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| Readers' opinions of Confessions of a Cataholic
From the back of the book:
"Marian is able to make each cat 'come alive' so the reader sees them for the distinct personalities they are. Her attention to details is impressive. She had made me, as a vet, more aware of just what my clients experience. This book will make any cat lover smile, and possibly cry, as it covers the many facts of the lives of a true cat lover and her 'family' of cats." -- Martin Downey, DVM, Wheatfield, New York
"I loved this book. It tells a touching, ongoing story of interaction between cats and their caregivers. People who have ever had a cat will enjoy these true tales, and for those who haven't it will be informative, to say the least. Reading of the cats' humorous antics and their life cycles is amusing, fascinating, sometimes sad, yet a pleasure. This will appeal to cat lovers everywhere." -- MaryAnn Janzen, massage therapist and cat lover, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada
"I really enjoyed reading these stories. They are real and delightful. Some sad, some just make you smile." -- Jan Gilgore, librarian and cat sitter, Youngstown, New York
From readers' written comments:
"Bought your book and enjoyed it enormously. My two cats are a big part of my life and after reading your book I care for them even more." -- J.Walker, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
"Anyone who takes pleasure in the company of cats should enjoy Confessions of a Cataholic. It is sometimes funny, sometimes sad, and often instructive as the reader gets to know the colorful feline characters with whom Marian and her husband Ed have shared their lives over the years. It's a delightful look at these fiercely individualistic creatures and their bond with the humans who live with them." -- K. Tharp, Biloxi, Mississippi
"I am very glad I ordered this book, it describes Marian's and Ed's encounters with the cat world and is lovingly told. The cats and their personalities have stayed with me and the book has helped me understand the dynamics in my two-cat family. It's sad to read about the losses, only inevitable when one has harbored a procession of ten cats, but there are still 5 or 6 sunning themselves in Marian's windows.... There are appealing photos of her ménage with their charming names: Roo, Marple (after Miss Marple), Caspian, et al." -- L. Angermuller, Zirconia, North Carolina
"What could be more delightful than cozying up with a good book and your favorite cat? Try a good book about ten favored cats. Marian invites readers into her home and her heart as she introduces us to the felines who made her what she is today -- a self-confessed cataholic. Her stories ring tenderly true and will resonate with cat-lovers of all ages. She writes with obvious affection and admiration, but manages to avoid silly sentiment. It's possible that if you're not a cataholic before you pick up this book, you may become one after meeting these ten unique creatures." -- H. VanderSlikke, Harriston, Ontario, Canada
"Our cats have gone the way of all cat flesh some years ago. We miss them, but as the kids left the house and life got busy in different ways, we never replaced them. What fun then to read Marian Van Til's Confessions and to enjoy not only the stories of her own cats, but to be reminded of what curious and mysterious animals cats can be.
"Marian expresses well the sentiments of all cat lovers without becoming overly sentimental about the reality of cat pets. The individual stories of 10 cats are well told, and the sentiment of love, joy, fear and grief is authentic and satisfying to the reader.
Marian is a cataholic who has no intention of joining CA (Cataholic Anonymous). Her addiction is to love cats as the animals they are and to enjoy the enrichment cats can provide to a home. Supported by husband Ed, Marian expresses in her writing the individuality of each cat, the unique gifts and goofs of each cat, and the inevitable mourning that comes when saying goodbye can no longer be avoided.
"This is a marvelous book not only for cat lovers, but for those who, unmoved by cats, might enjoy insights into why people and cats can have such fun together. -- R. Meyering, Grand Rapids, Michigan
"I never knew I was a cataholic until I read Ms.Van Til's terrific book. Now I'm happy to claim that label. Her book is a delightful journey into living and loving with cats. It's a
well-written and honest account of the joys and sorrows and challenges of being owned by many cats. I have loaned my copy to many and now I'm reading it for a second time. You deserve this treat." L.Covell, Lockport, New York
"Marian van Til came late to cat ownership
(with cats, ‘companionship’ would perhaps be a better word), but she and her
husband Ed Cassidy have amply made up for lost time by their devotion over the
last twenty years. In this book Marian
describes her experiences with ten cats – mostly tabbies, mostly rescued –
partly in Ontario, Canada,
and partly in New York
State where she now
lives. Several of the chapters group the
cats together in pairs, an arrangement which underlines the fact (still not
always recognized) that cats are capable of forming affectionate relationships
both with their keepers and with each other.
"The author’s stories fairly acknowledge the difficulties, frustrations
and even agonies of living with cats; but it is the delights that
predominate. She brings out all the
variety of looks, behavior and character that make an adventure of every new
encounter with a cat: from tiny Roo, who
arrived as a fragile and disreputable bundle of grubby fur, to Delta whose
Buddha-like stance and solemn gaze once graced a Humane Society annual
calendar. My own favorite moment is a
glimpse of Ed singing to the graceful and affectionate Dancer in nonsense
German.
"The
book, which is illustrated, ends with a deeply-felt plea for responsible and
humane care and treatment for homeless cats, and the author has undertaken to
donate 10% of profits to cat-rescue organizations." -- O. Mundy, Redruth, Cornwall, UK
From print reviews:
"In chronicling the lives and times of the 10 cats she's adopted over the years, Van Til (a writer by trade) tells a compelling tale that's not lacking for emotion.... Among the book's strong points is when it details the personalities of each feline, and of the animals in general. Van Til's at her best in recalling the emotional toil of putting a cat down.
"...The author's writing style is top-notch and makes this book a welcome addition to the collection of anyone who loves animals. All in all, Confessions is pretty close to being the cat's meow." -- Niagara Gazette
"Like the poet Christopher Smart (1722-1771) in his Jubilate Agno, Marian Van Til and her husband Ed's cats have been and are creatures
"from whom we have taken occasion to bless Almighty God." Christopher Smart, considered insane because of what he worte, was incarcerated. Tongue in cheek, Marian comments, 'Clearly, he was a cataholic too. I'm just glad my friends don't have the power to lock me up. Not yet, anyway.'
"... Marian has a wealth of experiences, stories, advice, and wisdom for cat lovers.The fact that Marian and Ed have not been blessed with children has been 'a major reason we decided to try to rescue as many cats as we reasonably could in our lifetime together.' However, Marian and Ed didn't allow themselves to make the mistake that many pet owners do. 'We agreed from the start that our cats should never be seen as children,' writes Marian. 'They are cats, not human beings.' Still, she and Ed celebrate cats as 'marvellous creatures of God, doing daily the wonderful, comic, exasperating, affectionate catly things God created them to do. And that, surely, is enough reason to value them love them and grieve them when they slip from our care.'
"Marian's stories of Marple, Delta, Maple, Dancer, Digory, Caspian, Cassie, Keeley, Roo and Hedwig reveal not only these cats' characters, but also those of their owners. Compassionate, loving, and generous, Marian and Ed have and continue to celebrate cats with all their quirks, idiosyncrasies and foibles." -- Christian Courier
 (Prince) Caspian: Mild-mannered, affectionate, but no pushover; a prince of a cat
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to find out more about the author,
and to be introduced (with photos) to
the cats of Confessions of a Cataholic
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