When Dogs Cry by Markus Zusak is a hard hitting, 'no holds barred', incredibly poetic book.  The critically acclaimed author of  The Underdog and Fighting Ruben Wolfe has followed up these successful books with another.

When Dogs Cry is the confrontational tale of Cameron Wolfe and his dreams and desires of a better life for himself and his loved ones.  His innermost need is to change the destructive cycle of the neurotic Wolfe Pack, his father Clifford Wolfe; the ever anonymous Mrs Wolfe, the ice king Steve, the self destructive Sarah and playboy Ruben.  This story shows the intensity of brotherly love and also the brutality of this love. 

Cameron Wolfe is sick and tired of having to 'scavenge for moments of alrightness'; he is sick and tired of being the 'loser', the 'kid brother of Ruben Wolfe' and the butt of all the jokes from the 'scrubbers' that Ruben brings home.

The story begins, making beer ice-blocks in the Wolfe family kitchen with Ruben's latest conquest, Octavia.  From the moment he meets her, Cameron knows she is different; she isn't like all the other girls that Ruben usually brings home.  She at least acknowledges his existence.  To Cameron life is just not fair; he feels that Ruben never loved any of the girls he brought home, yet they still came home with him, and this is where he and his brother were infinitely different. Cameron wondered when it would be his turn to win; he always loses out in life and in love.  For once, he thinks, it would be nice to win.

More to the point, when will he be able to stop trying to win his older brothers' approval?  He already knows that Steven thinks he's a loser, a lost cause, just another chip off the old block.  Steve is just another person on the long list who thinks Cameron won't make the grade.  What they don't know is that he does have the power to change his destiny - Cameron has the 'words', he has hope and he has courage.

And so, Cameron’s dreams become reality.  The underdog gets his day.  From his silent cry for someone to love him to the emptiness in his soul, his dreams begin to change into reality.  When Ruben dumps Octavia, Cameron's chance at love increases, no longer will he stand outside the unreachable Stephanie’s house, he has been given the chance at love and he will take it!

When trouble and tragedy strike the Wolfe household, Cameron proves to himself and everyone that he is not a loser and in these moments Cameron Wolfe truly shines.

With Cameron’s poetry intertwined throughout the book, it gives a glimpse into the inner workings of his mind; it shows his true feelings.  The potent combination of gritty, edgy characters and a believable story line make this book hard to put down.  As well as being a gutsy story, Zusak also incorporates a range of witty characters and a sense of Aussie larrikinism into the story; this just enhances a somewhat serious tale even more.

Better than any reality TV program, this book is not recommended for those with small dogs or those who are offended easily but it is definitely recommended for the older reader.

Review by Sian Rayson

© 2002 Sian Rayson