Genre: Magical Realism/Paranormal
Available on: Amazon.com (paperpack or ebook)
It’s not every day that I receive a book for review with the genre listed as Magical Realism/Paranormal. My interest was definitely peaked when I got my copy of “Two Dogs At The One Dog Inn” by David John Griffin especially since the title alone doesn’t suggest the genre it’s been placed in.
David John Griffin, who is from from Kent in the UK says his on-going mission as an author is to produce absorbing, page-turning stories with a literary depth and he does indeed do that as he takes you on a magical paranormal journey in this book.
In addition to reviewing “Two Dogs At The One Dog Inn” I also, interviewed Griffin for our Author’s Spotlight Series. Enjoy the review and the interview that follows.
Raise your hand if you’ve ever had an email or text seemingly get lost in translation. This is what appears to happen to Audrey Ackerman, a character in David John Griffin’s novella “Two Dogs AtThe One Dog Inn”.
Audrey, who is an Animal Welfare Rescue Volunteer is attempting to explain to her boss and longtime friend, Stella Bridgeport, why she was so traumatized when she visited the inn in an attempt to rescue stray dogs who are heard barking relentlessly.
Unfortunately, it comes off as an insane account which Stella points out.
Just as the story seems to stabilize and normalize to a point where it could be possible Audrey throws in another odd bone towards the supernatural.
You start to wonder if it isn’t all in her imagination and if this is the unravelling of an insane mind.
What follows through the rest of the novella is Audrey trying her best to tell her story and in the process taking her boss and us reading through a wild ride of real and fantasy as we learn the history of the inn, the journal files from a USB drive she finds and ultimately what is meant books title.
It really is a page turner and as the novella unfolds you are treated to a tale of fantasy, love, passion and the bizarre. Nothing is as it seems and in the end what you may think is actually happening turns out to be something completely different.
This was a fun, quick and smart book. Author, David John Griffin is an incredibly talented writer and has a way of weaving his words together to make the story and the characters come to life. I enjoyed reading ‘Two Dogs At The One Dog’ Inn and think you will too.
6 Quick Questions with Author David John Griffin
What inspired you to become a writer?
I’ve always enjoyed the process of creative writing for as long as I can remember (well, from the age of 5 onwards); the joy of writing was underlined by reading science fiction authors in my early teens and wanting to emulate them. I wrote my first major piece of writing – a science fiction story, 100 pages handwritten – at the age of fourteen.
Who is your favorite author?
My favorite author has to be Melvyn Peake. His imaginative portrayal of fantastical characters and labyrinthine kingdom of cloisters, stairwells and dungeons with intriguing plots captivated me when I first read Gormenghast.
Describe your book ‘Two Dogs at the One Dog Inn’ in 30 words or less:
The novella is a startling series of events which happened to an animal rescue center volunteer. In a series of emails, strange events are reported, culminating in a fascinating explanation and conclusion.
Why should we read it?
To be intrigued and enthralled by the happenings in this page-turning novella, wanting to know how those events can ever be explained.
What other books have you written?
‘The Unusual Possession of Alastair Stubb’ and ‘Infinite Rooms’ (both to be published next year)
What books have influenced your life most?
Nights At The Circus by Angela Carter, Gormenghast trilogy by Melvyn Peake, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, short stories by Jorge Luis Borges, The Stone Door by Leonora Carrington, One by David Karp, Twilight Journey by L.P. Davies
