I have read way too many books lately where (gulp) the dog dies. I hate it. I especially hate it when I have no idea that it’s coming. I know it’s my personal trigger, not shared by everyone, but it bothers me enough that I decided to put together a list, just in case anyone else out there wants to avoid being blindsided.
This list is not exhaustive, obviously. I haven’t read every book (though I’m giving it a red hot go). I also haven’t included books where the dog famously dies (e.g., Old Yeller, Where The Red Fern Grows, those “classics”). This is specifically a list of books where the dog dies and you might not see it coming. I’ll update this list of books to avoid as I encounter more.
I’ve also included books with instances of cruelty towards dogs or dog injuries, even if they don’t necessarily die, because I find those just as difficult (so I’m assuming others do, too). Where I’ve published a review, I’ve linked to it, if you’re looking for a bit more context about what happens.
Oh, and I’ve included a few photos of Fyodor Dogstoyevsky too, just to remind you in this misery parade that there are happy, beloved dogs out there living their best lives.
Books To Avoid Where The Dog Dies
A Game Of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder by Holly Jackson
A Tale For The Time Being by Ruth Ozeki
The Absolutely True Diary Of A Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
The Call Of The Wild by Jack London
The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time by Mark Haddon
Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
The Days Of Abandonment by Elena Ferrante
Death In Her Hands by Ottessa Moshfegh
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
How To Sell A Haunted House by Grady Hendrix
The Grapes Of Wrath by John Steinbeck
The Little Friend by Donna Tartt
The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
The Marriage Act by John Marrs
My Absolute Darling by Gabriel Tallent
My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
The Nothing Man by Catherine Ryan Howard
Of Mice And Men by John Steinbeck
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
Perfume by Patrick Suskind
Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe
The Southern Book Club’s Guide To Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
Tender Is The Flesh by Augustina Bazterrica
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The Winners by Fredrik Backman
July 8, 2023 at 12:46 AM
Ugh, thank you for this list! I’m currently reading a Middle Grade fantasy series (the Wingfeather Saga-four books total) and in the first book, you are led to believe the dog dies (in a devastating way) only to find out that he is healed and comes back as a dog big enough to ride (charming!). Then in book 2, he actually DOES DIE horrifically and I was so crushed I couldn’t pick the book back up for several weeks (still haven’t finished it).
Another book to add to your list that scarred me was Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah.
Anyway, I am always here for this trigger warning.
July 8, 2023 at 1:25 PM
GAHHHH!!! That series sounds like my nightmare – and to think it’s MIDDLE GRADE 😭 And thank you for the tip re: Where The Forest Meets The Stars, will update the list accordingly. Big hugs! x
July 11, 2023 at 8:57 AM
Grady Hendrix and John Steinbeck… repeat offenders! Although I think we’re safe to passume JS was a dog person…
I’ll throw in Animal People by Charlotte Wood. Found it personally devastating as it is a GSD and I have a very cute, very sooky GSD…
July 15, 2023 at 2:52 AM
Gahhhh! I’ve not read that one, and now I NEVER will! Thank you ❤️
July 19, 2023 at 4:20 PM
Good heads up, amazing I can read about a dozen people dying in some nasty way but leave the animals out of it
July 23, 2023 at 9:44 PM
I heartily agree, Phil!