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Dog Meat
Kalb Ward slaughters dogs for the Colony, a closed, dystopian society where resources are tight, free speech is nonexistent, and those in power have eyes and ears everywhere. Ward desperately wants to quit his grisly job, but he knows he’ll be arrested, or worse, if he tries.
In the Colony, a citizen’s future is determined by a placement exam. Score high, and you’re set for life. Score low, and you end up living a nightmare–like Ward.
Li Ling, the love of Ward’s youth, scored high, and she’s a local celebrity now, far out of his reach. Meanwhile, his neighbor’s son is making a series of disastrous decisions as his own exam rapidly approaches.
Can Ward bridge the social divide and win back Li Ling? Can he help the neighbor’s son avoid a future as grim as his own? Can he escape the Colony’s oppressive rule and, if he’s very lucky, bring down the whole horrific system in the process?
You know what they say: Every dog has his day.
And Ward’s day is coming.
In the Colony, a citizen’s future is determined by a placement exam. Score high, and you’re set for life. Score low, and you end up living a nightmare–like Ward.
Li Ling, the love of Ward’s youth, scored high, and she’s a local celebrity now, far out of his reach. Meanwhile, his neighbor’s son is making a series of disastrous decisions as his own exam rapidly approaches.
Can Ward bridge the social divide and win back Li Ling? Can he help the neighbor’s son avoid a future as grim as his own? Can he escape the Colony’s oppressive rule and, if he’s very lucky, bring down the whole horrific system in the process?
You know what they say: Every dog has his day.
And Ward’s day is coming.
120 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 8, 2022
About the author
Priscilla Bettis
12 books83 followersPriscilla Bettis writes faith-based stories and poems. She's also an avid reader. Priscilla lives in small-town Texas with her two-legged and four-legged family members.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 13, 2022
3.5 ⭐️
Although too ambitious and expository in a way that may betray the fast and brutal nature of its premise, I found this novella to be full of wit and a quirky, oddball kind of affect that kept me invested to the very end, along with a transgressive premise so devilishly taunting, it may be a bit much for some.
Although too ambitious and expository in a way that may betray the fast and brutal nature of its premise, I found this novella to be full of wit and a quirky, oddball kind of affect that kept me invested to the very end, along with a transgressive premise so devilishly taunting, it may be a bit much for some.
September 23, 2022
Releasing Nov 8, 2022. Pre-order the eBook now from Amazon!
October 6, 2022
An intriguing, effective, disturbing novella. Full review coming soon on criminolly.com and YouTube
November 11, 2022
A Chilling, Magnificent Tale.
My second read from Bettis, and I enjoyed it immensely. After I finished the book, I realized it contained more than I initially perceived. This one will stick with me. It's also harrowing, important, and beautifully written. Highly recommended!
My second read from Bettis, and I enjoyed it immensely. After I finished the book, I realized it contained more than I initially perceived. This one will stick with me. It's also harrowing, important, and beautifully written. Highly recommended!
October 4, 2022
DOG MEAT
by Priscilla Bettis is a disturbing dystopian tale that is meant to call attention to the abject horror of the dog meat industry. The author's intent is to educate readers on this terrible practice, while honoring pups caught up in this disgusting nightmare.
I have two precious pups of my own, Milo and Bandit, Jack RussellTerrorists Terriers. So was this hard to read?
Yes.
While the author did keep almost all of the abuse off-screen or implied, there was one scene that was very difficult, and she did provide those pages numbers to me to skip, if needed.
So why did I read this book?
I needed to. I am guilty of pretending these practices and torture of animals doesn't exist. How can I help if I turn a blind eye? I read every word. I trusted the intentions of the author because the dedication asked me to please donate to a dog rescue organization of my choice. This was a fellow animal lover - someone who wants to help put a stop to animal abuse.
Kalb Ward is our main character, a young man who is a victim of the current society known as The Colony. At a certain age, teenagers take what is called a childhood placement exam, which determines what type of job the teen will be trained and groomed for. Ward scored low and as a result was given the job of working for a restaurant that requires him to slaughter dogs. Ward struggles mightily with his guilt and suicidal thoughts. But The Colony preaches that your job is everything - quitting is not an option, for it you do, a Re-Education Camp is where you'll find yourself.
This tragic character driven story is an extremely heavy read, but well worth the small amount of time it takes to read it and receive the messages enclosed within its pages. The content aside, Priscilla Bettis did an outstanding job in the way she crafted this tale and wrote its characters. Even ones who we only met briefly, she was able to make them matter to me, the reader. I was really blown away at how much information was packed into these few pages - the character development, the society and its rules were sprinkled in and defined without being info-dumping, monotonous paragraphs.
Know going in that this is a sad story and to read it when you feel you're emotionally able to handle it. It will make your heart ache. Just keep your furbaby cuddled up close and give this one a shot - and please help where you can to end this disgusting practice.
Full disclosure, I did accept a copy of the ARC from the author to consider for review.
I have two precious pups of my own, Milo and Bandit, Jack Russell
Kalb Ward is our main character, a young man who is a victim of the current society known as The Colony. At a certain age, teenagers take what is called a childhood placement exam, which determines what type of job the teen will be trained and groomed for. Ward scored low and as a result was given the job of working for a restaurant that requires him to slaughter dogs. Ward struggles mightily with his guilt and suicidal thoughts. But The Colony preaches that your job is everything - quitting is not an option, for it you do, a Re-Education Camp is where you'll find yourself.
This tragic character driven story is an extremely heavy read, but well worth the small amount of time it takes to read it and receive the messages enclosed within its pages. The content aside, Priscilla Bettis did an outstanding job in the way she crafted this tale and wrote its characters. Even ones who we only met briefly, she was able to make them matter to me, the reader. I was really blown away at how much information was packed into these few pages - the character development, the society and its rules were sprinkled in and defined without being info-dumping, monotonous paragraphs.
Know going in that this is a sad story and to read it when you feel you're emotionally able to handle it. It will make your heart ache. Just keep your furbaby cuddled up close and give this one a shot - and please help where you can to end this disgusting practice.
Full disclosure, I did accept a copy of the ARC from the author to consider for review.
December 4, 2022
This is the kind of story you'll need a while to mull over. Sure, there's some commentary on the dog meat industry in here, but really I don't think we need literature to explore why that's bad. Bettis uses this horrific premise as the backdrop for a refreshingly original dystopian character study. Ward is desperate to escape his life, but he's not a hero, and he's not a rebel. He's you and me. By the end of the narrative we're empathizing with a dog killer - and that's an impressive feat for any author to pull off. Expertly done, and overall a fantastic piece of transgressive fiction.
November 16, 2022
This is one of the more unusual novelettes I’ve read in years, and I needed to spend a few days processing it before I could write a review.
According to the author, “30 million dogs die each year in the brutal trade that operates in nine countries.” In this story, Kalb Ward’s job is to kill the dogs that will be served to a restaurant’s wealthy diners.
Ward lives in a closed dystopian society where he has no choice in what kind of work he performs, and his one attempt to run away lands him in a reeducation camp for 18 months. Only threats to his mother’s life are powerful enough to return him to the job he can’t tolerate.
Ward sees himself as a killer, and his reactions to the endless violence move this book beyond the horror genre into one that explores the impact of intolerable guilt, brutality, and despair on a human life and soul. This is a society without empathy, where compassion and kindness can’t find a foothold.
The scenes are horrific, and anyone who loves dogs will be tested to the core. Like the author, I hope this story raises awareness and supports the end of this cruel industry. The writing quality is excellent, and Ward’s plight drew me deeply into this well-wrought world. Highly recommended, but with a big trigger warning about graphic violence against animals.
According to the author, “30 million dogs die each year in the brutal trade that operates in nine countries.” In this story, Kalb Ward’s job is to kill the dogs that will be served to a restaurant’s wealthy diners.
Ward lives in a closed dystopian society where he has no choice in what kind of work he performs, and his one attempt to run away lands him in a reeducation camp for 18 months. Only threats to his mother’s life are powerful enough to return him to the job he can’t tolerate.
Ward sees himself as a killer, and his reactions to the endless violence move this book beyond the horror genre into one that explores the impact of intolerable guilt, brutality, and despair on a human life and soul. This is a society without empathy, where compassion and kindness can’t find a foothold.
The scenes are horrific, and anyone who loves dogs will be tested to the core. Like the author, I hope this story raises awareness and supports the end of this cruel industry. The writing quality is excellent, and Ward’s plight drew me deeply into this well-wrought world. Highly recommended, but with a big trigger warning about graphic violence against animals.
November 27, 2022
This was about as enjoyable to read as “Tender Is the Flesh”, which is to say it’s very hard to ignore the nausea it instills. As an animal lover Dog Meat was difficult to get through, but in a way that effective horror should be. Priscilla Bettis holds no punches, especially in the ending. This one is not a novella to be read for fun or any kind of enjoyment. This is for a purpose, albeit a purpose which most of us would like to pretend doesn’t exist. Kudos, Mrs. Bettis, for writing this slick, sick piece that is sure to make us “ugly” Americans think.
November 13, 2022
Expertly written, dark, character study
I’m a fan of this author and from reading her posts about her upcoming release I expected a horror novel about the dog meat industry. Instead, to my surprise, I found a dark literary story set in a fictionalized China where the humans treat each other far worse than the canines doomed for consumption.
There is no light here, with the entirety of the human condition on show steeped in filth and depravity. It’s not so much that the characters can’t better their situation, there is no betterment to be had. Goodness doesn’t exist in this universe. No one cares for the plight of the people in the colony, and even those who criticize the brutal treatment of the dogs are cruel and deluded themselves.
However, Bettis is a talented and accomplished writer. The descriptions are beautiful, even if the subject matter isn’t, and she holds your attention captive from the first page of this dark character study until the last.
I’m a fan of this author and from reading her posts about her upcoming release I expected a horror novel about the dog meat industry. Instead, to my surprise, I found a dark literary story set in a fictionalized China where the humans treat each other far worse than the canines doomed for consumption.
There is no light here, with the entirety of the human condition on show steeped in filth and depravity. It’s not so much that the characters can’t better their situation, there is no betterment to be had. Goodness doesn’t exist in this universe. No one cares for the plight of the people in the colony, and even those who criticize the brutal treatment of the dogs are cruel and deluded themselves.
However, Bettis is a talented and accomplished writer. The descriptions are beautiful, even if the subject matter isn’t, and she holds your attention captive from the first page of this dark character study until the last.
February 10, 2023
Excellent. The world that Priscilla created here is hard and real, and the scenes are well done and hit you hard at times. I love her writing style and she oozes talent as a horror author specifically.
December 2, 2022
Being a vegetarian I found this a tough read. It was an interesting tale with elements of 1984 and big brother is watching you.
November 16, 2022
“Dog Meat” is a challenging read for any animal lover, but with a lot of insight and depth. Ward lives in a society where freedom isn’t even an idea. He scored low on the placement test because of an illness and was given the horrendous job of slaughtering dogs for food. This part made me queasy, but there was so much beyond that job. The Colony controlled the people and every aspect of the citizens’ lives with the message that everyone was doing their part. The problem with that was that you had no choice on that part. There was no equality, religion, or different points of view — and some had it better than others. Ward struggled with what was expected of him and knew that if he refused to do his assigned job, he would be arrested and reeducated. As we learn of his past and lack of hope for his future, we are quickly shown how unfair this way of life is for many of the ones who didn’t do well on a test. This read will stay with me for a very long time, while I think about lack of choice and how we treat animals reflects how we treat others who aren’t like us. A powerful and painful story that I can recommend, but be ready to handle some very tough subjects and images.
December 27, 2022
I was looking forward to reading Dog meat, from Priscilla Bettis, having already read her novelette “The Hay Bale”, which has a charmingly educated voice. The intelligence behind the pacing, the plot – it was wonderfully done, if somewhat short. Obviously, when Priscilla announced the upcoming release of this longer novella, I jumped at the chance to add it to my collection.
I have to say straight up, I didn’t like this one. And that may not seem as controversial as normal, given the subject matter, that of dog meat and the killing of dogs for human consumption, and the trade that exists in certain countries in the world, fictional or not. One wouldn’t necessarily expect everyone to like the subject. I have to say that the subject matter, though, didn’t bother me. I am not squeamish about reading about animal cruelty or death – though Priscilla does do a wonderful job of illustrating that process.
For me, it boiled down to the main character, who is deliberately devoid of emotion.
The concept of a person so emotionally damaged through their lifestyle and life choices, that they want to kill themselves, yet cannot be emotionally invested enough to go through with it – and who trudges through life emotionally disconnected – well the concept is great. For me, it just read flat. The series of events that happen to and around the character, happened, and he went through the book uncommitted to any desire. His self-loathing was mentioned occasionally, yet I didn’t believe it due to his lack of response to any stimulus. I get the idea that the horror of his life has crippled his ability to show or feel emotion, yet it still read as if everything that happened to him did so without him caring about any of it. Incarcerated in a prison? Forced to do hard labour? I didn’t feel anything about it, because he didn’t. It happened. It was interesting, but I was as emotionally detached as the MC.
There’s a reveal near the end of the book that was – for me at last – quite clear from the beginning. I get that some people won’t have thought about it. But the comparisons to life, physicality etc, were too clear to have not seen. The story behind that build up, was for me, the highlight of the novella, I got the first glimpse at something resembling an emotion – lust – from the main character. The back story lent some humanity to a woman that lived in the same house as the MC, yet in reflection, she's the one that shops the MC to the police in the first place. That he doesn't really care is another discussion.
The ending is clinical and brutal, yet hypocritical. If the main character has any empathy (or understanding of that emotion) for another character, given their relationship, his request of the boy shows his absolute lack of humanity, given the same end could have been achieved on his own. His absolute disregard for any emotional impact he has on the boy due to his request, illustrates his own lack of emotion or reasoning. If he cannot care about the emotional damage he will possibly inflict on that boy, why should we likewise care about any aspect of his “suffering”?
This was a book I stopped frequently - physically putting the book down – out of frustration with the main character. That might be exactly what Priscila wanted of course, to create a character that is repugnant in his apathy to his own life – and inability or unwillingness to commit to changing it. There aren’t any empathetic characters in the book, each of them is self-indulgent, self-centered and selfish. Probably an effect of the society they find themselves in. The ray of light is the doctor in the prison, who is dealt with quickly and removed from the action.
Dog meat is well written, Bettis’ writing is clean and simple here, sometimes Brian Bowyer-esque in its simplicity (to this reader’s eye). It presents an unemotional story in order to highlight the horrific subject matter, that of the dog meat trade, and it does achieve that goal – any animal exploitation is horrific (to this vegetarian’s mind), but that lack of humanity, for me, made reading it uncomfortable, frustrating and distant. Not the subject matter, but the presentation of the story.
This gets 3★’s from me. I liked the concept, I liked the subject matter, but it was a hard read, and not due to the subject matter, but because of detachment to any character.
I have to say straight up, I didn’t like this one. And that may not seem as controversial as normal, given the subject matter, that of dog meat and the killing of dogs for human consumption, and the trade that exists in certain countries in the world, fictional or not. One wouldn’t necessarily expect everyone to like the subject. I have to say that the subject matter, though, didn’t bother me. I am not squeamish about reading about animal cruelty or death – though Priscilla does do a wonderful job of illustrating that process.
For me, it boiled down to the main character, who is deliberately devoid of emotion.
The concept of a person so emotionally damaged through their lifestyle and life choices, that they want to kill themselves, yet cannot be emotionally invested enough to go through with it – and who trudges through life emotionally disconnected – well the concept is great. For me, it just read flat. The series of events that happen to and around the character, happened, and he went through the book uncommitted to any desire. His self-loathing was mentioned occasionally, yet I didn’t believe it due to his lack of response to any stimulus. I get the idea that the horror of his life has crippled his ability to show or feel emotion, yet it still read as if everything that happened to him did so without him caring about any of it. Incarcerated in a prison? Forced to do hard labour? I didn’t feel anything about it, because he didn’t. It happened. It was interesting, but I was as emotionally detached as the MC.
There’s a reveal near the end of the book that was – for me at last – quite clear from the beginning. I get that some people won’t have thought about it. But the comparisons to life, physicality etc, were too clear to have not seen. The story behind that build up, was for me, the highlight of the novella, I got the first glimpse at something resembling an emotion – lust – from the main character. The back story lent some humanity to a woman that lived in the same house as the MC, yet in reflection, she's the one that shops the MC to the police in the first place. That he doesn't really care is another discussion.
The ending is clinical and brutal, yet hypocritical. If the main character has any empathy (or understanding of that emotion) for another character, given their relationship, his request of the boy shows his absolute lack of humanity, given the same end could have been achieved on his own. His absolute disregard for any emotional impact he has on the boy due to his request, illustrates his own lack of emotion or reasoning. If he cannot care about the emotional damage he will possibly inflict on that boy, why should we likewise care about any aspect of his “suffering”?
This was a book I stopped frequently - physically putting the book down – out of frustration with the main character. That might be exactly what Priscila wanted of course, to create a character that is repugnant in his apathy to his own life – and inability or unwillingness to commit to changing it. There aren’t any empathetic characters in the book, each of them is self-indulgent, self-centered and selfish. Probably an effect of the society they find themselves in. The ray of light is the doctor in the prison, who is dealt with quickly and removed from the action.
Dog meat is well written, Bettis’ writing is clean and simple here, sometimes Brian Bowyer-esque in its simplicity (to this reader’s eye). It presents an unemotional story in order to highlight the horrific subject matter, that of the dog meat trade, and it does achieve that goal – any animal exploitation is horrific (to this vegetarian’s mind), but that lack of humanity, for me, made reading it uncomfortable, frustrating and distant. Not the subject matter, but the presentation of the story.
This gets 3★’s from me. I liked the concept, I liked the subject matter, but it was a hard read, and not due to the subject matter, but because of detachment to any character.
January 8, 2023
Such a strange and taboo subject for this work. I was hooked from the very beginning - and terrified by the way that the hero handles his tasks. A touching book, though despite the subject matter. A great intro from the author and one I will read constantly. Well done.
December 30, 2022
The Colony is a place where one’s profession is determined by an exam. The lower the score, the less desirable the occupation. Ward’s job is to slaughter dogs for a restaurant, and despite his best efforts, he cannot leave.
Bettis has created a dystopian novella, a harsh place, where residents are devoid of empathy. Ward hates his job and has suicidal thoughts. The reader sympathises with him and the situation he is in, which is skilfully done.
I admit, being a dog lover, it took me a while to read this book. I applaud Bettis in tackling such a difficult subject matter. Some scenes are confronting, and one in particular gave me pause, but the author reveals the realities of the trade, leaving an imprint on the reader long after they’ve finished.
Well written, this novella is a powerful statement of man’s cruelty to animals, as well as ourselves.
Bettis has created a dystopian novella, a harsh place, where residents are devoid of empathy. Ward hates his job and has suicidal thoughts. The reader sympathises with him and the situation he is in, which is skilfully done.
I admit, being a dog lover, it took me a while to read this book. I applaud Bettis in tackling such a difficult subject matter. Some scenes are confronting, and one in particular gave me pause, but the author reveals the realities of the trade, leaving an imprint on the reader long after they’ve finished.
Well written, this novella is a powerful statement of man’s cruelty to animals, as well as ourselves.
December 23, 2022
Bettis is a superb storyteller, and this novella features some of her best writing. However, this story is not for the faint of heart. The scenes will haunt you as the characters come alive, because Bettis spares no details.
The weightiness of human cruelty shook me to my core. And at the same time, I reflected on our current political/psychological environment. Fingers are pointed at the “others”. Threats abound. And many of us try to remain part of the unseen.
For me, the story was less about the dog meat industry as it was about personal freedom. May God help us all.
The weightiness of human cruelty shook me to my core. And at the same time, I reflected on our current political/psychological environment. Fingers are pointed at the “others”. Threats abound. And many of us try to remain part of the unseen.
For me, the story was less about the dog meat industry as it was about personal freedom. May God help us all.
January 27, 2023
Disclaimer: I have interacted with Priscilla Bettis in YouTube comments. She is an outspoken supporter of BookTube / HorrorTube and I will always respect her for that.
Having previously read this author's short story "The Hay Bale" I knew I liked her writing, but with this work, she is now definitely on my list of new favorite authors. Her works will be "must reads" for me from this point forward.
I highly recommend this book, which I wish I could label as "literary fiction" because of its themes similar to books like 1984 (with the story even taking place in the 1980s), but I know (because of its subject matter involving the main character's job of slaughtering dogs, and especially because of the ending) people will consider it as "genre fiction" under the "extreme horror" category. There's nothing wrong with that though; I love reading horror and appreciate that this book does not rely on sexual abuse for its graphic scenes, as many of the "extreme horror" genre's works tend to do.
This story was so engaging to me, I had told myself to just give it a read for a few minutes to get a taste for it so I could go back to working on some other things, but instead I ended up cancelling my plans and reading it all in one sitting. If you're trying to decide whether or not to give it a try, I would urge you to go for it.
Having previously read this author's short story "The Hay Bale" I knew I liked her writing, but with this work, she is now definitely on my list of new favorite authors. Her works will be "must reads" for me from this point forward.
I highly recommend this book, which I wish I could label as "literary fiction" because of its themes similar to books like 1984 (with the story even taking place in the 1980s), but I know (because of its subject matter involving the main character's job of slaughtering dogs, and especially because of the ending) people will consider it as "genre fiction" under the "extreme horror" category. There's nothing wrong with that though; I love reading horror and appreciate that this book does not rely on sexual abuse for its graphic scenes, as many of the "extreme horror" genre's works tend to do.
This story was so engaging to me, I had told myself to just give it a read for a few minutes to get a taste for it so I could go back to working on some other things, but instead I ended up cancelling my plans and reading it all in one sitting. If you're trying to decide whether or not to give it a try, I would urge you to go for it.
January 9, 2023
I loved this dystopian book. Fay owned a Yulin Dish restaurant. She was Ward’s boss, who forced him to slaughter dogs for their meat. My favorite quotes: 1) “If the dogs did ever turn on him, it’d be a better death than theirs.” 2) “I wouldn’t want to go with me either,” Ward said.'”
The drama was very enticing to me. I felt awful for Ward. He tried to do the right thing and get out but was met with roadblocks every step of the way. The author did an amazing job showing all the tension between characters and developing the relationships between everyone. It was a great twist of who the neighbor’s son was. Wasn’t expecting that at all! I shed a tear at the scene where Ward met the local celebrity in the restaurant with the entourage. I could feel his brokenness, emptiness, and hopelessness. The ending was depressing (in a good way).
The author did a wonderful job with all the setting details. I could feel the dread and gloomy atmosphere in that dystopian society.
I RECOMMEND this book to read.
The drama was very enticing to me. I felt awful for Ward. He tried to do the right thing and get out but was met with roadblocks every step of the way. The author did an amazing job showing all the tension between characters and developing the relationships between everyone. It was a great twist of who the neighbor’s son was. Wasn’t expecting that at all! I shed a tear at the scene where Ward met the local celebrity in the restaurant with the entourage. I could feel his brokenness, emptiness, and hopelessness. The ending was depressing (in a good way).
The author did a wonderful job with all the setting details. I could feel the dread and gloomy atmosphere in that dystopian society.
I RECOMMEND this book to read.
November 20, 2022
This book is not for the faint of heart. It delves deeply into the cruelty of the dog meat industry and some of the descriptions are very disturbing. If you have a strong stomach, this books is worth the read.
Kalb Ward lives in a post-revolutionary dystopian society where all citizens are assessed through an examination at the age of 11 and assigned their future path in society. Ward was ill when he took the test and didn't perform well, as a result his assigned path was that of a manual labourer. Despite the best efforts of his parents, they are not able to change this outcome and Ward has gone on to become a dog slaughterer for a restaurant. His job is very distasteful and distressing to him and the only way he can get through the killing of the dogs, which must involve extreme torture in order to season the meat, is by dissociating from his body. His ability to dissociate give the reader the first indication of Ward's strength of mind and determination. Ward is desperate to find a way out of his awful life, even if it means going to jail which is called re-education by the ruling party.
Ward was an interesting character who reminded me a bit of Winston in 1984. In fact, the dystopian world inhabited by Ward also has a slightly '1984' feel in that it has a version of a Big Brother ensuring that all citizens toe the party line and no infractions or transgressions of the societal laws are tolerated.
As the story unfurls, the reader learns that Ward's father was an intelligent and successful man who was murdered by revolutionaries and his mother is also a woman of superior intellect. The frustration felt by Ward in his job that is not only dead-end, but also very cruel, is understandable given his obvious inherited intellect, and kind heart. His rising up against the restrictions imposed on him is not at all surprising, but there are a few interesting aspects to Ward's character that are exposed through revelations of his past and present behaviours over the course of this intense novella.
I am always fascinated by the attitude, determination, and fortitude that people can exhibit in the most adverse of circumstances. The author has tapped into the intriguing aspect of human behaviour with the creation of Ward.
Kalb Ward lives in a post-revolutionary dystopian society where all citizens are assessed through an examination at the age of 11 and assigned their future path in society. Ward was ill when he took the test and didn't perform well, as a result his assigned path was that of a manual labourer. Despite the best efforts of his parents, they are not able to change this outcome and Ward has gone on to become a dog slaughterer for a restaurant. His job is very distasteful and distressing to him and the only way he can get through the killing of the dogs, which must involve extreme torture in order to season the meat, is by dissociating from his body. His ability to dissociate give the reader the first indication of Ward's strength of mind and determination. Ward is desperate to find a way out of his awful life, even if it means going to jail which is called re-education by the ruling party.
Ward was an interesting character who reminded me a bit of Winston in 1984. In fact, the dystopian world inhabited by Ward also has a slightly '1984' feel in that it has a version of a Big Brother ensuring that all citizens toe the party line and no infractions or transgressions of the societal laws are tolerated.
As the story unfurls, the reader learns that Ward's father was an intelligent and successful man who was murdered by revolutionaries and his mother is also a woman of superior intellect. The frustration felt by Ward in his job that is not only dead-end, but also very cruel, is understandable given his obvious inherited intellect, and kind heart. His rising up against the restrictions imposed on him is not at all surprising, but there are a few interesting aspects to Ward's character that are exposed through revelations of his past and present behaviours over the course of this intense novella.
I am always fascinated by the attitude, determination, and fortitude that people can exhibit in the most adverse of circumstances. The author has tapped into the intriguing aspect of human behaviour with the creation of Ward.
March 16, 2023
For a story about someone who slaughters dogs for a living, this really is an elegantly written book. The prose in Dog Meat is simple and direct, much like Ward, the dog slaughterer at the heart of it.
He’s a quiet and frustrated citizen of The Colony, a grim and dystopian society where freedom of speech is nonexistent and everyone’s every move is monitored closely. He spends his afternoons and evenings round the back of a restaurant, killing dogs that will be cooked and eaten inside. This constant killing is starting to affect him, so one day he decides to simply jump over the wall and go. He doesn’t get very far before state soldiers turn up to arrest him and take him away for ‘re-educating’. Otherwise known as hard labour.
Ward’s life is small and insular. He’s dirt poor and other than his terrible job, all he has is his mother who visits once a week and his neighbour Lam, for whom he has a soft spot, and her useless son. Ward can see this boy heading for the same grisly existence as himself, and so tries his best to intervene. Also on the periphery of Ward’s radar is Li Ling, the voice of the state broadcaster and his old school friend. At some point their lives converged, with her path leading to success and adoration. And his? Well…
It’s all very bleak, but as I said at the start, that bleakness belies the beautiful storytelling. Because, yes, this book really is beautiful, and I found myself utterly captivated by Priscilla Bettis’s style. And despite his introverted nature, you can’t help but warm to Ward as a protagonist. He’s a tortured man, acutely aware that, were it not for a single stroke of bad luck, his life could have turned out so differently. And yet he’s not completely without hope.
Ultimately, Dog Meat is about human life, in all its glorious complexity, being ground under the boot of a brutal and oppressive regime. It’s about lives and dreams and potential lost. And it’s about the beauty of the human spirit, and how it finds hope in the unlikeliest of places. In that sense, Dog Meat is a real feast.
He’s a quiet and frustrated citizen of The Colony, a grim and dystopian society where freedom of speech is nonexistent and everyone’s every move is monitored closely. He spends his afternoons and evenings round the back of a restaurant, killing dogs that will be cooked and eaten inside. This constant killing is starting to affect him, so one day he decides to simply jump over the wall and go. He doesn’t get very far before state soldiers turn up to arrest him and take him away for ‘re-educating’. Otherwise known as hard labour.
Ward’s life is small and insular. He’s dirt poor and other than his terrible job, all he has is his mother who visits once a week and his neighbour Lam, for whom he has a soft spot, and her useless son. Ward can see this boy heading for the same grisly existence as himself, and so tries his best to intervene. Also on the periphery of Ward’s radar is Li Ling, the voice of the state broadcaster and his old school friend. At some point their lives converged, with her path leading to success and adoration. And his? Well…
It’s all very bleak, but as I said at the start, that bleakness belies the beautiful storytelling. Because, yes, this book really is beautiful, and I found myself utterly captivated by Priscilla Bettis’s style. And despite his introverted nature, you can’t help but warm to Ward as a protagonist. He’s a tortured man, acutely aware that, were it not for a single stroke of bad luck, his life could have turned out so differently. And yet he’s not completely without hope.
Ultimately, Dog Meat is about human life, in all its glorious complexity, being ground under the boot of a brutal and oppressive regime. It’s about lives and dreams and potential lost. And it’s about the beauty of the human spirit, and how it finds hope in the unlikeliest of places. In that sense, Dog Meat is a real feast.
August 3, 2023
A solid 3.5 stars.
September 30, 2023
Cleverly written and thought-provoking, dog meat explores the worst in human beings. At times, there is a ray of hope, but ultimately, it's pure bleakness.
As a dog mom, this was not an enjoyable read. There was scene near the end that made me so physically sick, I had to put the book down. That hasn't happened to me since American Psycho. It makes you think about how we treat all the animals we eat.
I look forward to reading more work from Priscilla Bettis.
As a dog mom, this was not an enjoyable read. There was scene near the end that made me so physically sick, I had to put the book down. That hasn't happened to me since American Psycho. It makes you think about how we treat all the animals we eat.
I look forward to reading more work from Priscilla Bettis.
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