A long, long time ago, in a small country-village in Japan, there lived a poor farmer and his wife, who were very good people.
The author Lafcadio HearA long, long time ago, in a small country-village in Japan, there lived a poor farmer and his wife, who were very good people.
The author Lafcadio Hearn lived in Japan and collected (and translated) traditional Japanese folk tales. In this one, the youngest son was not a good farm worker, so was sent off to become a priest. But all he wanted to do was draw cats. That was his talent, and his passion.
When the priest has had enough he sends the boy away, with these mysterious words of advice: "Avoid large places at night — keep to small!" ...more
This story leans heavily on the reader's knowledge of gold extraction: "placer diggin's", "pocket-mining", and "putt'n' down a shaft".
Dick Baker was "This story leans heavily on the reader's knowledge of gold extraction: "placer diggin's", "pocket-mining", and "putt'n' down a shaft".
Dick Baker was "slenderly educated" and his cat possessed a profound knowledge of gold-extraction — at least according to the way Dick Baker tells the story. The story, however, never really goes anywhere or amounts to anything.
Beautiful cats and wonderful west coast scenery— but this is a slight offering, appetizing but not a real meal.
In one photo there is a mention of theBeautiful cats and wonderful west coast scenery— but this is a slight offering, appetizing but not a real meal.
In one photo there is a mention of the litter box in the canoe or kayak, and that made me wonder about the real logistics of outdoor activities with your cats. The photos make it seem easy, but the difficulties are only hinted at. Every picture is cutesy and idealized; enough to make you wonder at the range of photos not selected.
These cats are supposedly Instagram stars, but their account no longer exists. Ah, imPURRmanence (that gives you an idea of the relentless catty humour on offer)....more
Crapule, in the original French, which actually would make a good name for an evil cat monster.
This book is a slight, amusing offering, not a novel, bCrapule, in the original French, which actually would make a good name for an evil cat monster.
This book is a slight, amusing offering, not a novel, but a series of one page comics about the commonplace joys and challenges of life with a cat— cat hair everywhere, neglected cat toys, cat sitting everywhere but cat bed, cat tearing around like a wild, um, cat ("Who should I call? A vet or an exorcist?").
The set-up starts with an uncomfortable situation, a big no-no in the pet world—the young woman's mother drops off a kitten, uninvited, unsolicited. The young woman did not ask for but now has a cat, and worse than that, a rambunctious kitten.
Even a cat lover such as myself will freely admit that energetic kittens are pure evil. Much of the humour of this book is squeezed from the young woman's discovery of the nature of cats.
But, like I said, each page is a new moment, there is no story, there is no real payoff, except the repetition of the idea that cats are cute monsters, adorable but annoying. Selfish, cruel, and lovable, cats are cats, and if you already know cats this book will be relatable and mildly amusing, and if you don't know cats it is you who are the real monster....more
Pickles was a young cat with big paws who lived in a barrel . . .
Pickles is a mixed-up cat who needs a good home. With a good home he will be a good cPickles was a young cat with big paws who lived in a barrel . . .
Pickles is a mixed-up cat who needs a good home. With a good home he will be a good cat.
This picture book from 1960 is part of a series called "An I CAN READ Book". As I have fully demonstrated by working my way through all three chapters— I Can Read!
Oh, Pickles! This cat has been inspiring mixed-up children for generations. Since Pickles turns out to be such a good cat he is getting all the stars....more
A collection of stories, some well-known tales out of history (including a retelling of a famous Japanese folktale collected by Lafcadio Hearn), otherA collection of stories, some well-known tales out of history (including a retelling of a famous Japanese folktale collected by Lafcadio Hearn), others more modern and contemporary.
The modern stories were the most interesting. For example: Having a dream of your cat being hunted by a coyote — at the same time it had actually escaped the house and disappeared. Some of the tales could perhaps be explained in psychological terms — having the "feeling" that the pet was still present. The line between fantasy, wish-fulfilment, imagination, and the dream state, has always been remarkably hazy.
It's a quick read, some three dozen tales, loosely organized by themes. ...more
A large format book that remind us that our complex feelings towards cats have been percolating for ages. The best aspect of this book are the range oA large format book that remind us that our complex feelings towards cats have been percolating for ages. The best aspect of this book are the range of portraits, posters, advertising, photos, drawings, and sketches, some contemporary and others from previous centuries. Photos include Einstein with cat, Picasso with cat, Hemingway with his many-toed little fur-monsters. So many cats.
There are short essays as well; cats as companions, cats in advertising, movie cats, cats as symbols; but the real star of this show is the art, everything from David Hockney to Renoir and the ever-prolific Anonymous. There is a scattering of literary selections, including the mandatory Kipling (The Cat That Walked By Himself) and a frequently reprinted Japanese folk tale from Lafcadio Hearn (The Boy Who Drew Cats and Other Japanese Fairy Tales).
Recommended for anyone who is fond of cats, which means, of course, everyone. After all, cats invented the internet and deserve a bit of attention....more
This is one short story, illustrated in this edition, about a cat named Oscar who lived in a town and was many things to many people. Oscar had a knacThis is one short story, illustrated in this edition, about a cat named Oscar who lived in a town and was many things to many people. Oscar had a knack for showing up whenever social gatherings were organized, and was prized for his spirit and presence.
Cats are truly semi-magical beings — extremely social and very sensible.
One of my favourite cat stories from everyone’s favourite country vet, James Herriot....more
This is a pre-World War I story, and like many Wodehouse stories from that time (before he had forged his template) is based on a story told to the naThis is a pre-World War I story, and like many Wodehouse stories from that time (before he had forged his template) is based on a story told to the narrator in a cafe. The reader becomes, then, almost a listener to the tale, as if overheard from the next table.
It’s Wodehouse, and from that title the plot is more or less paraded on view ahead of time. The delight comes from how PG manages to keep twisting the elements to be even more preposterous.
A delightful story, calming and satisfying in a stressful moment. ...more
This book suffers from over-zealous (and misleading) marketing. The first title was simply A Friend Like Ben, but then was rebranded as The Cat Who CaThis book suffers from over-zealous (and misleading) marketing. The first title was simply A Friend Like Ben, but then was rebranded as The Cat Who Came Home for Xmas.
The problem, as other reviewers have noted, is that the majority of the book is a family story about the author and her son. We hear way too much about the author‘s work as a community organizer—which even in her own telling makes her seem obsessed and over the top.
The book itself (on the back cover) tells us the son has autism. However it takes 50 pages of repetitive detail before we reach that revelation in the text. (In the early 2000s I thought awareness of autism was much more prevalent). These 50 pages could have been a page and a half . . . Unless the book was being promoted as being about the challenges of raising an autistic child.
My low rating reflects my disappointment at the deceptive marketing, as well as having to endure poor writing (a ghost writer is also credited)....more
Most books written by cats are splendid because cats are natural storytellers. And as our narrator here explains, cats are much more multilingual thanMost books written by cats are splendid because cats are natural storytellers. And as our narrator here explains, cats are much more multilingual than commonly supposed — certainly more so than humans.
This book is an emotional journey as well as a physical one. Not everyone loves cats, but I defy anyone with a beating heart not to love this book. This is the Japanese “I novel” reinvented by a cat with a crooked tale — oops, I mean tail!...more
High production value reference or coffee table book for all those interested in artistic cats, a feline theory of aesthetics, or appreciating the talHigh production value reference or coffee table book for all those interested in artistic cats, a feline theory of aesthetics, or appreciating the talents of resourceful creatures without opposable thumbs. The range of talents showcased is impressive.
Why cats paint remains an answered question, but this clever volume offers "art-speak" insight into an array of cat artists, and profiles their works and sources of inspiration. We may be driven to conclude that cats become artists to make sense of their world . . . but perhaps I'm reading too much into it....more
A slight, spare, lean volume. Having been on a bit of a Burroughs bender, reading Word Virus (which has excerpts from The Cat Inside) and Last Words (A slight, spare, lean volume. Having been on a bit of a Burroughs bender, reading Word Virus (which has excerpts from The Cat Inside) and Last Words (WSB's last journal, which included much about his cats), this book did not add very much. Mostly, I believe this volume was conceived as an art project by WSB and Brion Gysin. Burroughs' tender love for the cats in his life is touching and life-affirming. Another aspect of Burroughs opens up if you look at him through his cats. ...more
Unfortunately, read a review from an inconsiderate reader with spoilers. This person was unapologetic about the spoilers, has this novel listed as "biUnfortunately, read a review from an inconsiderate reader with spoilers. This person was unapologetic about the spoilers, has this novel listed as "biographical" and claims that "if it happened it's not a spoiler!"
Most goodreads users are much more considerate of their fellow readers.
This Japanese "I-novel" may appear to be memoir, but really that should be no more confusing that any first person narrative.
So my reading experience for this novel, from the outset, has been "spoiled" but I am determined to persevere.
Page 36: “observation is at its core an expression of love which doesn’t get caught up in sentiment.”
Page 90: “The act of writing also crosses borders indiscriminately.”
Now finished. Feels modern and also quintessential Japanese. The Guest Cat refers to those things in life that we embrace even though they may be unpredictable, fleeting, and ephemeral. Some of those things we choose and some select us, just like a neighbour’s cat who decides to visit and who soon occupies our heart.
In another aspect, this book explores the speculation “bubble” that consumed Tokyo in the 1980s. That bubble is the background to many of the changes occurring and is seen most poignantly in the loss of the garden with its pond and nature....more
One of the most boring cat books I've ever read. The book could not decide whether it was intended for a specialist audience or a popular market. AlsoOne of the most boring cat books I've ever read. The book could not decide whether it was intended for a specialist audience or a popular market. Also the author seems clearly biased towards dogs. Check out this sentence: "The relationship between cat and owner is fundamentally affectionate, surpassed in its richness and complexity only by the bond between dog and master." Took me ages to figure out that most of the book is talking about un-neutered cats. He has a good point at the end — that the cats who are breeding are often a little wilder. If we are to develop pet cats less prone to be rampant killers, we are going about it the wrong way....more
Let's face it, I'm always going to be reading this book. There's always more here, something forgotten, something sad, some cat that is not treated wiLet's face it, I'm always going to be reading this book. There's always more here, something forgotten, something sad, some cat that is not treated with the extreme reverence bestowed upon the fur-babies of today. It is historical and timeless. This is a book about cats. But not just any cats — yesterday’s cats. Prepare to be disturbed.
Mostly prose, with a scattering of poetry and art — cats and more cats. Cats are a muse and cats amuse. Cats are a challenge to depict realistically, so the art is wildly diverse.
The editor, an admirer of the male form, is shown with two Siamese cats — no need to jump to conclusions!!...more
Cougars, puma, and mountain lions — they are all the same thing.
Lots of information here and practical advice. How to survive an attack (fight back — Cougars, puma, and mountain lions — they are all the same thing.
Lots of information here and practical advice. How to survive an attack (fight back — go for the eyes), as well as how to avoid attracting Pumas in the first place. The advice may seem gruesome, but you have to remember — you are fighting for your life.
Some of the statistics would have been more reader-friendly in tables. However I learned that British Columbia, and especially Vancouver Island, has the most puma attacks in the world.
It is also the case that previously I have been made much more aware of bears, so my puma education as a hiker or camper was sorely lacking. Overall an excellent book, although it has unfortunately (perhaps) made me nervous in the woods, because now I know for sure there are cougars all around. As a rule of thumb: where there are deer there are these big cat predators. So handsome, so deadly, and you’ll probably never see one. But they have seen you. And if they start stalking they are relentless. Enjoy your nature hike!...more
Less cats here and more satirical insights into the manufactured drama of professional wrestling. This volume is comprised of many short little episodLess cats here and more satirical insights into the manufactured drama of professional wrestling. This volume is comprised of many short little episodes from the life of the Wuvable Oaf. Much wuvable weirdness. Choppy and episodic, but crammed with true weirdness. ...more
I gave this a go, batted it around the floor, pushed it off the table several times (just because), lost it under the sofa (temporarily, unfortunatelyI gave this a go, batted it around the floor, pushed it off the table several times (just because), lost it under the sofa (temporarily, unfortunately), but never got far actually reading it.
Only managed to finish a couple of the essays. The others —larded with incomprehensible jargon— just would not penetrate my thick primate skull.
I love cat videos, and now have learned that essays about cat videos may not be as endlessly entertaining....more
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