English author Maria Louise Ramé, who operated and published the work under the pseudonym Ouida, published A Dog of Flanders in 1872. The novel is set in Antwerp, Belgium and follows a boy and his dog's adventures in the town. Nello, on one hand, is a kind boy and aspiring painter who has big dreams. Patrasche, on the other, is a devoted and loving Belgian working dog. Together (with the boy's grandfather, who they both live with), the two live their lives and deal with all of the challenges that they deal with.
A Dog of Flanders is one of the most enduring and popular children's classics of the last two centuries. The novel was popular with critics and laypeople when it was published; it continues to be popular in the modern day. For instance, the novel was adapted into an animated T.V. show in 1975. That series was seen by over 30 million viewers. Additionally, the novel was adapted into film and T.V. projects nearly a dozen times. Three physical monuments were also erected in the novels honor in locations across the world.
Although Ouida wrote several popular novels, none achieved the success that A Dog of Flanders did. Now, the novel is in the public domain, but many critics have continued to analyze and review the book to the modern day. Common Sense Media, for instance, called the novel "fine" and praised its story and writing.
