Tomorrow by Damian Dibber

A story about an immortal dog waiting patiently for his owner do I really need to tell you to have the tissues handy?

Tomorrow by Damian Dibben
Published in: 2018
Reviewed by:
Rating: [★★★★]

This ARC was provided by Penguin UK (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis from Goodreads: A wise old dog travels through the courts and battlefields of Europe and through the centuries in search of the master who granted him immortality

Tomorrow tells the story of a 217-year-old dog and his search for his lost master. His adventures take him through the London Frost Fair, the strange court of King Charles I, the wars of the Spanish succession, Versailles, the golden age of Amsterdam and to nineteenth-century Venice. As he journeys through Europe, he befriends both animals and humans, falls in love (only once), marvels at the human ability to make music, despairs at their capacity for war and gains insight into both the strength and frailties of the human spirit.

With the rich historical vision of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell and the captivating canine perspective of A Dog’s Purpose, Tomorrow draws us into a unique century-spanning tale of the unbreakable connection between dog and human.

Book Worm’s Thoughts: Damien Dibben managed to break my heart twice in the pages of this story and I mean full on proper ugly crying none of this elegant single tear falling artistically down the cheek for this reader.

Personally for me the story started out slowly and it took me a while to get into the whole dog as narrator vibe but once I was in I fell heavily. I love Tomorrow and how he views the world even after 217 years he still maintains a puppyish sense of joy alongside his mature understanding of how evil man can be. He sees the destruction men wreak through wars but he also appreciates the beauty man is capable of in terms of music and art.

Throughout the narrative there are cameo appearances by several well know artists, authors and men of science. My favourite of these was the appearance of Lord Byron and how Tomorrow is instantly attracted to him.

At its heart this is a story of love and forgiveness; of loyalty and betrayal and of course heartbreak. Through the various characters it also examines the nature, price and responsibility of immortality. It raises the question, if immortality can be achieved should it be actually be achieved?

Tomorrow and Sporco will remain with me for a long time to come.

“And tomorrow – tomorrow we begin again.”

Who would like this? I would recommend this to anyone who loves dogs, anyone who thinks being immortal is a good idea and anyone who enjoys a different narrative perspective.

We want to hear from you! Have you read this book? What did you think?