PLOT- 4/5
CHARACTERS- 3/5
WRITING STYLE: 3.5/5
CLIMAX- 4.5/5
ENTERTAINMENT QUOTIENT: 4/5
“I am Raga. I am Vadya. I am Radha. I am Krishna.
I am Shiva. I am Parvati. I am Gopi. I am Nritya.”
Animals and humans have shared a strong bond since time immemorial. Pets are an important part of the lives of those who have domesticated animals in their homes. Only they understand the crucial roles that these animals play in incorporating themselves as a significant member of the larger family and the best friends of the kids.
Dedicated to the only one who truly fathoms the meaning of love, Tell Tale Pug Tail and Everything Else is written for Grey’s 8-year-old pug “Nuts.”
The book is a collection of 40 written pieces most of which are poems. Though it is hard to classify exactly, Tell Tale Pug Tail is largely a poetry collection which ends up in prosaic pieces towards the end.
It is highly interesting in its format for the pieces don’t follow a fixed form. The graphological variations add to the otherwise simplicity of the work.
The poems and prose deal with various themes of social significance and variance. It begins with an ode to Lord Krishna that is spectacular followed by Quite a Spectacle which is a poem about the obstacles faced by those with poor eyesight and have to wear glasses to read or at all times.
Tell Tale Pug Tail and Everything Else is divided into subheadings of four kinds and can rightly be called a potpourri of various sub-genres which are of unequal length.
The book is full of wit and humour. The humour is ticklish and boisterous at the same time. It will make the reader giggle, laugh out loud and smile. The style is candid and uncanny though utterly sophisticated.
Grey writes with a sense of ease that is mesmerising. She fulfils her ability to pen-down odes, aubades, things “author-y” and “unauthor-y.” There are multiple new coinages as she goes about writing in a conversational and fluid tone.
This fluidity is seen in her super smooth transition between genres and sub-genres. The book has a variety like nothing else and does not stick to giving readers any sense of monotony.
From motherhood to child rearing, Tell Tale Pug Tail talks about societal taboos, myths, religion, social hatred, casteism, the box office, love, language, marriage and perhaps everything possibly imaginable under the sun. This echoes her line from Say Something: “Communication is the highest form of intimacy and friendship.”
Grey is a fabulous communicator though to those readers who are looking to read something within selected genres may consider the book as a bit too cheeky and Grey a talkative teenager.
On the upside, the book is a great amalgamation of youthful joviality and innovativeness. On the downside, it is too much to take in at once. However, it is this cheekiness that allows Grey to focus on the silver lining in every situation.
The poems almost relate stories and the prose is poetry in the making. To add to that, the book comes with illustrations in black and white that are cute and snazzy.
Can’t wait to read it? Buy your copy of Tell Tale Pug Tail and Everything Else using the link below.
