Favorite Cat Stories

Stella Whitelaw has been writing for quite a number of years now and has produced well over 40 books and novels, over 250 short stories and has edited quite a number of anthologies of cat stories. She resides in Surry, England so it is only natural that most of her work takes place in that country. To be honest, I have never read one of her novels as the subject matter is of little interest to me, but she does have quite a large following both in England and in the United States. Even though I do not partake of that particular genre, I do know her short story work, and in particular her short stories about cats. Now I am torn between being a dog lover and being a cat lover. Both animals fascinate me and there has never been a time in my life without one or the other and usually both being a part of it. As to reading, there is very little that pleases me more than a good dog or cat story and as far as cat stories go, Ms Whitelaw has few peers. Folks, this lady know cats; actually thinks like them and has most obviously been around them most of her life. Her insight to their thought process is eerie, to be quite frank. Now if you couple this fact with the fact that the author is a master story teller and a story teller that is simply an outstanding writer, well then you have some real reading pleasure setting in your lap as you turn the first page. If a cat accompanies the book, well so much the better. Favorite Cat Stories is a collection of 25 delightful feline tales, each different, each an absolute delight. In this current selection of Whitelaw's work, we meet 25 amazing feline characters, all with their own personalities, and all with their own tale to tell. With each story the author puts on display her remarkable talent for shifting style and syntax to meet the needs of the story and story setting; indeed, the different personalities of each of her subjects. This alone is worth the read. Some of the stories here are funny, some are whimsical, some are inspirational and some just a sheer joy to read. All are about cats though, and all are very, very well written. The edition I am reviewing here is the Barnes and Noble 2001 Hardback. There are quite a number of full page black and white sketches of cats that are quite good, but for the life of me, I cannot find who the artist is. They themselves are quite good and greatly enhance an already charming collection of stories. If you are a animal love and in particular a cat lover, then this is one book you need to add to your collection. Each offering is the kind of story you will want to read over and over again. Don Blankenship The Ozarks