This collection of stories about cats cleverly confirms what true cat-lovers have always known about their feline friends while at the same time totally validating what cat-haters have always suspected. From the cute and cunning Buttons--the most adorable of kittens--to the eerie and dangerously beautiful Rama, Westall captures the essence of the cat as friend, opportunist and predator, with a fluidity of language that brilliantly echoes the obvious affection, respect and deep mistrust mere humans have of these multi-faceted, strangely mysterious creatures.

cover:
Seven extraordinary cats... 'You can keep dogs safe till they die of obesity - but cats like a walk on the wild side.'

East Doddingham Dinah was a cat of WWII, the cat of a bomber airfield, who knew things no human could... Spartan was Granda's cat to the very last. Solomon/Satan was a cat of the sixties, a cat that brings about the battle of the sexes in a students' hostel. Goliath was a hero, who makes a boy choose another way from his father's. Buttons was a charmer, who saves traditional village cricket from the age of hi-tech. But the stories of Boss and Rama are the strangest of all, the wildest and most chilling.
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These are great cat stories. Quite eerie, some of them.

Sent to Oedde, winner of the Aug/Sep International RABCK Sweep

Thanks so much for this sweepstake book, catsalive! Interesting choice - I have never had a book with stories about cats before :) To be quite honest, I don't like cats much, but I will let you know whether I like the book, and try to find a nice reader to give it to after I have read it.

Having tried a few of these stories without finishing one, I have to say this book is not for me, unfortunately. But I'm glad I can decide that so soon after receiving it, because I think I know somebody who will appreciate it much more: I'm sending it to the US as part of Holiday Gift Giving 2014, to someone who definitely likes cats and who wishes for animal-themed books. This fits the bill, doesn't it? I certainly hope this person will enjoy it.
I like the fact that when the book arrives, it will have traveled to a different continent with every bookcrosser who had it! Let's hope its journey continues and we continue to hear about it in journal entries.

Received this as part of the HGG2014 and was very surprised! Thank you so much! Oedde was right - I love cats, and am sure I'll delight in this book. :-)

Left in LFL.