have passed it up based on the wanting cover.

If you are looking for a read that will make you think and question some of your social values and also inspire you then this is a great choice! I really liked this one even though I got a little emotional over the dogs, it was a thrilling read!

Challenge/Book Summary:

Book: Just Life by Neil Abramson

Kindle Edition Published May 10th 2016 by Center Street ASIN B0151YQUIK Review copy provided by: Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This book counts toward: NA

Hosted by: NA Books for Challenge Completed: NA Recommendation: 4 out of 5

Genre: animals, contempo fiction

Memorable lines/quotes: NA

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing this review copy.

Imagine a neighborhood in Manhattan in the grips of panic over a virus – one that is killing children and could possibly be spread by dogs. Imagine a shelter vet pushed to her breaking point by lack of money and no lack of politics. Add in a priest who may be losing his faith, an orphaned teen, and a few stray dogs who need homes.

Put yourself in the shoes of the veterinarian, who deeply loves her faltering shelter and all the dogs who call it home. Feel the only emotions that seem to be present in the first half of the book: incredible sadness, defeat, and frustration. Think about the sources of help available to you: none. At least none you can trust.

Welcome to JUST LIFE.

Not a happy, comfortable read, for sure. It is, however, a thought provoking and emotional story about making choices, standing up for what you believe in, letting go of your personal demons, and learning to trust.

Each character is deeply flawed but holds a spark inside them: the priest who throws a rock through his own church window because he is feeling distant from his Savior; the teen who was abused in foster homes and who is determined to save all the dogs at risk, no matter what; the assistant deputy mayor who is practicing good politics by shutting down the shelter. The sun in their world is Sam, the veterinarian who gives everything she has to the stray dogs, her only family.

As the virus swirls around the neighborhood the tension ratchets up, and Sam is forced to make hard choices to save the dogs. Who will back her up?

My attention was held during the entire reading of this book. The veterinary medicine is correct, and the possibility of a bird flu – like virus (but with deadlier complications) was plausible. Each character’s story is revealed bit by bit, and sometimes they are sympathetic, sometimes not.

The character of Beth Cohen provides much needed comic relief during many dark times. She is a disgraced psychologist forced to either submit to a jail sentence or “volunteer” at the shelter. She asks probing questions, making Sam confront her fears and doubts. As I mentioned, she is also sarcastic and self effacing, adding a lighter touch here and there.

Gabriel, the priest, provides one of the most human touches in JUST LIFE. He is suffering from dementia, and his portrayal is poignant and heartbreaking. His backstory is the platonic love he held for his best friend and confidant Channa, who died recently. He wonders if he will be able to remember her, and the emotions she stirred in him. He questions his God, in a crisis of faith that pervades the entire book until the end. The scene with him in chapter 35 made my heart well up, and brought tears to my eyes. Well done, Mr Abramson.

JUST LIFE is a tightly woven story that will not leave you easily. It is not a story with a bright shiny ending, nor is it a depressing tale of failure. It is a tour de force of the human condition and the bond we share with our animal friends; and the lengths we will go to in order to protect them.

America is full of strays: dogs, cats, people. It seems far too easy for beings to “fall through the cracks.” Yet there are people who care, who reach out to these lost creatures, and try to make them whole. Sometimes, it’s difficult to tell who’s the rescuer, and who’s the rescued, as the act can heal both. “Just Life” delves into several such stories -- a woman estranged from her scientist father; a priest losing his faith and more; a young man damaged by foster care. In each case, saving a canine life saves them.

At the same time, America is full of people who deeply love their pets, thinking of them as one of the family. “Just Life” poses the question: How far would you go, to protect your animal from a government looking for easy answers?

As a animal lover, I really enjoyed this book. The characters in this book are diverse and very interesting, lots of twists and turns, and just an all-round wonderful read. Have the tissues ready as it is an emotional roller-coaster ride!

If you love dogs, you will like this book. But be warned, it is a hard read and you may cry.

Apocalyptic, deep, dark, and animals? Yes please. This one had all my top favorite things thrown into one book that compelled you to want to devour it and then cuddle it afterwards. I was wanting more and more and couldn't keep up set some points from over excitement.