Book Review: The Book of Barkley
The Book of Barkley. L.B. Johnson. Chicago, IL: Outskirts Press, Inc., July 21, 2014, Trade Paperback and Kindle, 254 pages.
Reviewed by Deb Lecos.
The Book of Barkley is a work of non-fiction, the author’s story of her beloved dog and the enormous impact he makes on her life. L.B. Johnson answers the question “How much dog hair does it take to heal a broken heart?” The author brings the reader along on a journey through her childhood and grief as a teen mother, to becoming a jet pilot and receiving a doctorate in criminal justice as an adult, and her final discovery of the meaning of love and healing with a rambunctious Labrador Retriever named Barkley.
Throughout this melodically metaphor-sprinkled memoir, Ms. Johnson weaves her childhood and young adulthood experiences with Barkley-isms: as a child learning that wearing a Superman cape does not enable one to fly, Barkley’s sly food-stealing antics that end with dog leavings everywhere, the author and Lab standoff over sharing a bathtub, and Barkley’s fondness for a kiddie pool reminding Ms. Johnson of the carefree days of swimming as a child.
The author shares the constant and comical struggle of a human teaching nuance to a dog. “No barking!” (Which the reader can imagine would be monumentally hard for a pooch named Barkley). This is the law until teenagers use the outskirts of the backyard for a hangout spot. “Barking good!”
As this touching memoir moves through Barkley’s life, the author reflects on how living with the dog is an illumination for her own path forward. The unconditional and healing relationship with Barkley affords Ms. Johnson the ability to, once again, open her heart for love, which culminates in a joyful celebration of marriage—in a wedding dress that is dotted with black dog hair.
As I read this story, Barkley aged and encountered illnesses, and I knew the inevitability of where this loving book was heading since all dog stories end with the finality of a last breath. Our furry friends are loved and they love us right back until they can no longer match our steps forward. However, as they go to whatever comes next, there can be an unexpected gift in learning how to let go.
During this process, the author overlaps her precious Lab’s aging struggles with poignant memories of her mother’s illness and death, her “Big Bro’s” battle with cancer, and her step-mom’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. Reading about Barkley’s end of life becomes a way to view how we say goodbye. The author shares her heartfelt lessons from Barkley’s death with the reader; loss is the opportunity for spiritual connection and reflection. This exuberant and loving story of a dog-soulmate is a window into the wide-open space for how to fully live.
L.B. Johnson lives with her husband in the Midwest and is the author of Saving Grace: A Story of Adoption. The Book of Barkley is a number one best seller on Amazon, a 2015 B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree, and 2015 Reader’s Favorite International Book Award-Silver Winner for Excellence in Non-fiction. All proceeds from the sale of this book are given to charity.