The Dog Who Could Fly: The Incredible True Story of a WWII Airman and the Four-Legged Hero Who Flew at His Side
By: Damien Lewis / Narrated By: Derek Perkins
Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins
LOVED IT!!!
When I got The Dog Who Could Fly, I’d been burnt out by some heavier audiobooks. But when I saw a dog was involved, and one who rocked? Yessssss, gimme MORE war-torn countries, death and mayhem!!! (I say this glibly, but actually, when all is said and done, this book definitely does have its sobering moments of sadness and tragedy).
Czech airman Robert Bozdech discovers a few-days-old puppy in an abandoned farmhouse after being shot down in No Man’s Land. The little thing is thrilled to be rescued, but as Bozdech and his fellow airman will have to shimmy on the ground through frozen fields whilst being bombed and shot at, there’s really not much to say. The puppy is left behind, and when it’s frenzied yelps threaten to tip off swarming Nazis as to their whereabouts, Bozdech goes back, knife in hand, to finish the puppy off.
He can’t do it: Those happy, pleading eyes, filled with trust do him in. He tucks the puppy into his jacket and scurries through No Man’s Land until they all reach safety. And thus, man and dog are bonded and have MANY hair-raising escapades together. Cuz Robert can’t go back to Czechoslovakia; he can’t stay in France (It’s just fallen), so he and the pup he’s named Ant (Later Antis as it sounds different than the English: Aunt) make their way to Great Britain to fly for the RAF. Bozdech is determined to do his part to fight the Nazis, and Antis is determined to do his part to keep his owner and the other airmen safe.
And entertained (He’s a really funny dog. When Bozdech starts chatting up a woman who is NOT his girlfriend, Antis feels the sting of betrayal and is quick to take a good long whiz on her peep-toed shoes).
Author Damien Lewis has another hit with me here; this book is even better than Smoky the Brave—It’s far more fraught with the harsh realities of war, and of trying to survive an air war in particular. The book is part whimsical stories, part a story of love and devotion, and part nerve-racking air battles. There’s blood; there’s death; there’s being at the wrong place at the wrong time.
But mostly there’s Antis and his love for Bozdech. Though Antis is beloved by all, and though he dances his mad War Dance of joy to see companions, it’s Bozdech whom he is completely devoted to. That the feeling is reciprocated makes for a warm and happy story… until we get to where Bozdech decides he’s going to “do right” by Antis and make him less dependent. Yup, at that point I almost threw my phone at the wall in frustration and horror, but fortunately reality reared its beautiful head and Bozdech reeeeeally does the right thing for Antis.
Now we come to Derek Perkins as narrator… Yessssss! Derek Perkins, one of my all time favorites, does NOT drop the ball here. Gosh, what a well-seasoned performer he is! He manages to infuse drama into already dramatic scenes, he expresses Bozdech’s love, he conveys Antis’s thoughts (I know, I know: Who’s to say what an animal is thinking, but it totally fits!) with a sweetness and humor that is glorious to listen to. Truly, no other performer could be better suited to this material than Perkins is.
You got 9 hours that you’d like to fill with action, suspense, love, devotion, and a dog getting his own oxygen mask so that he might fly on bombing runs? Look no further: You’re in for a really great time!
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