Customer Reviews: Read 28 more reviews...
 A Cat's World May 2, 2008
Kim Robinson (Duluth, MN. United States)
"The Cat Who Came for Christmas" is an utter joy to read. If one obtains pleasure from cats as I do, Amory's memoir will allow them to purr and feel the feline's silky fur against their skin.
As an animal activist, Amory did not own his own cat, but suddenly, out of nowhere; he is (owned) by a stray that he calls Polar Bear. If anybody has ever had a cat, they know that she will take over the entire house as Amory's cat does. Didn't you know that cats are the center of the universe?
Amory talks to Polar Bear as if he's his best friend, and the reader enters into a dialogue of sweet ecstasy. Amory takes the cat's personality and characteristics and makes him human. It's almost as if Polar Bear should be sitting at the kitchen table with a knife and fork eating his Fancy Feast!
The writing is beautiful.... long flowing sentences.... charming insight about the cat's world, life, beauty, grace, and breathtaking nine lives. I loved it!
 A Novel Look at Our AEIOU Feline Friends January 12, 2008
Lily Hanson
I received "The Cat Who Came for Christmas" as a Christmas gift, and I could not put down this biography of Polar Bear and his human. Some aspects of the true story made me sad, but Cleveland Amory's love for animals was inspiring. I love cats, but I am unemployed now due to multiple sclerosis (MS), so I cannot afford the responsibly of adopting a kitty. I have a lot of time and love to devote to a shelter cat, but I have no money. Caring for a cat or kitten would make my life so much better.
Christine Powers
Waltham, MA
A cat lover's cat lover December 30, 2007
hrladyship (Las Cruces, NM United States)
Amory's tale of his rescued cat in their first year together is a classic. Any cat lover can tell you, saying that a cat is strange, peculiar, or particular is simply redundant. Yet, they are as individual as finger prints. And in spite of their circumstances, many of them are very loving and generous with their time and attention (except when they're sleeping of course). Amory's Polar Bear, white cat, green eyes, is a perfect example of feline gratitude.
Rescuing an animal is often as traumatic for the rescuer as it is for the rescued. They do not understand what the person is trying to do or why. Often they've been abused, verbally or physically, by nearly every person they've ever met. The ability to bounce back, as Polar Bear shows, is indicative of the capacity and need for love that cats have. When their person demonstrates such love, they will put up with shots, vet visits, even cat psychiatrist visits; although not without letting everyone know what they they think of it.
Amory has given the world a story that all people owned by cats can appreciate. I'm sure that most cats who know the story approve as well. This could be a cautionary tale for unwary people who have no experience with cats. It certainly is a wonderful recounting of a cat and person relationship, one that we who are owned by cats applaud.
 I raised the white flag... December 20, 2007
Teh Ai Lee (Petaling Jaya, Selangor, MALAYSIA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I am a cat lover and once, I had a Christmas cat too. She was a stray and she visited me on the eve of Christmas. From then on, we're friends. As much as I would like to give this book a 5-star rating, I couldn't do it. It started all right and after all, it's 5 more days to Christmas -- a great time to read something like this. I even like it's first sentence: "To anyone who has ever been owned by a cat, it will come as no surprise that there are all sorts of things about your cat you will never, as long as you live, forget."
Sadly, further down the reading, it got tired. Too much historical details and whatever else. I had to force myself to continue reading and there came a point I just can't do it anymore. I waved the white flag. Don't get me wrong, I love cats but I wished the book could've been more reader-friendly.
A touching and delightful tale October 16, 2007
Jean L. Vignes (Seattle, WA USA)
I love this book and have read it three times over the years. From the first page I found myself fascinated by the relationships, the personalities, the emerging love between this strong-willed kitty and the people who were trying to save him from a brutal life on the streets of New York.
If you love cats, or if you would just like to understand "cat people" better, this is a light, quick read that will make you smile.
It's not great literature (hence, the four stars) but it is a memorable and charming tale that I will probably read for a fourth time someday. I'm glad I bought it and I highly recommend it.
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