Dogboy (review)

In this Australian import, Kelleher explores the measure of man through the life of a boy raised by a dog. As a newborn, the abandoned Dogboy is nursed by a dog and raised along with his canine sister, tolerated as a presence on the fringe of the villagers' lives. He learns to speak, though he refuses to learn the rules of grammar, and he learns the nuances of canine life, though the natural world never accepts him as a true dog. Loneliness and constant longing to fit in haunt Dogboy throughout his childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood as he travels in search of a real home. Existence is punishing for everyone, however, as crippling droughts, sectarian violence, and human cruelty are dominant in most lives; Dogboy, without the guidance and protection of a family, suffers even more keenly than the rest. Kelleher has written a challenging novel: Dogboy, irascible and bereft of empathy, is rarely a likable protagonist, the wide range of the novel (birth through adulthood) is ambitious, and there are few happy endings (or even happy middles) for any of the characters, human or canine. However, there is an elegance, profundity, and richness of language that balances and complements the often-depressing plot. In addition, the troubling of the widely held belief that humans are superior to animals offers an intriguing philosophical issue that will likely haunt readers long after they finish the novel. Those searching for an absorbing, contemplative, and more sophisticated read than the standard YA fare will find that this story fills the bill.