Product Description

The acclaimed BARCELONA PLATES revealed Alexei Sayle as a writer with an outstanding ability to describe contemporary life in an unusual way.
Now, in his new collection THE DOG CATCHER, he brilliantly captures the morals and absurdities of our so-called ‘cool’ culture, populated by characters as recognizable as they are memorable.
THE DOG CATCHER will confirm Alexei Sayle’s reputation as not only one of the great exponents of the short story genre, but also
as a profound commentator on the way we live now. (20020401)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #19288 in Books
• Published on: 2002-04-18
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

Metro
'The stories in his new collection, THE DOG CATCHER, won't disappoint fans of Sayle's comedy.'

Review
‘Every piece in Sayle’s marvellous second collection combines strangeness and familiarity to moving and hilarious effect’ (Independent )

'The stories in his new collection, THE DOG CATCHER, won't disappoint fans of Sayle's comedy.' (Metro )

'I read these short stories with real pleasure. A few of them are superb; none is without something to enjoy.’ (Daily Telegraph )

'A finely-crafted blend of perceptive storytelling and acerbic witticism, darkly humorous. Sayle's compassion shines through everything, as the characters seem to head steadily downhill, each as recognisable as they are unforgettable. He lays bare the intirgues of contemporary life with a style and clarity that's impossible to ignore and his penetratingly accurate descriptions prove hima thoughtful commentator on modern life.' (The Good Book Guide )

'The Dog Catcher is filled with the black comedy, biting satire and quixotic characters which are his stock-in-trade.' (Alexei Sayle, ThE Sunday Business Post )

'More twisted but incisive humour from Alexei Sayle in this, his second book of short stories. Savagely and hilariously attacking many of today's 'types', each of these tales are bazaar yet completely believable.' (The Sticks )

‘Dark and unsettling, but leavened with a dry sense of humour’ (Evening Standard )

Independent
`Every piece in Sayle's marvellous second collection combines strangeness and familiarity to moving and hilarious effect'

Customer Reviews

Great Book
Most of these short stories were fab. A couple were abit less enjoyable. Love the way Alexi writes, as soon as I'd finshed this book I wanted to read it again as there is so much in it.

A 'celebrity' writer who can actually WRITE!...
...Monsiuer Sayle being the only example thereof apart from Stephen Fry I can think of. He's especially valuable when you consider the likes of Ben (shudder) Elton and David (ugh!) Baddiel clogging up the genre...
I've read and enjoyed all his stuff but I think this one might be bestest. It's worth it for "The Mau Mau Hat" alone; a beautifully observed character study with a terrible, lonely undertow. It's about ageing, and inevitably, death, yet crams in a motherlode of salty one-liners as well. The other highlight is "The Only Man Stalin Was Afraid Of", which uses a jaunty, almost simplistic style (something Sayle happens to be very good at - light but knowing, and never patronising) to rip apart the absolutely disgusting individual Uncle Joe really was, with none of the slightly histrionic moralising of Martin Amis' otherwise excellent "Koba The Dread".
My only beef is that the construction - the grammar and so forth - is often shoddy. Believe me, I'm the last person to give a s**t about split infinitives and the like normally, but it's noticeable in Sayle's stuff more often than not, and this is a shame when you consider how otherwise talented he is. The impression given is of someone who thinks for months, maybe years, about the content of his stories, but when it comes to writing them, takes a couple of afternoons at most.
Suggested targets for your next collection/novel, Alexei: Ben Elton, Ricky Gervais, Ariel Sharon, and a story about the BNP might be good as well. Cheers!

Brilliant
Being Dutch and living in Amsterdam, I had no idea Alexei Sayle had two volumes of short stories out. I came upon Barcelona Plates by chance and as I started reading it, I had the same experience as when I first heard his stand-up tapes, many years ago. It's like a slap in the face: where did this come from, how could anyone write like this? After Barcelona Plates I didn't expect The Dog Catcher to be better but it is. Mr Sayle is a genius in being completely unpredictable but he is also able to make you laugh, feel uncomfortable by observations that are almost too real and think about his characters and stories over and over again. His stories are exciting, often fast moving but he is also capable creating of a beautiful stillness. In a few pages or in a few words, he can paint a complete world. He is very brave: he seems to use every good idea that comes to mind and is not held back by any convention. His writing is highly original and very fluent.
I hope he will continue to write: more short stories, a full-length novel or an autobiography. But if he has a volume out of collected shopping lists, I will buy it too. You can't go wrong with this writer.