Summary of A Dog of Flanders
“A Dog of Flanders” is a children’s story about Nello, a Flemish orphan who works as a milk seller, and his dog Patrasche, set in Antwerp during the 19th century. Although Nello is poor, he has a remarkable talent for drawing. After his grandfather’s death and his eviction by the landlord – who also forbids him from seeing his daughter – Nello roams the streets of Antwerp with his faithful dog. On Christmas Eve, he finds shelter in the Antwerp Cathedral, in front of the famous Rubens paintings.
Reasons to read A Dog of Flanders
“A Dog of Flanders” is a touching tale about a poor boy and his dog in 19th-century Belgium. In many countries, particularly in Asia, it is regarded as a children’s classic, with the 1975 Japanese animated TV series adaptation attracting millions of viewers. Marie Louise de la Ramée, who wrote under the pen name “Ouida”, was an English author of novels and children’s stories that often combine romanticism with social criticism.
Setting: Antwerp (Belgium)
Original title: A Dog of Flanders
Year of publication: 1872
Nr of pages: 64
