First published 1978
A small circus dog begins an unexpected journey when war disrupts the familiar world of performances and applause. The dog moves from one temporary home to another across France, adapting to new handlers and strange circumstances as conflict reshapes the landscape. When the animal crosses the English Channel, the sea voyage brings fresh challenges and uncertainty. Throughout these travels, the dog encounters both kindness and cruelty from the humans whose lives intersect with its own. The war creates constant movement and separation, forcing the dog to rely on instinct and resilience. Each new location demands different survival skills, whether navigating bombed cities or unfamiliar countryside. The story reveals how animals experience human conflict, showing a world transformed by violence through innocent eyes that cannot comprehend the larger forces at work.
Genres: fiction, animals, historical-fiction, 20th-century, war
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, survival
Setting: England, France
Period: World War II
215 pages · Hardcover · Little, Brown
Content warnings: war