Customer Reviews

Cleveland Amory's Compleat Cat

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

These are very entertaining stories of Polar Bear the cat, and his pet, the author. They are warm and gentle, like all good animal stories, and will appeal to anyone who loves cats or has any animal in their family who dominates their lives.

These are not spectacular, earth shattering stories, but if feel like curling up with a good book, this will fill that requirement well. They are funny, and touching, and best part is that there is no tearing sadness that sometimes mars such stories.

Add a cat on your lap and you've got it made.

The reader is engrossed with the book from the first moment. I enjoyed his telling of Polar Bear's antics and how they grew to have a very special relationship. It was reminiscent of my own cat, Ophelia, who lived to be 20 years old, and when she died it took me a long time to get over it. As Cleveland Amory put it: She lives in my heart forever. My only regret is that I didn't know about the book sooner so that I could have shared my comments with Mr. Amory. His book holds a special place in my heart.

Personally, I enjoyed Amory's tale of Polar Bear for several reasons. First of all, the storyline is interesting and realisting, drawing in the reader and never failing to entertain. Second of all, Amory's writing style allows you to feel as if you are the owner of Polar Bear, which is truly amazing because you are no longer simply reading a book about somebody written by somebody, you are in the book itself. Lastly, Compleat Cat is not a heavy read. It is something that you would read when you have some time to spare, without the necessity of becoming deeply involved in it, which can be cumbersome on occasion when you simply want to relax a bit. In a way, Amory's Compleat Cat is like a kid's book for adults. The story is sweet and interesting, not depressing, and light enough to read at any time. Amory is able to put a smile on our faces and keep us turning the pages.

How wonderful to see Cleveland Armory's stories of Polar Bear all in one place! Armory writes with warmth, compassion, and humor about his adventures with the stray cat who adopts him. Polar Bear is a wonderful creature, and Armory captures his every mood with flair and style. A must read for anyone who loves cats, or even just a good story.

I read this compilation of the authors three books a while back and when I came across it the other day I decided that I should write a review on it because of how wonderful I found the books! The author is part of a group who helps find homes for homeless animals and one the group asks for his help in rescuing this cat that she has observed for a while that needs care but she can't catch on her own. He helps her catch the cat, which involves a bit of a struggle and then has to keep the cat at his apartment for a few days until they can get it looked at by the vet and then adopted out to a new family. As soon as he gets it to his apartment, the cat disappears in the apartment and they look high and low to find it-what a humorous event. This is the story of an independent cat and the author and the strong bond that they develop. Beautiful story! As a fellow cat owner, I highly recommend this book.

I read The Cat Who Came for Christmas over and over throughout my middle school years. I loved Polar Bear's story--especially the very beginning, where he was coaxed out of his hiding place to snatch pieces of cheese.

I read these books some time ago and found them extremely heart warming. I loved them and am buying another copy for a gift. They will brighten up any reader's day... Recommend highly...

Of the three novels included in this book, THE CAT WHO CAME FOR CHRISTMAS is by far the better written for continuity and content. In the latter two novels Amory gets off on tangents and, I think, takes on some of his own "pet peeves" (pun intended). However, the tale wouldn't be "compleat" without the latter two.
Amory's sarcasm, wit, and humor are eminently enjoyable throughout! As one who is owned by a cat with an old soul, as Polar Bear so obviously had, I identified with the interaction and emotion between owner and ownee, even up to the ending, where I cried until my own "owner" abandoned "our" bed to let me weep in peace! (Felines just don't appreciate grief, I tell you! It must be beneath their dignities.)

You already love your cat. This book will make you worship your cat. The Compleat Cat by Cleveland Armory is a very long book, over 800 pages, because it's actually a collection of Armory's three international bestsellers, The Cat Who Came for Christmas, The Cat and the Curmudgeon, and The Best Cat Ever. I found that reading it makes me adore my own cat all the more, and I'm even able to forgive her annoying idiosyncrasies (waking me up in the wee hours of the morning for a snack, and frequent, loud mewing--what is she trying to say?). One great thing about this book is that you can keep it at your bedside and enjoy a few pages when you are able, and not have to worry about how much time has gone by since you last picked it up; it will immediately re-engage you. With everything from humorous quotes from Mark Twain, ' If man could be crossed with a cat, it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat', to amusing stories (a cat who manages a veterinary office), observations about cats, arguments for animal rights (Armory founded The Fund for Animals in 1967), and much more (the book needs an index), this charming collection of anecdotes belongs in the library of every cat person. The Compleat Cat will confirm what you've already suspected, that, in the words of Leonardo da Vinci and Cleveland Armory, 'the smallest feline is a masterpiece'.

(This review is from my blog about books, Suko's Notebook, suko95.blogspot.com, which I invite you to visit.)

Cleveland Amory's 3 books about his beloved cat available in ONE VOLUME!! What a great deal. You will come to know a love the person and his little boy as he shares their lives together. If you like cats, this is pure catnip!!