Dogland is a fantasy novel by Will Shetterly

Will Shetterly

Will Shetterly is an American writer of fantasy and science fiction best known for his novel Dogland . The novel is inspired by his childhood at the tourist attraction Dog Land owned by his parents...

, a fantasy and comic book writer. Published in June 1997, it is the novel Shetterly is most proud of. The story is based on his own childhood and a business that his parents owned called 'Dog Land'.

Plot summary

The novel is told from the perspective of an adult called Christopher Nix who recounts the story of his family's move to Florida

Florida

Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...

 from New Orleans when he was four. The purpose of their move is so that his father can open a tourist attraction that exhibits every breed of dog recognised by the American Kennel Club

American Kennel Club

The American Kennel Club is a registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States. Beyond maintaining its pedigree registry, this kennel club also promotes and sanctions events for purebred dogs, including the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, an annual event which predates the official...

. The story focuses on his father's 'colourblind' approach to racial segregation and various controversies that occur in his life because of it.