Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Mr. Chartwell by Rebecca Hunt

This charming little novel chronicles a mutual friend of Winston Churchill and Esther Hammerhans, a recently widowed librarian. This friend, whom Churchill calls the Black Dog, but who names himself Mr. Chartwell, or Black Pat, is an enormous dog who takes as his work dogging Churchill's footsteps and comes to lodge at Esther's house. While the blurbs on the book call it humorous, and there are some funny parts, for me, the story was much more poignant. It takes on the question of depression with grace and compassion. I am so glad I read this novel.

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