book review marley and me

• Member Login
• Library Patron Login

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR

FREE NEWSLETTERS

Search: Title Author Article Search String:

Reviews of Marley & Me by John Grogan

Summary | Excerpt | Reviews | Read-Alikes | Genres & Themes | Author Bio

Marley & Me

by John Grogan

Critics' Opinion:

Readers' Opinion:

• Biography & Memoir
• 1980s & '90s
• Books About Animals

Rate this book

Buy This Book

About this Book

Book summary.

Is it possible for humans to discover the key to happiness through a bigger-than-life, bad-boy dog? Just ask the Grogans!

John and Jenny were just beginning their life together. They were young and in love, with a perfect little house and not a care in the world. Then they brought home Marley, a wiggly yellow furball of a puppy. Life would never be the same. Marley quickly grew into a barreling, ninety-seven-pound streamroller of a Labrador retriever, a dog like no other. He crashed through screen doors, gouged through drywall, flung drool on guests, stole women's undergarments, and ate nearly everything he could get his mouth around, including couches and fine jewelry. Obedience school did no good—Marley was expelled. Neither did the tranquilizers the veterinarian prescribed for him with the admonishment, "Don't hesitate to use these." And yet Marley's heart was pure. Just as he joyfully refused any limits on his behavior, his love and loyalty were boundless, too. Marley shared the couple's joy at their first pregnancy, and their heartbreak over the miscarriage. He was there when babies finally arrived and when the screams of a seventeen-year-old stabbing victim pierced the night. Marley shut down a public beach and managed to land a role in a feature-length movie, always winning hearts as he made a mess of things. Through it all, he remained steadfast, a model of devotion, even when his family was at its wit's end. Unconditional love, they would learn, comes in many forms. Is it possible for humans to discover the key to happiness through a bigger-than-life, bad-boy dog? Just ask the Grogans.

We were young. We were in love. We were rollicking in those sublime early days of marriage when life seems about as good as life can get. We could not leave well enough alone. And so on a January evening in 1991, my wife of fifteen months and I ate a quick dinner together and headed off to answer a classified ad in the Palm Beach Post . Why we were doing this, I wasn't quite sure. A few weeks earlier I had awoken just after dawn to find the bed beside me empty. I got up and found Jenny sitting in her bathrobe at the glass table on the screened porch of our little bungalow, bent over the newspaper with a pen in her hand. There was nothing unusual about the scene. Not only was the Palm Beach Post our local paper, it was also the source of half of our household income. We were a two-newspaper-career couple. Jenny worked as a feature writer in the Post 's "Accent" section; I was a news reporter at the competing paper in the area, the South Florida ...

• "Beyond the Book" articles
• Free books to read and review (US only)
• Find books by time period, setting & theme
• Read-alike suggestions by book and author
• Book club discussions
• and much more!
• Just $45 for 12 months or $15 for 3 months.
• More about membership!

Media Reviews

Reader reviews.

Write your own review!

Read-Alikes

• Genres & Themes

If you liked Marley & Me, try these:

A Man of His Own

by Susan Wilson

Published 2015

About this book

More by this author

Three broken souls, and one dog: Pax. All three of them need healing. All three of them are lost. And in Susan Wilson's A Man of His Own , Pax, with his unconditional love and unwavering loyalty, may be the only one who can guide them home.

Ever By My Side

by Dr. Nick Trout

Published 2012

Tender, wry, and ruminative, Ever By My Side is a tribute to the power and beauty of ordinary life and a celebration of how pets make it all the sweeter and richer.

Books with similar themes

Support bookbrowse.

Join our inner reading circle, go ad-free and get way more!

Find out more

BookBrowse Book Club

Win This Book

The Bluestockings by Susannah Gibson

An illuminating group portrait of the eighteenth-century women who dared to imagine an active life for themselves in both mind and spirit.

Solve this clue:

and be entered to win..

Your guide to exceptional           books

BookBrowse seeks out and recommends the best in contemporary fiction and nonfiction—books that not only engage and entertain but also deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

Subscribe to receive some of our best reviews, "beyond the book" articles, book club info and giveaways by email.

Free Weekly Newsletters

Keep up with what's happening in the world of books: reviews, previews, interviews and more.

Spam Free : Your email is never shared with anyone; opt out any time.

John Grogan

Writer, speaker, tinkerer, seeker, marley & me: life and love with the world's worst dog.

John and Jenny were just beginning their life together,  newlyweds with a perfect little house and not a care in the world. Then they brought home Marley, a wiggly yellow furball of a puppy. Life would never be the same.

Marley quickly grew into a barreling, ninety-seven-pound streamroller of a Labrador retriever. He crashed through screen doors, flung drool on guests, stole women's undergarments, and ate nearly everything he could get his mouth around, including couches and fine jewelry. Obedience school did no good—Marley was expelled. Neither did the tranquilizers the veterinarian prescribed for him with the admonishment, "Don't hesitate to use these."

And yet Marley's heart was pure. Just as he joyfully refused any limits on his behavior, his love and loyalty were boundless, too. Marley shared the couple's joy at their first pregnancy, and their heartbreak over the miscarriage. He was there when babies arrived and when the screams of a seventeen-year-old stabbing victim pierced the night. Through it all, he remained steadfast, a model of devotion, even when his family was at its wit's end. Unconditional love, they would learn, comes in many forms.

“A person can learn a lot from a dog, even a loopy one like ours. Marley taught me about living each day with unbridled exuberance and joy, about seizing the moment and following your heart. He taught me to appreciate the simple things-a walk in the woods, a fresh snowfall, a nap in a shaft of winter sunlight. And as he grew old and achy, he taught me about optimism in the face of adversity. Mostly, he taught me about friendship and selflessness and, above all else, unwavering loyalty.” 

"It would take a heart of stone to resist Marley & Me. "

-- The New York Times

"A funny, touching tribute to [a] ninety-seven-pound Lab who was as loyal and loving as he was disobedient."

"The reason Marley & Me has proved to be a bestseller is that it is not just a funny dog story . . . It's a universal story of family life and a publishing sensation."

-- The Times (of London)

" Marley & Me tenderly follows its subject from sunrise to sunset, from the ball-of-fluff stage to the heartbreaking farewell. ... Mr. Grogan's description has a riotously authentic ring."

-- Janet Maslin, The New York Times

"There's a reason that tissue packets are sometimes handed out at author John Grogan's book signings. His Marley & Me may very well be the feel-good book of the year."

-- USA Today

"If you know someone who claims there’s not a book in the world that can make him cry, give him this one. It won’t even matter if he’s not a dog lover. He’ll cry anyway. Trust me."

-- Richard Roeper, Chicago Sun-Times

"Joyfully infectious, Marley & Me is a loving valentine to one dog and his unquenchable spirit. "

-- Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers selection

the longest trip home: a memoir

 Before there was Marley, there was a gleefully mischievous boy navigating his way through the seismic social upheaval of the 1960s. On the one side were his loving but comically traditional and devout Roman Catholic parents, whose expectations were clear. On the other were his neighborhood pals and all the misdeeds that followed. The more young John tried to straddle these two worlds, the more spectacularly, and hilariously, he failed. Told with Grogan's trademark humor and affection, The Longest Trip Home is the story of one son's journey into adulthood to claim his place in the world. It is a story of faith and reconciliation, breaking away and finding the way home again, and learning in the end that a family's love will triumph over its differences.

"Standing there, I thought about spring's glide into summer, and summer's march to autumn, and the reliable promise of dawn in every setting sun. I thought about the old maple tree that fell in the yard and the young garden that flourished in its footprint. Mostly I thought about Dad and the exemplary life he had led -- and, for all our differences, the indelible mark he had left on me."

"As he did in Marley & Me, Grogan makes readers feel they have a seat at the family dinner table."

-- People (Four stars)

"Genuinely heartrending...with deeply felt humanity and pathos."

"Every now and then a memoir is so well written that readers are able to find elements of their own life story in the chronicle of the writer's life. So it is with this eloquent, tender, witty memoir. Shifting artfully between the voice of a child and the perspective of an adult, John Grogan captures our hearts from start to finish."

--Doris Kearns Goodwin

"A hilarious and touching memoir of his childhood in suburban Detroit... In this tenderly told story, Grogan considers ... the family he's made and the family that made him -- and how to bridge the two."

-- Publishers Weekly (Starred review)

"Entertaining, funny, and best of all, always honest at its core."

-- St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Wry and witty...full-hearted and worthy."

-- Washington Post

"Grogan is a gifted and engaging writer. His disciplined prose, winning way with anecdote, and knack for comedy serve him well."

-- Orlando Sentinel

"All energy and love, passion and compassion--all leavened with a grand sense of humor."

-- Frank McCourt, author of Angela's Ashes

"Bittersweet magic...Recounted with Grogan's trademark mix of warmth, mischief, and honesty."

-- Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"This story is milk-and-cookies simple: pure and terrific."

-- Rocky Mountain News

marley: a dog like no other (a middle-grade adaptation)

 Meet Marley, a yellow furball of a puppy who quickly grows into a large, rowdy  bad boy of a Labrador retriever. Marley is always getting into trouble, whether he is stealing underwear or crashing through doors. But those who know and love Marley accept him as a dog like no other. He brings joy to his family and teaches them what really matters in life.

"Marley and I fell asleep together there,  side by side on the floor. My arm was draped across his back. He woke me once in the night, his shoulders flinching, his paws twitching, little baby barks coming from deep in his throat. He was dreaming. Dreaming, I imagined, that he was young and strong again. And running like there was no tomorrow."

"...personable and filled with the antics of a rambunctious, energetic and irresistible Labrador retriever. People of all ages will laugh and cry while reading this humorous, heartwarming and tender tale. 

-- Kidsreads.com

"It will surely hold youngsters' attention...thanks to the pooch's kid-pleasing shenanigans."

-- Publisher's Weekly

"For any child who loves dogs this will be a gem of a book. This jaded old reviewer cried buckets ..."

--Thebookbag.co.uk

"If you love dogs, you’ll love the book. And somehow if you don’t love dogs you will learn to love them. A must tip for all readers – get your tissues handy for in the end, Marley: A Dog Like No Other is sure to make you cry. "

-- Bookgeeks.in

picture books

Bad dog, marley, a very marley christmas.

In John Grogan's memoir, Marley & Me, the world learned how one bad dog became the heart of the family that loved him. Now, in this original picture book, Mommy, Daddy, Cassie, and Baby Louie welcome the puppy Marley to the family. Marley grows and grows...and grows.

With all the excitement of Christmas approaching, it's no surprise that Marley, the lovable pup with a nose for trouble, wants to get in on the action. 

Marley Goes To School

Trick or treat, marley.

It's the first day of school, and Cassie is all set to go. So is her dog, Marley. Trouble is sure to follow.

 The decorations and candy bowl don’t stand a chance with Marley in  the mix. Will he ruin the Halloween  festivities for everyone?

Marley and the Kittens

It's the first day of school, and Cassie is all set to go. So is her dog, Marley. Trouble is sure to follow!

Copyright © 2019 John Grogan  - All Rights Reserved.

Powered by GoDaddy

Book Review – Marley and Me

I recently decided that I would attempt to read not only books that are published and widely read within the Christian community, but also in the mainstream. To that end I walked into a Los Angeles Barnes & Nobles on Saturday and decided I would buy whatever was listed as being the current top seller among non-fiction. It just so happened that this dubious honor went to Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World’s Worst Dog by John Grogan, a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer .

“John and Jenny were just beginning their life together. They were young and in love, with a perfect little house and not a care in the world. Then they brought home Marley, a wiggly yellow furball of a puppy. Life would never be the same.” That description from the slip cover, obviously written by an editor, does not quite do justice to the back-story, but does give a general idea of the premise for this story. John and his wife, newly married, decided to sharpen their parenting skills, which they thought they would soon need, by purchasing a dog. They ended up with Marley, a crazy, loveable Labrador Retriever. In my experience, Labs tend to come in two flavors: mellow or crazy. Marley was of the crazy variety. And he wasn’t only crazy, but also big, tipping the scales at nearly 100 pounds. And he was active. And perhaps most noticeably, he was mentally unstable. He was the type of dog most people would have given up on.

Grogan, an accomplished and skillful writers, goes on to tell the story of the following thirteen years of his life, showing the centrality of Marley in the lives of the growing family. The story is, on the whole, quite clean, though there is the occasional expletive worked into the text – this is a story that is more appropriate for adults than children. More than being only the story of a dog, this is the story of a family and the crazy pet that they all loved (most of the time). Marley was a part of the family, constantly challenging the love and patience (and pocketbooks) of his owners. He shared in the joys and pains of the family, even to the point of comforting Jenny in the aftermath of a heartbreaking miscarriage.

Marley & Me isn’t the type of book that will change a life. But it will warm a heart and provide more than a few good laughs. Those readers who own dogs, and Labs in particular, will probably nod their heads knowingly more than a few times. It is a tale of nearly infinite love and patience. It is the story of a man who loves his animal far more than I ever could. And I guess that is an admirable thing.

Trusting God in the Uncertainties of Life

There are some things I’m good at. Whether by nature, nurture, or hard practice, I have accumulated some skills and been given some talents. But I’m not good at everything of course. Not nearly. One thing I’m very poor at is …

A La Carte (July 3)

A La Carte: Jesus Calling and the PCA / Why do we believe so many lies about heaven? / Kevin DeYoung’s theological explainer / Ancestor worship in the church / Dear little one / Thoughts on being a Christian writer / Kindle device and book deals / and more.

A La Carte (July 2)

A La Carte: Growing older with wisdom, not bitterness / The bestselling reference Bible / Two new songs / The calling of motherhood for the worrisome mother / Beware the emotional prosperity gospel / Doomed to final frustration / Logos and Kindle sales / and more.

Software for Church Leadership

This week the blog is sponsored by Church Social and is written by Jonathan Reinink. I am currently serving as an elder in my church. In my church, elders and deacons serve three-year terms. Between meetings, pastoral visits, and being in tune with what’s happening both locally and in our denomination, there’s lots of work to do.…

A La Carte (July 1)

A La Carte: One of the best ways we can love our loved ones / Poetry as a means of grace / The cleansing breeze / The redeeming, soul-depression of Jesus / Taking a hard look / Beauty is found in the most unexpected places / Kindle deals / and more.

Beware of Idleness

“Beware of idleness,” Thomas Watson once warned, for “Satan sows most of his seed in fallow ground.” Watson’s warning about idleness is relevant to any area of life, and most Christians quickly come to observe the intimate relationship between idleness and temptation. Charles Spurgeon, who was devoted to the writings of Watson, echoed his mentor…

Explore More

Collections & series.

Book Reviews

All collections and series →

Bible biography Bonhoeffer books Christian living church current issues disability marriage parenting personal prayer sin suffering theology

All topics →

Top Scripture References

Genesis 1 Genesis 3 Psalm 119 Matthew 18 John 3:16 John 10:10 Romans 1 Romans 8:28 Romans 12:2 Ephesians 5 Philippians 4:8 Colossians 3:16

All Scripture references →

Recent Dates

• February 2024
• January 2024
• December 2023
• November 2023
• October 2023
• September 2023
• August 2023

All dates →

Movie Reviews

Tv/streaming, great movies, chaz's journal, contributors, black writers week, never buy the cheapest dog.

Now streaming on:

The second-greatest headline in the history of the Onion is:

Millions of pet owners demand to know: "Who's a good boy?"

This line is not frequently used in the Grogan household. There is a reason for that. Marley is not a good boy. I'd love to have a dog around the house, but not Marley. We have, you know, stuff we like. Books, dishes, tables, chairs, rugs, curtains. You know how it is. Marley considers such objects to be food, playthings or enemies.

There was a real Marley. He belonged to John and Jennifer Grogan, and was the subject of a 2005 best seller that has been adapted into this film. I hope the book earned enough to pay for Marley's overhead. Marley has the behavior pattern of a manic wrecking crew and the appetite of a science-fiction monster, but you gotta love him. At least, the Grogans gotta love him. They may be as crazy as their dog. Here is a useful lesson. When you go to the pet lady, and she shows you a group of Labrador puppies and one is cheaper than all the others, this is not the time to go bargain-hunting.

"Marley & Me" is a cheerful family movie about a young couple starting out in life with a new house, new jobs, a new dog and then three children, who the dog doesn't eat, or the movie wouldn't be rated PG. Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston play the Grogans as brave and resourceful. Every couple has to survive ups and downs in their marriage, but Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette might be alive today if they'd adopted Marley, he had eaten the crown jewels, and they'd fled the palace and abdicated.

You would think the dog would supply the playful, upbeat elements in this movie. Not exactly. Marley supplies the Sturm und Drang, 24-7. It is John Grogan's professional life that supplies the fantasy. He gets a job as a cub reporter on a newspaper and is soon ordered by his editor ( Alan Arkin ) to become a columnist. Nothing doing! he says. He'd rather cover school board meetings and sewer inspectors. Arkin counters: "I'll double your salary!"

In today's newspaper world, this plays like escapist porn. Grogan would be ordered to carry a route on his way to work, and Arkin would be replaced by Uncle Scrooge. But Grogan makes the canny decision to write a column about the dog, and it is a great success. Soon the column and the dog are beloved. Marley becomes as useful to Grogan as Slats Grobnik was to Mike Royko: always good for a column on a slow day. Come to think of it, Marley has all the earmarks of having been trained by Slats, starting out as a puppy by eating barstools and spittoons.

This may be the first family film I've seen that will frighten more adults than children. The Marley kids, Conor, Patrick and Colleen, all love Marley. Their parents are appalled. At one point, Jennifer actually despairs and tells John that either the dog goes or she does. No, actually, she doesn't force him to choose. She's outta there. But she relents and returns to the doggie from hell. The thing about Marley, see, is that he has an uncanny way of knowing exactly when to pause in eating the garage and gaze soulfully upon his masters with unconditional love.

When Marley is not on the screen, Wilson and Aniston demonstrate why they are gifted comic actors. They have a relationship that's not too sitcomish, not too sentimental, mostly smart and realistic. That's because she plays a newspaper reporter, too. Marley would have been a welcome break after a day in the riotous city rooms of the good old days. In today's city rooms, reporters hide in their cubicles praying to escape extermination. I say lock Scrooge in a cage and throw in Marley.

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.

Now playing

Handling the Undead

Kinds of Kindness

Brian tallerico.

The Bikeriders

Robert daniels.

Niani Scott

Slave Play. Not a Movie. A Play.

Brandon towns.

What Remains

Craig d. lindsey, film credits.

Marley & Me (2008)

Rated PG for thematic material, some suggestive content and language

115 minutes

Owen Wilson as John

Jennifer Aniston as Jennifer

Kathleen Turner as Ms. Kornblut

Alan Arkin as Arnie Klein

Eric Dane as Sebastian

Directed by

• David Frankel
• Scott Frank

Based on the book by

• John Grogan

Latest blog posts

The Forrest Gump Soundtrack Hits Different in the Spotify Era

The Man Behind the Curtain: Robert Towne (1934-2024)

Female Filmmakers In Focus: Agnieszka Holland

The Artful Tenderness of A Quiet Place: Day One

Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston, Alan Arkin, Kathleen Turner David Frankel Scott Frank and Don Roos Rated PG 120 Mins. 20th Century Fox

I've had a few friends lately mention the idea of getting a companion dog. They worry about me being alone, they say. I am a paraplegic adult and double amputee with spina bifida. Heck, even I have a hard time keeping track. I understand their worries, and considering my luck with dating a companion dog may be the closest I ever get to a life companion. Still, I've resisted. Marley is why. I've adopted a dog once. Buck. I fell in love with him at first sight...a 14-year-old beagle. He was SO cute. He even had the same name as my grandfather, Buck. Perfect. I thought. I was wrong. I learned very quickly that I'm much more suited to caring for a pet rock than an aging beagle who, I would later learn, had been abused in his previous home. I tried. I really did. However, I failed. I'd probably fail with Marley, too. A Labrador is supposed to be the PERFECT companion dog. There's always an exception, and I have no doubt I'd find the exception. If you are among the millions who read and fell in love with John Grogan's novel, "Marley & Me," then you already know this story and the film is largely faithful to it. Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston are well cast as John and Jennifer, a young couple upon whose lives "Marley & Me" is based. "Marley & Me" is as much about the growth of a marriage, a family and the individuals within as it is about a mischievous yet adorable yellow lab. Wilson, perhaps for the first time, actually acts in "Marley & Me." He lets go of the persona of being Owen Wilson and, at least modestly, stretches himself into displaying authentic feelings and emotions. Combined with his already acknowledged gifts for light comedy, this is one of Wilson's most pleasing performances. The same is true for Aniston. We know that Aniston can do light comedy. We know she can be downright adorable. Heck, we even learned in "The Good Girl" that she can act. In "Marley & Me," however, we get to see all of these traits in one character and, for the most part, it works. Alan Arkin, who's making quite a name for himself in supporting spots lately, has a nice turn as John's editor, while Eric Dane does a solid job as his commitment-phobe friend. The script, by Scott Frank and Don Roos, captures the book's warmhearted feeling fairly well despite an ending that feels a touch excessive in the emotional manipulation department. Director David Frankel ("The Devil Wears Prada") plays it fairly straightforward, seemingly trusting the film's built-in audience to go along with the familiar story. "Marley & Me" isn't great cinema, and one could easily argue the advertising is a bit too upbeat given the film's not so upbeat ending (which readers of the novel will know). "Marley & Me" is, however, a good film that is likely to please most audiences, save for those who didn't enjoy the book or those with a strong aversion to emotionally manipulative storylines. "Marley & Me" is a solid date flick and, with its PG rating, safe for the entire family. Families might note, however, that small children may need to be aware of the film's storyline prior to the film and a discussion afterward might be a good idea. "Marley & Me" didn't make me change my mind about getting a companion dog (or a wife, for that matter). It did, however, remind me of how much I appreciate those with whom I share the ups and downs, trials and tribulations of life.

by Richard Propes Copyright 2008

• Popular Posts
• Fellow Bees
• Other Favorites
• Content Policy
• Privacy Policy
• Sponsorships

Book Review: Marley and Me

My sister read this book when it first released and upon finishing it, she exclaimed that I had to read it. “You know that the dog is going to die and you prepare and brace yourself for the inevitable…and then you end up crying at the end anyway.”

I was intrigued, but I didn’t bite. Don’t get me wrong – I love dogs. I love animals and I’ve spoiled all the pets I’ve had over the years. However, the thought of reading about falling in love with a dog only to lose him (which I’ve been through twice) made me queasy and uncomfortable.

Months passed, and I continued to see the book everywhere. On subways. On the train ride home. In book store displays. I even read that the book was being adapted into a movie starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston.

So, per my usual fashion, I googled the book and found the website devoted to Marley http://www.marleyandme.com/ . As I went through the photos and the user-submitted stories and testimonials, my heart melted. Here’s an excerpt from the “About the Book” section of the website:

The heartwarming and unforgettable story of a family in the making and the wondrously neurotic dog who taught them what really matters in life. John and Jenny were just beginning their life together. They were young and in love, with a perfect little house and not a care in the world. Then they brought home Marley, a wiggly yellow furball of a puppy. Life would never be the same.

The next time I was at Borders (which is pretty often considering there’s one downstairs from my office and I lov books) I picked up a copy and began reading on my long commute home.

I was smitten.

I won’t write any more about the plot or the specifics of the book, because John Grogan does such a wonderful job of communicating every sweet detail of his family’s life with Marley…I just wouldn’t be able to compare.

I finished the book a few days later on the train home. At this point I started crying like a little bitch and I couldn’t stop. I apologize to the poor commuters who were within earshot of the sobbing little Asian girl that night.

Anyone who has half a heart would love this book. Anyone who has had a pet, especially a dog, needs to read this book.

You may also like:

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment.

Facebook Vimeo Instagram Weddingbee

Twitter Pinterest YouTube Flickr

• Aerin (132)
• Android (16)
• Art/Design (403)
• Beauty (103)
• Blogging (146)
• Bloggy Thursdays (10)
• Books (137)
• Career (27)
• Christianity (35)
• Claire (202)
• Colors (17)
• Comang (51)
• Cool Tool Tuesdays (10)
• Depression (16)
• Education (19)
• Entertainment (226)
• Facebook (36)
• Finance (28)
• Funny (442)
• Gadgets (76)
• Giveaways (40)
• Guest Posts (49)
• Infographics (96)
• Information (80)
• Korean (92)
• Logos/Branding (22)
• Marketing/Advertising (58)
• Motherhood (126)
• Movies (142)
• Parenting (162)
• Personal (992)
• Photography (56)
• Pregnancy (157)
• Random (18)
• Recipes (9)
• Relationships (142)
• Reverent Sundays (10)
• Reviews (122)
• Science (56)
• Shopping (45)
• Sports (44)
• Star Wars (104)
• Thursday Geek-isms (30)
• Touching (36)
• Travel (43)
• Tutorials (19)
• Twitter (44)
• Video Games (67)
• Wedding (11)
• Wishlist (57)
• WordPress (15)
• Star Wars MBTI Chart
• Koreans and the Small Face Phenomenon
• The Aging Process of Asian Women
• Weeping Tears of Joy for the Pipers
• Classic Horror Movies Get the “Goosebumps” Treatment

These represent the current most popular posts (by pageview). If you would like to see a more comprehensive list, please see my Popular Posts page.

Twitter: geekinheels

• 13 Reasons Why Humans Are the Cutest Animals https://t.co/5uFvhGjLLT 09:24:47 AM April 25, 2023 from Twitter Web App

Currently enjoying…

Recent Posts

• The Neverending Period
• My Top 7 Foundations
• Secret Invasion Ads, Remixed
• #YouAreAwful
• Happy Father’s Day
• 13 Reasons Why Humans Are the Cutest Animals

© 2006-2023 Geek in Heels. All rights reserved.

Book Review: Marley and Me

Published by

Last Updated

Marley and Me

by John Grogan

Imagine bringing into your home a very cute, four legged, ball of fluff puppy for the first time.  What could possibly go wrong?  Plenty, apparently!!!

Marley & Me is a true account of the colourful life of Marley – a boisterous and neurotic Labrador retriever lovingly dubbed “the worst dog ever”, and his family, author John Grogan and his wife and children.

His appetite like his heart was enormous and he grew up devouring everything he was given and then some, and then some more in fact anything that wasn’t nailed down and some things that were.  In an effort to contain this 44kg so called steamroller he was enrolled in obedience school.  Unfortunately, it was an epic fail and Marley was expelled!!

Through chaos and much hilarity he won their hearts and to the end was a true model of devotion to his family even at the worst of times. This is a story of unconditional love and a true experience of what really matters in life. You will laugh out loud until the tears roll down your face at Marley’s antics and have tears of sadness at the realities and frailties of life and family. Get out the tissues and find a comfy spot to relax because this is an unforgettable, good for the soul book that all pet lovers will enjoy!

Recommend it? Definitely, a great read for all ages, you will laugh til you cry and then just cry!!!

Final Rating:

We are so excited to have a home for our latest Book Reviews, Book of the Week titles and top page-turner picks from myself and our staff. Check out our feature Book Club titles and browse through the thousands of books available at Bookworld, Australia’s largest online bookstore.

Stay tuned for our next book and let us know in the comments below, what books would you like to see featured in the SAHM Book Club?

Share the post

Discover more from Stay at Home Mum

Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email

Type your email…

Let’s connect

Recent comments.

Hi there! I have just done a quick google search to look at the type of biscuits sold in South…

Good day IAM in South Africa and we do mot have these cookies in our shop with what can I…

Oh boy… My baby girl’s 8 week shots are coming up on Monday. First time for both of us. Wish…

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading

Marley And Me

43 pages • 1 hour read

Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World’s Worst Dog

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Preface-Chapter 5

Chapters 6-10

Chapters 11-15

Chapters 16-21

Chapters 22-26

Chapters 27-29

Key Figures

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

Summary and Study Guide

Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World’s Worst Dog (2005) is an autobiography by journalist John Grogan . This guide is based on the 2005 first edition. The story was inspired by the overwhelmingly positive reaction to Grogan’s obituary for his dog Marley .

The book was adapted into a full-length film in 2008 and has also been adapted into a series of children’s stories about Marley. The title is borrowed from a chapter near the end of the story in which John and Marley share an evening together, just the two of them, unbothered by the expectations or weight of the world around them. Although a seemingly light-hearted topic, the story of this silly and poorly trained dog includes moments of heavy loss, disappointment, and grief.

Get access to this full Study Guide and much more!

• 7,950+ In-Depth Study Guides
• 4,800+ Quick-Read Plot Summaries
• Downloadable PDFs

John Grogan tells this story in the first person as he reflects on the 13 years he spent with Marley, the family’s purebred yellow Labrador retriever. John and Jenny purchase Marley from a backyard breeder without doing much research. Signs that Marley may not be the ideal Labrador appear early, foreshadowing a series of ongoing debacles resulting from Marley’s unending energy and disobedience.

Although Marley constantly tests the Grogans’ patience with his bad behavior, he becomes an established member of the family. He rides along in the car when John and Jenny make a late-night trip to the pharmacy for their first home pregnancy test, and he’s there to celebrate with them when they discover they’re expecting a baby. Marley is later the shoulder Jenny cries upon when her pregnancy ends in a miscarriage, solidifying his role as comforter in the family.

The SuperSummary difference

• 8x more resources than SparkNotes and CliffsNotes combined
• Study Guides you won ' t find anywhere else
• 175 + new titles every month

Marley reaches adolescence and it’s clear that he’s not the ideal specimen of purebred Labrador disposition and character, and likely never will be. The Grogans love Marley anyway. John reluctantly agrees to neutering Marley, ending any hope of Marley siring future purebred Labradors.

John and Jenny continue trying to have children. After an anniversary trip to Ireland, Jenny is excited to learn that she’s pregnant again. The Grogan family grows quickly, with Patrick and Conor born within 17 months of one another. John and Jenny aren’t sure how Marley will react to sharing their attention and affection, but Marley and Patrick quickly become best pals. Jenny overcomes a period of postpartum depression during which John works with Marley to improve his obedience. Marley earns a nonpaying role as a family dog in a feature-length film and finally completes obedience school. The family’s neighborhood in Palm Beach, Florida, becomes increasingly dangerous, and the Grogans move to Boca Raton before having Colleen, their third child and only daughter. The family then moves to Allentown, Pennsylvania, where John takes an editing position at a gardening magazine. Marley enjoys the new rural surroundings but his health declines noticeably as his age progresses.

Marley’s health continues to decline. He loses his hearing and sight, his fur falls out in large tufts, arthritis plagues his joints, and he has repeated stomach issues that bring him close to death. Marley makes comeback after comeback, but John recognizes that Marley’s time will be up soon and that each health emergency could easily be his last. John reflects more frequently on the role Marley has played in his life over the past 13 years. A bloated stomach sends Marley to the vet a final time, where John says goodbye to his beloved companion before giving the vet permission to put Marley to sleep. In the months following Marley’s passing, John reflects on the life lessons he and his family learned from the world’s worst-behaved dog.

Featured Collections

Animals in Literature

View Collection

• Book Reviews
• Author Interviews
• Author Bios
• Bibliophilia
• Free Kindle
• Book Review Request
• Book Review Pricing
• How to make your review sell books
• Why You Need Reviews
• Editing Help for Authors
• Affiliates Wanted
• Reviewers Wanted
• Articles Wanted

Marley and Me - Book Review

Book Review of :  Marley and Me

John and Jenny were young and in love, with a perfect little house and not a care in the world. Then they brought home Marley, a wiggly yellow furball of a puppy -- and their life would never be the same. Marley quickly grew into a barreling, ninety-seven-pound steamroller of a Labrador retriever who crashed through screen doors, flung drool on guests, stole women's undergarments, devoured couches and fine jewelry, and was expelled from obedience school. Yet Marley's heart was pure, and he remained a steadfast model of love and devotion for a growing family through pregnancy, birth, heartbreak, and joy, right to the inevitable goodbye.

About John Grogan

AuthorsReading.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an affiliate, this website earns from qualifying purchases.

Book Reviews of Featured Books

Screen Rant

Marley and me review.

Your changes have been saved

Email Is sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

One Of The Best Scenes Of Tom Hanks' Entire 44-Year Career Is In This Movie That Just Landed On Netflix

Avatar 3 filming update teases original stars' returns, vin diesel video previews fast & furious 11 cars as driving training continues.

Screen Rant reviews Marley & Me

Let's just get right to it, shall we? I don't know... maybe I'm getting grumpy in my old age, but I just didn't see the appeal of Marley & Me . I went into the theater wanting to like this movie, I really did. While I'm a huge sci-fi and superhero movie fan, I'm always happy to see a movie out there that parents can bring their kids to - so it bugs me when I can't give that sort of film an endorsement.

Let me say that while I realize this film is based on a book, I know nothing about the source material other than it's an autobiographical book by John Grogan about a dog he really owned.

Marley & Me stars Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston as young married couple John and Jennifer Grogan. She has her entire life planned out, complete with a checklist of things to accomplish... BIG things, like "get married," "buy a house," etc. You get the picture.

John is happy to abide by her wishes since from his point of view he "married up," snagging a babe way beyond who he thought he'd end up with - until he starts thinking about the next checklist item: children. His single-for-life best friend Sebastian (Eric Dane) tells John he needs to give Jennifer a dog. It will feed her maternal instincts for a while and delay her feeling the need for a child.

John has just been hired at a Florida newspaper as a fledgling reporter, wanting to work his way up and Jennifer also has a job as a journalist. He wants to make his mark and is not eager to start a family at this point.

So John surprises Jennifer by taking her to a dog breeder and they end up picking the runt of the litter. Jennifer is a writer and is on assignment while John picks up the adorable little fella. It turns out that the little guy is extremely insecure when left alone and he ends up destroying the contents of the garage.

This is just the beginning - the dog (named after Bob Marley) is incorrigible, and his owners are not up to the job of disciplining him. Eventually Jennifer gets pregnant, and next thing you know she and John are parents of more than one child. Their relationship starts to strain and the dog is not helping by constantly destroying things in the house and barking, keeping the baby from sleeping.

Eventually John is corralled into becoming a columnist for the newspaper where he works (he wants to be an investigative reporter) and he ends up writing quite a bit about his misadventures with Marley. John and Jennifer come to an understanding eventually and life changes for them in a good way.

This all sounds just peachy-keen, so what's my problem with the film? Beyond the cute little face when it was a puppy, I never liked the stupid dog.

Now I'm a dog person - I love dogs. I have a dog. But shouldn't a dog that's the star of a movie have SOME redeeming qualities that make you care about it or want to take its side? I've read elsewhere that if you own a dog you'll appreciate this movie. Yeah, right. There's a scene where they try to take the dog to a trainer and it's so out of control (and they, so inept) that the trainer (Kathleen Turner) throws them out of class. They think the whole thing is funny.

I'm watching this film thinking they need to call that guy "The Dog Whisperer" to teach them how to control the darned dog. If I had an infant in the house and the dog was such a pain in the butt that the baby couldn't sleep, I'm sorry but it would be gone.

I mean during the entire movie I'll bet if you combined all the time that the dog was actually shown to be doing something that endeared it to the audience, it would total MAYBE two minutes. I kept waiting for something to happen that would make me care about the dog - hell, I thought maybe it would get shot by a burglar, having alerted and saved the family. But no - nothing like that. It's just an incorrigible dog owned by a couple too weak or lazy to discipline it. Heck, they painted such a bad picture of Marley at one point I was in fear that it was going to hurt one of the babies in the film.

Beyond that, sexual references to the dog "losing its balls," the beginnings of a sex scene (sure, they're fully clothed, but my daughter next to me was visibly uncomfortable), an obvious skinny dipping scene (again nothing shown, sorry guys, but a couple skinny dipping in a PG movie?) and a number of "B-level" curse words don't exactly add up to a movie I'd recommend to my friends with children.

For me the best thing in the movie was Alan Arkin - the man is hysterical and I only wish he had more screen time. Really, this felt like a Lifetime Channel TV movie... some day I'd love to see Jennifer Aniston in something really GOOD.

Marley & Me (2008)

Marley & Me follows the life of a journalist couple, John and Jenny Grogan, portrayed by Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston, as they adopt a mischievous Labrador retriever named Marley. The film explores their journey through marriage, career challenges, and the ups and downs of pet ownership, highlighting the profound influence Marley has on their lives.

• Movie Reviews
• 2.5 star movies

Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes

Trouble logging in?

By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes.

Email not verified

Let's keep in touch.

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

• Upcoming Movies and TV shows
• Rotten Tomatoes Podcast
• Media News + More

By clicking "Sign Me Up," you are agreeing to receive occasional emails and communications from Fandango Media (Fandango, Vudu, and Rotten Tomatoes) and consenting to Fandango's Privacy Policy and Terms and Policies . Please allow 10 business days for your account to reflect your preferences.

OK, got it!

• What's the Tomatometer®?
• Login/signup

Movies in theaters

• Opening this week
• Top box office
• Coming soon to theaters
• Certified fresh movies

Movies at home

• Fandango at Home
• Prime Video
• Most popular streaming movies
• What to Watch New

Certified fresh picks

• A Quiet Place: Day One Link to A Quiet Place: Day One
• Inside Out 2 Link to Inside Out 2
• The Imaginary Link to The Imaginary

New TV Tonight

• Star Trek: Prodigy: Season 2
• Grace: Season 4
• Down in the Valley: Season 1
• The Great Food Truck Race: Season 17
• SPRINT: Season 1

Most Popular TV on RT

• Star Wars: The Acolyte: Season 1
• Supacell: Season 1
• The Bear: Season 3
• The Boys: Season 4
• My Lady Jane: Season 1
• Presumed Innocent: Season 1
• House of the Dragon: Season 2
• Dark Matter: Season 1
• Eric: Season 1
• Best TV Shows
• Most Popular TV
• TV & Streaming News

Certified fresh pick

• My Lady Jane: Season 1 Link to My Lady Jane: Season 1
• All-Time Lists
• Binge Guide
• Comics on TV
• Five Favorite Films
• Video Interviews
• Weekend Box Office
• Weekly Ketchup
• What to Watch

25 Most Popular TV Shows Right Now: What to Watch on Streaming

Movies To Watch July 4th Weekend

What to Watch: In Theaters and On Streaming

4 TV and Streaming Shows You Should Binge-Watch in July

Mission: Impossible 8 : Release Date, Story, Cast & More

• Trending on RT
• 2024's Best Movies
• New On Streaming
• July's Anticipated Movies
• Free Movies

Marley & Me

Where to watch.

Rent Marley & Me on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

What to Know

Pet owners should love it, but Marley and Me is only sporadically successful in wringing drama and laughs from its scenario.

Critics Reviews

Audience reviews, cast & crew.

David Frankel

Owen Wilson

John Grogan

Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Grogan

Kathleen Turner

Ms. Kornblut

Arnie Klein

More Like This

Related movie news.

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

A Horror Story Starring the Monstrous Men of Camelot

Maureen Callahan’s lurid “Ask Not” paints the Kennedys as mad, bad and dangerous for women to know.

By Louis Bayard

Louis Bayard’s novels include “Jackie & Me” and the forthcoming “The Wildes.”

ASK NOT: The Kennedys and the Women They Destroyed , by Maureen Callahan

In the opening sentence of her rage-swollen “Ask Not,” Maureen Callahan declares that her book “is not ideological or partisan.” It is, of course, both. Sometimes it is both in extremis. You need only cast an eye over its cover, which, like the book itself, is black and white and red all over. Bad men wronging good women: cheating on them, abandoning them, infecting them, turning them into alcoholics, leaving them for dead, raping and maiming and killing them.

That the men in this case are (mostly) Kennedys is meant to shock us, but the only shock by now is shock’s absence. Decades of reportage have left us with a grim roll call. Mary Jo Kopechne, slowly suffocating beneath three feet of Chappaquiddick black water. Pamela Kelley, thrown from a Jeep and paralyzed for life while the driver, a Kennedy, walked away with a $100 fine.

Not to mention the family’s own women: Joan Kennedy, cycling in and out of D.U.I. arrests and rehab; Mary Richardson Kennedy, the second wife of a current presidential candidate, hanging herself; Rosemary, the loveliest of the Kennedy daughters, muted and infantilized by a family-authorized lobotomy.

What does Callahan hope to add to this vale of tears? Only her residual and, yes, partisan and ideological suspicion that despite ample testimony (in many cases from the victims themselves), the Kennedy men have somehow gotten away with it all.

So unfurls her multigenerational perp walk, which begins, as it must, with Big Joe, the “financially and sexually rapacious man” who built a family fortune and a family to go with it. His Catholic wife doesn’t countenance non-procreative sex, so, without apology, he takes up with a sequence of mistresses, one of whom, the silent-film star Gloria Swanson, in her memoir described the least consensual of encounters.

We are having trouble retrieving the article content.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and  log into  your Times account, or  subscribe  for all of The Times.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber?  Log in .

Want all of The Times?  Subscribe .

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

Something to Stand for with Mike Rowe

Join America's favorite storyteller on an epic journey to the heart of Washington DC. This cinematic tour de force will take viewers to the frontlines of the American Revolution, World War I... Read all Join America's favorite storyteller on an epic journey to the heart of Washington DC. This cinematic tour de force will take viewers to the frontlines of the American Revolution, World War II, the Civil Rights movement, and more. Join America's favorite storyteller on an epic journey to the heart of Washington DC. This cinematic tour de force will take viewers to the frontlines of the American Revolution, World War II, the Civil Rights movement, and more.

• Jonathan Coussens
• Margie Alfonso
• Alden Anderson
• 4 User reviews
• 3 Critic reviews

• Senior Mourner
• British Red Coat
• James Madison

• Barb Diner …
• Arlington Visitor

• Dr. William Beanes

• Elegant Lady
• Colonial Street Patrons

• Francis Scott Key
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

User reviews 4

• ecarstrucks
• Jun 29, 2024
• June 27, 2024 (United States)
• Official Site
• Impact Productions
• See more company credits at IMDbPro
• Jun 30, 2024

Technical specs

• Runtime 1 hour 36 minutes

Related news

Contribute to this page.

• See more gaps
• Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Recently viewed.

• Crafts, Hobbies & Home
• Pets & Animal Care

This item cannot be shipped to your selected delivery location. Please choose a different delivery location.

Sorry, there was a problem.

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required .

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

Image Unavailable

• To view this video download Flash Player

Follow the author

Marley & Me Illustrated Edition: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog Hardcover – Illustrated, October 31, 2006

The heartwarming and unforgettable story of a family and the wondrously neurotic dog who taught them what really matters in life. Now with photos and new material.

Is it possible for humans to discover the key to happiness through a bigger-than-life, bad-boy dog? Just ask the Grogans.

John and Jenny were just beginning their life together. They were young and in love, with not a care in the world. Then they brought home Marley, a wiggly yellow furball of a puppy. Life would never be the same.

Marley grew into a barreling, ninety-seven-pound streamroller of a Labrador retriever. He crashed through screen doors, gouged through drywall, and stole women's undergarments. Obedience school did no good -- Marley was expelled.

But just as Marley joyfully refused any limits on his behavior, his love and loyalty were boundless, too. Marley remained a model of devotion, even when his family was at its wit's end. Unconditional love, they would learn, comes in many forms.

Marley & Me  is John Grogan's funny, unforgettable tribute to this wonderful, wildly neurotic Lab and the meaning he brought to their lives.

• Part of series Marley
• Print length 320 pages
• Language English
• Publisher William Morrow
• Publication date October 31, 2006
• Dimensions 6 x 1.06 x 9 inches
• ISBN-10 0061238228
• ISBN-13 978-0061238222
• See all details

Editorial Reviews

“A very funny valentine...Marley & Me tenderly follows its subject from sunrise to sunset...with hilarity and affection.” — Janet Maslin, New York Times

“[Marley & Me] rises above some others of its topic thanks to Grogan’s healthy dose of self-deprecating humor.” — MSNBC.com

“[Marley & Me] took my breath away. I laughed. I cried. . . . What a gift…immortalizing a dog who will always hold a very special place in the hearts of each family member.” — Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

“Marley, meanwhile, is teaching America something about values―something that perhaps only a really bad dog with a really true heart can teach.” — Daily Mail (London)

“If you know someone who claims there’s not a book in the world that can make him cry, give him this one. It won’t even matter if he’s not a dog lover. He’ll cry anyway. Trust me.” — Richard Roeper, Chicago Sun-Times

“A humorous and loving tribute…Throughout, the family is steadfastly devoted to this badly behaved yet totally lovable and loyal pup. …Readers…whose dogs would qualify for the “Bad Dog Club” will delight in this tribute.” — Library Journal

From the Back Cover

This beautiful illustrated gift edition features:

• a beautiful cloth cover
• a unique dog leash bookmark ribbon
• full-color photos throughout
• a special note from the author
• the newspaper column that started it all....

A Gift from the Heart, A Treasure for All Time

John Grogan touched our hearts with his #1 New York Times bestseller Marley & Me , the unforgettable story of a family in the making and the wondrously neurotic dog who taught them what really matters in life. Lavishly illustrated with never-before-published photographs, this special edition includes a personal message from John Grogan as well as his original Philadelphia Inquirer column that inspired the book. The heartwarming story that has made millions laugh and cry is now a wonderful keepsake for those who love Marley and for those who have yet to meet him.

About the Author

John Grogan is the author of the #1 international bestseller Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog , the bestselling middle-grade memoir Marley: A Dog Like No Other , and three #1 best-selling picture books: Bad Dog, Marley! , A Very Marley Christmas , and Marley Goes to School . John lives with his wife and their three children in the Pennsylvania countryside.

John Grogan ha sido un premiado reportero gráfico y columnista por más de veinticinco años. Vive en Pensilvania con su esposa Jenny y sus tres hijos.

Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ William Morrow; Illustrated edition (October 31, 2006)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0061238228
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0061238222
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.8 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.06 x 9 inches
• #1,407 in Animal & Pet Care Essays
• #4,610 in Dog Breeds (Books)
• #73,842 in Memoirs (Books)

About the author

John grogan.

John Grogan is the author of the #1 international bestseller Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog, the bestselling middle-grade memoir Marley: A Dog Like No Other, and three #1 best-selling picture books: Bad Dog, Marley!, A Very Marley Christmas, and Marley Goes to School. John lives with his wife and their three children in the Pennsylvania countryside.

Customer reviews

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers find the book very well written, easy to train, and irreplaceable. They also describe the literary aspects as wonderful, sweet, tender, funny, and elegant. Readers say the book teaches them a lot about life, spirit, friendship, and most importantly, has nice photos of Marley. They describe the humor as wonderful and funny. Customers also describe emotional tone as heart-warming, tear-jerking, and tear-inducing. They find the family relationships relatable and honest. Customers describe the emotional impact as quick, enjoyable, and moving.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers find the book very well written, enjoyable, and easy to train. They also say the book is in good condition.

"John Grogan has captured, in great writing sans big words , a believable story of "the worst dog"...." Read more

"I love labradors and have had many, but none like Marley Well written ." Read more

"I simply had to have this book after watching the movie. The novel is solidly written and while the movie sticks pretty much to the book, there's..." Read more

"...But it was so perfectly written that I have to admit...I bawled my eyes out...gut wrenching sobs..." Read more

Customers find the book wonderful, loveable, and effective. They also say the subject line is great, funny, and cute. Readers also mention the heart is clear, crisp, and on target.

"...So much more to the story than the movie. The movie is good but the stars make it. The book the stars are real people." Read more

"...and tells Marley's tale in this book with talent, humor, tragedy, and finesse . The Grogan family was definitely blessed to have such a unique dog...." Read more

"This was a wonderful book about an amazing companion. The pictures, on the inside covers, were what initially grabbed me...." Read more

"...But Marley was also fiercly loyal, loveable , and proved protective when the need arose. And he could be a gentle giant...." Read more

Customers find the book wonderful, funny, and touching. They also say it never gets boring.

"This is just the kind of hilarious, fun book I like to read, but because I saw the movie, I almost never read books AFTER I’ve seen the movie...." Read more

"...and tells Marley's tale in this book with talent, humor , tragedy, and finesse...." Read more

"...And, last...the book is well-written and FUNNY !..." Read more

"Marley & Me is the engaging and funny story of John Grogan and his dog, Marley...." Read more

Customers find the book heartwarming, funny, and relatable. They also say it's sometimes sad, but a real joy to read. Readers also mention that the author has a warm, casual writing style and the story is engaging.

"...This lovingly , beautifully written book is a book to be read by anyone who has a dog to love." Read more

"... A real spirit lifter . Thanks for this story. So much more to the story than the movie. The movie is good but the stars make it...." Read more

"...Loyalty, courage, devotion, simplicity and joy . Give your dog your heart and the will give you his. Cats also can be loyal and loving pets...." Read more

"...and tells Marley's tale in this book with talent, humor, tragedy , and finesse...." Read more

Customers find the family relationships in the book relatable, friendship, and love. They also appreciate the honesty and openness in sharing difficult times within the family. Customers also say the book captures the complicated relationship between man and dog.

"...It did.It was a beautiful story of family , friendship and love." Read more

"...However, as far as the book goes I thought it was great and honest and the people who gave it a 1 star...not everyone is a perfect dog parent, and..." Read more

"...fun, very well writen, has nice photos of Marley and tells a family story with such sensibility , love and wit that's enchanting...." Read more

"...Yet they are the most loyal, devoted, selfless friends and family members we will ever have. I love this book because I love my dog" Read more

Customers find the book very moving, touching, and fast-moving. They also say the writing is spirited, funny, and holds their attention.

"...It was a quick and enjoyable read . Marley was a lot of trouble and i can relate as we have had some trying times with very badly behaved cats...." Read more

"...I, too, loved it and found it a very fast read . We love dogs, but probably couldn't have put up with Marley's exuberance for so long...." Read more

"...It's well written and moves along nicely . It's not really about a dog, its a story of how a dog becomes completely embedded in a family...." Read more

"...The book was fast paced and an easy read. I highly recommend this book, but keep some tissues nearby. It's a tear jerker!" Read more

Customers find the characters loyal, irreplaceable, and unconditional.

"...Loyalty, courage, devotion , simplicity and joy. Give your dog your heart and the will give you his. Cats also can be loyal and loving pets...." Read more

"...But Marley was also fiercly loyal , loveable, and proved protective when the need arose. And he could be a gentle giant...." Read more

"...Marley and Me, Grogan speaks of the life lessons--loyalty, courage, devotion , simplicity, joy--that Marley taught him...." Read more

"...of every dog -- every dog is good, bad, wonderful, frustrating, loyal , irreplaceable...." Read more

Customers find the pacing of the book light-hearted yet complex. They also say it's enjoyable and relatable, with simple lessons. However, some find the writing style tedious and the descriptive phrases tedious at times. They say the book is filled with cliches and shallow, self-absorbed revelations.

"...The writing style reminded me a bit of reading the newspaper, a bit choppy and simple , but that just made it a quicker read...." Read more

"...Loyalty, courage, devotion, simplicity and joy. Give your dog your heart and the will give you his. Cats also can be loyal and loving pets...." Read more

"...the essence of this book: a shallow, self-absorbed, and stupidly arch litany of revelations about "the world's worst dog"--in reality, a normal..." Read more

"... None of too much on repetive at all." Read more

Reviews with images

• Sort reviews by Top reviews Most recent Top reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. please try again later..

Top reviews from other countries

• About Amazon
• Investor Relations
• Amazon Devices
• Amazon Science
• Sell products on Amazon
• Sell on Amazon Business
• Sell apps on Amazon
• Become an Affiliate
• Advertise Your Products
• Self-Publish with Us
• Host an Amazon Hub
• › See More Make Money with Us
• Amazon Business Card
• Shop with Points
• Reload Your Balance
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Amazon and COVID-19
• Your Account
• Your Orders
• Shipping Rates & Policies
• Returns & Replacements
• Manage Your Content and Devices

• Conditions of Use
• Privacy Notice
• Consumer Health Data Privacy Disclosure
• Your Ads Privacy Choices

'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?

ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.

When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.

ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form .

One of the best laptops for work travel I've tested is not made by Lenovo or Apple

ZDNET's key takeaways

• The OmniBook X 14 , HP's new Copilot+ AI PC, is available now starting at $1,150 (currently on sale for $100 off).
• It's extremely portable and has perhaps one of the longest-lasting batteries on the market right now.
• The mediocre display and modest hardware configuration may leave this laptop overshadowed by other Snapdragon PCs.

Upon first glance, Windows on ARM with Qualcomm's new Snapdragon X Elite processor is the same experience as anywhere else, except it's noticeably faster, snappier, and more responsive. 

Such is the case with the OmniBook X 14 , HP's first generation of consumer-facing laptops with the Snapdragon chip: a mid-range Copilot+ PC without any earthshaking features but an impressive battery and improved performance in an ultraportable form factor. 

Also: I saw the future of AI at Qualcomm's headquarters, and Copilot+ PCs were only just the beginning

First impressions of the OmniBook reveal a well-optimized laptop that boots up quickly, awakens from sleep almost immediately, multitasks well, and is totally silent. It also runs cool, has a fantastic battery, and is thin and light, making it ideal for digital nomads or professionals with a hybrid work format.

However, I used the OmniBook X 14 as my main driver for two weeks during the testing process, and the closer I looked at it, the more complicated the picture became. More on that in a bit. Let's break down the specs first. 

The OmniBook X 14 comes with 512GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD but can be upgraded to 1TB of storage, bringing the price up to $1,250. The Snapdragon X Elite's strong performance is evident in ways consumers will care about: apps open and close quickly, webpages spring to life instantly, and the device has no problem switching between different tasks without missing a beat. 

During benchmarking in Cinebench 24, I got a single core score of 2326, and a multicore score of 13160, placing it right around the likes of fellow Snapdragon-equipped Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x, and the Dell XPS 14 with the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H. Both of those machines have OLED displays, however, with the former being less slightly expensive.

Also:  Every Copilot+ PC Microsoft just announced to take on Apple's M3 MacBooks

Additionally, the OmniBook X comes with the XIE-78-100 model of the Snapdragon Elite chip, which, at 3.4GHz, is the slowest configuration, essentially the same as the Snapdragon X Plus, (the lower-tier model) with no dual-core boost.

Turning to the 14-inch touchscreen display on the OmniBook, it's fine, but it's not an OLED, and it's not very bright. The color gamut is respectable, but It taps out at 300 nits of brightness and a 60Hz refresh rate. I would have liked to see a brighter display and/or a 120Hz refresh rate on the OmniBook.

Moving to the laptop's form factor, things look better. It's surprisingly light and thin, at just 2.97 pounds, and comes in either a neutral chrome color or a matte ceramic white model, which is sharp-looking and smudge-resistant. 

Connectivity is fine, with two USB-C Thunderbolt ports, a USB-A, and 3.5mm headphone jack. There's no SD card slot, which, paired with a slightly better display, would have gone a long way toward making this laptop a little more premium. On that note, the keyboard isn't high-end, but it is satisfying and functional, smudge-resistant (a big one for me), and has a nice key travel distance with attractive backlighting.

Also: This Lenovo laptop is ultraportable, lasts all day, and has a MagSafe-like superpower

The device's 5MP webcam is also quite nice and contributes to its use case as a portable workstation for digital nomads or hybrid professionals tethered to daily videoconferencing. 

Further supporting that fact is HP's AI-powered Poly Camera Pro software, which comes loaded on the OmniBook with a wide range of templates and quality-of-life settings for the webcam, including spotlighting, subtle appearance touchups, background blurring, and a digital business card overlay feature that displays your name and contact information in a variety of designs.

If you're taking calls with any degree of regularity, the Snapdragon chip feels great to use, with near-instant load times for the webcam and associated conferencing apps, and despite the 60Hz refresh rate, a silky-smooth video feed.

Also: I bought the cheapest Surface Pro Copilot+ PC - here are my 3 takeaways as a Windows expert

Alright, I saved the best part of this laptop for last. Simply put, the battery on this thing is impressive. HP states that the 59Wh battery on the OmniBook X 14 gets up to 26 hours of battery life, and I found this to be more or less accurate. 

The AI in the Snapdragon chips adjust power supply to the processor based on current need, dropping to virtually zero when the device is off or asleep. In practice, the goal behind this is for the laptop to simply not lose battery when not in use.

While using the laptop, the battery life is also quite good. In fact, during my two weeks of using the OmniBook, I rarely even thought about the battery, just plugging it in when it was convenient to do so, instead of being prompted to by Windows.

Even better, I got almost identical results when benchmarking plugged into power versus while running on battery. This means performance doesn't take a dip if you don't have access to an outlet, sealing the deal as a solid laptop for ultra-mobile remote workers. Keep in mind that I got these results only after several back-to-back Windows updates and restart cycles that rolled out during testing, including a BIOS update.

Also: How to pick a laptop for college: 4 things to consider and 10 laptops we recommend

Performance and physical specs aside, the OmniBook X 14 is part of the first generation of Snapdragon X laptops, which operates on ARM compared to any Windows machine on x86. This means that certain programs don't run well yet, and some don't run at all, an important factor to consider regarding early adoption.  

There are going to be hiccups as developers optimize and make their programs compatible. And even apps that are compatible with Windows on ARM aren't fully optimized. When I first fired up DaVinci Resolve on the OmniBook, it was laggy, with stuttering and skipping. After a Windows update a few days later, performance improved.   

Gaming is not fully supported by Windows on ARM yet too. Many titles don't work, and if they do, the performance is subpar. The OmniBook isn't a gaming laptop , so I wouldn't be trying to run games on this machine anyway, but right now we don't have much of a choice either way.   

Also: One of the most powerful laptops I've tested has MacBook written all over it (but isn't one)

This gets to the meat of the issue here. Yes, the CPU is fast and efficient, and the NPU on these processors runs AI-related tasks better than anything else on the market, but the chips are held back by Windows' functionality (at least for now), and this tension between the two will be at the root cause of a lot of issues until the growing pains subside. 

ZDNET's buying advice

The HP OmniBook X 14 is a solid choice for remote workers, digital nomads, and professionals who need a powerful laptop with a marathon battery. I would also recommend this laptop to those who are actively engaged with AI-related tasks and all in with its future applications.

If you're looking for a Copilot+ PC with a better display, you might want to check out the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x . If you're looking for an HP laptop with an Intel chip, take a look at the HP Envy x360 2-in-1 . 

Featured reviews

The best 2-in-1 laptop for work i've tested isn't by lenovo or hp, the best windows laptops you can buy: expert tested, our favorite lightweight laptop for work is not a macbook or thinkpad.

I flew over 22 hours in business class with Turkish Airlines. The food and airport lounge were unreal.

• I flew 22+ hours in Turkish Airlines ' business class and stopped at its Istanbul airport lounge.
• The food on my flights and in the airport lounge really blew me away.
• I had a great experience and found my seats to be comfortable, too. 

I love flying in business class, but I don't often buy my seats outright because they can cost four figures.

I like upgrading to business class by booking flights using frequent-flyer miles and credit-card points. If that's not your thing, good news: Some data suggests flying business class is slightly cheaper than it was a few years ago (even though economy airfare costs are rising).

Recently, I used points to book a business-class flight with Turkish Airlines from the Maldives to Los Angeles. If I'd booked with cash, the one-layover flight would've cost me more than $4,690.

Here's what it was like spending more than 22 hours traveling in business class with Turkish Airlines.

The check-in process was extra fast because I was flying business class.

The hotel I stayed at in the Maldives had a representative at the Velana International Airport who helped me walk through security.

This was a huge bonus, and even better, business-class passengers had their own line for security.

The check-in and customs process went quickly for me, though I passed economy travelers waiting in a long check-in line.

After making it through security, I had access to an airport lounge.

The Turkish Airlines lounge in the Maldives had plenty of items available for breakfast, including pastries and sandwiches.

I didn't eat anything because I knew Turkish Airlines would have delicious food on the flight, and I always overeat when flying business class.

My seat was in the front row of the business-class section.

This leg of the flight was on an older Boeing 777-300, with seats in a two-three-two configuration.

I was excited to get the business-class amenity kit.

Turkish Airlines partnered with the luxury fashion house Ferragamo for its business-class toiletry bags filled with products such as recycled-plastic earplugs, an eye mask, Ferragamo toiletries, and a wheat-straw toothbrush.

I also received comfy socks and slippers. During the flight, many passengers, including me, removed their shoes and put on the provided slippers.

After settling into my seat, a flight attendant came by with a selection of juices and lemonade.

My first meal was a solid selection of appetizers.

I enjoyed the set appetizer plate I got that featured local delicacies such as smoked beef, cheeses, olives, a fruit salad, a raspberry smoothie bowl, homemade apricot jam, and butter.

I chose a Turkish specialty for the main course, and it didn't disappoint.

The main course was the homemade Turkish-style börek , a layered pastry with spinach and potato. It was nicely flaked and savory with creamy potato.

So far, the flight had been eight hours and 15 minutes. I went to sleep right after my meal.

About two hours before landing, the lights came on, and I got another meal.

This time, I got a selection of Turkish meze. For my main, I chose the grilled-chicken brochettes with bulgur, tomato, and peppers. The chicken was smoky and tender.

For dessert, I had a mascarpone and passion-fruit tart.

Then, I had a 16-hour layover at Istanbul Airport.

I had the option of leaving the airport and staying at a hotel provided by Turkish Airlines. Instead, I headed to the private Turkish Airlines airport lounge .

I quickly saw why the lounge has a prestigious reputation.

This Turkish Airlines business-class lounge is often listed as one of the world's best airline lounges , and it was easy for me to see why.

It's a sprawling space measuring 60,000 square feet with ample seating, eateries with chefs, resting rooms with beds, and even shower facilities.

The lounge was easy to enter and leave.

To get in and out of the lounge, I just scanned my boarding pass.

This eliminated the annoying wait I sometimes encounter at check-in counters when there's a rush of customers at airport lounges.

Even the baggage storage area of the Turkish Airlines lounge looked stunning.

The area for baggage storage was eye-catching, stylish, and smart.

The transparent storage containers seemed to make it even easier to find your bag if you forgot your locker number.

The bathrooms were incredibly spacious, too.

The lounge bathrooms were large, with tons of hand-washing stations. They were never crowded, and I rarely saw anyone inside other than an attendant.

Well-lit vanity areas with seating were also nice additions to the bathrooms. They seemed like good places to reapply makeup or fix hair.

During my long layover, I even took a shower.

Showers are available on a first-come, first-served basis in the lounge.

I didn't wait in line when I showered at about 5:30 a.m. It was refreshing to shower in the airport after a long day of traveling.

Above all, the food options in the lounge blew my mind.

The wildest part of the layover was the food: I'd never seen anything like it at an airport lounge.

I passed at least five live cooking stations in the lounge, many of which featured Turkish specialties. I even saw someone making pastries from scratch.

A coffee station had a barista making drinks to order.

The lounge had various coffee drinks available to order and an impressive selection of Turkish teas. I recommend trying the Turkish coffee , of course.

I ate so much while I waited.

I ate constantly (probably every 30 minutes I was awake) during my layover just because there was an overflowing abundance of food.

The salad bar was well-stocked and I especially enjoyed the stations serving traditional grilled meats. The Turkish beef patty I ate was perfectly cooked, and I got it hot off the grill.

After eating, I found a reclined lounge chair and napped through the night.

Eventually, I headed to the second leg of my flight.

I was excited to board my flight's longer, 13-hour leg on the newer Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

I had my own plush, private window seat, and no one was seated next to me as I headed from Istanbul to Los Angeles.

Breakfast was my favorite meal on this flight.

I boarded at 7 a.m., and breakfast service started shortly after takeoff.

I'm not usually a huge fan of yogurt, but it was gorgeously displayed on my plate I ate every bite. For my main entrée, I selected the eggs Benedict, which was OK, but the eggs seemed overcooked.

Before the lights turned down in the cabin, a flight attendant came to make my bed.

The best part of business class is undoubtedly the lie-flat seats that can be customized to any incline.

For turn-down service, a flight attendant added a mattress pad and a velvety blanket to my seat.

Again, I enjoyed even more food.

Turkish Airlines really stands out for its food offerings, in my opinion.

I really enjoyed selecting appetizers from a meal cart of options. On this flight, I chose the Caesar salad, shrimp salad, roasted eggplant, and cauliflower soup. I especially enjoyed the savory soup.

For my main entrée, I ordered a pasta dish with shrimp, which was heavily cheesed to my liking.

Overall, Turkish Airlines really impressed me — especially when it came to food.

I loved the flight, especially the last leg with the plush seats. The meals I ate throughout my travel journey were impressive, and I can see why the airline has been nominated for several food awards .

I would fly with Turkish Airlines again and revisit its Istanbul lounge just to eat.

• Main content