Synopses & Reviews
A wise and heartwarming first novel about families, love lost and found, and a scrappy three-legged dog who is trying to find his way back home as Christmas approaches. Roam features a seven-part soundtrack—composed and performed by the author—accessible online and embedded in the eBook.It’s the dog owner’s greatest fear, even worse in some ways than a beloved pet dying. Your dog getting lost—missing for days, then weeks, perhaps gone forever. Roam is the story of a dog named Nelson who follows his nose one day and gets lost, becoming separated for years from his anxious, fearful owners.
Roam follows Nelson on his eight-year journey alone, until one day he miraculously finds his way home. Through it all, Nelson maintains his optimistic spirit and unflagging yearning for the Great Love, his first human owner, a concert pianist named Katey. He never has stopped longing for her, and she in turn has never stopped searching for him.
Lazar’s skillful rendering of a dog’s cognitive, sensory, and emotional life celebrates the extraordinary magical power of dogs, showing what this scrappy little mutt with a courageous heart can teach us. This deeply moving story of families, the human condition, and second chances will deeply affect readers and remind them of the healing powers of survival and enduring love.
Review
“Musician Lazar’s debut is a thoughtful portrayal of the dog’s worldview, emotions, and nature, written largely from one dog’s perspective and tracking his walkabout adventures across the country after his nose leads him away from his first owner and 'Great Love,' Katey…. A touching page-turner for dog lovers.” —
Publisher's Weekly
"I loved the curious, adventurous spirit of Nelson. ROAM shows some of the things I love most about dogs--their unconditional love, loyalty, instinct, connection to Mother Nature, and of course, their powerful noses! We can all learn and take something away from his journey." —Cesar Millan, "The Dog Whisperer"
“Alan Lazar knows dogs, and to know a dog is to love a dog. ROAM compassionately explores and celebrates the heart and mind of man’s best friend and the special bond we share” —Patrick McDonnell, New York Times bestelling author of THE GIFT OF NOTHING
"With the mesmerizing simplicity of a classic silent film, ROAM tells the heart-breaking (and yes, heart-warming) story of Nelson, an adventurous and brave little dog as memorable as John Grogan's Marley, Kate DiCamillo's Winn-Dixie and even Chaplin's Little Tramp . Without a word of dialogue, Lazar tells an epic tale almost entirely from Nelson's point of view, but his canine hero's stirring quest is no different than Quixote's--a death-defying, wonder-inducing search for love." —David Frankel, director of “Marley and Me” and “The Devil Wears Prada.”
"A canine version of Black Beauty." —Kirkus Reviews
“Lazar has crafted an adventure guaranteed to capture the interest of the reader—who hopes, like Nelson, that the dog will somehow make it home to Katey.” —Bookpage
Review
"Lazar's debut novel takes us on a harrowing canine journey where human beings can break the heart of a good dog---and yet the desire to live with and love humans is unquenchable." —Jacqueline Sheehan, NY Times bestselling author of
Lost & Found
“Incredible journeys are a perennially popular subset of dog stories…and Lazar crafts a good one. He captures the interior and exterior lives of humans and dogs (and even wolves) with a sure hand." —Library Journal
“A sweet but simple tale, Lazar’s novel will appeal to animal lovers nostalgic for the stories of their youth." —Booklist
Synopsis
They Say You Never Forget Your First Love . . . Nelson is a bright-eyed, inquisitive half beagle, half poodle. He lives with Katey and Don, newlyweds whose marriage is straining under the pressures of domesticity, but Katey’s devotion to Nelson buoys the pup even as he worries his home may be falling apart. One day Nelson follows his nose and gets lost. Though he searches frantically for his beloved Katey—and she for him—he can’t seem to find his way home.
Roam follows Nelson on an incredible eight-year cross-country journey. He rides shotgun with a truck driver, lives in the woods with a pack of wolves, loses his hind leg in a terrible accident, and escapes death in a shelter. Though he develops a cynical eye and a world-weary demeanor, underneath it all he remains a fearless and courageous spirit, and maintains the belief that one day he’ll make it back to Katey.
A deeply moving story of survival and enduring love, Roam confirms the unbreakable bond between humans and their best friends. It is an unforgettable tale of love lost and found, the trials that test families, and an affirmation that no matter how far or how long you may travel, there’s always a place to call home.
About the Author
Alan Lazar is a platinum-selling musician/composer whose career began in his native South Africa. He lives in Los Angeles, where he has composed music for more than 30 films and TV shows. This is his first novel.