Dogs know best in 'Jonathan Unleashed'

When suffering from weltschmerz, the best medicine for your malaise may be to bring a dog into your life. Or perhaps two.

On paper, Jonathan Trefoil’s life appears to be everything he imagined his “adult life” would be. In Meg Rosoff's charming novel Jonathan Unleashed (Viking, 275 pp., *** ½ out of four stars), he lives in his dream city — New York — in what he envisions is a true "NYC" apartment. He still dates his college girlfriend Julie and he's working his first post-grad job with childhood friend Max. Every aspect of the life he imagined is, it seems, on track. That is, until he takes in his brother’s two dogs.

Not long after taking in Sissy, a spaniel, and Dante, a collie, Jonathan realizes they both appear to disapprove of his life. Granted, Jonathan was beginning to feel that way, too.

It's not until Jonathan decides his canine companions must be suffering from some sort of doggie ennui that he starts to address his own dissatisfaction. What is it to be an adult? Is creating what you imagine life should be the best blueprint for happiness?

Thankfully, with Rosoff’s talent, what could be a yet another novel of millennial existential angst is transformed into a delightful literary romp. Adding zest to Jonathan’s journey is a British vet named Dr. Clare, a surprise wedding, a man crush and an elicit doggie love affair.

There is a lyrical cadence to Rosoff’s prose. You almost hear it while reading, as though the tale is being told to us. There is nothing extraneous about this book, from the choice of words to the supporting characters; each and every one feels needed.

And Rosoff’s protagonist Jonathan, while a character, is anything but a caricature as we join him in his life-changing journey. The novel ends as seamlessly as it began, leaving the reader feeling anything but weltschmerz.