Customer Reviews

Cat's Meow: A Novel

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I have just finished reading this fabulous novel, and let me tell you, Cat's Meow is just plain fun! While it is certainly no literary achievement of great strides, Melissa de la Cruz's book has nevertheless provided me with the opportunity to see how "the other half" lives and has done so in a tongue-in-cheek, sitcom-comedy sort of way.

Cat McAllister, former child star and teen model, is about to celebrate her 4th annual 25th birthday when she suddenly realizes she's quickly becoming a has-been. Other celebrities her age have graduated to bigger and better things while Cat has remained in what she refers to as the "seventh circle of celebrity hell." Plus, as much as Cat enjoys buying the latest designer clothes, accessories, and tickets to the latest charity-of-the-week soiree, it's no surprise her credit is suffering and trust fund depleted. So armed with her best friend, successfully transformed transvestite India Beresford-Givens, Cat embarks on a mission to marry rich -- Stephan of Westonia (a Prince no less) is the perfect target.

Shallow, vain, and ridiculous, Cat's Meow had me howling. Full of spoiled-brat humor, celebrity-studded parties, name-dropping, and designer clothes, this book is one not to be missed. It's like being invited to all the fun stuff without having to pay! A fabulous and frolicking joy ride in the life of a New York socialite, her Sri Lankin au pair and transvestite friend, in a world where money, clothes and being popular is always in style. Très magnifique!

Do yourself a favor and read Cat's Meow. Melissa de la Cruz's quick-witted and irreverent humor had me in stitches the entire time. Fashion victims and victims of fashion victims alike will get a kick out of this. I know my next visit to Barney's will be with eyes wide open.

I lift my cosmopolitan and toast cat mcallister -- she's brigid jones meets carrie bradshaw meets cher from clueless ... all the right accessories with some dysfunctional charm keeping it real. If you can admit to yourself that everyone tries to be chic and only a few truly succeed, then you too will find this literary treasure mad funny and painfully true to life !

I picked up this book on a whim, but I loved it for its wicked sense of humor and edgy characters. There are shades of "Hedwig" and PG Woodehouse. Fluffy with bite, but warm-spirited nonetheless. I think this is the kind of book that you "get" or you don't. Has the makings of a cult hit. Some people will hate it. Some will re-read it a million times. I'm already re-reading it for the second time.

I can tell from some of the reviews that not everyone gets satire as easily as I do, but Cat's Meow truly sparked my love for irreverent fiction. The book turns New York's trendy inhabitant's most proud, but more often embarrassing habits on end. A genuinely enjoyable read.

This book was too much fun! The characters are vivid, fashionable and crazy, which makes this book a quick, easy read. I picked it up and couldn't put it down. If your looking for a fanciful view of New York socialites don't miss this one. And be sure to put down the Cosmo before you spill it from laughing out loud!

First of all, to really enjoy this book you must be familiar with women's magazines like Vogue, Allure and W.

Cat is a one-time child star who never quite made it to full celebrity status. However, she is a trust fund New Yorker born with expensive tastes and shopping therapy at Barney's. Money is not something she wishes to deal with on a personal level and thus uses credit everywhere. This is her first problem.

Her second is that she on the prowl for a rich husband to grace her arm and provide her with New York socialite staus. Her best friend, India, a transsexual, guides her on ways to secure the above. They start by hiring a party-planning publicist for an over-the-hill expensive birthday party for Cat, inviting all sorts of celebrities. This is where the fun really begins!

Not only does she miss her own event but she misses meeting her prince! To top it off, she has wiped out her trust.

We follow Cat on her hillarious journey to get her prince at no spared cost. Also, she must find a JOB to support herself and her habits, including her personal style organizer.

The book is a funny, tongue-in-cheek joke about the excesses of the upper class.

I just finished reading this book and have to say that it's great! i've read melissa de la cruz's column on hintmag.com and can't wait for her next project! if you're into fashion and hollywood, definitely check this out...

Okay, we've got self-proclaimed "fashionista" Cat; we've got her two-timing fiancé; we've got a transsexual; we've got society page junkies. Can we come up with a more shallow cast of characters? But put them all together and they spell Manhattan, and it's a silly, frothy, pointless, but fun romance. Save Cat's Meow for an afternoon when you don't have to concentrate very hard, and chances are you'll enjoy it.

Cat, the heroine of the story, is a spoiled, shallow, irresponsible ex-child star living at the envious edge of A-list celebrity. When her extravagant ways finally catch up to her, her sudden poverty forces her to do what she must to survive--snag a rich husband.

Now, generally, I love this type of light, breezy, "girl in the city" novel. However, I personally found this protagonist just a little too exaggerated to be entirely sympathetic. I understand that this is supposed to be satire, that we're supposed to laugh at Cat's numerous follies, such as her adoption of a Chinese baby to impress a man. Often, I did laugh. However, if this is satire, I just didn't feel that anything was, in fact, sufficiently skewered. The moneyed, name-dropping, hypocritical New York social scene is, to some extent, held up to ridicule. Yet, there is also a sense of adulation and a longing to belong. It's as if the author is saying, "Yes, it's superficial and cruel--but wouldn't you love to be a part of it?"

I won't deny that it can be entertaining. It does offer an amusing glimpse into the glamorous world of New York celebrity. However, for me, it just didn't work well enough as a satire, or even as a regular "girl in the city" romance. Not a waste of time, but there are better books of that genre out there.