Cover Image: If My Dogs Were a Pair of Middle-Aged Men

If My Dogs Were a Pair of Middle-Aged Men

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

This book features several gags in which the author’s dogs are middle-aged men, just like the title suggests.

The book’s art is simple and clean.

The gags are, in a word, hilarious.

This book is great, however, I feel it could have been longer.

Was this review helpful?

You've seen those "if humans acted like dogs" videos, right? This is basically The Oatmeal's take on that. Cute, though the live action versions win on sheer absurdity.

3.5 stars.

** Full disclosure: I received a free electronic ARC for review through NetGalley. **

Was this review helpful?

This book is exactly why I don't have dogs. So incredibly funny. Honestly, I love the Oatmeal and it has yet to disappoint. I think my only complaint is that it is too short - I need more. If you like silly and are looking for something that is light and not complicated - this is the book for you.

Was this review helpful?

I was laughing my head off while reading this comic book. Most probably those who own a pet dog or had one before, could relate much to the comic strips. I was thinking of our dogs' behaviors the entire time I was reading this and my verdict? The Oatmeal really made an accurate depiction of how dogs behave.

Was this review helpful?

I've always been a fan of The Oatmeal so I had very high expectations for this little book, which weren't entirely met.

Matthew Inman tends to go one of two ways with his comics - hilarious or profound. This one was 'quite funny', it does what it says on the label and the illustrations are as amazing as you'd expect so I would have loved it if I didn't know he could be so much funnier.

All that being said, I would absolutely buy a copy of this as a coffee table book for guests to enjoy!

Was this review helpful?

I have been following Matt Inman and The Oatmeal for sometime. His work always makes me laugh and this book was no exception. Matt completely nails how dogs behave and seem to think. Illustrating them as middle aged men added to the humor and the absurdity of the various situations. This book gave me a great chuckle and I enjoyed it.

Was this review helpful?

I love absurdity. That may be part of the reason I love dogs so much, they naturally seem to have a happy absurdity about them. This brief book of cartoons adds another element of silliness by depicting the author's two dogs as middle aged men. It's a little weird, especially since my favorite was about bath time, so I have to still think of them as dogs, because if I overthink it as two actual middle aged men with the younger man who takes them outside on a leash, it gets weird. Best to avoid any literal association and enjoy the silliness. Anyone who has had the pleasure of living with dogs should appreciate this book and will likely finish wanting more.

Was this review helpful?

If My Dogs Were a Pair of Middle-Age Men by Matthew Inman (also known as The Oatmeal) is currently schedule for release on September 26 2017. This charmingly absurd gift book about man’s best friend is the kind of humor and art that one fully expects from the mind behind The Oatmeal and books like How to Tell If Your Cat Is Plotting to Kill You. In If My Dogs Were a Pair of Middle-Aged Men, Matthew Inman imagines what life would be like if his dogs were a couple of old men running around his house. The result is a pitch-perfect gift for any dog owner, animal lover, or fan of The Oatmeal.

If My Dogs Were a Pair of Middle-Age Men gives readers exactly what they should expect from this author, with this title. Inman draws his two dogs as middle age men and puts them in everyday doggy situations. Not high brow humor by any means- but anyone with dogs (or pets of any kind really) can relate to the adventures of this two, and the reactions of their owner. They are suitably silly and occasionally gross- like any animal is bound to be. The book is amusing and hits all the right notes, at least the ones that anyone with any prior knowledge of the Oatmeal would expect. It was short, but I think that is better than dragging on the jokes to the point where they are no longer quite as amusing.

Was this review helpful?

The premise of this graphic novel is rather obvious, the author depicts his dogs as if they were middle-aged men.

My biggest problem with this book was how short it was. It has only about 38 pages.

The novel was surprisingly funny, though. I read "How to Tell Your Cat is Plotting to Kill You" and I loved it so I didn't even hesitate when I discovered this book was from the same author.

I was not disappointed. I recommend this book, I would give it 5 stars but it was way too short.

Was this review helpful?

If My Dogs Were a Pair of Middle-Aged Men
by The Oatmeal, Matthew Inman
I requested this book from NetGalley and the review is voluntary.
This is such a crazy and hilarious book! The sight of a hairy grown man and a grown bald man as dogs is so silly that it makes a person giggle just looking at them. Then the silly cartoons put them in situations of dogs that really set off the giggle factor. Fun book, messes with the funny bone!

Was this review helpful?

I received an advanced copy of If My Dogs Were a Pair of Middle-Aged Men from Net Galley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

If you’re looking for a funny and quick (less than 40 pages) read, then this is the book for you. There were points where this literally had me laughing out loud. Fans of the Oatmeal will enjoy it, as will anyone who’s had any experience owning dogs, I imagine.
Matthew Inman uses absurd comparisons to make even the most banal moments in day to day life hilarious. In this case it’s comparing his silly dogs to grown men (by drawing said grown men as his two dogs). Needless to say, hilarity ensues.
It’s worth noting that the Oatmeal is a collection of comics (fans will obviously already know this) that can be found online. So buying this book isn’t really necessary, but it does have the nice benefit of supporting something you love. So if you’re seeking a gift, a chuckle, a pick-me-up, or a chance to see the world in odd manners, then I strongly advise you pick this one up.

Was this review helpful?

The only complaint I have after reading this collection is how short it was. Aside from the brevity, these comics capture much of the humor of owning dogs - through the unexpected and admittedly strange lens of those dogs being a couple middle-aged men. But as unique as the premise might be, it is a fun and funny take on pet-ownership that is well-worth the read.

Was this review helpful?

Perfect for fans of any of The Oatmeal's previous works. It's a nice, short, silly read that is exactly as it says, "If My Dogs Were a Pair of Middle-Aged Men."

Was this review helpful?

In a former life (aka my early high school years), I thought The Oatmeal was hilarious so I figured I would give this short little book a try. I feel like either a fifty year old dad or a thirteen year old would find this pretty funny... sadly, I am neither of those so I think that is a case of just not being the target audience.

Was this review helpful?

I don't have much experience with these comics. I have seen a few here or there, but I was never motivated enough to go and track down the site. I have a copy of Exploding Kittens that was gifted to me from a friend who thought the art was disgusting. I can see why she thought that. The art is very much a four year old boy human for most of it. I can do without another fart joke, thank you.

The premise was pretty amusing. I always imagine what my dogs would sound like if they could talk or what they would look like if they were human. It is a hobby that I take very seriously, which is why I needed to read this book.

The book itself is pretty funny. It shows how ridiculous it would be to have a dog be a person if their ages were proportional. I always imagine my dogs as teenagers or toddlers, never matching their real age. This book forced me to face that. I will stick with my much cuter version. 

The book did make me laugh a few times, but what dropped the rating was the length and the price. I can't justify paying as much for the book as the cover price for such a short book. It isn't one that made me scream "I NEED THIS BOOK". I might check out the website, but I probably won't buy the book for myself. It may be a gag gift for the office's white elephant party though.

Was this review helpful?

The Oatmeal is known for their goofy, snort worthy comics which is why I decided to give this book a go. First of all, it was funny, yet it was equally disturbing. Haha I suppose that should have been a given considering the title and all. Second of all, what the heck?! That's it?! 38 pages cover to cover. Honestly, it's cute, but it's way too short. Make it longer and I'll give you more stars.

Thanks to The Oatmeal, the publisher, and NetGalley for this early review opportunity.

Was this review helpful?

From the always-hilarious creator of The Oatmeal, this book is a pleasant - if brief - romp through what life would be like if his two dogs were instead middle-aged men. Particularly easy to relate to if you have excitable dogs.

Was this review helpful?

In terms of what to expect the content to be about, the title says it all. I've read The Oatmeal before and I didn't think this was as good as some of the other content on the website, so maybe my expectations were a bit too high and that's why I thought it fell a bit short.
But it is a short book and would be a suitable gift for a dog lover or someone who hasn't read The Oatmeal before.

Was this review helpful?

Cute. Fluff.

Also too real. My favorite small bit was them being woken up by the doorbell and going "murder?? MURDERRR!!" and then heart eyes at the delivery guy. I've seen my friends dog do this about 100 times since he's over so much. He's all bark and just wants cuddles.

Basically this is just a silly book of exactly what it says it is - imagining as if the writers dogs were middle-aged men - and it's adorable? I love dogs, possibly a unhealthy amount, so that might be why I read this and loved it so much. So if you, too, love dogs an unhealthy amount, or know someone who does, then this might be a good present.

Was this review helpful?