Little Brown Dog
London, 1903, and animal-loving flatmates Eliza Blackwood and Lena Hageby hatch a plot to infiltrate a medical school demonstration on a live dog. Naturally, chaos ensues, and after the women organise a memorial to the suffering dog, the statue becomes the focus of violent protests. A large cast of characters gradually resolves to four main players: the women; Jack, a medical student; and Doctor Bayling, academic, researcher, and pantomime “baddie”.
The book follows many stories. The main focus is the friendship between the two women, who, despite mismatched backgrounds—one a librarian, the other an heiress—share both a flat and an abhorrence of experiments on animals. But there’s also a love story, and Eliza’s personal development from timid librarian to accomplished campaigner.
I would have enjoyed the novel more if the character of Bayling had been more nuanced. Entrenched in Victorian convictions of white, male, upper-class entitlement, he represents “The Medical Establishment”. But his long list of justifications for experimenting on animals includes “easing Man’s suffering”, and I think the book would have been richer if this aspect could have been explored. As it is, Bayling is cast as a sadistic bully, with no redeeming features.
But the historical story told is intriguing. In an endnote, Owen describes how she came upon the statue of the “Little Brown Dog”, which became the focus of violent clashes. Anti-vivisectionists united with campaigners for other powerless groups, and we are reminded that many working-class men, as well as all women, were excluded from the vote. Powerful privilege opposed them.
Owen’s fictitious heroines shine, and despite its many storylines, the book is easy to read. Recommended for those who enjoy “rooting for the underdog”.
