Welcome to another book review! Today, we’re diving into The Dogs of Venice, by Steven Rowley, an Audible Original performed by Neil Patrick Harris. You will see the ARC section has a new name! Books that are ARCs that I have gotten a first chance to read will go here.
The Dogs of Venice
Steven Rowley
Cry Rating: 0/5
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Celebrants and The Guncle, a heartwarming story about finding oneself in one of the most romantic cities on Earth.
After months of planning a romantic holiday getaway in Venice, Paul is blindsided when his five-year marriage suddenly unravels. Fueled by heartbreak, Paul endeavors to take the trip alone.
Soon after arriving in Italy, he notices a small, scruffy, self-assured dog trotting alongside a canal with the confidence he so desperately wants for himself. When their paths cross again, Paul feels compelled to learn how his new four-legged friend thrives on his own. Amid the food, sights, and welcoming people of Venice, Paul’s journey culminates in a magical encounter that leads him to feel real connection—to a dog, to a foreign city and, most importantly, to himself.
Capturing Steven Rowley’s signature wit, insight, and indelible characters, The Dogs of Venice offers another timeless story of love lost, and independence found—a holiday tonic for the soul.
Initial Impressions
I first came across this short story while browsing NetGalley, and when it was Goodreads where I saw that it had been released in 2020 and had a 3.38-star rating. Not the best, but still intriguing. The premise seemed promising: a heartbroken Paul takes a solo trip to Venice while his ex-husband moves out of their shared home. During his journey, he encounters a dog along the canal, which supposedly serves as a metaphor for his inner turmoil (according to a reviewer). Simple, yet potentially powerful.
Reading Experience
At just 80 pages, this novella is a quick read, and the writing jumps straight into the story. Within the first page, we’re already on the plane with Paul as he embarks on his trip. The pacing is rapid—perhaps too rapid. The book almost reads like a book proposal, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that the script Harris performed was later bound and published with minimal expansion. This format made it feel like a SparkNotes version of a novel rather than a fully fleshed-out story. It felt to me a collection of scenes to get a publisher interested in reading a full draft. The scenes were short and we hit a lot of “rom-com” self discovery tropes.
Themes & Execution
At its core, The Dogs of Venice is about self-discovery, heartbreak, and renewal. Paul is struggling to let go, and he finds himself drawn to a stray dog in Venice, seeing it as a symbol of freedom and resilience. There are moments of humor, romance, and introspection, and the book has a certain charm reminiscent of Eat, Pray, Love—if Eat, Pray, Love had a canine sidekick.
However, the execution left something to be desired. The relationship between Paul and the dog felt underdeveloped. He fixates on one dog among many, claiming it as his without much actual interaction. This attachment felt more like a plot device than an organic part of the story. While I understood the metaphor, it didn’t land as powerfully as intended.
Final Thoughts
By the time I reached the end, I felt conflicted. The foundation for a beautiful, emotional story was there, but it was rushed. This could have been a full-length novel—250 to 300 pages—and I think it would have thrived with that extra depth. Instead, it felt more like an idea than a fully realized book.
Would I recommend it? I’m not sure. It’s a decent read, and if you’re looking for a quick, introspective story, it might be worth your time—especially in audiobook form. But if you’re hoping for deep emotional resonance, you may find it lacking. For me, it lands at a solid three stars—good, but not great.
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