The Speckled Beauty

A Dog and His People

De: Rick Bragg

Narrado por: Rick Bragg

New York Times Best Seller

From the best-selling, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of All Over but the Shoutin', the warmhearted and hilarious story of how his life was transformed by his love for a poorly behaved, half-blind stray dog.

Speck is not a good boy. He is a terrible boy, a defiant, self-destructive, often malodorous boy, a grave robber and screen door moocher who spends his days playing chicken with the Fed Ex man, picking fights with thousand-pound livestock, and rolling in donkey manure, and his nights howling at the moon. He has been that way since the moment he appeared on the ridgeline behind Rick Bragg's house, a starved and half-dead creature, 76 pounds of wet hair and poor decisions.

Speck arrived in Rick's life at a moment of looming uncertainty. A cancer diagnosis, chemo, kidney failure, and recurring pneumonia had left Rick lethargic and melancholy. Speck helped, and he is helping, still, when he is not peeing on the rose of Sharon. Written with Bragg's inimitable blend of tenderness and sorrow, humor and grit, The Speckled Beauty captures the extraordinary, sustaining devotion between two damaged creatures who need each other to heal.

©2021 Rick Bragg (P)2021 Random House Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

ONE OF GARDEN & GUN'S BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR

“This is a witty, moving love letter to one extraordinary dog—and an ode to the transformative powers of his kind.” —People Magazine [Book of the Week]

“This moving book is a literary ode to canine love.” —The Washington Post

“Bragg has done it again, focusing his lyrical prose on one aspect of his Southern roots while managing to embrace much larger terrain in the process . . . [The Speckled Beauty] delights the senses and is as honest as the day is long.” —David Holahan, USA Today

Unbelievable

I’m a Rick Bragg fan but this may be my favorite. It’s a great tale of the love of a man and a dog. Rick narrated the book which makes it more captivating.
If you love dogs and the tales of family, relationships and dogs this will capture your heart.
Loved it

On the list of my favorite books

I listen to a lot of animal based books and this one is definitely one of my all time favorites. I absolutely loved this book. I laughed out loud many times and fell in love with this family. This is the first Rick Bragg book I’ve listened to but after hearing his writing style I intend to order several more of his books. It felt like I was sitting on the porch in a rocking chair listening to a friend tell me about his dog. And what a crazy dog he is. I highly recommended this book.

I’ve read/listened to everything Rick Bragg wrote.

This author takes the simple and makes it eloquent. I’m from the urban North and the magic of Rick Bragg’s words brings me to the South, making his people feel like my people. I plan to reread everything, just to set my heart straight when it needs resetting.

Simply the best dog story EVER

I just listened to master storyteller Rick Bragg tell the story of Speckled Beauty, his “terrible” dog. I’m 75, a dog lover and rescuer (living in Louisiana that’s what you do). Rick Bragg’s story is absolutely THE best dog story I have ever heard (or read)! I laughed, almost cried, empathized and sympathized, felt sad—but not for long, for he gave us dog lovers hope. Other crazy people rescue terrible dogs as well, knowing these babies give us more than we could ever give them back. What a glorious story!

Another winner

A combination of love and life in the south with a treasured dog. I found myself laughing and then instantly crying as I could relate and almost feel his every word. As an Alabama dog lover I loved this book. Thanks Rick for another great one.

A Must Read!

So, so good! Rick Bragg makes you love family and dogs, if you don't already. Him narrating his own book is such a treat! I laughed out loud numerous times.

Homage to the South & all Good Boys

Not really a dog person, but Rick has swayed me to mightily reconsider. A great adventure story filled with flying fur, a thankfulness of home, and the comfort of family. I am better person for hearing the tale.

Speck

I can’t express how much I enjoyed the book. The story line was told right off the bat but what happened in the every day life of a stray coming to live with the author was superbly put together. Being a dog lover myself, I wanted to believe that the book was going to be about a dog and his owner. Well, I was very surprised to learn it was so much more.
I don’t know if I could say, this book was sad, funny or adventurous. It was all of the above. And at times it was absolutely hilarious. A great job of writing and thank you.

Classic Rick Bragg!!

Rick, in his own voice, spins the best yarns of any southern storyteller.

I've been a huge fan of his since 'All Over But The Shoutin', which I (first) read in hardback right after it came out decades ago and since have enjoyed through the years every line he's scribed since.

Thanks Rick.
I'm on the Georgia side of the line, but a kindred soul no less.😊

Excellent!

Brings to mind my dogs down the ages as well as my life in the South. Rick Bragg has a special gift and I’m glad I discovered him recently!