The Great Dane - by Suanne Laqueur (Paperback)

About the Book

After his son's death, Liko Greenman investigates a mystery within a video game, leading him to Danelaw Strong and a complex love story.

Book Synopsis

"The Great Dane is both literary and approachable, a modern love story distinguished by its literary prose and comedic dialogue. Laqueur has crafted an unusual love story with heart, humor, and enough narrative mystery to keep readers turning the pages." -Kirkus Reviews

Reeling from the tragic loss of his only child, Liko Greenman is looking for any way to pass, waste and kill time. He becomes obsessed with an unsolved riddle inside his late son's favorite video game, Three Hares. Following a cryptic clue sent by the game's developer, Liko arrives at a small farm in New York, where he meets Danelaw Strong.

Dane is a striking, genderqueer man working through his own grief. For over twenty years, he shared an unconventional yet deeply devoted bond with the creator of Three Hares and his wife. Now on his own, looking for a new purpose, Dane agrees to help Liko decipher the game's mystery by telling the stories within the clues.

As summer turns to autumn, the two men explore grief, fatherhood, marriage and identity, discovering an unexpected romance, and joy within the inexplicable mysteries of life.

With The Great Dane, award-winning author Suanne Laqueur combines art and folklore with her signature depth and understanding of the human experience. The result is a luminous exploration of connection, found family and the healing power of love, perfect for fans of Ann Patchett, Ann Napolitano, Fredrik Backman, and lovers of emotional, thought-provoking fiction.

Review Quotes

"The Great Dane is both literary and approachable, a modern love story distinguished by its literary prose and comedic dialogue. Laqueur has crafted an unusual love story with heart, humor, and enough narrative mystery to keep readers turning the pages." -Kirkus Reviews

"Laqueur delivers prose that shifts effortlessly between conversational intimacy and philosophical reflection, trusting readers to follow emotional logic rather than conventional plotting. The Great Dane is a generous, deeply human book that lingers precisely because it refuses simple answers.​​" -BookLife Reviews

"Five stars. The Great Dane is a powerful and emotional read for anyone who has dealt with loss and a difficult grieving process... It is also a very sharp look at how queerness and alternative lifestyles can be an architecture for people sharing grief and experiencing loss together." -ReaderViews