The True Story of a Stolen Dog and the Humans He Brought Together
Description
He was searching for a lost dog. He found more than he’d ever hoped for.
On Valentine’s Day 2019, someone stole Steven Carino’s dog, Oliver, from his car. Having lost his mother at 13 and grown up with an alcoholic father, he could always count on his dogs for comfort and company. But now, with his beloved Oliver missing, Steven felt utterly alone.
Then, the miracle. In a series of near-impossible coincidences, people from different walks of life crossed paths with Oliver and with Steven. Hardworking immigrants, wealthy suburbanites, car mechanics, deli workers, old friends, close relatives, street cops, gang members, a TV news reporter, social media followers around the world, and one very gifted hairdresser all played a part in Steven’s desperate journey to find Oliver. In the middle of it all, Steven realized that no one is ever truly alone – and that the power of community can be life-changing.
Details
- Rating: ☆☆
- Title: Oliver
- Author: Steven J. Carino; Alex Tresniowski
- Narrator: Steven J. Carino
- Genre: Memoir, Autobiography, Pets
- Audience: Adult
- Length: 7 hours 17 minutes
- Publisher: Thomas Nelson
- Release Date: January 25, 2021
My Thoughts
This story is about what happened when a very loved little dog named Oliver was stolen from his owner’s car on Valentine’s day. Steve, Oliver’s owner, is left a complete emotional wreck. And for those of us who have ever lost a pet, through death or otherwise, it is easy to empathize with the hollow place that was left in Steven’s heart.
Though most dog lovers might reach for this book because of the cover, it is more about the dog’s owner than the dog. The story covers Steven’s emotional state, his reaction to Oliver’s loss, and finally the reaction of those hearing of the loss. The present, which is about the search for Oliver, is interspersed with past history of Steven’s life.
While I have discovered that I love a good dog story, I found this was more of a memoir of Steven’s story during the time that Oliver was missing. In that regard I was disappointed. Though there is a good message that the author shares.
My Concerns
I had several concerns regarding this audiobook.
- It would have helped to have had a professional narrator since Steven’s jumpy reading style, which included pausing often and not just at commas, ended up making it very hard to listen to.
- The story felt repetitious and far too long for the topic.
- I hate to admit this, but it was also hard to like the main character. While people were doing everything in the world to help Steven, he was intent on holding on to the woe-is-me attitude and acting helpless. (Okay, I feel very bad saying that, but I’m being honest.)
Conclusion
This did have a very good lesson, and I appreciate that the author was willing to share what he learned and in turn perhaps help others. That being said, I would have been happier had this been a short story rather than a book.
Did I like the message? Absolutely. It was a very good message that we all need to take note of. But for me, the story just wasn’t a good fit.
Unfortunately, my Concerns outweighed the Positives this time.
My thanks to #netgalley for the ability to listen to this audiobook and to post my opinion of it.
Rating
NO THANKS
But who knows? You might like it, so give it a try.
About the Authors
Steven Carino was born in Huntington, New York. The youngest of five children, he graduated from SUNY Brockport with a Bachelor of Science in American History. He worked as a DJ in New York City before launching careers in advertising and real estate and starting his own employment agency. Today, Steven has his own driving business and lives in a cottage in Bedford, New York, with his best friend, Oliver, and an array of sheep, goats, chickens, a horse, a rooster, and a mini-cow named Anna Belle. Oliver is Steven’s first book.
Alex Tresniowski
Alex Tresniowski is a former human-interest writer at People and the bestselling author of several books, most notably The Vendetta, which was purchased by Universal Studios and used as a basis for the movie Public Enemies. His other titles include An Invisible Thread, Waking Up in Heaven, and The Light Between Us.
