Lily and the Octopus
Author: Steven Rowley
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Canada
Genre: Fiction, Contemporary
Release Date: June 7th 2016
Pages Count: 320
Format: ARC
ISBN: 9781501126222
Author Website | Book Depository | Amazon |
Chapters/Indigo | Goodreads
I’m not really sure how to go about reviewing Lily & the Octopus. Was it a good book? Yes. Was it well written? Yes. I think the problem for me is that I couldn’t really relate to it at all. I’m sure that there are countless readers who enjoyed the hell out of this novel. Readers who could relate to it and who understood the issues that Ted was dealing with.
I myself have never had a dog. While I haven’t experienced life with a dog, I have experienced life with many smaller pets. We’ve had at least one bird in my family for as long as I can remember. Our home has always felt empty without one. They don’t live as long as dogs, but they do come pretty close and we definitely do grow attached to them. On top of birds, between my sister and myself, we have always had some sort of rodent, whether it be a hamster, gerbil, rat or guinea pig. While these animals come no where close to the life span of a dog, once again, we still grow attached and love them just the same.
I don’t think that my lack of relating to the story stems from the fact that I’ve never had a dog or that I haven’t grown attached to a pet, because I definitely have. Maybe it was the extent of how attached Ted was to Lily that I’m struggling with. To be honest, I can’t quite put my finger on it. I think Ted maybe had a bit of an obsession with Lily. Maybe his mental instability caused that, but there was just something about their relationship that I couldn’t relate to, no matter how hard I tried.
Lily and the Octopus is a wonderfully written novel filled with metaphors and beautiful symbolism. It was an emotional read and I think that it dealt with many different topics perfectly. Not only did Lily and the Octopus tell the story of a man and his relationship with his dog, but it also told the story of a man who has been struggling to cope with his recent breakup from his long term boyfriend. Ted is dealing with depression and heartbreak and all of this somehow wraps up into a witty novel about a man and his dog.
Lily and the Octopus was lighthearted when it needed to be and serious and heartfelt when it needed to be. Like I said, this novel was extremely well written and I think it dealt with heavy topics wonderfully, I just wish I could have related to it a little more. I had a hard time connecting with Ted as a character. He felt slightly over the top and dramatic at times. I understand this is normal considering what he has been going through, but I mostly just found it a little off-putting.
I loved the idea of Lily having a voice. Regardless of the fact that she wasn’t actually speaking, I think the idea of Lily speaking back to Ted was a great storytelling device. It gave Lily a personality of her own and actually made her more relatable as a character.
This novel is an emotional one and I can only imagine how those who better relate to Ted and his relationship with his dog will feel while reading this novel. It’s a shame that I didn’t love this novel as much as I thought I would and that it didn’t live up to the hype for me personally.
While it wasn’t everything that I hoped it would be, I know that it will be perfect for so many other readers!
*Note: An ARC of Lily and the Octopus by Stephen Rowley was provided by Simon & Schuster Canada as part of their Summer Fiction Blog Tour in exchange for an honest review.
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Big City Bookworm 
Aw that sausage dog on the cover looks so cute 🙂 I’ve never had a dog either or any pet for that matter because I can’t handle responsibility of taking care of it, but since watching ITV’s Britain’s favourite dogs, it kind of made me want to have a dog lol I like huskies. Anyway sounds like a nice book! Sorry to hear you couldn’t relate to it as much as you’d like. Great review 😉
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Yeah, I definitely wish I could have related to it a bit more. It was definitely well written though! I’ve always wanted a Husky! My problem is I’m never home and even if I were, my home is just too small. Maybe one day! 🙂
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I’m a vet, and I see clients who have a borderline unhealthy obsession with their pet all of the time (um…. probably I’m one of them with my own cats, hahaha). I have a feeling that if I read this book I would ball my eyes out. Especially since it deals with what sounds like a sarcoma of some sort (I don’t know if that’s true? But sarcomas are often said to be like an “octopus” because of the tendrils they have into the surrounding soft tissue), which are horrible tumors. These are always heart-breaking diagnoses to give. I think I should read this, but I’m kind of afraid to take on all of the emotions!
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I feel like this book would make any animal lover cry! While I didn’t relate as much as I wanted to, I definitely felt some emotions while reading through this novel. I had no idea that “octopus” was another term for sarcoma or tumor. Thank you for teaching me something new! It definitely makes sense! I would definitely recommend reading it, but I can guarantee you’ll feel a mix of emotions while reading.
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I loved this book mostly because I actually own a pug/dachshund and I have been through some of the things Ted goes through with Lily. (Spine issues abound, ear-flipping, both totally accurate!) There is more to this than a person and their relationship with their dog. It’s a story of grief and loss too.
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I definitely agree that this is more than just a story of a man and his dog. It definitely deals with multiple topics including grief and loss. I still think that this was a beautifully written book, I just sadly couldn’t relate to it as much as others or as much as I expected to 😦
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Yea. I get what you mean. It say something that you still liked it even though you haven’t owned a dog. I still can’t wait to see what he writes next.
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Also, interesting fact, he meant this book to be a short story. The first chapter was all he wrote when he showed it to his now-boyfriend, then guy-he-was-seeing, and he said: “Where’s Chapter 2? Do not call me until you write Chapter 2!”
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Haha that’s amazing!! I didn’t know that!
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Yea, I had the opportunity to meet him at BookCourt in Brooklyn and he was really sweet and very funny.
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Ah, I’m sad you didn’t enjoy it more. I loved it. But you’re right, I have a dog.
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Maybe one day I’ll be able to relate a little better and I’ll go back and read this and feel a whole new set of emotions!
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Sounds interesting. I just might pick it up on my way home tonight.
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