The Dog of the South - by Charles Portis (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

From Charles Portis, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of True Grit, The Dog of the South is a novel about a husband on a crazy road trip pursuing his runaway wife.

"Hilarious . . . A very American voice." --Bob Odenkirk, The Week

Ray Midge is waiting for his credit card bill to arrive. His wife, Norma, has run off with her ex-husband, taking Ray's cards, shotgun, and car. But from the receipts, Ray can track where they've gone.

He takes off after them, as does an irritatingly tenacious bail bondsman, both following the romantic couple's spending as far as Mexico. There Ray meets Dr. Reo Symes, the seemingly down-on-his-luck and rather eccentric owner of a beaten-up and broken-down bus, who needs a ride to Belize. The farther they drive, in a car held together by coat hangers and excesses of oil, the wilder their journey gets. But they're not going to give up easily.

"[Charles Portis] understood, and conveyed, the grain of America, in ways that may prove valuable in future to historians trying to understand what was decent about us as a nation." --Donna Tartt, New York Times Book Review

Review Quotes

"The Dog of the South is a deadpan comic masterwork. It's about a Little Rock copy editor named Raymond Midge that embarks on a madcap journey into Central America in search of the coworker that ran off with his car and his wife... It's an underrated, idiosyncratic American novel."

"The novel illustrates that the journey itself holds more significance than the destination, as Midge learns to navigate both absurdity and disappointment. The narrative captures Portis's unique ability to blend humor with poignant reflections on life, relationships, and the human experience."

About the Author

Charles Portis (1933-2020) is celebrated as one of America's most distinctive and original literary voices. Best known for his classic novel True Grit, Portis combined sharp wit, deadpan humor, and a keen eye for the absurdities of everyday life to create stories that are both timeless and deeply American. His novels--including Norwood, The Dog of the South, Gringos, and True Grit--have earned cult status for their offbeat characters, comic brilliance, and narrative charm.

Beyond fiction, Portis was an accomplished journalist and essayist, producing incisive reportage and cultural commentary that reveal his unmatched gift for observation and language. His collected nonfiction, short stories, and plays in Escape Velocity showcase the full range of his talent, from satirical humor to poignant reflections on American identity.

Portis's work continues to captivate readers who value originality, wit, and storytelling that transcends genre. Whether through his iconic Western or his eccentric road novels, Portis remains a writer whose voice is unmistakable and whose influence endures.