DownloadThe Portobello Bookshop Gift Guide 2024

Dogs of the Deadlands

SHORTLISTED FOR THE WEEK JUNIOR BOOK AWARDS

Anthony McGowan author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Oneworld Publications

Published:7th Sep '23

Should be back in stock very soon

This paperback is available in other editions too:

Dogs of the Deadlands cover

In Dogs of the Deadlands, two dogs must navigate survival in a post-apocalyptic world after their human companions are gone.

Set against the haunting backdrop of Chernobyl in 1986, Dogs of the Deadlands tells the story of Natasha, a young girl forced to evacuate her home in the dead of night. In the chaos, she must leave her beloved puppy behind, not knowing if she will ever return to her once-familiar world. As the narrative unfolds, we meet Misha and Bratan, two dogs who must navigate the perilous landscape left in the wake of the nuclear disaster. Stripped of human companionship, these pups are thrust into a harsh wilderness where survival is a daily struggle.

The brothers quickly learn that the world has changed dramatically since the humans left. With dangers lurking in the shadows—creatures with sharp teeth and predatory instincts—their instincts are put to the test as they learn to fend for themselves. The bond between the brothers is crucial as they encounter both the beauty and the brutality of their new environment. Misha and Bratan's journey is filled with moments of both heartache and resilience, exploring themes of loyalty and survival against the odds.

In exploring the question of whether dogs can survive without humans, Dogs of the Deadlands also poses a deeper inquiry: can humans truly live without the companionship of dogs? This poignant tale captures the essence of love, loss, and the enduring spirit of those left behind in a world forever altered by tragedy.

‘Insightful and entertaining, this is animal storytelling at its best.’ New Zealand Listener


'This wonderful novel deserves to receive the literary equivalent of the starlight barking to ensure it’s read by all.' The Times


'This book! It broke my heart and then splintered it back together again. Imagine Watership Down meets The Animals of Farthing Wood but fiercer.' Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear


‘This visceral story of heartbreak and survival, complemented by Robinson’s sharp images, has the memorable feel of a classic such as White Fang or Watership Down.’ Guardian, Best children’s and YA books of 2022


‘A dog’s eye perspective that’s so vivid you can almost taste the earthworms.’ FT, YA Book of the Year


'A multilayered tale of loss and renewal with elements both topical and universal.’ Kirkus Reviews


'A fabulous and unsentimental tale… This tells of courage, of loss, of survival against the odds, and ultimately of a hope that brings some meaning to life… The narrative is pacy, beautifully written, and with very well considered description to bring the story to life. This is a great read and an inspiring story.’ School Librarian Editor’s Pick


‘A heart-rending odyssey about love between dog and girl.' New Statesman, Book of the Year


'A powerful and beautifully illustrated book about the bond between Natasha and her puppy Zoyu.’ Irish Examiner, Book of the Year


‘Beautifully written and emotionally devastating.’ Bookseller, Most Anticipated Children’s & YA titles 2022


Steeped in Richard Adams’ Plague Dogs and Watership Down, yet wearing all the hallmarks of Barry Hines at his finest, Dogs of the Deadlands is a wonderful thing. It moved me and stayed with me for an awfully long time.’ Phil Earle, author of When the Sky Falls


A truly unforgettable tale of hope in the wilderness. This story feels classic, timeless. It will be read and read and read and loved by so many readers for a long time to come.’ Keith Gray, author of Ostrich Boys


I was completely blown away by this brilliant, beautiful story. I was propelled back to reading Watership Down as an eight year old – this gave me that same feeling of having been indelibly changed by a story. It's a rare and special thing for a book to do.’ Catherine Bruton, author of No Ballet Shoes in Syria


Raw, unflinching, and blisteringly well written, Dogs of the Deadlands is already certain to be one of my books of the year! Just WOW.’ A. M. Howell, author of The Garden of Lost Secrets


Extraordinary – exciting, brutal, heartbreaking, it carries you along with every howl, every bite and every moment of joy. Wonderful!’ Alastair Chisholm, author of Orion Lost


‘This is a powerful novel about how people’s lives can change in an instant, and how the animals affected by human disaster learn to survive… a tense, thought-provoking drama whose descriptions of animal life are reminiscent of Watership Down. Rock the Boat is publishing a sumptuous hardback edition.’ Charlotte Eyre, Bookseller, One to Watch


‘Loved Dogs of the Deadlands – swept along by the story powerful telling of dogs’ survival in the wilds against the backdrop of Chernobyl and the spaces humans left behind.’ Gill Lewis, author of A Street Dog Named Pup


‘The dogs’ behaviour is convincingly authentic… A phenomenal story of survival despite, and because of, the desolation of a modern nuclear fallout.’ Simon Barrett, Armadillo Magazine


‘A story about hope… a story that never lets up in excitement and overall engagement from start to finish.’ Books for Keeps, 5* review


‘The devastation the explosion caused is hauntingly described… There is, though, a lot of hope here too.’ Literary Review


‘Underscores the dangers of nuclear power plants and their catastrophic effects on pets and wildlife when problems arise like the Chernobyl meltdown. A story that will linger in the mind and memory of its young readers...' Midwest Book Review


‘This gripping and unusual tale… A remarkable and intimate story of loyalty and love, resilience, survival and hope.’ BookTrust


Praise for Anthony McGowan:

‘The Carnegie medal winner McGowan is superb at stories about children who do not have all the advantages.’ Sunday Times

‘McGowan's prose is beautiful in its brevity and devastating in its emotional impact.’ Bookseller

ISBN: 9780861546398

Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 23mm

Weight: unknown

320 pages