Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog Book

I was given this book as a present for Christmas and was told that I had to read it, as it was the best book my friend had ever read. With such a bold statement I was extremely dubious that the book would live up to such personal hype.

So after several months of gathering dust on my book shelf I decided I would give it a go and see if it really was such a great story.

I have a crazy dog, so the book did appeal to me on one level as I thought, "surely no dog can be as bonkers as mine". I assumed the book would be a bit too touchy-feely animal lover-fest for me to get in to it....but I was wrong!

After several days of devouring each and every single noun and adjective I closed this book after shedding many tears (of happiness and sadness).

Now, I'm not usually one to be moved by a book or even a film, but this love story (yes, the love between human and man's best friend is as valid as any love story) tugged on my heart strings and left me reaching for the tissues time and time again. This beautiful book about a loopy Labrador, tells a heart-warming story of life, friendship, family and the endurance of love and devotion. Marley and Me explores all these things with humour and pragmatism, that you can't help but be sucked in to.

If you love animals you will love this book. If you love dogs you will love this book. If you have a heart you will love this book. This book will move you deeply!


I experienced laughter, sadness, empathy, sympathy and tears of joy and emotion. What more can you ask for from a book? When I finally put it down, I looked down at my daft dog, and told him "I love you, you're a great dog".

HEALTH WARNING: This book will have you laughing out loud and also sobbing hard, so it is not recommended you read this on the train or anywhere else in public.

And if you're wondering if I believe that this is the best book I've ever read, then I will tell you....this book has definitely shot into my top ten and I know it won't be budging!

This No.1 Sunday Times bestseller tells the heart-warming tale of how a wiggly yellow fur ball of a puppy could grow into a barrelling ninety-seven pound stramroller of a Labrador retriever who would prove that unconditional love comes in many forms. John and Jenny were just beginning their life together. They were young and in love with a perfect little house and not a care in the world. Along comes Marley mischievous hyperactive and so unruly he is expelled from obedience school. How could they possibly know that this incorrigible dog could teach them more about love for life than they could hope to teach him? Since becoming a major motion picture starring Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson this heart-warming and unforgettable story of a family and their haphazard dog has become a timeless family favourite.

Marley & Me : Paperback : Hodder & Stoughton : 9780340922101 : : 31 Mar 2009 : A larger-than-life, bad-boy dog teaches a young family about the meaning of love and the key to happiness. The true story and inspiration behind the 2009 film of the same name.