Truck Dogs
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Truck Dogs: A Novel in Four Bites is a children's adventure/science fiction novel by Australian author Graeme Base, who is famous for his large picture books such as Animalia. It was published in 2003 and nominated for a CBCA 2004 Book of the Year for younger readers. The novel is supposed to take place in the future, but the setting is ultimately a fantasy world based on a rural desert town (as in the Australian outback or the western United States). All of the characters are caricaturized, anthropomorphic dogs of various breeds, part biological and part machine. Their lower bodies are formed by the chassis and wheels of some kind of modern vehicle, often a truck. Reviewers have referred to the novel as a meeting of Mad Max and Lassie[1] or Thomas The Tank Engine[2]. There are some references to the film Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior in the novel.[3]
The story follows a young dog-vehicle who longs for adventure. He befriends a group of rebellious adolescent dog-vehicles (who are disliked by the citizens of the small town where they live) and an old loner mechanic. They have to choose where they stand when a renegade gang arrives and attempts to steal the town's precious gasoline resources and threatens harm.
The novel includes numerous color plates illustrated by Base picturing the characters and their individual make and model.
The author introduces the novel as if it had been told to him by his dog.
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[edit] Origins
The author states that the main idea for the novel was derived from his childhood observations on the "animal intensity" of trucks and other fast-moving vehicles.[4]
[edit] Critical Response
Response to the novel has been overall positive, with many agreeing that it is entertaining, with a relatively straightforward story and linear plot.[5] One reviewer notes that, since none of the dog/vehicle hybrids or other inhabitants (truck bugs, truck sheep) have limbs, one wonders how they are able to perform the more delicate tasks of running a town.[6] The author believes that the novel does not fit into a particular genre but is nonetheless enjoyable to readers of all ages.[7]
The novel has also been released in other languages besides english.[8]
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ [1]. Findarticles.com, ALAN Review, "Truck Dogs: A Novel in Four Bites" Summer, 2004.
- ^ [2]. ReadersVoice.com, interview, "Truck Dogs author Graeme Base talks about his favorite books" March, 2004.
- ^ [3]. Findarticles.com, ALAN Review, "Truck Dogs: A Novel in Four Bites" Summer, 2004.
- ^ [4]. ReadersVoice.com, interview, "Truck Dogs author Graeme Base talks about his favorite books" March, 2004.
- ^ [5]. La Trobe University, Review, "Truck Dogs" ?, 2004.
- ^ [6]. DarkEcho #36, Review, "Truck Dogs by Graeme Base" ?, 2004.
- ^ [7]. La Trobe University, Review, "Truck Dogs" ?, 2004.
- ^ [8]. teachingbooks.net, slideshow, "Graeme Base on Truck Dogs" February 1, 2008.
