Roam

Musician Lazar’s debut is a thoughtful portrayal of the dog’s worldview, emotions, and nature, written largely from one dog’s perspective and tracking his walkabout adventures across the country after his nose leads him away from his first owner and “Great Love,” Katey. Though suspension of disbelief is the name of the game, the view through a dog’s eyes can become strained, but mostly Lazar draws the reader into the mind of Nelson, half beagle, half poodle, all curious, playful, and lovable, charming almost everyone who crosses his path from his start in Albany, N.Y., and beyond. Lazar’s obvious affinity for dogs connects the reader to Nelson’s feelings of loss, love, and survival. By adopting a dog’s innocent, protective, childlike perspective, Lazar urges the reader to ponder a pet’s feelings about its owner’s actions. Nelson’s adventures on the fringe are fascinating, and sometimes they lead him to the direst of circumstances, but his loyalty to Katey always drives him to continue on. A touching page-turner for dog lovers. (Nov.)