Enough to Make a Cat Laugh

by Deric Longden

Deric Longden shares his life with a blind novelist, Aileen Armitage, and four cats: Thermal, Tigger, Frink, and Arthur. Aileen rarely trips over the cats, but they are always in danger of being mistaken for a cardigan.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Cats, Humor, Biography, Autobiography, Memoir

281 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've ever owned a cat, or should I say if you've ever been owned by a cat, then you'll recognise straight away the situations Deric writes about. For those who've never lived with cats this book will still make you laugh out loud. Deric's observations of everyday things and experiences are just hilarious.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cosy anecdotes of life in Huddersfield with Longden, his sight-impaired wife, and their eclectic array of felines. Caveat lector: they have four cats when the book begins and only two by the end. Some may consider this a spoiler; I consider it a courtesy warning. I cried. So there.

[Mat Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

A highly enjoyable read, but too many cats died.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful !

I have read another of Derics books, and I plan to read them all!
I love the way Deric writes, it's captivating and emotional which makes you laugh out loud, which is rare in most books.
I adored the mix of stories, the hardships and heartaches to the humour of living with cats.
It's just utterly wonderful.
I have definitely found a new favourite author, and will continue reading Deric's books!

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sadness and hilarity in this episode of life with Thermal, Tigger and the gang. As ever Deric Longden’s wry observations and imagined conversations with the cats make this book such a fun and easy read, although tissues may be required in one or two places!

[Phillipa May · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't even like cats! This is so warm and lovely.

[Juls · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do not read this book on public transport, in a cafe, and definitely not in a waiting room, anywhere, in fact, where you may feel self-conscious about emitting loud, explosive guffaws at regular intervals. This man, his wife and their cats are laugh out loud funny. I recommend this as relief after a hard day.

[Plum-crazy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not big on cats but I'm sure that even a cat-hater couldn't fail to raise a smile at the antics of Thermal & co - I certainly sniggered & snorted (very ladylike I know!) my way through this amusing book.

[Nikki Balzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gosh this was a lot of fun to read overall. I found it in the blood bank borrowing library and it was an excellent diversion to being there. I will track down some more of Deric's books and see if they are just as good.

[Gracel lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good book

I have enjoyed this book as much as the last but it was to short. I hope there are more from you. Thanks a lot.

[RJC · Rating 2 out of 5]

Anecdotes about talking with his pet cats, more than a lot of people do. Based near Chesterfield.

[Jazzy Stephenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deric Longden has a way with words that can turn the most mundane anecdote into a laugh-out-loud tale. A very enjoyable and easy read.

[Ioana Silvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, very imaginative and witty.

[Angela]

Couldn't finish this. Guess you have time be a cat owner/lover to enjoy it.

[Bostoncheers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Esilerante, acuto e commovente: da leggere!!

[Albedo Alberich · Rating 4 out of 5]

It gets confusing at times with all the timeskips and stuff, didn't help that for the first two or three chapters I thought this was a fantasy-esk book about cats that could talk

It's a good read though, not my preffered genre or anything but the way Deric describes stuff is very interesting and has held my attention for 72 pages thus far

[Eleclyah · Rating 2 out of 5]

In questo seguito di Il gatto che venne dal freddo, Deric Longden ci racconta le nuove avventure dei suoi mici: Thermal, diventato un giovanotto tutto pepe; Tigger, micia con la vocazione da crocerossina che accoglie sotto la sua ala protettrice tutti i gatti bisognosi del quartiere; Arthur, un vecchietto malandato ma ancora pieno di vita e di dignità felina; e infine Frick, la più giovane, la peste del gruppo.

Stavolta il racconto non è incentrato, però, esclusivamente sui felini. È l'autore stesso che sembra al centro di tutto, descrivendo scene di vita quotidiana che hanno decisamente del curioso ma che lui, con la sua particolare ironia, fa apparire assai buffe, strappando sorrisi o addirittura risate al lettore.
Cos'è allora che mi fa dare solo due stelline?
Proprio il fatto che la maggior parte del libro sia incentrata su Longden e i gatti siano spesso lasciati sullo sfondo, per raccontare qualche episodio che poteva benissimo essere tralasciato, dal momento che, con Roba da far ridere i gatti, c'entra poco o nulla.

Resta il fatto che l'amore dell'autore e della sua famiglia per i gatti, e per gli altri animali, è una costante in tutto il romanzo, proprio come lo era stato nel precedente.
Stavolta c'è più amarezza nella storia, e tristezza frammista all'allegria; amore e sacrificio.
E ancora una volta l'autore scopre quanto grande sia il valore che hanno le piccole cose per ciascuno di noi. Come il sorriso di un micio.

[Michael Prosser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you looking for a funny book? Perhaps maybe a hilarious one that will make you cry laughing? If you are well I would read this book because it is such a book that when I picked it up it didn't look interesting that was until I read the description bit of the book. I looked at it and read the first chapter that was enough to send me in fits balls of laughter! One of the funniest books on this earth Deric Longden is my favourite comedy writers if not the best one I will ever read! If you are a fan of cats the book will make it even funnier! In my opinion anyway He is a good writer and I am a huge fan of his! Deric starts by talking about his cats. The whole story is of his cats which is just hilarious absolutely brilliant!!

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first encounted this author when I picked up a copy of "I'm a Stranger Here Myself" at a used book store. It was great, so I quickly sought out other titles by him. As a cat lover myself, his style, enthusiasm & love for his felines shines through endearlingly. He is also very funny & has a nice way with words.

[Yorky Caz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books is full of just tales of everyday life of a author who lives with 4 cats and hsi blind wife Aileen. Sometimes all that happens in a day is he goes to the garage and the plumber calls but it is all told in such a lovely way that you enjoy listening and laughing! As a cat lover I particularly enjoyed this book but I can think of anyone it wouldnt appeal to!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "Enough To Make a Cat Laugh" Deric Longdon entertains us with tales about his new wife and their cat/s. It's clear who rules the roost, and it neither Deric or Aileen (his wife). A gentle memoir about everyday life in Derbyshire - but beware - this book is seriously funny, and best read in private (unless you want some funny looks from the general public)!

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I fell in love The Cat Who Came in from the Cold. This book, on the other-hand, was a swing and a miss. I couldn't keep track of the characters and the story sort of drifted to and fro. I'm usually okay with a book about nothing, but this one didn't hit the mark for me. There is some witty and cute banter between Deric and his cat, that's what I'll take away from this book.

[Katherine Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

A humorous little book that should appeal to an older readership, but if you have cats you'll probably laugh - and there are wry observations of life as you get older, which is the main strength of Deric Longden's writing.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this mans work - I do wish that he would write more!!

He is so funny - on a par with Bill Bryson...

His pathos and humour are brilliant...

[Cats 274 · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books. Ever.

So funny, so warm, so simple and so true.

[Christopher Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book...I laughed out loud

[Windy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another set of tales in the life of Deric, Aileen and their family of cats. Amusing as always but also sadness this time. Enjoyed it immensely though

[G · Rating 4 out of 5]

A non-fiction book about the cats in Deric's life. There are some definite laugh out loud moments.

[Peggy Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cardigan was hilarious. He is very funny. Love his humorous accounts of home life.

[Angela Verdenius · Rating 5 out of 5]

So beautifully written, with more of an insight into what the author and his wife do as well. Some really sad parts which, if you're a pet owner/lover, will have you wiping your eye. Lovely story.