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Dogsbody
Diana Wynne Jones Book Review

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Plot Summary of Dogsbody
"What if all the stars, moons, and suns in the heavens were inhabited by gods? Diana Wynne Jones answers that question in this fictional novel when she introduces reader to Sirius, the temperamental god of the Dog Star, who is framed for a murder he did not commit. As punishment, his powers are removed and he is sentenced to live the life of a dog on Earth. Once there, he is raised by a kind Irish girl and he tries protecting her from English bigots. Meanwhile, the real murderers journeys to Earth to kill the former god."
Michael Jung, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of Dogsbody
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot

Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 20%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 10%




Tone of book - sensitive (sigh....)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy story on current Earth
Spying & Investigations Yes
What is main char. doing? - finding a killer (criminal)
Is this an adult or child's book? - Kid's book (ages 7-14)
Religious overtones? Yes
Animal Story Yes
Kind of animal - dog

Main Character
Identity: - magical being
Profession/status: - unemployed
Age: - long lived adults
Has magical/special powers? Yes
Magical/mental powers of main character: - can change shapes - can talk to animals - is very quick
Eccentric: Yes - wild
How sensitive is this character? - middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

Main Adversary
Identity: - magical being
Age: - long-lived adults
Profession/status: - mage/magician
Has magical powers? Yes
Magical/mental powers of main antagonist: - can change shapes - can talk to animals - can cast all sorts of spells - Invisibility - is very quick
Eccentric: Yes - eccentric - obsessed - mentally ill - deluded - emotionally unstable - wild
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a little/some
How sensitive is this character? - hard edged
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Very much smarter than other characters
Physique - average physique

Setting
Earth setting: - 20th century
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Style
Person? - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths
How much dialogue? - significantly more descript than dialog
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Diana Wynne Jones Resident Scholar Profiles

TOP SCHOLAR:
  
Liba  

SCHOLARS:
Michelle  Michael Jung  


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