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Khan: A Maine Coon
Abandoned and left at a local shelter, a Maine Coon kitten awaits an uncertain fate. During his stay, Khan befriends a wise old tomcat, who speaks about his experiences of life on the streets, bringing comfort to the frightened kitten. Four days later, to Khan's horror, the shelter workers take his friend away to the Big Sleep, as the tomcat called it, leaving Khan scared and alone. Just before Khan's time is up, a man enters the shelter and adopts Khan, bringing him to a new home. Though he feels loved, he is also alone, and misses his mother, his litter mates, and his tomcat friend. He senses great sadness from his new human momma, understands nothing of it, and thinks it is his fault.Weeks later, when another young kitten joins the household, Khan befriends him, and they form a tight bond. With the steadfast support of his younger playmate, Khan deals with life's challenges and surprises, always finding strength in feline friendships, old and new, and in love from his humans -- until a monster from within suddenly strikes him down in the prime of life.Down, but not out, Khan struggles against his internal foe, wanting only to stay beside the humans and cats he adores. He endures endless visits to the animal doctor, illness, and pain -- winning some battles -- but Khan knows his enemy is winning the war. His inner strength and desire to never leave the ones he loves gives him the courage to fight, astonishing friend and foe alike.In his darkest hour, he manages to stay with his loved ones, in a way he never expects. Even then, his fight is not over, for he has defied the laws of nature. As life-forces struggle to balance what he has upset, he briefly loses contact with his loved ones, but returns, triumphant, and attacks life with gusto, young and strong again, yet not the same cat everyone knew and loved. Learn in these pages why everyone who knew Khan loved him so very much!
242 pages, Hardcover
Published January 20, 2011
31 people are currently reading
380 people want to read
About the author
Marie J.S. Phillips
10 books35 followersMarie J. Spinella-Phillips
Born in 1957, in Huntington, on Long Island, I've been driven by an insatiable love of writing, art, and the sciences since very early childhood. My love of animal tales fueled my desire to write, always manifesting in stories from the non-human point of view. I invented my very first character at six years old, creating picture books with a tree as the main protagonist. I included, on the inside covers, my very own publishing logo, complete with rainbow and shining sun!
In my senior year of High School, one of my teachers, Mr. O'Connor, lent me a copy of The Fellowship of the Ring, which changed my reading and writing life forever, driving me into the unique and futuristic world of Fantasy/Science Fiction.
In college, I majored in Art and Earth Sciences, where inspiration fired my vivid and eccentric imagination, planting the seeds for my Furlites of Aroriel novels, Over the years, I honed the complex world of this alien family saga. My husband's love and support over the decades proved invaluable, since his scientific knowledge and expertise quickly surpassed my own, once we graduated high school, went off to college, and entered the working world. With his help, and that of my mentor, David Ayscue, who passed away in 2010, I completed the first two of these books, On Matissia Wings, and, Earth-bred Matissia-born,which are now available. Other tales are in the works!
I dabbled with another tale many years ago, using my Khan as a character, when my big Maine Coon became seriously ill. While battling Khan's insidious disease, I completed the story, which took on deeper impact far beyond my intended feline fantasy yarn. KHAN: A Maine Coon is the result, a biography of his life, with fictional elements, written from his point of view.
Owned by three cats, two of which are Maine Coon cats, I live with my husband in the rolling hills of northwestern Connecticut.
Born in 1957, in Huntington, on Long Island, I've been driven by an insatiable love of writing, art, and the sciences since very early childhood. My love of animal tales fueled my desire to write, always manifesting in stories from the non-human point of view. I invented my very first character at six years old, creating picture books with a tree as the main protagonist. I included, on the inside covers, my very own publishing logo, complete with rainbow and shining sun!
In my senior year of High School, one of my teachers, Mr. O'Connor, lent me a copy of The Fellowship of the Ring, which changed my reading and writing life forever, driving me into the unique and futuristic world of Fantasy/Science Fiction.
In college, I majored in Art and Earth Sciences, where inspiration fired my vivid and eccentric imagination, planting the seeds for my Furlites of Aroriel novels, Over the years, I honed the complex world of this alien family saga. My husband's love and support over the decades proved invaluable, since his scientific knowledge and expertise quickly surpassed my own, once we graduated high school, went off to college, and entered the working world. With his help, and that of my mentor, David Ayscue, who passed away in 2010, I completed the first two of these books, On Matissia Wings, and, Earth-bred Matissia-born,which are now available. Other tales are in the works!
I dabbled with another tale many years ago, using my Khan as a character, when my big Maine Coon became seriously ill. While battling Khan's insidious disease, I completed the story, which took on deeper impact far beyond my intended feline fantasy yarn. KHAN: A Maine Coon is the result, a biography of his life, with fictional elements, written from his point of view.
Owned by three cats, two of which are Maine Coon cats, I live with my husband in the rolling hills of northwestern Connecticut.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 7, 2014
Absolutely beautifully written story. The author paints a lovely picture of the magic and innocence that is a cat's life. I loved that it was from Khan's point of view. It was very detailed and creative. Just a wonderful story over all. I have to say it is easily one of the best books I've ever read. I'm a dog person for the most part (though I love all animals) but reading about Khan and his family really hit me right in my heart. A beautiful book.
October 11, 2014
A sweet, beautifully-written story. While written from the cats' perspective, it isn't cloying or "cute"; it is just as one might imagine a cat would write about his life, his friends, his joys and fears, and the world around him ... love and devotion without sentimentality, reflectiveness without self-indulgence. Even the hope of one's spiritual essence reincarnating in a new life in one's former home back with those they love is gently explored without seeming silly or "out there." There are disturbing events, like a broken contract not to breed a pet cat and an unsold kitten being taken to a kill shelter when there are no-kill shelters just a bit longer drive away; and thought-provoking issues, like the question of how long and how aggressively it is reasonable to pursue treatment of a terminal illness. Where some authors would use these as an excuse to go off into a rant about their views of right and wrong, this author does not ... Khan just tells the story as it is, without self-pity or lecturing, and leaves you to your own conclusions. If you have loved, and been loved, by a cat, you will love this book.
September 11, 2012
Overall Feedback: I am not a cat person as I prefer dogs. However, the reader can not help but become attached to Khan and want to have this cat all for themselves. You want to jump into the story, stop it and save the cat from any further "adventure". I absolutely love Khan and would enjoy seeing him run around the house garnering my attention when and if he chooses. The reader can tell that Khan in real life was a well loved pet.
Point of View: The ability of this author to get inside of Khan's head and tell the stroy from Khan perspective is unbelievable. Makes me have chills and think of the Pet Whisperer.
Voice: The author compels the reader throughout the story with her absolute love and devotion to a dearly missed pet.
Character Development: Each and every character becomes a part of the reader and the author develops her characters flawlessly.
Plot: Although the story is told through the eyes of a pet we as the reader are completely drawn in and engulfed by the story.
Dialogue: I must have missed the dialogue in the story or I was so wrapped up in what was happening that I never thought that it did not fit.
Pacing: The reader will be so wrapped up in the story that the pace will quickly lead to the end and leave you wanting another page to devour.
Setting: I can only assume that this would be the happenings in the life of a pet but the author does well to make me believe it is possible to know what that life is like.
Continuity: I found nothing in this read that did not flow. Absolutely great read and highly recommended.
Point of View: The ability of this author to get inside of Khan's head and tell the stroy from Khan perspective is unbelievable. Makes me have chills and think of the Pet Whisperer.
Voice: The author compels the reader throughout the story with her absolute love and devotion to a dearly missed pet.
Character Development: Each and every character becomes a part of the reader and the author develops her characters flawlessly.
Plot: Although the story is told through the eyes of a pet we as the reader are completely drawn in and engulfed by the story.
Dialogue: I must have missed the dialogue in the story or I was so wrapped up in what was happening that I never thought that it did not fit.
Pacing: The reader will be so wrapped up in the story that the pace will quickly lead to the end and leave you wanting another page to devour.
Setting: I can only assume that this would be the happenings in the life of a pet but the author does well to make me believe it is possible to know what that life is like.
Continuity: I found nothing in this read that did not flow. Absolutely great read and highly recommended.
September 18, 2016
Full disclosure, I received a copy of this book as part of a Goodreads Giveaway (thank you Goodreads and Generous Author!).
I am a cat person, so I enjoyed this book - it is told from the point of view of Khan, the cat. It is basically his memoir, and deals with his growing up, making cat friends, and his health battles. I thought the author did a really good job of capturing "cat thought" - the way she has Khan expressing himself is pretty much how I imagine cats talking, if they could talk. There is some exposition of cat metaphysics about death and cat afterlife, which may not be everyone's cup
I can see the possibility for some people to find the narration of the memoir irritating (if they don't think cats would sound like that if they could talk).
Overall you can tell Khan was a much beloved and very special cat.
I am a cat person, so I enjoyed this book - it is told from the point of view of Khan, the cat. It is basically his memoir, and deals with his growing up, making cat friends, and his health battles. I thought the author did a really good job of capturing "cat thought" - the way she has Khan expressing himself is pretty much how I imagine cats talking, if they could talk. There is some exposition of cat metaphysics about death and cat afterlife, which may not be everyone's cup
I can see the possibility for some people to find the narration of the memoir irritating (if they don't think cats would sound like that if they could talk).
Overall you can tell Khan was a much beloved and very special cat.
September 13, 2016
Must read with a box of tissue! This book made me want to hug my cats (who barley tolerated it).
This is a heart warming story of Khan, a Maine Coon and his life told from his point of view. We share in Khans struggle from when he was a kitten at a shelter to his forever home. He introduces us to his fellow cats, and takes us though his struggle with cancer.
There is a strong belief in the book that if a cat loves his human mommy enough then after he dies he'll be born right away as a new kitten that will find that same mommy.
As this is from Khan's point of view the writing feels more of a middle grade level.
I was lucky enough to have won this book with the goodreads giveaways, and it has a permeant place on my shelf.
This is a heart warming story of Khan, a Maine Coon and his life told from his point of view. We share in Khans struggle from when he was a kitten at a shelter to his forever home. He introduces us to his fellow cats, and takes us though his struggle with cancer.
There is a strong belief in the book that if a cat loves his human mommy enough then after he dies he'll be born right away as a new kitten that will find that same mommy.
As this is from Khan's point of view the writing feels more of a middle grade level.
I was lucky enough to have won this book with the goodreads giveaways, and it has a permeant place on my shelf.
October 1, 2023
I fell in love with Khan and his cat family and friends.
This book kept me enthralled as I got to know Khan, Phantom, and especially Black. Khan's love for everyone around him, especially his Momma made me recall a cat I once had .
When Khan gets sick, his immense dedication to his Momma and Poppy kept him fighting and loving even though it took everything he had to fight to stay alive.
What I loved most was the spiritual aspects of what cats supposedly believe about their life cycle. This was something that I always kinda hoped would be what would bring my dearest feline of eighteen years back to me in the body of a new kitten. What a read even though I know that eventually my new friend would be gone in the end.
This book kept me enthralled as I got to know Khan, Phantom, and especially Black. Khan's love for everyone around him, especially his Momma made me recall a cat I once had .
When Khan gets sick, his immense dedication to his Momma and Poppy kept him fighting and loving even though it took everything he had to fight to stay alive.
What I loved most was the spiritual aspects of what cats supposedly believe about their life cycle. This was something that I always kinda hoped would be what would bring my dearest feline of eighteen years back to me in the body of a new kitten. What a read even though I know that eventually my new friend would be gone in the end.
March 9, 2014
A beautiful story given to me by a dear friend about Khan, a Maine Coon kitten taken to a shelter and then rescued to comfort a lady in the loss of another MC. What a sweet story of a home filled with cats and love! I cried quite a bit, though, since the disease that took Khan, lymphoma, also took my beautiful MC Hester from me, so it was quite an emotional read for me. Anyone who loves animals will enjoy this book, especially those of us who believe their love never dies!
August 31, 2016
A beautifully written book, from a very unique perspective. A great find for any animal lover!
June 2, 2017
What an amazing cat, great book.
November 9, 2022
This is just a complete heartache to read. You go from tragedy to tragedy, vet visit to vet visit, with some bad dialogue in between. If you want to be depressed, have a go.
March 22, 2024
A wonderful book. I enjoyed every single word in it. It's a tear jerker so beware.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews