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Audiobook1 hour
The Shepherd, the Angel, and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog
Published by Penguin Random House Audio
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
4/5
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About this audiobook
From the Pulitzer Prize-winning humorist comes one of the funniest, warmest, most delightful Christmas stories ever.
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Reviews for The Shepherd, the Angel, and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog
Rating: 3.7595419725190844 out of 5 stars
4/5
131 ratings17 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Christmas tale from the early 1960's, which makes the narrator, Doug Barnes, about the same age kid that the author, Dave Barry, would have been. Not that this is remotely autobiographical, as the author protests...too much.Anyway, the gist of the story centers around the Christmas pageant at St. John's Episcopalian Church, a crush on the girl playing Mary (even though Doug is only a lowly shepherd), a beloved family dog who is probably approaching his last Christmas, and the various comedy stylings that permeate anything Dave Barry puts to paper. Dave Barry delivers on all counts here, telling a wackily engaging story that finishes in a surprisingly touching way that left me teary-eyed.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5This is a cute little book about a middle school boy who's telling us of a particular Christmas. It's written in 1st person and in a very casual style, just as if the boy were speaking to you. If you're a dog lover, you'll really enjoy the character of Frank and Walter, the former who's not doing so well and the latter who's looking for a home. What's most amazing to me is this little 112 page paperback is $14! Unreal. Book prices are insane. (I got this as a gift, FYI.)
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Any Dave Barry fans? If you are, you'll enjoy this one. It's not one of his normal humor books. It is a sweet story that will make you laugh and maybe cry just a little. This little book, coming in at just over one hundred pages, is filled with pictures of Christmases past and old memories. It takes place in the 60's in a small town where things seem idyllic to most of us.Doug is the narrator and I'm guessing he's around thirteen or fourteen. He's got the role of Shepherd in the church Christmas pageant. The story revolves around his family and one Christmas that stood out among others. It's such a short book that if I tell you anything much I'll be giving it away. Just take my advice, put it on your "to be read" list and look for it. It would be cute to read to your kids too - just leave out the part about the bras!
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Dave Barry's attempt to mimic what Jean Sheppard did with "A Christmas Story." It has its moments but overall isn't quite as heartfelt or warm as the Sheppard story. Part of this stems from the fact that Barry has to bring in a lot of plot threads for the wacky climax to the story, including the lead characters crush on the girl playing Mary, a church steeple full of bat guano and a new dog for Doug Barnes (the narrator) and his family. I wonder if hearing Barry read the story might improve things a great deal. For some reason, I kept hearing the narration from "A Christmas Story" in my head and the two styles of humor are similar but also very different. Both have observational moments, but Barry relies more on being wacky and silly (as evidences by the way various threads come together for the story's climax and/or punchline). Still, if you want a fun, quick read to put you in the Christmas spirit and will give you a smile, this is one to try.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This one's a fast, fun, family Christmas read, and I'm giving it 5 stars as a "best in class," along with A Christmas Story and The Best Christmas Pageant ever. It is very readable out-loudable; a kinder, gentler (but not too hokey) Dave Barry. I plan to give a copy to my brother-in-law who loves dogsand my other brother and sister-in-law who just lost a beloved dog..
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The year is 1960 and young Doug shares with us his reminisces of red ants, rubber cigar smoking kings, musical shepherds, very large dogs and, of course, his first crush, Judy Flanders.At 116 pages The Shepherd, the Angel and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog is not much more than a novelette. However, it is a lighthearted, sweet tale with many interesting photographs from the 1960s. The story was definitely family oriented and had me smiling at different parts. Also, basically as a note to myself, the book has a picture of a movie poster from North to Alaska which actually looks pretty interesting. I don't watch many old movies but I don't think I'd mind watching that one.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Some good laughs, but longer than it needs to be.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Very funny, and very sweet.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Wonderful holiday blend of sentiment and silliness.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This is a read-in-an-afternoon heart-warmer of a book from humorist Dave Barry. Set in the 1960s, it is told by a teenage boy, Doug Barnes (Notice the initials are the same as the writer.), about his experiences with the obiligatory church holiday programs. Guaranteed to bring back memories of your own childhood involvement in Christmas programs, this is a wonderful holiday book, destined to be made into a hilarious made-for-tv movie. Highly recommended to get you in the Christmas mood.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A warm hearted tale that everone, especially Boomers, will love.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Short,funny Christmas story.Quick and very enjoyable! Sort of a Ralphie of Christmas Story meets Philip Gulley in the Harmony series. Loved Frank and Walter!!!!!!!This can be read in 1 or 2 sittings!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Life happens, even when Christmas approaches. And things can get complicated.This is a very short book, but lots of fun. I did laugh out loud, and it also made me sniffle- which means it's an excellent holiday read by my lights.More a slice of life than a plot per se. Great characterization, including the dogs. The narrator is a middle-school boy, with his sensibilities.I enjoyed it.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Fun easy read. Great little Christmas pick me up.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5It's quiet impressive. I only listened to the audiobook, and I recommend the audiobook instead of normal book. It hits almost all notes of a feel good story. It is small yet big on emotion, funny and witty without being juvenile. A high school boy, his family which includes father-mother- younger brother sister-a dog, his crush, his funny friends and Christmas backdrop. Doesn't becomes preachy. Best thing about this book is the simplicity. Give it a try.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This short story has everything a good Christmas story should – nostalgia, childhood, mischief, drama, Nativity play, pathos, romance, and humor. Best of all, there are dogs! Author Dave Barry proved to be a capable narrator. It’s perfect for getting into the Christmas spirit.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5There is a lot going on in this little novel, but then it’s Christmas – a busy time even in the 60’s. The church Christmas pageant is a big deal, boys had crushes on girls but couldn’t show it, mom was busy getting everything perfect for Christmas, and though it’s never a good time for the family dog to be old and sick, but it’s even worse when that happens on Christmas Eve. Dave Barry does a good job of inserting humor in sad situations, making everything seem all right. And maybe dogs DO go to heaven, at least one special dog was with Jesus. Not your typical “feel-good” Christmas story, but nevertheless, it is a great Christmas story.