The CAT That Changed My LIFE by Bruce Eric Kaplan
Review by McGuffyAnn M. (nightprose)
This is a wonderful pet humor book written and illustrated by Bruce Eric Kaplan. He has been with The New Yorker and other major publications for many years. Mr. Kaplan is also a television writer, having worked on Seinfeld and Six Feet Under.
This very entertaining little book poses the question to cats around the country, “Who was the cat who had the most effect on their life and why?” Mr. Kaplan says that he conducted over forty thousand interviews with cats, sketching each cat as he did so. The book consists of the fifty Mr. Kaplan felt were the most compelling. The book is full of stories told by cats, offering the “turning points” based on their relationships with other cats.
This simple yet deep question is asked of average house cats, offering revelations and some epiphanies. There are admissions and moments of honest confessions, even catharsis, all by cats. It seems that love is at the root of each story, though guilt seems to be a common thread, as well. However, the stories vary. Knickers is a young male who has a summer affair with an older female. Red attributes his insecurity to gossip by other cats. Francis ran away after going through territory marking issues, as a young cat. Upon meeting and being mentored by an older, wiser Wolfie, Francis settles down and is now a mentor to others.
The book is written in fun, with genuine humor that can be appreciated by anyone who has a cat, has had a cat, likes a cat, or even knows a cat. There have been many cats in my life and each has had an effect on me, changing me in some small way. I have also seen how they have changed each other, though they probably wouldn’t admit it.
I am glad I am a Gold Key member, my wish list is growing quickly because of this Blog.
Thank you for for this review.
Pets really do change our lives! Thanks for the review.