FICTION

Brilliant

by Roddy DOYLE
illus. by Emily Hughes. 192p. Abrams/Amulet. Sept. 2015. Tr $16.95. ISBN 9781419714795.
COPY ISBN
Gr 5–8—The Black Dog of Depression has arrived in Dublin, bringing with him a sense of despair that seems to affect many of the adults in the city. When the Dog's influence reaches their home, causing their uncle to lose his business, Gloria and Raymond (at the insistence of their eccentric grandmother) begin chasing the Dog through the streets. As more and more children join them on the chase, Raymond and Gloria wonder how they are going to defeat an antagonist that they sometimes can't even see. When they discover an unlikely weapon against the beast, they push back against his influence and discover something simply brilliant. The story itself is incredibly charming and the characters delightful. Readers will relate to Gloria and Raymond and their desire to understand and help the adults in their lives.
VERDICT Doyle has crafted a clever and accessible novel that will spark conversation about both economic and emotional depression.
Reviewed by Wayne R. Cherry, Jr., First Baptist Academy Library, Houston, TX
Expanded from a 2011 short story written in honor of Dublin's St. Patrick's Day festivities, this novel is about kids trying to shake off the "Black Dog" of malaise that has gripped their beloved city. Both an homage to Dublin and a jumping-off point for conversations about economic and emotional depression, the illustrated novel is a little short on plot but long on hope and humor.
 , Jul 01, 2015

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