Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World’s Worst Dog

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John and Jenny were young and deeply in love, with a perfect little house and not a care in the world. Then they brought home Marley, a wiggly yellow furball of a puppy. Life would never be the same.

Marley quickly grew into an uncontrollable ninety-seven-pound steamroller of a Labrador retriever. Expelled from obedience school, even the tranquillisers prescribed by the vet couldn't stop him.

Yet through the chaos and the hilarity, he won hearts and remained a steadfast model of devotion to his family, even when they were at their wits' end. Unconditional love, they would learn, comes in many forms.

291 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1,2005

About the author

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John Grogan has spent more than 25 years as a newspaper journalist. Previously he worked as a reporter, bureau chief, and columnist at newspaper in Michigan and Florida. He is also the former editor on chief of Rodale's Organic Gardening magazine. His work has won numerous awards, including the National Press Club's Consumer Journalism Award. His first book, Marley & Me, is a number one international bestseller that was as a major motion picture on 2008. His second book is The Longest Trip Home. John lives in Pennsylvania with his wife, Jenny, and their three children.

Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 100 votes)
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100 reviews All reviews
July 15,2025
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Beautiful but sad, so sad. It's a feeling that weighs heavily on my heart. I find myself still crying, unable to hold back the tears that well up within me. The beauty that once brought joy now only serves to intensify the sadness. It's like a bittersweet melody that lingers in my soul. I can't seem to escape this overwhelming emotion. Every time I think about it, the pain resurfaces. I wonder if this sadness will ever go away. Will I ever be able to move on from this beautiful yet tragic experience? I hope so, but for now, I'm still crying, mourning the loss of something that was so precious to me.

July 15,2025
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I really liked this book a great deal. The reason is that Marley is extremely funny. In fact, I could hardly believe that a dog could behave in such a way. It was truly sad towards the end, but I wish I had known what happened precisely at the conclusion. It sort of ended on a cliffhanger. Nevertheless, it was an outstanding book throughout. I firmly believe that anyone who reads it will fall in love with it.

This is exactly what I thought about "Marley and Me". It's a story that combines humor and sadness in a way that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. The character of Marley is so vividly portrayed that it makes the whole book come alive. Even though the ending left me with some unanswered questions, it didn't detract from the overall enjoyment of the reading experience. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read that will make them laugh and cry.

July 15,2025
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This is a book that is not only for dog lovers but also for those who have experienced the unconditional love of a dog.

The Grogans might not have been the most proficient dog trainers in the world. In fact, they made a common error of purchasing their dog from a backyard breeder. However, what they did correctly was their unwavering love for their dog. They remained dedicated to him throughout his entire life, from the cute puppy stage to the elderly years.

In this disposable society, where numerous people view pets as "disposable," discarding them at the pound when they are no longer an adorable puppy or when they begin to misbehave, the Grogans did what every responsible pet owner ought to do. They stayed with Marley, they made an effort to learn, they attended obedience classes, they collaborated with their vet to assist in controlling Marley's problems, and they truly regarded their dog as a member of their family, through both good times and bad.

Marley was an extremely lucky dog to have been owned by a family that loved him for who he was and loved him for his entire life. Every dog should be as fortunate as Marley.
July 15,2025
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First, I am an absolute sucker for a great dog story.

So, for me to give a book less than three stars, it would really have to be a disaster.

This particular book truly resonates with me.

It speaks directly to those of us who have owned dogs that weren't the perfect, heroic types like Rin Tin Tin or Lassie.

It takes a real and humane approach, which I find very refreshing.

Everyone who is thinking about getting a puppy for the first time would be well-advised to read this book first.

It can help them determine if they are truly ready for the experience.

In case you were wondering, I have to admit that I cried shamelessly through the last two chapters.

The situations described were so real and close to my own experiences with my dear canine friends who have passed away before me.

It really tugged at my heartstrings and made me reflect on the special bond that we share with our furry companions.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves dogs or is considering getting one.
July 15,2025
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At this moment, I really don't know what to say. I cried and cried more.

There is no doubt that it is a beautiful, funny, and exciting book. It shows the love that exists between a dog, or an animal and its owner. It also shows how difficult it is for an owner to be able to let their friend go to stop suffering.

The story in the book touches the heart deeply. It makes us realize the special bond between humans and animals. We become so attached to them that it is extremely hard to part ways. The emotions described in the book are so real and vivid that it makes us feel as if we are going through the same experience.

This book is not just about a dog or an animal, but it is about the love and sacrifice that comes with having a pet. It teaches us the importance of珍惜 the time we have with our furry friends and to be there for them through thick and thin.
July 15,2025
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Well, if the author was indeed attempting to tear my heart out, then it most definitely worked!

Animal stories have always held a special and dear place within my heart. However, after the loss of my beloved 19-year-old tabby cat, reading towards the end of this particular story was extremely difficult. In fact, I almost put it down because I simply couldn't bear to handle the emotions it was evoking.

Although I've never been overly fond of dogs, I can completely understand and relate to the ending. Witnessing my cat's arthritis worsening, her walking becoming slower, her incontinence issues, and sometimes even seeing her fall over brought back some truly tough memories.

Even though she wasn't as lively and bouncy as Marley was described to be, she would trot along faithfully behind me with every step I took, whether it was across the house or just a short distance across the room. She was such a loyal and faithful companion throughout my childhood and young adulthood, from the age of 4 all the way until I was 23! I know that I will never have another cat quite like her.

I still feel the ache for her, just as he described their deep ache for Marley. I don't believe this pain will ever completely go away, but I am so incredibly thankful for the wonderful years that I was blessed to have with her.
July 15,2025
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I absolutely love dogs.

Dogs are truly remarkable creatures. They don't cheat, betray, or tell lies. Their loyalty and love are unconditional. If you treat a dog right, it will always be by your side. A dog is indeed the purest and greatest friend one can have.

So, of course, I also enjoy hearing from other dog lovers and learning about their stories. That was my intention when I read this book.

I'm glad to say that I spent some really wonderful hours with Marley, John, and the rest of the Grogan family.

Here, I was laughing at Marley's antics and endless energy. All I could think about was, 'Wow, my beloved Doberman, Felix, is just like Marley!'

Well, I'm happy to say that Felix isn't such a destroyer of patrimony. But still, the rest is all there. The energy, the not caring about what people are saying, the relentless enthusiasm, the need to be friends with everyone, and the not wanting to be alone part.

It's funny how similar the two are.

Needless to say, I cried a lot in the end. Partly because I have also lost a beloved dog and I'm all too familiar with the pain of losing that kind of unconditional love. And partly because I can't bear to see animals suffering, and I would have cried anyway.

There's so much we can learn from dogs. If only we could live with the passion and single-mindedness they put into the smallest things they do. We would be a lot happier.

July 15,2025
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I watched the last half of this film several years ago. Even though I was aware that heartbreak was inevitable at the end, I still found myself unprepared when Marley began to slow down, when the frequent trips to the vet became a part of their routine, and when the final goodbye arrived.

To be honest, if you don't shed a tear while reading this book, there might be something seriously wrong with your emotions.

Apart from the sad ending, which anyone who has ever owned a pet will be all too familiar with, this is truly a remarkable story about life and family. It takes the reader through a rollercoaster of ups and downs. I was completely engrossed from start to finish. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a touching and relatable story about the bond between humans and their pets, as well as the importance of family and the journey of life.

It's a book that will make you laugh, cry, and ultimately appreciate the simple joys and the inevitable sorrows that come with loving and being loved.

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