Ubac and Me

An unforgettable memoir about a life of adventure in the great outdoors and the power of a dog's transformative love'Cédric Sapin-Defour's celebration of the life of Ubac has made him a literary sensation' Sunday Times'A tribute to the love humans feel for their pets' GuardianA tiny ad in a local newspaper catches Cédric Sapin-Defour's eye: a litter of Bernese Mountain Dog puppies need homes. A lonely, single, sports teacher and mountain climber in the French Alps, Cédric visits the dogs and immediately falls for the puppy with a blue collar. Named Ubac, French for the north side of the mountain - the rainy, cloudy slope - the puppy quickly upends Cédric's life. They go on hikes together, taking to the hills and exploring, forging a bond that brings joy and a sense of fulfilment and adventure. They brave the world together, hate to be apart, crave the mountains and the natural world; they protect each other. Over the course of thirteen years, their pack expands to include Mathilde, Cédric's wife, and more dogs. Ubac and Me is an intimate meditation on a joyous life lived too fast, the aching pain of separation, and the transformative effect of unconditional love. Ubac and Me has been a surprise bestseller and word-of-mouth sensation in France, championed by indie booksellers, selling over half a million copies. Translated by Adriana Hunter.