FICTION

Lily and the Octopus

S. & S. Jun. 2016. 320p. ISBN 9781501126222. $25.99; ebk. ISBN 9781501126246. F
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Fortysomething Ted and his 12-year-old dachshund Lily live a quiet life in Los Angeles. Ted hasn't had a boyfriend in years, but he and Lily watch movies, play board games, and talk about guys together. Everything is going along smoothly until the appearance of the octopus, Ted's name for the tumor that appears on Lily's head. Because of her age and prior medical history, Lily's treatment options are limited. Still, Ted is determined to save the life of his best friend. The fight gets more serious as Lily loses her sight and the octopus begins to talk to Ted. Ted reminisces about his and Lily's life together as he devises increasingly outlandish tactics in his war with this eight-armed invader. A long and almost mythic sojourn aboard a rented trawler leads Ted and Lily to the climax of their battle with the implacable enemy.
VERDICT This funny and heartbreaking first novel will appeal to dog lovers, especially those who have had to face the harder aspects of giving their love to a creature who will return that adoration perfectly but for a far too brief time. [See Prepub Alert, 1/4/16.]
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