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The Dogs of Venice

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The Dogs of Venice

By: Steven Rowley
Narrated by: Neil Patrick Harris
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About this listen

From the best-selling author of Lily and the Octopus, a heartwarming and bittersweet story about finding love and courage in one of the most romantic cities on Earth.

New Yorkers Paul and Darren have planned a winter holiday in Venice. But when their five-year marriage suddenly unravels, Paul endeavors to make the trip alone, despite his heartbreak and anxiety. Far outside his comfort zone, Paul has a mission: to see if he can be adventurous, fearless, free. In short, to become someone new.

Soon after arriving in Italy, he notices a small, scruffy, self-assured dog trotting alongside a canal with the confidence he so desperately wants for himself. This street dog and his instincts for survival lend Paul’s trip a singular purpose - to determine how his new four-legged friend thrives on his own. A string of additional sightings culminate in a seemingly magical encounter that leads Paul to feel real connection - to a dog, to a foreign city, and, most important, to himself.

©2020 Steven Rowley (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC. Anthologies & Short Stories Short Stories Heartfelt
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Good short story read well. Would recommend. Brings back memories of travelling in Italy. Would like to read more from this author.

Lovely story

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A story of what can be what might be what will be. Very different approach to writing a book was short enough to listen to it. I’m still left Thinking.

Simplicity

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Hurting from the dissolution of his marriage to the oafish Darren, Paul travels to Venice where he looks for inspiration and meaning to heal the heartache. While there, he forms a special affinity with one of the Venetian street dogs. If you’ve never loved and lost, it might be hard to relate to Paul’s confusion and his grasping at straws of comfort as he wallows in rejection. A good short story reveals a thin but rich ‘slice of life’ and this one does just that. I liked that there were no easy answers, that the epiphanies were tarnished rather than neat, that there was a hopeful shift not a quick resolution. I also loved how well Steven Rowley’s descriptions captured the city of Venice and the Italian attitudes to life, love, and food. Superb audio narration by Neil Patrick Harris was the obvious drawcard but I would have enjoyed this anyway.

Charming ‘picking up the pieces’ short story!

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An interesting little insight into someone's life.

And glad to hear NPH actually altering his accent to match the characters for a change. He did this story justice.

Curious

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Good length, insightful messages. Atmospheric Venice setting. The bread maker scene was hilarious. Neil Patrick Harris did a fine job.

Short, sweet and thoughtful

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Loved listening to Neil Patrick Harris. The story had “ohhhh” moments. I really enjoyed it. Light, quick story.

Short story

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A beautiful short story about gaining yourself back from the brink and coming to an understanding about who you are and your place in the world. I first encountered Steven Rowley through the Guncle (also audiobook) and can't get enough of his work.
This is an easy listen with an excellent performance by Neil Patrick Harris.
A thoughtful and insightful piece that is well worth the little over one and half hours of its reading. Highly recommended.

Excellent short story

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