Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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

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

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.

In this book by author, Molly Brandenburg, we are taken into the world of a cat, yes you read that right, and what an interesting world it is. At least to our little kitty that is. It seems that our kitty wants us to understand why they simply cannot do what we want them to, after all they have important business to take care of. Like what you say? Let's see. How about deciding if they want to go out, or stay in. Or if you want the real inside scoop, they are too busy having deep thoughts on such things as lint, dust, mice and yarn, while they chew on their squeaky toy.Their life is just filled with so many exciting activities that they cannot imagine how you could expect them to do what you want. Busy kitty.
This is a cute little book for all cat lovers who I am sure will recognize each and every activity that our little cat lets us in on. The illustrations are simple, but definitely bring the cats informative words to life. I'm afraid it is true. Your cat definitely has a mind of his own and you can be assured, he will use it. And if you didn't understand why your cat simply will not do what you want him to do, this book will definitely enlighten you. By the way, my 9-year old granddaughter loved this book, and giggled her way through it.

"Everyday Cat Excuses: Why I Can't Do What You Want" is a charmingly written and illustrated book. Author and illustrator Molly Brandenburg perfectly captures the world of cats. Anyone who is owned by a cat or ever was owned by one will laugh at some of the excuses: I have furballs, I am sleeping, I am eating, and many more. My favorite was the "I want to go outside/I want to go inside" routine favored by so many cats (mine included). The book is relatively short, but Brandenburg cleverly captures just about every cat reason for not coming when called, including a few that my cat, at least, has never thought of. Make sure you read until the very end of the book, because the book isn't over when it seems to be - even to the very end the cats can't make up their mind! As for the illustrations in the book, they are simple line drawings - not great art, but they are very humorous and deftly capture the nuances of various cat expressions.

Cat lovers will enjoy "Everyday Cat Excuses: Why I Can't Do What You Want".

What a great little book. My wife was laughing out loud! Perfect for any cat-lover --- and those who are perplexed by their cats. FUN!!!

Well, the book isn't fat, the cats are. This slim little number is filled with whimsical cartoons of fat cats who have smartass answers (should that be smartCAT answers?) that are pretty darn funny. I'm not a "cat person" (dogs rule!), but I do like them a lot. I bought two copies for Christmas stocking stuffers for the cat ladies on my list, and I'm glad I got one for myself. Need a laugh? Well, this book has a bunch of them. Heck, it sure is more fun than a hairball any day!

Books about pets are always popular. We cat and dog owners are always on the lookout for books that either shed light on those adorable but alien beings we choose to share our lives with ... or ones that make undue fun of them. (After all, laughter can often be the only suitable response for a pet-related situation.) This cartoon creation obviously falls into the latter category.

Following the style set by the classics "All I Need to Know I Learned From My Cat" (Suzy Becker), and "French for Cats" & "Advanced French for Exceptional Cats" (Henry Beard), "Everyday Cat Excuses" uses simple line drawings to portray the many moods and attitudes of the finicky feline. You'll recognize them all if you have a cat in your house. The featured kitty is not particularly fluffy or furry. In fact, at times it looks like a Matt Groening invention that could easily be a new addition to the Simpsons' household. Especially when it's "screeching around the house in a frenzy" or horking up a hairball. The perennial I-wanna-be-outside / inside conundrum is especially well portrayed and represents, in my opinion, the best eight pages of the book.

Cat owners / lovers go big for this stuff. Slim tomes like this one might seem too trite and frivolous to purchase for oneself; but they turn out to make the perfect presents for friends or relatives. No doubt the giver will zip through the book first before passing it on. In this case, it'll take just a few minutes. You might even smile once or twice before you close the covers and get out the wrapping paper.

"Everyday Cat Excuses" is a funny cartoon book that I enjoyed reading.

If you know cats, you know they are always busy doing something, and that they seem self-absorbed, even when they are lounging around. The premise of the book is that the cats are making excuses as to why they cannot do what we want because they are so busy doing something. In whimsical illustrations, Brandenburg shares the many things that cats do in their daily lives which keep them so occupied. Just being reminded of all the things they do will give you a chuckle.

This book will be enjoyed by all cat lovers. It is a perfect gift book.

"Everyday Cat Excuses" takes you into the feline world to explain why cats do what they do. Molly Brandenburg, the author and illustrator of this entertaining, quick read, definitely knows cats. That's what makes this book so fun to read. Written in first person, from a cat's point of view, the book will make you laugh out loud because it seems so true. Bottom line, cats do what they do simply because they want to. Many of their decisions revolve around a variety of reasons, which can include some of their questionable eating habits such as moldy mice. "Everyday Cat Excuses" is a fun book to read especially when you need a quick break and a laugh. It is the perfect gift for people who are owned by their cats.