Lily and the Octopus

Published by Simon & Schuster Genres: Contempory, Fiction, Magical Realism
Format: Hardcover
four-stars

This book. This beautifully engaging, at times funny, at times sad book. READ IT. READ IT NOW..but buy tissues first.

Ted is chosen by Lily when he goes to a dog breeder. She is the runt that comes up to him. She is the dog that he has had for 12 years. A dog that he has funny, sweet and beautiful conversations with. Seriously, who hasn’t had a pet and had a conversation with it? Animals are great listeners. They don’t judge, they see us at our best and worst and love us anyway.

Ted is still recovering from the end of a romantic relationship when he notices an “octopus” on the top of Lily’s head. WTF you say? You need to read the book. This is no ordinary Octopus. This is an evil one. Hellbent on taking over. Ted sees this as a battle he must win in order to save Lily.

During the course of Ted (and Lily’s) battle with the Octopus, we see Ted grow some. He has to make choices. He has to be strong. He has to do right by his beloved Lily. She is the one constant in his life. She cheers him up, she makes him happy and loves him as he loves her.

The battle with the Octopus gets a little strange (on the boat) but overall, this is a story about love, acceptance, family (you and your pet can be a family!), letting go, and starting over. Pets teach us about life. The good, the bad, the ugly, the pain, the happiness, the loss.

I sat and read this in one sitting. It’s that easy to do. Don’t read it in public as I did. Crying in front of strangers is not my favorite thing to do…but reading is one of them. I enjoyed reading this book. I think most will enjoy reading it as well.

four-stars

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