Woman Imitates Dog

Yes, yes, Michiko Kakutani of the New York Times decided to review Andrew O’Hagan’s The Life and Opinions of Maf the Dog and of His Friend Marilyn Monroe from the perspective of the talking dog from “Family Guy.” Reviewers do this occasionally. (Kakutani has previously written as Bridget Jones, and I recall Frank Bruni putting on a couple of disguises during his tenure at the Dining desk.) Rather than mock this device I think we should probably look at it as a comforting reminder of a welcome fact: Even critics occasionally tire of the sound of their own voice.