Pouncing Through the Afterlife
Spoiler-free review of The Ghost Cat by Alex Howard
Anyone who has ever had to say goodbye to their furry best friend will understand this book. When our beloved companions cross the Rainbow Bridge, I know we never stop missing them, and I think we all wonder what’s on the other side. Is there an animal-only paradise, filled with treats, toys, and fields to frolic in? Or do they stay here with us, still a companion but now only in the metaphysical sense?
The Ghost Cat by Alex Howard explores this idea through one saucy little Victorian cat: Grimalkin. Though we meet the posh and privileged Grimalkin at the end of his life, that is not the end of his story. Instead, Grimalkin becomes The Ghost Cat and views glimpses of the future in Edinburgh as he hopscotches through time and historical events.
12 decades. 9 lives. 1 cat.
The book is charming in its premise, and I know many a cat-lover who will immediately see themselves in Eilidh, the gentle-hearted lady who gives Grimalkin a home with her employer, and ultimately becomes the cat’s person—being a cat’s chosen person is a privilege in its own right! Eilidh and Grimalkin’s relationship is special: their bond spans decades and crosses the boundary between life and death. I am not too proud to admit that I teared up during many of the chapters focused on their relationship, and I may or may not have forced one of my cats to cuddle with me immediately upon finishing the book.
Grimalkin as a narrator is delightfully catty, and his role as a cat with Victorian sensibilities creates some funny moments such as when he observes the trending fashion of the 1960s. The writing itself is in an almost Victorian style, which admittedly may not be attractive to all readers. It’s not a book with a traditional plot arc, but it’s not supposed to be. It’s a book about death, after all, but more importantly, it’s about life. Life changes and evolves, and even as a Ghost Cat, Grimalkin does too.
This book is a whimsical bit of historical fiction, and a great one to read while curled up next to your own feline best friend.
Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½
Would read again: 10/10
Personal recommendation: Read this book if you like cats.
Favorite line(s): “A cat has nine lives. For three he plays, for three he strays, and for three he stays.”
The Ghost Cat will be released on August 27, 2017. Preorder your copy from Something Novel here.
