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Nop's Trials: A Novel Kindle Edition

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 234 ratings

A novel about the bond between a farmer and his black-and-white border collie that James Herriot called “beautiful [and] as gripping as any thriller.”

On Christmas Day, Virginia livestock farmer Lewis Burkholder and Nop, his black-and-white border collie, go out to feed the sheep. But the holiday is shattered when Nop fails to return home. Stolen by two hardened criminals who see in the young stock dog a $300 payday, Nop suffers abuse and brutality as he courageously adapts to his new life, which holds no shortage of surprises. At the same time, Lewis refuses to believe that his beloved dog is gone for good. His determination to be reunited with Nop—and Nop’s own unswerving loyalty—reveals the depth and strength of the bond that can exist between humans and dogs.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Nop, the main character in McCaig's pleasurable out-of-print classic, is a sheepdog run competitively by his Virginian master in the kind of "trials" that test such a dog; when some unscrupulous rednecks steal him, other kinds of trials begin.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“Nop's Trials held me in fascinated suspense to the last page. It is poignant, authentic, and beautiful. This story of a man's dedication to his dog is a gripping as any thriller.” –James Herriot

“An adult novel for animal lovers that does justice to both its human and canine characters . . . with crispness and authenticity.” –
The New York Times Book Review

“The best dog book I've read since Jack London's
White Fang.” –Sand Diego Union

“Destined to become a classic . . . Anyone who loves dogs should make a beeline for this book.” John Barkham


Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00L8FBDCK
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Open Road Media (July 15, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 15, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5955 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 362 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 234 ratings

About the author

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Donald McCaig
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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
234 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and captivating. They appreciate the strong bond between humans and dogs, as well as the dog's love and loyalty. However, some readers found the emotional content disturbing and heartbreaking at times. Opinions differ on the writing style - some find it well-written and easy to read, while others felt it was difficult to follow at times.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

27 customers mention "Readability"27 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and entertaining. They say it's one of the best dog books ever written. The dogs' perspectives are thought-provoking and the author keeps readers turning the pages.

"A great book but very disturbing. I can't believe so many were so abusive towards a dog...maybe I live in a fantasy world...." Read more

"...It's a great, great book." Read more

"It was a lovely book...." Read more

"...This is a great book." Read more

21 customers mention "Story quality"21 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the engaging story. They find it exciting and well-written, with a powerful message about hope, faith, and strong bonds. The book keeps them hooked with its suspenseful plot and touching themes of love.

"I loved that I learned so much about the sheep trials that I had not known before...." Read more

"...I found myself crying, laughing, running the gamut of emotions. Even now, when I think back on it, I get choked up...." Read more

"...parts about cruel people, but it is well-written and the powerful story about hope, faith, and the strong bond between humans and dogs." Read more

"...some of Nop's trials were very hard to read about, this tale kept me thoroughly engaged...." Read more

6 customers mention "Love for dogs"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the strong bond between humans and dogs in the book. They find the dog loved and the human loyal to their animal companions.

"...and the powerful story about hope, faith, and the strong bond between humans and dogs." Read more

"...story ,It had people who wanted to take advantage of good people and good dogs, If you like sheep dog trials and rancher you would like it." Read more

"...likes dogs, b) likes working dogs, c) hates brutality toward animals, d) hates stupid people." Read more

"One of my favorite books. I love that the human is loyal to his dog." Read more

9 customers mention "Writing style"5 positive4 negative

Customers have different views on the writing style. Some find it well-written and powerful, while others find it difficult to read at times due to the villains.

"...Donald McCaig's writing style is simplistic, but so lovely that it just sucks you into the story completely...." Read more

"I enjoyed this book. It was a bit of a trial to read at times regarding the villains. But it was worth the read...." Read more

"...It does have some unsettling parts about cruel people, but it is well-written and the powerful story about hope, faith, and the strong bond between..." Read more

"...Some breaks longer than others. In that respect it was not easy to read but if you start it, you must finish it for the ending...." Read more

6 customers mention "Emotional content"0 positive6 negative

Customers find the emotional content disturbing and heart-wrenching at times, but overall satisfying. They say the story doesn't dive too deep emotionally, just enough to draw them in for the adventure. Some reviewers mention that the book is tragic and unsettling, with some unsettling parts about cruel people. However, they also mention foul language and inappropriate scenes.

"A great book but very disturbing. I can't believe so many were so abusive towards a dog...maybe I live in a fantasy world...." Read more

"...It does have some unsettling parts about cruel people, but it is well-written and the powerful story about hope, faith, and the strong bond between..." Read more

"My two star rating comes purely from the fact that the book was so tragic, that I almost did not finish reading it...." Read more

"...This is one really great book. At times disturbing and heart wrenching but overall immensely satisfying...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2024
    I loved that I learned so much about the sheep trials that I had not known before. I would recommend this book to any dog lovers and to high school students, too! I would give it a PG 13 rating for the content, though. It’s for mature readers. I plan to look for more books by this author.
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2014
    A great book but very disturbing. I can't believe so many were so abusive towards a dog...maybe I live in a fantasy world. I did love the short sequence with Suzie Q. Don't let your children read this book. As a middle age "Disney" girl, I could barely handle except hope of a happy outcome and my love for Nop.
    9 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2008
    I found "Nop's Trials" quite by accident. I had been running searches for books on dog behavior and training, and books on sheepdogs, border collies in particular, and "Nop's Trials" popped up. Thinking it was a book on training sheepdogs and trialing, I bought it. It seems like I always find my favorite books by accident. Donald McCaig's writing style is simplistic, but so lovely that it just sucks you into the story completely. I found myself crying, laughing, running the gamut of emotions. Even now, when I think back on it, I get choked up. I've always admired the border collie for its intensity, intelligence and energy and this book has given me an even deeper respect for the breed. It also opened my eyes to realities that we so often choose not to acknowledge. It's a great, great book.
    7 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2017
    It was a lovely book. Maybe a little heavy on the stocks of trial details and lingo, but I looked forward to settling in every evening with Lewis, Nop, and their lives. It does have some unsettling parts about cruel people, but it is well-written and the powerful story about hope, faith, and the strong bond between humans and dogs.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2019
    While some of Nop's trials were very hard to read about, this tale kept me thoroughly engaged. I read way into the wee hours of the morning in a couple places just to make sure this dog made it. This is a great book.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2017
    I enjoyed this book. It was a bit of a trial to read at times regarding the villains. But it was worth the read. Knowing it was going to end well honestly helped. I enjoy Donald McCaig's writing and will be reading more of his work. I really enjoyed Mr and Mrs Dog.
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2017
    This is a "Lassie come home" type of book. Nop is a Border Collie that is a top worker herding sheep. Another dog on the farm (Stink) is also a top working collie but has been retired because of injuries. Lewis and Beverly own the farm and their pregnant daughter and husband come back to live on the farm also. At a Christmas dinner Nop is let out with a visiting hound puppy and they take off. Both dogs are picked up. The puppy is killed but Nop begins a series of adventures and troubles while Lewis searches everywhere to bring him home. I really appreciated the note at the end by the author as a caution to go and get a Border Collie unless you do research into the breed and are prepared for their high energy and intelligence.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2023
    Even though you are anticipating a happy ending, 2 chapters at a time was all I could handle, dog kidnapped and goes through all different types of abuse, there is a "sequel" Nop's Hope about his daughter I would recommend.

Top reviews from other countries

  • C. J.
    5.0 out of 5 stars As educational as it is touching
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 4, 2021
    While reading the book, I got an education in the training and use of working Border Collies in addition to a story that kept my attention from cover to cover.
  • Saskafudge
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely
    Reviewed in Canada on September 27, 2013
    I've said it all before while reviewing Donald McCaig's work, but here it is again. He is one of the TRUE masters of his craft, the proof of which is that he'll be the first to tell you he learns something new every day. If you love a herding dog, you simply must own the works of McCaig. I promise you won't be disappointed, and you'll find yourself reading them again and again.
  • bassetluv
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful story of a lost border collie and his devoted ...
    Reviewed in Canada on October 30, 2016
    Beautiful story of a lost border collie and his devoted owner's unwavering quest to find his dog and bring him home. Written in the same vein as "Lassie Come Home", "Nop's Trials" is a riveting, sometimes heart wrenching read, one that every dog lover should have on his or her bookshelf.
  • Sue
    5.0 out of 5 stars great book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 7, 2013
    this is a very good book, it will make you cry and make you angry, it will make you want to do something to change what people do to each other, but it will give you a great feeling and it is a great story that you will enjoy.

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