First off this is definitely one of those books that will divide opinions both amongst readers and within their own minds. Upon starting this book I was a little confused as to its purpose and that of a six foot talking black dog but as the story progresses the reader gradually pieces together his purpose, as does Esther, our quiet and reserved 'heroine'. This book is driven by its characters which are brilliantly and subtly written, allowing their personalities to develop through their actions and conversations rather than excess background given by the author. Granted this book deals with a difficult, hidden and often stigmatised issue but it does so with relative ease and humility with moments of light-heartness and humour that shows there are ways forward, you just need to find the one that suits you. Despite the heavy subject matter, you are left feeling strangely buoyed by the Esther's and Churchill's strength and ability to carry on. A good read but be prepared for something a little different.

This book was on a Goodreads author's favs list and it was available at my library so I thought, "Why not?" Ugh, I regret that now. Not to say it wasn't a well-written book, the premise was unusual and overall the writing was quite interesting. Unfortunately, the subject matter was so stressful reading it semi-traumatic.

I should have known better than to read a book about depression while dealing with anxiety! The combination of reading this and hearing my parents discuss all the repairs our potential buyers want to do on our old house sent me into an anxiety attack (which I really haven't experienced much before & was very unpleasant). I managed to finish it because to leave a book unfinished after I've started it is practically an anathema to me. Also, I like to suffer.

To the author's credit, she made the character of the Black Dog super compelling - I felt downright oppressed by his presence just like the characters did. In the end, there was a very welcome resolution that made me feel very relieved and even a bit hopeful, but the journey there was not fun!

As it is, despite good writing, I can't recommend this book to anyone who has ever dealt with anxiety or depression - it's just too darn stressful!

Not for everyone, but I loved it. Witty, sadly charming, strange, but sweet. Mr. Chartwell is a huge black dog who personifies (literally)...well, read and find out.

Reminded me somewhat of Meet Joe Black. This is a far more intelligent offering of course, but the personification of depression and the sense that beneath the surface he is not entirely happy in his work definitely had parallels with the film. Makes you think without being an overly taxing/excessively 'literary' read.

Quirky and thought provoking book - review here

http://0651frombrighton.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/mr-chartwell-rebecca-hunt.html

I'd definitely give it 3 1/2 stars if I could. Great read and a very clever, even unique (don't get to say that often) premise. Winston Churchill described his depression as a "black dog," and in this book, Rebecca Hunt makes depression a huge, monstrous, talking, bothersome black dog who hounds those he's assigned to visit.
In the novel, Churchill is on the eve of retiring from his 64 years of public service, and Black Pat is busy torturing him. His only breaks come when the dog is working on young librarian Esther, who is experiencing the second anniversary of her husband's death. Churchill would like to rid himself of the dog's involvement in his life, but as his momentous occasion briefly intersects with Esther's difficult day, he sees that he has an opportunity to encourage someone else to be rid of the dog. Depression may have settled in permanently for one character, but it might not have to be an ongoing presence for another, if she has the strength to combat it.
Hunt's novel is a clever and intriguing examination of depression and how it can settle into one's life. The conversations Esther and Churchill have with Black Pat are insightful and fascinating, giving form to what is usually shapeless. The dog is persuasive, intelligent and derisive. But, as the book eventually shows, however insistent Mr. Chartwell is, there is hope.

Read my full review, including a rating for content, at RatedReads.com: https://ratedreads.com/mr-chartwell-clean-fiction-book-review/

Winston Churchill referred to his depression as "the black dog." This novel imagines if that was a real, literal dog. In 1967, on the eve of Churchill's retirement from Parliament and public life, a giant black dog (who goes by the name Mr. Chartwell or Black Pat) comes to stay with a quiet library clerk named Esther, who has a room to rent. This talking dog has a job to do that involves Churchill somehow.

The extended metaphor is funny but never really resonated with me as a way of envisioning the effect of depression on someone's mind. The wispy library clerk, described in terms of flyaway cardigans and stained work dresses, is the only character with whom I felt a connection. A connection with her, as well as another metaphor for depression the author keeps returning to: a wave of blackness, ebbing and flowing, while the swimmer tries to keep sight of a distant tiny light on the shore. Those were the highlights of the novel for me.

It's an odd book, and it didn't seem quite like "magical realism", more like allegory.

"That's not love. It's possession."

I loved the analogy of the Black Dog insinuating himself into lives and disrupting them until they're unrecognisable.

Fabulous and quirky...loved it!