THE DOGS OF BABEL BY CAROLYN PARKHURST Reviewed by Jerred Millirons

My book review choice of “The Dogs of Babel,” a novel published 17 years ago by Carolyn Parkhurst, may seem curious. She is arguably an unorthodox selection, but can anyone say that anything is how it used to be? Indeed, the world is quite a different place than it was in 2003 when the book first appeared.

As an avid reader, I find it is no great task to grab an interesting new book and finish it off over the course of a weekend. What dictates the line that separates a professional review from a book report? Why not the latest Stephen King, James Patterson, or even some groundbreaking Oprah-approved achievement in literature? My answer?

Allow me to lower my COVID-19 medical mask while standing at the socially responsible six-foot distance, and respond with “social distancing.” Strange times, right? I have since discovered that one can only binge-watch Netflix and Hulu before a bout of mental bloatation occurs. So, I thought back to the books I have always meant to re-read, but never seemed to find the time. I first read “The Dogs of Babel” over a decade ago and yet it still resonates with me. I remember being struck by the unique literary blend of love story, mystery, comedy, and a deeply felt humanity that whispered from the pages. Linguist Paul Iverson’s life is shattered when his wife, Lexy, is found dead beneath an apple tree in their backyard.

The only witness to her apparent fall was THE DOGS OF BABEL BY CAROLYN PARKHURST Reviewed by Jerred Millirons My book review choice of “The Dogs of Babel,” a novel published 17 years ago by Carolyn Parkhurst, may seem curious. She is arguably an unorthodox selection, but can anyone say that anything is how it used to be? Indeed, the world is quite a different place than it was in 2003 when the book first appeared. couple’s dog, Lorelei. As Paul struggles to come to terms with his wife’s death, a flood of memories overwhelms his mind—from their first “date,” an impromptu, three-day trek to Disney World, to the very last word they said to one another. He pores over every conversation, every argument, every vulnerable moment that comprised their life together, endlessly searching for a reason that could explain his troubled wife’s untimely death.

Was it an accident, or did she finally succumb to the demons that had always haunted her life? In his grief, he becomes obsessed with the idea of teaching Lorelei to speak, nearly losing himself in the process. The novel is a haunting observation of the confusing, all-consuming, and endless ache of trauma and grief. Contrary to the book’s dark subject matter, it somehow manages to avoid being maudlin or depressing. It deftly balances the light and dark with a unique precision. At its core, this beautiful novel portrays a stunningly accurate depiction of the human experience of loss. Despite its age, it remains relevant, perhaps even more so, as the entire world continues its struggle to heal itself at such a difficult time in history.