Lassie, the beautiful, long-haired collie who appeared in movies, TV series, and books, is a name that everyone will remember. Pippin, the most well-known half-breed dog advertising in the eighties with a suitcase in her mouth. White Fang, Jack London’s dog who is forced to use his wild instincts in order to survive in Alaskan forests. It is true that literature, advertising, and cinema have always given prominence for those who are “man’s best friend”. Seishu Hasese is the protagonist in “The boy and his dog”, a Duomo Ediciones literary novelty translated by Javier Alvarez.
Japanese author Tamon introduces us to Tamon. Tamon is a homeless street dog who appears before a konbini (a supermarket that’s open 24 hours a days) and runs into Kazumasa. Kazumasa has devoted himself to illegal activities to gain success after the tsunami and earthquake that decimated Japan’s coasts. This fortuitous encounter will make a difference in the lives of both the dog and the human. It will also mark the beginning of a new journey for the dog, whose eyes are always directed towards the south.
Tamon will meet Kazumasa after which he will be reunited with a variety of characters who will see in him a “portus tranquilis” to hold on to to when he is anxious, overcome his fears or regain hope. He will be assisted directly and indirectly in his journey south. Yaichi said that the dog “understood people’s hearts” and he became close to them. It was unlike any other animal.
Hase’s writing has a magical, almost magical quality that is sometimes reminiscent of Haruki Murakami’s passages. He aims to move readers through emotion reading, flowing prose and an enormous luminosity that permeates his entire book. The extraordinary bond between humans and animals is highlighted and the desire to hug and care for dogs as much as possible. Sae, one of Sae’s protagonists in the chapter about the marriage and the dog says: “How could I forget the joy of living alongside a pet?” He hadn’t remembered the joy and love that dogs bring him.
The Naoki Prize winner, “The boy and his dog” is fiction novel that will appeal to dog lovers as well as those who don’t love dogs. This is a story about how we can overcome obstacles and show our loyalty to our four-legged friends. Friends who become part of the family, who transform a house into home: His father once snapped at his mother because she didn’t want it in the house.
