Everyday Cat Excuses: Why I Can't Do What You Want [Hardcover]

Molly Brandenburg (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Sterling; 1st Sterling Ed edition (June 3, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402759037
• ISBN-13: 978-1402759031
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 7.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,591,242 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Writer/cartoonist/animal lover Molly Brandenburg has had her work published in the alternative press, magazines and major corporate media. Her cartoons can be seen on the political website, http://www.RestoringTruthiness.org. Also a comedy performer, Ms. Brandenburg is known to cabaret audiences as the legendary lounge singing diva, Miss Peggy Judy (http://www.PeggyJudy.com).

EVERYDAY CAT EXCUSES was inspired by Molly's affection for her portly black and white tuxedo cat, Frankie, along with his companions Ava, Angel, Boots and Seymour. Molly dedicates this book to her father, the late artist, Dr. John Brandenburg, as well as her daughter, aspiring artist Emma Benson.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not the "cat's meow!" ... Please pass the catnip!, May 13, 2008

By 

Betty L. Dravis "BETTY DRAVIS, author/reviewer" (Silicon Valley, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Everyday Cat Excuses: Why I Can't Do What You Want (Hardcover)

At the risk of sounding catty or being accused of drinking sour cream this morning, I must admit this book failed to touch my funny bone. Oh, I did laugh out loud once or twice, but none of the rolling-on-the-floor laughter that I expected to do.

Leafing through the pages and seeing what excuses the cats came up with for ... well, for being true to their independent natures, took only about ten minutes. That's surely a short read for my buck. (I actually won this book in Judith Kaye's Book Blog, so I can't cry over spilled milk, now can I?)

As the book jacket claims, the cartoon cat drawings depict reasons "Why cats can't do what their owners want" and the drawings depict those reasons, such as: "I'm kneading you"; "My ears are rotating"; and "I'm thinking deep thoughts." My favorite that I found to be mildly amusing is: "I'm having kittens."

True, I'm not exactly purring over this book, but I liked it well enough and found the "fat cat" line drawings by the author to be cute and sassy. I broke a slight grin at some of their antics, while I found their square heads and verrry pointy ears to be charmingly quirky.

The best part about this slim volume (64 pages) is that it's expertly produced: a lovely hard cover book with a very attractive cover and matching jacket in red, white and blue with background text of black. The interior feline cartoons by author/artist/comedian Molly Brandenburg could grow on me ... perhaps with a second reading. ... I wonder ... ?

Don't get the idea that I don't love cats because I do ... especially the ones I have owned ... er ... who have "owned" me in the past. In fact, my second favorite all-time cartoon character is Felix the Cat; you know, the one who "loved those little mices to pieces." (In case you're interested, Goofy is first! One look at his "loopy" grin sends me into hysterics! And, no, it's not because he's a dog!)

I'm reputed to have a "warped sense of humor," so that could be why I failed to respond to this book that some reviewers found "purrfect." I'm certain many cat-lovers will challenge my opinion, and I welcome that; it's your right. For objectivity, I loaned it to a neighbor who has six cats, and she found it hilarious. Perhaps you will too.

Do you think I might need a dose of catnip to enhance this reading experience?

Reviewed by Betty Dravis, 2008
author of: The Toonies Invade Silicon Valley

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This may be about silent cat thoughts, but....., June 27, 2008

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Everyday Cat Excuses: Why I Can't Do What You Want (Hardcover)

Molly Brandenburg is not only a gifted cartoonist and writer, but she is also a standup comedienne and it is this last means of communication that sets her fine little book apart. Though handsomely produced with high quality paper and clean design, the real beauty of this brief book of line drawings of cats with accompanying `cat excuses' is the amount of insight into cat behavior AND the noticeably oblique comparison to human behavior!

In addition to the very funny and very true interpretation of feline thoughts and responses to their 'owners', Brandenburg offers short scenarios of cat behavior when humans are not around. For all cat lovers this is a collection of frequently observed 'looks' we receive from our cats and Brandenburg's interpretation of those attitudes. They are smart, clever, funny, and endearing. This is definitely a book to gift to friends who cohabitate with cats. Well Done! Grady Harp, June 08

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Universe of Cat Thoughts, May 26, 2008

By 

Lonnie E. Holder "The Review's the Thing" (Columbus, Indiana, United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Everyday Cat Excuses: Why I Can't Do What You Want (Hardcover)

When it comes to cats, have you ever wondered why? What I mean is, why they behave the way we observe cats to behave. What are they thinking with that look that appears so enigmatic to us? Molly Brandenburg attempts to answer this age-old question with some creativity and imagination, and pictures!

I have experience with a small dog that reminds me of one of Molly's examples. The dog wants out. Then the dog wants in. Then the dog wants out again. Make up your mind!

Humor with hairballs is alternatively gross, fascinating and humorous; except when you find them.

The good: I know I smiled several times in the course of this book. The cost is low for a hardback book. Buy two and give one (or both) away.

The bad: My goodness but this book is short. The price is low, but cats are so darn funny that you would think Molly could have eked out another 64 pages.

Cat lovers everywhere will immediately recognize their cats in this book. Indeed, much of the humor comes from recognizing your own critter in these pictures. Then you might start thinking to yourself, what if that is what the cat is really thinking. Then you might start to worry. Then you might start to wonder whether a hamster might be less trouble.

Enjoy!

Note: The author provided me with a review copy of this book.