Marley and Me: Life and Love with the

World’s Worst Dog

Book Review
 Marley and Me: Life and Love with the

Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World’s Worst Dog | 2/9/2007
World’s Worst Dog
Book Review

Marley & Me tells the story of a young couple, Jenny and John Grogan, who innocently decide
to get a puppy as a way of testing their parenting skills before trying their luck with an actual
baby. What makes the story interesting is that they don’t just get any puppy; they get a Lab
puppy without realizing that Labs are known for, utter and tireless chaos and destruction. It
becomes clear, very early on, that Marley is no exception. As a ninety-seven pound dog with
more energy than a whole class of first graders, Marley’s entry into John and Jenny’s life is a
whirlwind of disaster.

John Grogan, the book’s author, is an accomplished journalist and consequently knows how to
write well. Mr. Grogan is a columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer, and decided to pursue his
lifelong dream of writing a book after he had great response to a column he wrote as a tribute to
his beloved pet, Marley. He does a great job of describing Marley’s many antics – everything
from getting booted out of obedience school to eating and later eliminating a gold chain, to
thoroughly destroying an Ikea store’s worth of furniture and household items. Mr. Grogan also
adeptly recounts Marley’s lifelong addiction to prescription drugs, his brief stint as a movie star,
and many other endearing and not-so-endearing milestones of this pooch’s life. Yet through it
all, the book points out the unconditional love Marley has for his family, and they have for him.

The book often reads like a well written journal, Grogan does a nice job of weaving in the tales
of his young family’s story, describing the new couples excitement over their first pregnancy,
and heartbreak over the subsequent miscarriage. John struggles with career decisions and where
to raise a family while Jenny battles serious depression for a brief period. These honest and
intense pages allow Marley & Me to rise above other similar light-hearted tales.

Overall, Marley & Me, is an excellent book that can be enjoyed by anyone, even those without
dogs will appreciate the route Marley takes to become the heart of the Grogan family. Grogan’s
tale is humorous, heart-warming, emotionally appealing and conversational in tone. It may make

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you cry, but it will certainly make you smile. Readers who like this book may also enjoy, From
Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World’s Worst Dog | 2/9/2007
Baghdad with Love: A Marine, the War, and a Dog Named Lava, by Jay Kopelman, detailing
one man's struggle to rescue one little puppy from the hell of war.