Book review—The Dog Thief And Other Stories by Jill Kearney

河南信阳市光山县第二高级中学 曹耀罗

描述人与动物之间的复杂关系是一件很难的事情。然而在这本书中，吉尔·卡尼并没表现得有多困难。

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It's often hard to describe the complicated relationships between animals and their humans.In her book,The Dog Thief And Other Stories,Jill Kearney has no such issue,delivering a collection of short stories that pull at your heartstrings.

Inspired by her own experiences working as a care provider and dog rescuer,Kearney writes about people forgotten or displaced by society, and the animals that place their trust in them.In her own words,“I'm interested in the lives of people who feel like they don't matter to anyone.”This statement truly echoes throughout the book.

The collection begins with the self-titled novel,The Dog Thief,in which neighbors of a community work together to rescue a couple of dogs from their neglectful owner,Donald.Donald is lazy toward the dogs,but people always think it his duty to keep them.The author also weaves appealing subplots into the story.Dealing with the injustices,Elizabeth,Blacksnake,the one-eyed woman,and others provide interesting viewpoints of the complex issues they meet with as they learn firsthand how seemingly insignificant acts can make a difference in the world.

The short stories that follow the novel are just as interesting,each one striking a chord within,causing a need to stop for reflection before moving onto the next.What's more, Kearney's writing is passionate,straightforward and direct.Seriously,there is no way one can help but be moved by these stories.Some of the most insignificant surroundings,places I could never have imagined, became clear and distinct in my mind through the vivid and rich descriptions presented by the author.

Heartbreak,helplessness,hope,and inspiration—these words only hint at the range of emotions readers will feel in these pages.The Dog Thief And Other Stories by Jill Kearney is a book I highly recommend.Pet and human advocates will be hard pressed to put this book down as Kearney provides an insightful look into what truly matters.

阅读检测

1.What plays the most important role in Kearney's writing the book?

A.Her colorful life experiences.

B.Her strong interest in animals.

C.Her related work experiences.

D.Her knowledge of folk stories.

2.What kind of person are most of the characters in the book?

A.Common people.

B.Successful people.

C.Young animal lovers.

D.Neighbors of communities.

3.What lesson is the novel The Dog Thief And Other Stories intended to show?

A.Animals are man's best friends.

B.We can learn to love and help.

C.Man and animals are connected.

D.Everyone has value in some way.

4.What does the author think highly of about the book?

A.Its special effects.

B.Its plots and writing.

C.Its writing structures.

D.Its language description.

语言学习

难句分析

Inspired by her own experiences working as a care provider and dog rescuer,Kearney writes about people forgotten or displaced by society,and the animals that place their trust in them. 卡尼的灵感来自她自己作为护理人员和狗狗救助者的工作经历，她写到了被社会遗忘或流离失所的人，以及信任他们的动物。

该句为主从复合句，过去分词forgotten...society 作后置定语修饰people，that 引导定语从句修饰the animals。