The Dogs of Venice by Steven Rowley

80 pages Publisher G.P. Putnam’s Sons Publication date October 14, 2025

ABOUT THE BOOK

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.

MY THOUGHTS

When his five-year marriage ends a man is blindsided by it and decides to go alone on the trip he and his soon to be ex-husband had planned on going on in Venice.
While there he discovers a lot about himself and has a newfound strength. We meet a lot of characters some quirky and they help him to discover himself.
There are many “street dogs” as they are called, tame dogs roaming the streets non collared because there is no traffic there and it’s accepted and many are welcomed into shops.
Finding strength through one of the dogs he meets his loneliness isn’t as bad as he had thought.
A poignant read novella length and with a magical feel to it. Connections are made with people, a special city and a dog.
A pleasant read that I enjoyed and wouldn’t mind reading more by the author.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

About the author

Steven Rowley is the New York Times bestselling author of six novels and the winner of the Thurber Prize for American Humor. His fiction has been translated in twenty languages. He lives in Palm Springs.

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