Beyond the Blue Dog – Book Review
by Rene Eram
Beyond the Blue Dog: A Surreal Dark Comedy on Self-Forgiveness by Rene Eram is my current book to review, and I was so pleased with this one. I was intrigued from the start by the cover and book premise, and very excited to get a review copy. It did not disappoint!
This novel explores the complexity of regret, self-doubt, and repentance in a way that is both ridiculous and sad, humorous and eerie—all the while entertaining readers with wit that can shatter glass. In short, it was right up my alley.
There are 19 chapters in all, and the book dives right into the meat of things in chapter one, which I loved. The tone is established in the first few pages: Patrick’s marriage is failing, his house is in ruins, and time itself appears to be trapped.
Enter Transcendental Charlie, a mysterious character dressed in prison garb who could be a cosmic trickster, a delusion, or a prophet. Your guess is as good as mine! These bizarre friends, together with the menacing figure of the title character Blue Dog, lead Patrick on a trip that is more about facing the man he has become than it is about changing his outside circumstances.
A Surreal Adventure with Depth
The way this book strikes a balance between emotional honesty and surrealism is what makes it so captivating. It’s weird – in all the best ways. Eram incorporates humor that is both necessary and cathartic into his gloomy subjects, which include broken relationships, wasted time, and the crushing weight of guilt. The ridiculous details never overpower. Instead, they bring to light the unvarnished realities that lie behind.
Particularly noteworthy are Patrick’s exchanges with Charlie. Their conversations are full of existential joking, frequently swinging within a single page from comedic ridiculousness to gut-punch wisdom. Charlie is a contradictory guide who unnerves Patrick and the reader in equal measure. He is both unnerving and somehow soothing.
I found it interesting that the main character is the same age as me, but he seems to be having a much more difficult time of things. It made me want to give him a big hug and say, “Hey man, it’s going to be alright”. I do think every reader will be able to find some things about Patrick that they can relate to.
Themes of Forgiveness and Transformation
Beyond the Blue Dog is fundamentally about forgiving oneself. And this is a lesson many of us have to learn the hard, long, and painful way.
When there is no way to change the past, the story poses the question, “What do we do with our failures?” How can we proceed without regret taking over our lives? Patrick’s story is quite relevant and serves as a reminder that finding the strength to be honest with oneself is more important for redemption than making extravagant gestures.
The book also does a great job of illustrating how laughter and hopelessness can coexist. Laughing is a coping strategy, a survival technique, and eventually a route to recovery. I’ve learned this firsthand, and I appreciate how the book highlights this. It is never cheap or trivial. This is a great book for those who enjoy dark humor that doesn’t sacrifice lightness.
A Unique Reading Experience
Eram writes in a clear, creative, and surprising manner. Like Patrick’s own mentality, the story twists and turns rather than following a straight path. You will become engrossed if you enjoy literary fiction, bizarre narrative, and writers who aren’t afraid to try new things, like Kurt Vonnegut, Paul Auster, or even Gabriel García Márquez.
This is a book that provokes thought, laughter, and, most of all, emotion. It’s definitely 5 stars from me, and I hope more people will read this one.
Final Thoughts
Beyond the Blue Dog is a darkly humorous success story that demonstrates how literature can be both uplifting and life-changing. The story takes readers on a crazy journey through one man’s self-discovery by fusing absurdist humor with emotional relevance.
Anyone who likes fiction that dares to be unique, combines humor and emotion, and pushes us to take a somewhat more critical look at our own lives should definitely read this book, in my opinion.
Get it on Amazon in paperback, hardcover, and Kindle editions.