Brilliant

The people of Dublin have stopped laughing. A dark cloud envelops the city as the Black Dog of Depression descends on the Irish metropolis. The grown-ups say that it’s taken Dublin’s funny bone. They think these are merely expressions but the children know this is not true. Gloria and Rayzer have seen the Black Dog. It makes its way through the streets and houses of London and is able to change its shape without warning. They need to stop it because the dog has taken away their Uncle Ben’s happiness. They’re not alone. All the children of the city have similar stories. They rally together to save the grown-ups with help from the animals at the Dublin Zoo and a horde of persistent seagulls.Incredibly written and snortily funny at the same time. I would wish this book on any reader in a second.

It is an author who is confident in his craft of writing that is capable of tackling such a complicated medical condition and presenting it to children in an accessible manner as Roddy Doyle has. His writing conveys how far reaching in society the condition is and how it permeates through to every member of the family and friends. The touches of humour are well placed in the story and the central message that by working together with even the smallest of gestures we can make a difference, resonates ever more in the society we all presently inhabit.

Great book child bpught for thinks it brilliant

A great study of depression for children - explained in a crazily entertaining yet informative way. He is unrivalled for madcap children’s writing.

It is not boring and I know that because I hate reading but I loved this book.I rated this book 5 stars because it is BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!

This book is very good and I recommend it.(mostly to children) it is very exciting and creative :):):):)By Izzy M.

Another good book from Roddy

Good book

I haven't finished reading the book yet,but so far it is really good.Roddy Doyle is a good writer.

I really enjoyed reading this book, and I often laughed, especially in the last chapters. And if you think about it, so must it be: you're sad and depressed at the beginning, like the characters in the story, and you get more and more brilliant as the plot goes on, and in the end you just laughed and cheer.Thank you Roddy, another great book!

I love Roddy's Barrytown triology, and was interested to see how his style would translate to children's books.I chose this book because of the interesting choice of subject matter. There aren't many children's books that deal explicitly with depression, and using the Black Dog (an interesting nod to Winston Churchill's phrase for his own depression) as a ghostly presence that saps the joy out of adults in a recessionary environment is a clever and original device.For me, the problem is the writing style - which is interesting, as that's what appeals to me so much about his adult fiction (which so beautifully evokes holidays with family in Dublin as a child). It seems too self conscious in trying to mimic the Dublin style of speech, and although the title of the book is 'Brilliant', I did rather tire of the excessive use of the word. It also made it a little difficult for my daughter to follow, which is a pity.

Fantastic. Crying one minute laughing the next. Bought it because it was by Roddy Doyle without realising it was a children's book. Read it in an hour or so all in one go.

I found this to be an excellent read. Just one thought - one would need to experience the hard times of the period or the 70's or 80's in Ireland to appreciate the nuances of the book.

Do you want life and a laugh Roddy does it again!

not enjoyable. a bit too dark

When a couple of Dublin children, Gloria and Raymond, hear their Granny say the 'Black Dog' is riding on the back of their much loved Uncle Ben and he won't be happy until it's gone...off they go on an adventure to get rid of it.The Black Dog in this book refers more to the general depression felt by people under considerable strain when there's an economic breakdown. Something many people have recently discovered first hand but; don't be fooled. Roddy Doyle's 'Black Dog' takes on a personality all of it's own and it's so powerful the children have a real fight on their hands.Fortunately they're helped out in their struggle when they discover many other children have a similar problem and the 'Black Dog' has also attached itself to members of their families. It seems children everywhere are out to get him. As this brave little army marches forward on their midnight journey they approach a final confrontation with 'The Black Dog' but; they're not alone. Further help arrives from the most unexpected source and comes in the form of talking animals and birds. It seems 'The Black Dog' has no friends.This is such a good book. I really enjoyed the clever social commentary running through it's heart and the way the behaviour of adults can so affect children - without our even realising it. There's plenty of shadow and shade and gutsy dialogue to keep older children gripped while the hunt for 'The Black Dog' and the final resolution hold plenty of tension.More than happy to recommend this clever, original novel.