Cleveland Amory's Compleat Cat (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Cleveland Amory's three classic cat stories have been compiled for the first time into one edition, The Compleat Cat, an enchanting, moving, and humorous collection. A self-confessed curmudgeon and dog lover firmly established in his ways, Cleveland Amory never anticipated how one dirty and scrawny alley cat could affect his life so dramatically. Underneath the New York grime of this hungry stray hid a shimmering white coat and an endearing pair of green eyes; Amory was smitten, and Polar Bear moved right in.

In The Cat Who Came for Christmas, Amory crafts a charming narrative between cat and owner. Polar Bear converses through the swish of his tail, a look in his eye, and the tone of his meow. A humorous battle of wits ensues between the headstrong owner and the even more stubborn cat.

Amory's second book, The Cat and the Curmudgeon, draws us deeper still into the lives of Polar Bear and Amory, as cat and human face fame, romance, and everyday domestic crises. Now rather famous, Polar Bear is uneasy about his new celebrity status, interested only in eating his fan mail.

Amory's final Polar Bear book, The Best Cat Ever, takes a more serious twist: both cat and owner fall ill with arthritis and old-age complications. Amory takes Polar Bear on the cat's final trip--a jaunt back to his college days, where we learn more about Amory's fascinating past.

The Compleat Cat is an exceptional invitation into the very special world of Amory and Polar Bear.

Product Description

The humorous and heartwarming adventures of the sublime Polar Bear and his crafty owner, Cleveland Amory are now available in one volume. Includes The Cat Who Came for Christmas, The Cat and the Curmudgeon, and The Best Cat Ever. (Animals)

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 812 pages
• Publisher: Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers (January 9, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1884822282
• ISBN-13: 978-1884822285
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 2.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #565,835 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gentle stories for cat lovers, June 19, 2001

By	Lesley West (St James, Western Australia) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

These are very entertaining stories of Polar Bear the cat, and his pet, the author. They are warm and gentle, like all good animal stories, and will appeal to anyone who loves cats or has any animal in their family who dominates their lives.

These are not spectacular, earth shattering stories, but if feel like curling up with a good book, this will fill that requirement well. They are funny, and touching, and best part is that there is no tearing sadness that sometimes mars such stories.

Add a cat on your lap and you've got it made.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gives the reader an intimate view of Polar Bear, June 21, 1999

By A Customer

The reader is engrossed with the book from the first moment. I enjoyed his telling of Polar Bear's antics and how they grew to have a very special relationship. It was reminiscent of my own cat, Ophelia, who lived to be 20 years old, and when she died it took me a long time to get over it. As Cleveland Amory put it: She lives in my heart forever. My only regret is that I didn't know about the book sooner so that I could have shared my comments with Mr. Amory. His book holds a special place in my heart.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read, June 23, 2003

By	"lovely7980" (New York City) - See all my reviews

Personally, I enjoyed Amory's tale of Polar Bear for several reasons. First of all, the storyline is interesting and realisting, drawing in the reader and never failing to entertain. Second of all, Amory's writing style allows you to feel as if you are the owner of Polar Bear, which is truly amazing because you are no longer simply reading a book about somebody written by somebody, you are in the book itself. Lastly, Compleat Cat is not a heavy read. It is something that you would read when you have some time to spare, without the necessity of becoming deeply involved in it, which can be cumbersome on occasion when you simply want to relax a bit. In a way, Amory's Compleat Cat is like a kid's book for adults. The story is sweet and interesting, not depressing, and light enough to read at any time. Amory is able to put a smile on our faces and keep us turning the pages.