Customer Reviews

The Cat Who Came in from the Cold

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Having read Deric Longden's first five books (the others include Diana's Story, Lost For Words, I'm a Stranger Here Myself & Enough to Make a Cat Laugh), I can confidentally say that this is when the author is at his best. He delivers enough comedy (something to be expanded upon in subsequent books), but mixed with a subtle version of his own blend of tragedy (already established in previous books). Whilst many thought that his characterization of his mother's mental decline in Lost For Words was distasteful, I would think that even the harshest of critics would fail not to find the story of a lost kitten a least a little endearing.

Although it may be easy enough to dismiss this as simply a children's novel, I would say that, given enough suspension of disbelief & a little imagination, this can be a thoroughly enjoying read, and (cliche) a book that you will want to keep coming back to, time & again, even if only for some of the amusing anecdottes presented by Thermal.

I first picked up the audio version of "The Cat Who Came in From the Cold" from our library while preparing for a marathon car trip with my husband (not a man who thinks highly of cats) and sons (ages 23, 20 and 14). I was pretty skeptical that the male majority would really 'let' me listen to a book with a cute little kitten on the cover, but I added it to my stack anyway (it's good to be Queen!). After having had my fill of "Tom Clancy" and his friends, I plugged in "The Cat Who Came in From the Cold" and soon ALL of us were all laughing the miles away. On our return leg of our trip, all these big guys (and their mom AND DAD) wanted to hear the "Thermal" tapes again (listening to a story a second time through is unheard of around here!) Along with most of Deric Longden's other books, we now own our own set of tapes to share with family, and the book version (which my 14 year old son, who hates to read, read cover to cover in about a day). Cheeky Thermal is an oft quoted cat around here. It is also nice to find a book that appeals to everyone in the family without any objectionable material. This is just great, light-hearted fare.

American readers who enjoy authors such as Cleveland Armory are really deprived of the British author Derick Longden's classics. "The Cat Who Came In From the Cold" was the first of his books I read, but was able to read more only because I have a friend who orders them from the UK. Longden imparts personality and (imagined) dialogues and thoughts from his cats, which will have you chuckling and nodding in agreement with his knowledge of our feline favorites. GET HIS BOOKS!

Although I love animals and I love books, I don't usually read animal books, with the exception of some books by veterinarians. This was the first cat memoir book I can remember reading all the way through and I absolutely loved it. The author has a lovely understated style and I was impressed at how much mileage he (and Thermal) could get out of a simple, discarded raisin. Maybe I especially loved the book because Thermal reminded me of one of my recent rescue kitties who lived only 18 months but had an amazing personality. Some readers may not respond to the author's style but I'm going to keep this book on my "favorites shelves." I expect I'll be rereading it at some point in the future.

Here in the UK, Deric Longden, writes a regular 'tailpiece' for 'Your Cat' magazine. It was through this that I bought the book. This is an incredibly funny and heartwarming story of how Deric took in the small white kitten,Thermal and how Thermal made such an impact on Deric and Aileen's life. You can't help but love the cheeky little kitten and how he makes himself at home in the Longden household and feel heartache when he goes missing. The way my own cats look at me, I can tell what they are saying and this is no exception with Thermal, Deric Longden gives him a voice and character which really comes alive and this makes the book something special. Deric has also written, I'm a Stranger Here Myself, which further chronicles the story of Thermal, Tigger, Frink and Arthur and his latest is Enough to Make a Cat Laugh.

I listened to this book on audio cassette while I cleaned my barn. It was so much fun to listen to, I cleaned more and more each day because I didn't want to turn off the tape. My barn is now immaculate, and I was sorry to come to the end of the story!

This is a delightful book. Even better, find it on audio tape, read by the author.

This is one of my very favorite books. If I'm feeling blue or need to smile, this book makes me feel better every time! Deric Longden has a terrific writing style. Great book!

Excellent book, easy reading. Suitable for young adults to seniors.
Deric Longden has a great sense of humour. gave me many chuckles.
will definately be purchasing more of his books.

this story is warm and funny. it really gives you a feeling of how this man feels about his cat. its almost as though the cat were a part of him