Review by Booklist Review
Reading this graphic novel is the emotional equivalent to listening to NPR's StoryCorps moving, beautiful, and ultimately heart-wrenching. Murakami's lovingly drawn, award-winning manga tells the story of a simple man's life from the point of view of his devoted dog, Happie. Due to a combination of factors, circumstances change quickly for Happie's nameless owner, Daddy, who was once a regular Joe with an office job and a family. Happie sticks by him through thick and thin, and, true to his name, Happie remains blissfully unaware of Daddy's increasingly desperate living situation. As Daddy's luck and health continue to fail, Happie becomes Daddy's only friend and final joy. This touching story shows the cruelty of a modern society that allows those down on their luck to fall through the cracks.--Mack, Candice Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this heart-wrenching literary manga winner of several awards in Japan a pathetic middle-aged man goes on an ill-fated road trip with his dog, as told from the dog's point of view. In the second half, a not-quite-as-pathetic middle-aged social worker investigates their fate. Just when it seems the story couldn't get any more heart-breaking, the social worker remembers his childhood pet dog with deep regrets. The unnamed, unemployed protagonist seems to be a victim of the deep recession(s) of our times. A divorce follows his job loss, and he pawns most of his belongings for the dog's veterinary bill. Murakami not to be confused with the Superflat artist of the same name draws detailed, naturalistic background art reminiscent of Jiro Taniguchi (Walking Man), only grittier. The short book offers some profound insight on the human condition (by way of the canine condition) without being too sweet or sappy although naming the dog "Happiness" is heavy-handed. The choice to tell the first story from the dog's point of view is borderline saccharine, but without all the cute dogs, this book might be unbearable. (Nov.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
In a derelict car off a forest road, two bodies are found: those of a man and a dog. The man has been dead for months, but the dog died only recently. In his first novel-a best seller in Japan now being made into a movie-Murakami (not to be confused with the author of 1Q84) tells us how they got there. "Daddy" is a middle-aged man, unable to change with the times. His inertia costs him his job, his wife and daughter, and his home. With nothing but an old car and a faithful dog, he takes a road trip without a destination. Told simply, from the point of view of Happie the dog, this is a touching story about the innocent devotion of dogs and their ability to transform human lives. Delicate black-and-white art, manga-style, expressively depicts characters and landscapes, matching the story's wistful tone. Verdict This sad but gentle tale of the unconditional love of dogs has appeal beyond the ranks of manga fans. Moving without being maudlin, this is accessible to teens as well as adult readers.-Julia Cox, Penticton P.L., BC (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
