I liked the book. It does sort of bug me that the title character, Mr. Chartwell, stops going by Mr. Chartwell at the beginning of the book. It works, but it's the title of the book.

Rounded down from 3.5 ⭐️I was given this book by a family member who urged me to read it because of my own struggles with mental health, and the job I now work in (mental health crisis support). I thought the idea behind the novel was unique and from that point of view I really enjoyed it.

It follows Esther and Winston Churchill as they both deal with an unwelcome guest- Mr Chartwell. Chartwell is a big black dog, who represents depression.

There were times in this book that I felt it hit the nail on the head and was really profound, but it just didn’t keep this up enough for me. I liked that the chapters were short, but the actual writing kept losing me, I often found myself drifting off and struggling to focus.

I was a little disappointed because I was really excited by the premise, and there were some parts that I could really relate to. But, unfortunately I couldn’t relate to it enough for me to really enjoy the book.

I would still recommend this to others though. Mental illnesses themselves vary greatly, and even everyone with the same mental illness will experience things differently/have different symptoms. So, some people may find this much more enjoyable than I did.

Quite enjoying this so far, rather bizarre but intriguing.

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.

I loved this book! I think it's extremely bold and funny. It's not a story about depression, it's a story about strenght. And irony, the man's best friend can turn out to be it's worst enemy. Touché.

For such a slight book and such an original, clever premise with great writing, I found this strangely uncompelling.

My full review: http://www.noseinabook.co.uk/?p=2547

Intelligent, sensitive, dark yet surprisingly charming exploration of depression, as characterised by Winston Churchill's 'black dog' analogy brought to life. Mr Chartwell is one of those books whose premise is quirky enough to pique your interest and executed well enough that if you've been there there's a fair chance it will read as accurate. Churchill is drawn well, but isn't the primary focus of the story - instead, we see Mr Chartwell gaining entry into the life of a woman from the same era. I see it as a contrast between a lifetime, overwhelming depression and situational depression - our dark canine is a familiar presence to Churchill but a new and somewhat resisted force in the life of our downtrodden landlady protagonist.

Winston Churchill apparently referred to his depression as a 'black dog.' Very evocative. Also, now, the conceit underlying this novel, in which a large, talking black dog turns up on the doorstep of a young widow, insistent upon renting a room from her. Her new lodger trashes the place - which is conveniently located near his job depressing Churchill - and takes increasing liberties as the anniversary of her husband's death approaches. Marvelous conceit, and I like it better as I summarize it, but the characters are flat and the Churchillian dialogue soporific.

Review by Lydia Presley:

While I do not feel the summary shows this novel in the light it should have been shown, Mr. Chartwell definitely takes it's place among some of the most unique, interesting books I've read. I approached the story believing there'd be more interaction between the famous Mr. Churchill and Esther but instead, found more of a coincidental connection and just one small scene with both involved. This disappointed me a bit, but something else made up for that disappointment.

Having dealt with depression in my own life, I can attest to how it is like what Ms. Hunt portrays Mr. Chartwell to be. A mangy, annoying, loud dog skulking about, refusing to leave, worming his way into your every thought. At first I was a bit annoyed by the appearance of a creature I thought belonged in a fantasy book, but as the novel progressed I began to see Mr. Chartwell for who he was and what he represented, and then things began to get interesting.

Even if depression is not something you've ever dealt with, this book gives each reader a solid look at what it is like to be in those black depths, to feel the despair and annoyance and be completely unable to claw your way back to the light. It gives a picture of what it is like to overcome and to succumb and I think it's a read that was definitely worthy of my time.