Particularly Cats [Paperback]

Doris Lessing (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 17, 2000

Here Doris Lessing recounts the cats that have moved and amused her, from her childhood home overrun with kittens, to the wrenching decline of El Magnifico, whose story unfolds in a new essay, appearing here for the first time.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Burford Books (April 17, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158080036X
• ISBN-13: 978-1580800365
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,004,264 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very moving, sad and joyful all at once, June 28, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Particularly Cats (Paperback)

A very emotional book. The addition of the new chapter about Butchkin, who now is old but appears earlier in the book in his youth, is worth the whole book. A sensitive and powerful description of the emotions of the cat and his owner's reactions to his aging, illness and recovery.

Owning cats is often a painful experience, when they get old and sick. It's part of owning a cat. This book is a wonderful journey through many cats lives and Doris' profound love of them.

28 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Warning: This book is disturbing!!!, November 19, 2003

By 

H. Cunningham (Boise, ID United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Particularly Cats (Paperback)

I feel compelled to write a review to warn people that this is a pretty disturbing book. I thought the back cover was completely misleading. The book is about cat death - tons and tons of cats die in horrible ways. The descriptions are graphic. There is not a normal relationship between a woman and her cat wherein the woman loves and grieves the cat - it is written with complete emotional distance. If the author wasn't famous for other work I can't imagine any publisher publishing this book. Awful doesn't do it justice. If you want to read about cats dying, written in a completely dispassionate, matter-of-fact, "oh-well" way go for it. Otherwise, SKIP THIS BOOK!

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars both delightful and shocking, June 17, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Particularly Cats (Paperback)

Yes, the book is disturbing for the descriptions of killing unwanted cats in the African bush. But her obvious love of them comes through in her stories of each special cat she's owned. Her observation of the psychology and personality of her cats is fascinating. Her cats are definitely members of her family and are given special love and attention. It may upset some cat owners but this book is a view into the real world, not a fluff piece about how cute cats are.