Red Dog, Red Dog by Patrick Lane ***1/2

A novel about a dysfunctional family is not necessarily a happy tale. This one is not either. “Red Dog, Red Dog” basically focuses on the experiences and relationship of two brothers, Eddie and Tom. Although the story itself takes place over a short period of time the author weaves a family history into the narrative with the effective use of retrospective dialogue and family anecdotes. The disfuntionality of the Eddie and Tom’s family is traced historically through their grandparents and parents both families of which are extremely troubled. This is manifested in the behaviour and attitude of Tom and Eddie. Tom the quiet, introspective, withdrawn son while Eddie is a formerly incarcerated, drug-using, older sibling. The novel reinforces the notion that a combination of children’s environment has a significant impact on their eventual outcome but also suggests that genes do have memories and the some behaviours and attitudes are perpetuated through the family heritage itself.

The book begins with an interesting perspective of a sister who died shortly after birth and provides afterlife perspective to the current situation. For some reason the author abandons these occasional perspectives halfway through the book and one wonders why it was included in the first place.

The story takes place in the Canadian Okanagan Valley near Penticton, which provides an interesting perspective on poverty life in this area. The book is compelling and original.