The story of a family in crisis and the loyal dog that holds them together, from the witty, imaginative author of The Dead Fathers Club. The Hunters—Adam, Kate, and their children Hal and Charlotte—are a typical family, with typical concerns: work, money, love, and the trials of adolescence. What sets them apart is Prince, their black labrador.
Prince is an earnest and determined young dog. He strives to live up to the tenets of the Labrador Pact: Duty Over All. Other dogs, led by the springer spaniels, have revolted, but Prince takes his responsibilities seriously. As things in the Hunter family begin to go awry—marital breakdown, rowdy teenage parties, attempted suicide—he uses every canine resource to keep the clan together.
In the end, Prince must choose: the family or the Pact? His decision may cost him everything.
Wry, perceptive, and heartbreaking, The Labrador Pact is a cunning and original take on domestic life, with an improbably poignant narrator.
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"also published under title "The Labrador Pact". Story is told by the labrador retriever who is charged with protecting his family. Through teenage parties, infidelities, murders, this dog stays true to his calling. An interesting take on what our pets think of us."
— Carol (4 out of 5 stars)
" I would ahve given it four stars if the ending hadn't been so sad. The author is funny and I intend to read some of his other works. "
— Katrina, 2/16/2014" Shakespeare...doggy style! "
— Dingogrrl, 2/6/2014" Not even finished, nor will it ever be. And I usually like Matt Haig so much, too. "
— Addie, 2/5/2014" This book did not engage me. We had 3 dogs - dogs to die for - dogs to cry for. Friends, family and loyal in return. OK not Labs but I would say more engaging. I could not give a tuppence when the dog was put down and when new couple on the block were plotting their games I wanted to punch their lights out more than anyone but the dog? Just give it a bone - I don't care. "
— Gerry, 1/22/2014" I was very disappointed with this book - teach me for buying a book for it's cover. "
— Karen, 1/14/2014" Another animal narrator, another 2.5. Maybe I just don't like the animal narrator model, or maybe I just found this story predictable and not that compelling. "
— Sarah, 12/24/2013" Considering that it's written from the point of view of the family dog, this book is really powerful. It's an eerie look into human interactions and family trauma. Warning: it's also very sad. But y'all know how I feel about happy endings... "
— Celeste, 11/26/2013" Really enjoyed it at first but then went progressively more weird and ultimately just plain disturbing. Not one I'll be passing on to family and friends - just the charity shop. "
— Kate, 11/15/2013" Well done, just not really my cup of tea. Really made me want a dog, though. "
— Andrea, 8/11/2013" A look at the life of a mixed up family narrated by their dog. "
— Scott, 5/20/2013" This book got me hooked from page 1. It's a story on the trials and tribulations of a family as told from their family Lab Prince, who will go to great odds at keeping them together. "
— Nicole, 9/27/2012" Fast, bitter-sweet read. Allegorical I think about spirituality, family, and relationships. A must read for dog lovers. "
— Rich, 8/25/2012" I have the best dog ever, and every night I'd get home and tell him what I learned about him and his pals. I'm very pleased that the labradors are really in charge, and will keep our families together. "
— Carol, 7/19/2012" Couldn't get into this book have loved the authors other books but may try this one again at a later date "
— Jennifer, 4/23/2012" I have to admit I read the first few pages & then skipped to the end, & decided not to read it based on that... It may have been a great book, but not what I'm in the mood for... "
— Heather, 3/29/2012" It was boring. A poor second showing from a good writer. I liked the attempt of looking at human life through a dog's eyes but for me it came off as overly British and dated. Too bad. "
— Ben, 2/29/2012" I thoroughly enjoyed this book as I thought that it was well written. I read it just after our dog came into our lives. I would recommend this book to non dog lovers as well as dog lovers. "
— Clare, 1/21/2012" slightly silly account of a labrador's attempts to save his family from meltdown. a quick,humorous read. "
— Mary, 12/30/2011" I have to admit I read the first few pages & then skipped to the end, & decided not to read it based on that... It may have been a great book, but not what I'm in the mood for... "
— Heather, 4/19/2011" Well...as a jaded reader whose finding it hard to find worthy reads. This one was a worthy read.<br/>It's a quick read.<br/>I won't spoil it for anyone.<br/>It's not a great literary work. It's a fine piece of light modern fiction. "
— Maybaby, 4/2/2011" Really enjoyed it at first but then went progressively more weird and ultimately just plain disturbing. Not one I'll be passing on to family and friends - just the charity shop. "
— Kate, 1/8/2011" Couldn't get into this book have loved the authors other books but may try this one again at a later date<br/> "
— Jennifer, 12/12/2010" It took a while to get into this book, but once I did I really, thoroughly enjoyed it. Ending was sad, thought somebody would come and save the dog but sadly no!! But I suppose that was the point! "
— Laura, 8/22/2010" Two stars because, while well written I do not like the ending. I should have learned my lesson about dog books. I am always hopeful. "
— Cyd, 4/11/2010" Well done, just not really my cup of tea. Really made me want a dog, though. "
— Andrea, 1/4/2010" slightly silly account of a labrador's attempts to save his family from meltdown. a quick,humorous read. "
— Mary, 8/30/2009" THis was a gift from my dad for christmas each year he gives me a new novel as a gift.I enjoyed this one and especialy the different narrative viewpoint.Books with animals are not my favorite as I worry the entire time that something terrible will befall the animal that is why the 3 star rating. "
— Michelle, 8/3/2009Matt Haig writes fiction and nonfiction for children and adults, including four series, eleven stand-alone novels, novellas, short stories, and a memoir. His Shadow Forest, aka Samuel Blink and the Forbidden Forest, won the 2009 Blue Peter Book Award for Book of the Year.
Simon Jones is an English actor and award-winning audiobook narrator. Besides winning many AudioFile Earphones Awards for narration, he has won the prestigious Audie Award for best narration, including for top prize of Audiobook of the Year. He was named a “Golden Voice” by AudioFile magazine and as “Narrator of the Year” in 2005 by Publishers Weekly. As an actor, he has been featured in numerous Broadway productions and has appeared in the films The Devil’s Own, Twelve Monkeys, For Love or Money, Green Card, Brazil, Monty Python’s Meaning of Life, and Miracle on 34th Street remake. His television appearances include a role in The Cosby Mysteries and Murder She Wrote. He studied at Cambridge University and the legendary Cambridge Footlights Dramatic Club.