André Alexis’ 2015 novel Fifteen Dogs is an absolute page turner and a must-have for any reader interested in Canadian fiction. Alexis uses an argument between the Greek gods Hermes and Apollo to pose an interesting philosophical question. They wonder if other animals would die as miserably as humans were they to be given human intelligence. The gods decide to place a wager on the idea, and grant 15 dogs in a nearby pound the gift of human intelligence. They then track the lives of the dogs until their deaths. The story begins in Toronto, Ontario, but introduces many settings as it unfolds.
Fifteen Dogs is at once both playful and philosophical. The story oozes with the influence of western philosophy and religion, and includes references to the Garden of Eden, the idea of one’s true name, and several ideas of what an afterlife might look like. To me, the story also ponders Descartes’ assertion Cogito, Ergo Sum, or “I think, therefore I am.” I will let the literature classes ponder these ideas further, and simply say that if you are introducing yourself to the world of literature and all of its devices, this novel is a great place to start.
If literature analysis and philosophical pondering isn’t your bag, Fifteen Dogs is still absolutely worth the read! While I’ve read some reviews that suggest Alexis’ understanding of the world of dogs is slightly flawed, to the non-fanatical dog lover this book does exactly what it sets out to do: consider the human condition through the playful and mischievous lens of man’s best friend. Fifteen Dogs is deserving of the many prizes it won, including the 2015 Scotiabank Giller Prize, and I believe that any reader (perhaps barring the dog-lover with incredible attention to detail) will thoroughly enjoy it.
Rory Reads 