Introduction

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The long-awaited novel; a very special love story; from the best-selling author of Cowboys Are My Weakness. This is the story of a woman, Rae, and her dog, Dante, a wolfhound who teaches "his human" that love is stronger than fear (the dog has always known this). Dante is the catalyst for change in other characters as well, and they step forward with their narratives: Rae's house-tender; her therapist; two veterinarians; and an anxiety-ridden actor, Howard, who turns out to be as stalwart as Dante himself. As the "seer" who hunts by sight rather than smell, Dante has some things to add, as does Rose, another dog who lives at Rae's heels, and Stanley the cat. Among and above these myriad voices, Rae voices her own challenges. With the wit and dead-on candor we've come to expect from Pam Houston, Sight Hound unfolds a story that illuminates the intangible covenant between loved ones. Here, dogs and humans are simply equal creatures, looking to connect and holding on for dear life when they do. Reading group guide included.

At the heart of Pam Houston's tender novel Sight Hound is a surprisingly thoughtful three-legged Irish wolfhound named Dante. Convinced that it is his responsibility to teach the humans around him about love, he concentrates his efforts on his owner Rae. While the thought of a canine in the lead role may give many pause, in this case it shouldn't. Houston manages to pull this aspect of the story off with skill and is able to create a multi-dimensional character out of a cancer-riddled old dog. She's not quite as successful with the humans in her story, however, and the array of voices the story is told in quickly becomes confusing.

A decent novel on its own, Sight Hound may leave long-time Houston fans feeling a little cheated. Personal essays and short stories like those in Cowboy Are My Weakness and A Little More About Me stir the heart and endear readers to Houston's signature blend of over-the-top confidence and girlish insecurity. Fans will gobble this effort up while anxiously waiting for more from Houston, but readers new to her work might do better to start on her earlier titles. --Victoria Griffith

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