How to Massage Your Cat [Hardcover]

Alice M. Brock (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1992

Back by popular demand, here is the best-selling, maniacally hilarious how-to guide for cat owners, once described by the Village Voice as "the best, funniest, most inspiring" gift book of its day. First published in 1985, this unique volume sold over 50,000 copies in only six months and has been translated into five languages, breaking new ground and paving the way for the worldwide cat humor trend that followed. Author and illustrator Alice M. Brock - -former owner and chef of the world-famous Alice's Restaurant, immortalized both in Arlo Guthrie's song and a film by the same name -- concocted a brisk workout for cat and owner alike. Ideally intended to loosen your cat's muscles and caress its worries away, the book advises you to approach your cat quietly with palms "up and open." Beginning at the rear, work your way around the cat using a "vigorous kneading motion." Then, rub, press, twist, and tug your cat into a state of complete relaxation. We are assured that a well-massaged cat may remain in a state of prolonged calm "for some time." Instructions are accompanied by 27 charming color illustrations, which are sure to inspire a mischievous chuckle in both friends and foes of felines everywhere.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alice M. Brock is the former owner and chef of the world-famous Alice's Restaurant - immortalized both in Arlo Guthrie's song and the film by the same name. She makes her home in Provincetown, Massachusetts.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (April 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811802035
• ISBN-13: 978-0811802031
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,743,402 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming, hilarious classic, July 7, 2007

By 

Diane (Philadelphia, PA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Massage Your Cat (Hardcover)

I first got this book about 30 years ago, when I was a teenager. It made me laugh so hard then that it brought me to tears. Every few years I pull it out to share with someone and it STILL makes me cry with laughter. I'm sorry to find that some people have the opposite reaction. To me, it's hard to understand. I love my cat and know this book isn't meant seriously. It's a deliciously ridiculous 'how-to'. I will always love it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A hilarious one-time read, July 5, 2008

By 

Christopher Lund "Data Noh" (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: How to Massage Your Cat (Hardcover)

A quick read, and very funny, if you have the right sense of humor. There is no real cruelty to animals being portrayed in this book, and the nonplussed look of the cat through the entire thing is priceless.

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sent our friends into spasms of hysterical laughter, August 2, 2002

By 

Joanna Daneman (Middletown, DE USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: How to Massage Your Cat (Hardcover)

Our friends have dalmations, who they have trained to smile in a smarmy fashion. When they command the dogs "Smarmy dog!" the dogs lift their lips and sneer. It's a hoot. Naturally, THEY would be the ones to buy "How to Massage Your Cat."

They couldn't keep from gasping with laughter as they showed us this treasure. It's quasi-serious, but packed with funny drawings around the ludicrous concept of massaging the generally loosely constructed lump of flesh that is a feline. Of course, your cat may actually need to be massaged, but then, who doesn't?