Customer Reviews

P.S. Your Cat Is Dead

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The past few months have been terrible for James Zoole. His apartment's been robbed twice. His best friend Pete passed away. He was laid off from the play in which he had a lead role (and rehersals hadn't even started). His girlfriend Kate dumps him on New Year's Eve. And, Bobby Seale, his cat, died. What a way to bring in the new year!

Feeling angry and sad, Jimmy decides to hole up in his apartment and to not answer the phone, knowing that if he'd been robbed twice, the burglar was sure to come back again. Enter Vito Antenucci, a bisexual burglar who returns for a third robbery. They struggle, and Jimmy knocks Vito out, then ties him to the kitchen counter.

Throughout this New Year's Eve together, Jimmy discovers what he's been avoiding in his life and begins to understand that he and Vito aren't that different from each other in what they want from life. To Jimmy's surprise, he begins to find friendship with his captive.

A few unexpected interruptions from people in Jimmy's life help to liven up this dark comedy from one of the writers of "A Chrous Line." It's full of strong characters, even those with only minor roles such as Jimmy's Aunt claire, a rich spinster who sublty tries to control Jimmy's life, and Crazy Carmine, a drugged-out sex fanatic who's been trying to get into Jimmy's pants for years. It's the developing friendship between Jimmy and Vito that drives this story, though. I wanted them to get together at the end, either as friends or lovers, it didn't matter.

I laughed out loud while reading some of the passages. Though it was written in the 1970's, the humor is defintiely NOT dated. If you're looking for some light, fun reading, then this is the perfect book for you.

This book is just one of Kirkwood's many, with insight to human behaviour. He could get you spell-bound with his phrases, descriptions, dialog. Talked on phone one time with him, and he talked just like he wrote. When he died, I almost stopped reading. His 'dead cat' is just one which displays his ability to make you 'see' the characters, and know them. He could make your stomach hurt from laughing, reduce you to tears, and make you realize just how precious we all are. His 'dead cat' should be taught in schools; perhaps it would encourage more compassion and humor into our daily, often-stressed lives. Mr. Kirkwood had a unique way of telling a story. One could almost reach out and feel the room, Vito, Jimmay...Bobby Seale (his real cat), and his selfishly-loving Aunt, whom he almost shot via Ma Bell. Tremendous book. I have had to tape my copy together; it's been shared so much. I would like to have his entire collection in my library. Must have read each one twenty times. I really miss his passing, and his gifts to humankind, in the name of satirical comedy-drama. What a guy! We've all had one of THOSE days when even getting up in the morning seemed like the wrong thing to do. He was so able to put these feelings in print, and make some sense out of it all. We shake our heads, and say, "Yep, been there, Jimmy." I truthfully want to fill my library with all of his books, which will be hard, since a lot are out of print. Shouldn't be...he gave so much to us. Laughter is wonderful, and Mr. Kirkwood did his all to produce some belly-laughs, and some tears. And lots of insight to me. I understand my human contacts a lot better now. I am not alone when I say that James Kirkwood left a great legacy... himself. I watched him get a Grammy on t.v. from Kirk Douglas, for A Chorus Line. I was as thrilled as he was. I don't think anyone could put this book down after reading the cover. Too hilarious and touching...one of his many masterpieces. Ganoog is Ganoog. I'm finished.

if you love witty writing - this comedy of errors, losses and loves will break your heart with laughter. buy all the copies you can find. you will loan them all, lose them all - and happily go to great lengths to find more. it will make you lifelong friends with your local used book stores. . .

life is never funnier, and rarely more challenging. "P.S." lampoons the seriousness with which we hold pale tragedy, and forces deeper examination of what is profound and important in life. and of the enduring nature of trust. part bombeck and buckwald and robin williams, part 'zen and the art', and as atmospheric as `la cage au folles' and `midnight in the garden' - this gentle philosophical picture of the oddest of couples celebrates hidden eccentricity, and the humanity that binds us all - through the most trying of circumstances.

as james kirkwood is long gone, we will never know what happened to jimmy and vito. and, like people who touch us as they pass through our lives before disappearing into the mist, we will always wonder...

if you've ever felt like - you just can't go on. and you're taking life far too hard, and far too seriously. and life's small and inconsequential problems are about to bury you, despite their seeming pettiness... then read. and laugh until your face aches, and smiles cramp your cheeks,,, and fall in love with life again.

then buy every copy you can find. because the honesty and whimsy are too special to go unshared. and you will always know someone who will love to read this book, and then share it too.

where ever you are, james kirkwood - for this, and for `the chorus line' - thank you.

OH, THE PERNICIOUS VACUOUSNESS OF IT ALL! WHY ISN'T THIS BOOK AVAILABLE? LISTEN TO US! AND UNDERSTAND, THAT WE NEED THIS BOOK! WHY DO YOU FORSAKE US? O.K., I'M DONE. WHAT WILL GET THIS BOOK BACK WHERE IT SHOULD BE? A HUNGER STRIKE MAYBE, ON YOUR FRONT DOORSTEPS,IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO YOUR FACILITIES? A PETITION? IS IT THE PRINTERS- I'M SURE SOME OF US CAN TYPE VERY WELL, OR IS IT THE PAPER ITSELF, IS THERE A SHORTAGE? I WILL GLADLY LET YOU THROW MY FURNITURE INTO THE CHIPPER! I HAD A COPY FOR YEARS-IT WAS TAPED, GLUED, AND WHEN AT REST, BOUND WITH RUBBER BANDS TO KEEP IT FROM TOTAL COLLAPSE. I BELIEVE IN SHARING A GOOD THING THOUGH,SO I GLADLY LET A FRIEND BORROW IT, AND I NEVER SAW IT AGAIN. I MISS THAT UNEVEN STACK OF YELLOWING PAGES. THE PEOPLE HERE HAVE SPOKEN SO ELOQUENTLY ON THE BOOK AND IT'S AUTHOR,THEY'VE PRETTY MUCH SAID IT ALL; PLEASE LISTEN! GIVE US BACK UNLIMITED NUMBERS OF OUR BOOK! (CLUTCHING OUR RAGGEDY COPIES TO OUR CHEST, WE NEED A FIX)...

It's wonderful to read reviews of Kirkwood's books and know that other people felt about his stories the way that I did when I first read them. I too 'lost' my (much taped and taped and taped) copy of this book (the fourth or fifth copy I had purchased, I might add!). This incredible author and his offbeat, engaging characters pulled me through some of the most difficult moments of my life and helped me to come out laughing and or crying (sometimes, both). I would have loved to have had the pleasure of meeting him. I connected with him so much through his books and characters. Mr. Kirkwood really had insight into what makes people tick...or, in this case, get ticked off! If anyone knows where I can get a copy, please email me! If anyone knows anyone who has a copy, please do yourself a tremendous favor and borrow this hilarious book. You won't regret it!

I, too, have been a James Kirkwood fan for over 20 years, ever since I ran across "PS, Your cat..." in a local book store while killing some time. I laughed until I cried-for the main reason:(ala Vito) is that Kirkwood really brings out the humor of the most inane and rediculous variety! One page you are laughing, another your are crying. I don't believe they have done justice in the movies to his books(i.e. "Some Kind of Hero"- NOT the way I pictured Eddie-I refused to see it). Please Amazon !! Have the publishers reissue Kirkwood so future generations do not miss out on his "vividness"!!

The title put me off a bit when I first saw this book in the early 80s. But a glance at the first few pages got me hooked. Just the complete title is enough for a short story worth reading!;) Looking over the reviews, especially of the folks that came to this story in the last decade or so, made me wonder if my memory was slipping. I don't think so. I have shared this book with many people and the complete title with many more. Like the Chronicles of Narnia and The Forgotten Beasts of Eld I often keep spare copies to give away. Dated or not, it is a window to those still able to read when the world seems to be collapsing and it has helped several of us get through a tough spot. No, it doesn't solve any problems it can just let some of the pressure escape so breathing is maybe a little easier. And if the days aren't tough, it is still an amazing web of what an imagination run wild can create. It's not a major investment in either money or time so I would still recommend it happily.

I honestly can't remember where I bought my first copy of this fabulous book, probably a thrift store or flea market, but I most definitely remember where I was when I read it. I was on the Blue Line in 1987, taking the train to high school. I started it on the bus and by the time I was on the train I was so entranced that I missed my stop. I missed it by 3 stops! I was laughing out loud. People were looking at me like I was insane. All I wanted to do was tell them what I had just read. I was actually crying from laughter! It was sooo invigorating! Such and extremely original story!! I couldn't wait to share with all my fellow readers. It was years before I was able to get another copy to actually give away. I now have my original copy with all its tape just barely holding the cover on and another copy that I loan out. If you are feeling down, or not, this is a book that will absolutely make you at least grin as you read. I highly recommend this book to everyone!! Young & Old, Bold & Shy!! You can't go wrong.

I believe that this book is the best and funniest of all of James Kirkwood's novels. The tragedy of the lead actor's life coming apart around him and his unlikely friendship with the homosexual burglar who has repeatedly robbed his apartment is both touching and humorous. I rate this book second only to "A Confederacy of Dunces" for number of laughs per page.

August 1986:A friend was about half way through the the book when I saw it and was intrigued by the title. I read two pages mid-book and laughed uncontrollably, I was hooked! She lent me a battered and dog-eared edition and I've been trying to find my own copy for the last ten years."HELP!"