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Kitty Cornered: How Frannie and Five Other Incorrigible Cats Seized Control of Our House and Made It Their Home
Kitty Cornered is raucous and witty and as heartwarming as a basket of kittens. I’m a bone-i-fied dog lover, but this book settles I’m getting a cat, or six.”
—Dan Dye, author of Amazing Gracie
Bob Tarte had his first encounter with a cat when he was two and a half years old. He should have learned his lesson then, from Fluffy. But as he says, “I listened to my heart instead, and that always leads to trouble.” In this tell-all of how the Tarte household grew from one recalcitrant cat to six—including a hard-to-manage stray named Frannie—Tarte confesses to allowing these interlopers to shape his and his wife’s life, from their dining habits to their sleeping arrangements to the placement and furriness of their furniture. But more than that, Bob begins seeing Frannie and the other cats as unlikely instructors in the art of achieving contentment, even in the face of illness and injury. Bewitched by the unknowable nature of domesticated cats, he realizes that sometimes wildness and mystery are exactly what he needs.
With the winning humor and uncanny ability to capture the soul of the animal world that made Enslaved by Ducks a success, Tarte shows us that life with animals gives us a way out of our narrow human perspective to glimpse something larger, more enduring, and more grounded in the simplicities of love—and catnip.
—Dan Dye, author of Amazing Gracie
Bob Tarte had his first encounter with a cat when he was two and a half years old. He should have learned his lesson then, from Fluffy. But as he says, “I listened to my heart instead, and that always leads to trouble.” In this tell-all of how the Tarte household grew from one recalcitrant cat to six—including a hard-to-manage stray named Frannie—Tarte confesses to allowing these interlopers to shape his and his wife’s life, from their dining habits to their sleeping arrangements to the placement and furriness of their furniture. But more than that, Bob begins seeing Frannie and the other cats as unlikely instructors in the art of achieving contentment, even in the face of illness and injury. Bewitched by the unknowable nature of domesticated cats, he realizes that sometimes wildness and mystery are exactly what he needs.
With the winning humor and uncanny ability to capture the soul of the animal world that made Enslaved by Ducks a success, Tarte shows us that life with animals gives us a way out of our narrow human perspective to glimpse something larger, more enduring, and more grounded in the simplicities of love—and catnip.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
84 people are currently reading
1309 people want to read
About the author
Bob Tarte
9 books94 followersBob Tarte lives on the edge of a mink-infested, shoe-sucking swamp in West Michigan with his long suffering wife, Linda. Bob is the author of the books "Kitty Cornered," "Enslaved by Ducks," and "Fowl Weather."
Every Friday from 12:30-1:00 pm ET, one of the cats from "Kitty Cornered" answers lifestyle questions from other cats. Catch the LIVE cat comedy @BobTarte #Ask6Cats.
Every Friday from 12:30-1:00 pm ET, one of the cats from "Kitty Cornered" answers lifestyle questions from other cats. Catch the LIVE cat comedy @BobTarte #Ask6Cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
February 8, 2023
I finished reading this book yesterday and the first thing I thought of was, If you have cats, you will love this book. If you have animals in your home, you will love this book. If you need a good laugh, you will love this book.
I could not stop laughing as I read this story. Bob Tarte writes with sly humor about the trials of living with animals along with the impossibility of living without them. As I read along, I thought of a hundred people that I need to tell about this book. People who have cats. People who love animal pets. People who would never have cats. And people who don’t like animal pets.
That about covers the entire human race, I suppose. Everybody would like this book. Well, maybe all except the Very, Very Serious. And, perhaps, those who have complete indifference to animal pets. (Are there people like that?)
So, just about everybody.
And if you are still not sure, here are a few quotes to test yourself with:
“…my thinking began to change after I married animal lover Linda….For our first Christmas, she surprised me (to put it mildly) with a gray kitten that we named Penny. Before we knew it, stray cat Agnes needed a home. Moobie came next, and her arrival sent me to the store up the street for another litter box. When I complained about my fate to the cashier, she said, ‘Three of them. You must be a cat person.’
‘Not me!’ I told her, as if she had accused me of running a meth lab.”
“The day that I decided to adopt Lucy is seared into my brain like my first morning at kindergarten, the disastrous junior high date with Monica Plumb, and the Tom DeLay episodes of Dancing with the Stars.”
“’I’m going to take the collar off and she can lick all she wants. She can’t hurt anything.’
Once again I proved to be as accurate as a placemat horoscope.”
“Frannie (the cat) could be quirky, twitchy, fearful, proud, manipulative---no, wait a minutes, that was me. There was a deep and possibly pathological bond between us, making me feel like she was the kind of cat that came along just once in a lifetime.”
I could not stop laughing as I read this story. Bob Tarte writes with sly humor about the trials of living with animals along with the impossibility of living without them. As I read along, I thought of a hundred people that I need to tell about this book. People who have cats. People who love animal pets. People who would never have cats. And people who don’t like animal pets.
That about covers the entire human race, I suppose. Everybody would like this book. Well, maybe all except the Very, Very Serious. And, perhaps, those who have complete indifference to animal pets. (Are there people like that?)
So, just about everybody.
And if you are still not sure, here are a few quotes to test yourself with:
“…my thinking began to change after I married animal lover Linda….For our first Christmas, she surprised me (to put it mildly) with a gray kitten that we named Penny. Before we knew it, stray cat Agnes needed a home. Moobie came next, and her arrival sent me to the store up the street for another litter box. When I complained about my fate to the cashier, she said, ‘Three of them. You must be a cat person.’
‘Not me!’ I told her, as if she had accused me of running a meth lab.”
“The day that I decided to adopt Lucy is seared into my brain like my first morning at kindergarten, the disastrous junior high date with Monica Plumb, and the Tom DeLay episodes of Dancing with the Stars.”
“’I’m going to take the collar off and she can lick all she wants. She can’t hurt anything.’
Once again I proved to be as accurate as a placemat horoscope.”
“Frannie (the cat) could be quirky, twitchy, fearful, proud, manipulative---no, wait a minutes, that was me. There was a deep and possibly pathological bond between us, making me feel like she was the kind of cat that came along just once in a lifetime.”
April 4, 2018
Look at that cover and those crazy, crazy eyes and tell me you could’ve resisted!
This is a cute audiobook about a man who insists he didn’t start out as a cat lover. Yeah, yeah I’ve heard that story before! He never really had anything against them but his parents preferred dogs. He was also scratched pretty badly as a kid but never held it against the entire species. His take ‘em or leave ‘em feelings towards them changes when he marries an animal lover named Linda and suddenly their house is filled with birds, other assorted animals and lots of cats. Six of them by the very end and he clearly loves them all.
He recalls how all of these cats came into his life and the stories are sweet, funny and, whew, sorrynotsorry for the spoiler alert, none of them die! I have to tell you, I was extremely worried about that but he ends the book before that ever happens. If you’re an animal death wimp like me you can feel safe reading this one.
I think any cat lover will enjoy this audio but you really do have to be a fan of the feline because it’s most definitely a cat person book. The writer is a neurotic man who only wishes “to stay in a good mood for longer than hour”. If you can relate, you will enjoy him and his many idiosyncrasies. He reminded me a bit of Eeyore and that is okay. I enjoy reading about other people’s problems and their naughty pets. It makes me feel better about my crazy bunch who have shaved years off of my life with their cord chewing, string eating, demonic ways. So, while there is nothing earth shattering here and it didn’t make me laugh out loud (but nothing does, really because I’m a crab), it’s an amusing and pleasant, stress-free way to spend a few hours.
The audiobook I listened to was narrated by Tom Perkins and he is a pleasure to listen to for hours on end. You know I’d tell you if he wasn’t!
*I received this audio from Tantor Media a shamefully long time ago. Thanks, Tantor!
This is a cute audiobook about a man who insists he didn’t start out as a cat lover. Yeah, yeah I’ve heard that story before! He never really had anything against them but his parents preferred dogs. He was also scratched pretty badly as a kid but never held it against the entire species. His take ‘em or leave ‘em feelings towards them changes when he marries an animal lover named Linda and suddenly their house is filled with birds, other assorted animals and lots of cats. Six of them by the very end and he clearly loves them all.
He recalls how all of these cats came into his life and the stories are sweet, funny and, whew, sorrynotsorry for the spoiler alert, none of them die! I have to tell you, I was extremely worried about that but he ends the book before that ever happens. If you’re an animal death wimp like me you can feel safe reading this one.
I think any cat lover will enjoy this audio but you really do have to be a fan of the feline because it’s most definitely a cat person book. The writer is a neurotic man who only wishes “to stay in a good mood for longer than hour”. If you can relate, you will enjoy him and his many idiosyncrasies. He reminded me a bit of Eeyore and that is okay. I enjoy reading about other people’s problems and their naughty pets. It makes me feel better about my crazy bunch who have shaved years off of my life with their cord chewing, string eating, demonic ways. So, while there is nothing earth shattering here and it didn’t make me laugh out loud (but nothing does, really because I’m a crab), it’s an amusing and pleasant, stress-free way to spend a few hours.
The audiobook I listened to was narrated by Tom Perkins and he is a pleasure to listen to for hours on end. You know I’d tell you if he wasn’t!
*I received this audio from Tantor Media a shamefully long time ago. Thanks, Tantor!
September 23, 2012
Bob Tarte is the only writer I know of who is both a humorist and a narrator of animal stories – true ones that he and his wife, Linda, have lived out firsthand under severe Michigan weather conditions and while having their own crosses to bear: Linda with a serious back problem and Bob who suffers emotionally at times. Yet they rise over and above difficult circumstances in this charming third newly-released book that followers of the Tarte's animal adventures will welcome with open arms.
This is the third book by Bob Tarte about his family's care of and love for natural life. Each book has its own nature and character. They are not copycat, albeit somewhat altered, editions of their predecessors. My favorite (even one of my very favorite books of all times) remains the premier one: Enslaved by Ducks, a true tour de force if there ever was one. The second book, Fowl Weather, depicts a more serious side of the Tarte family life (this definition of family includes all family pets) and is written with exemplary skill (and, of course, ever present humor).
Now comes along a different sort of book once again. For one thing, the Tartes are older; Bob seems to be off antidepressants, but is still emotionally shaky (those of us that suffer psychically can well understand this) and Linda's back condition, if it has not worsened, certainly hasn't gotten any better (one wonders why surgery is not on the agenda). And we get to meet the most darling rapscallions—an impossible and endearing set of cats—I can think of in literature, each with his or her own very distinct character, temperament and likes and dislikes. (To see their handsome photos, see BobTarte.com, click on the book's cover, and then again on the Photos Link.)
Kitty Cornered explains in graphic detail the saying of Mark Twain: "Cats were invented by God to let people know they are not in control." The rip-roaring events related in Kitty Cornered more than bear this out. (As an aside, the chapter about the animal psychic-author, Kathleen Schurman [Locket's Meadow: The Long Road Home], was quite interesting and made me, a former doubter, an instant believer!)
If you love animals (especially cats), this book is a "Don't Miss"; if you love humor, this book is a "Don't Miss"; if you don't love either, then better skip it! Non-fiction noir (with no pets in sight) may be an alternative.
As the owner of four cats, five dogs, one canary and one Senegal parrot, Kitty Cornered was a real treat for me and I look forward to Book Four, understanding that these stories have got to be lived before they can be written about, so I may be waiting for some time.
This is the third book by Bob Tarte about his family's care of and love for natural life. Each book has its own nature and character. They are not copycat, albeit somewhat altered, editions of their predecessors. My favorite (even one of my very favorite books of all times) remains the premier one: Enslaved by Ducks, a true tour de force if there ever was one. The second book, Fowl Weather, depicts a more serious side of the Tarte family life (this definition of family includes all family pets) and is written with exemplary skill (and, of course, ever present humor).
Now comes along a different sort of book once again. For one thing, the Tartes are older; Bob seems to be off antidepressants, but is still emotionally shaky (those of us that suffer psychically can well understand this) and Linda's back condition, if it has not worsened, certainly hasn't gotten any better (one wonders why surgery is not on the agenda). And we get to meet the most darling rapscallions—an impossible and endearing set of cats—I can think of in literature, each with his or her own very distinct character, temperament and likes and dislikes. (To see their handsome photos, see BobTarte.com, click on the book's cover, and then again on the Photos Link.)
Kitty Cornered explains in graphic detail the saying of Mark Twain: "Cats were invented by God to let people know they are not in control." The rip-roaring events related in Kitty Cornered more than bear this out. (As an aside, the chapter about the animal psychic-author, Kathleen Schurman [Locket's Meadow: The Long Road Home], was quite interesting and made me, a former doubter, an instant believer!)
If you love animals (especially cats), this book is a "Don't Miss"; if you love humor, this book is a "Don't Miss"; if you don't love either, then better skip it! Non-fiction noir (with no pets in sight) may be an alternative.
As the owner of four cats, five dogs, one canary and one Senegal parrot, Kitty Cornered was a real treat for me and I look forward to Book Four, understanding that these stories have got to be lived before they can be written about, so I may be waiting for some time.
July 13, 2012
While pawing out treats to my furry friends, I quote the oft-repeated line in Kitty Cornered (after telling a cat no to the demand for treats), "while wiping the cat treat dust off my hands".
It's always difficult, and often impawssible to refuse a cat anything. They're purrsistent.
Cats rule my life, but at least I can point to Bob Tarte as a total cat slave, while I still manage to resist some of the more unreasonable demands from my furry task-masters.
This book is hilarious most of the time, sad at times and a great read.
It's easy to read, so I could have plowed through it in one evening, but I want to savor every delicious word.
~~~
It's always difficult, and often impawssible to refuse a cat anything. They're purrsistent.
Cats rule my life, but at least I can point to Bob Tarte as a total cat slave, while I still manage to resist some of the more unreasonable demands from my furry task-masters.
This book is hilarious most of the time, sad at times and a great read.
It's easy to read, so I could have plowed through it in one evening, but I want to savor every delicious word.
~~~
March 22, 2012
Bob Tarte is back to regale readers with more hilarious pet stories in his third and funniest book so far, Kitty Cornered. Tarte’s previous two books highlighted his hijinks with his unruly flock of hook bills, ducks, chickens, geese and a cast of oddball characters; none, perhaps, as odd as Tarte himself.
Tarte’s feathered friends take a back seat in Kitty Cornered, which is centered around the cats of the Tarte household. As the story unfolds, three cats share the author’s home, Moobie, Agnes and Lucy, who have worked out an almost tolerable arrangement. When a stray cat starts hanging around the yard, Tarte is immediately beset by worries that it will stay; but one day a chance flicker of eye contact passes between them, mutating his concern into worrying the stray won’t stay. Before the book concludes, the cat population in Tarte’s home has doubled.
Tarte is a self-proclaimed sad sack, alternately paralyzed by anxiety, depression and exhaustion. His self-deprecating humor reaches new heights in Kitty Cornered, as he (read the rest of the review here
Tarte’s feathered friends take a back seat in Kitty Cornered, which is centered around the cats of the Tarte household. As the story unfolds, three cats share the author’s home, Moobie, Agnes and Lucy, who have worked out an almost tolerable arrangement. When a stray cat starts hanging around the yard, Tarte is immediately beset by worries that it will stay; but one day a chance flicker of eye contact passes between them, mutating his concern into worrying the stray won’t stay. Before the book concludes, the cat population in Tarte’s home has doubled.
Tarte is a self-proclaimed sad sack, alternately paralyzed by anxiety, depression and exhaustion. His self-deprecating humor reaches new heights in Kitty Cornered, as he (read the rest of the review here
February 18, 2015
I was really torn on how to rate this book - if the rating system allowed, I think a 2.5 would be most appropriate. As a feline enthusiast and owner of 2 crazy but lovable cats myself, I had hoped to get more enjoyment out of this story. I did find some of the stories relatable and humorous. Others were just plain boring. The author's quirky, sarcastic sense of humor sometimes made me chuckle, and other times made me roll my eyes. What I found most grating though was his constant references to his anxiety and mental issues. I don't feel this was relevant to the stories he was telling, and since it was mentioned in nearly every chapter, it felt like I was being beat over the head with it. I think if those pieces were removed entirely, this actually would be a pretty cute and fun read.
January 11, 2015
I stopped reading around page 125 or so, after struggling with myself for the last 40+ pages.
The stories of the cats and their behaviors were, for me, overwhelmed by the miasma of the authors repetitive refrain of the human's physical and emotional issues.
I found myself grumbling at the writer, despite the fact that I have experienced the depressive side as well. I have yet to have laughed out loud and decided I was going to call it 'good enough' and move on to the next book.
The stories of the cats and their behaviors were, for me, overwhelmed by the miasma of the authors repetitive refrain of the human's physical and emotional issues.
I found myself grumbling at the writer, despite the fact that I have experienced the depressive side as well. I have yet to have laughed out loud and decided I was going to call it 'good enough' and move on to the next book.
July 14, 2012
This book starts with a ground-floor plan of Bob and Linda Tarte's home. There are indications of where things occur in this home, all related to the pets that this couple cohabitate with.
Bob and Linda are very into animals, with cats, birds, rabbits in the house and ducks and chickens in the barn.
Bob Tarte litters this book with the personalities of all the animals that encompass his life. There are cats already in the home, but more are acquired during the reading, including the one stray that Bob seems to be the most taken with, Frannie.
The book is enjoyable on learning about the machinations and ups and downs of owning so many different pets. Bob is great at making you understand, as much as he or we can, the different emotions, phobias and quirks of each cat.
This is a good book and there are some very funny instances of man versus animal, with no real battles, but a sense of understanding on both sides.
Bob and Linda are very into animals, with cats, birds, rabbits in the house and ducks and chickens in the barn.
Bob Tarte litters this book with the personalities of all the animals that encompass his life. There are cats already in the home, but more are acquired during the reading, including the one stray that Bob seems to be the most taken with, Frannie.
The book is enjoyable on learning about the machinations and ups and downs of owning so many different pets. Bob is great at making you understand, as much as he or we can, the different emotions, phobias and quirks of each cat.
This is a good book and there are some very funny instances of man versus animal, with no real battles, but a sense of understanding on both sides.
May 14, 2012
Bob Tarte has a very inviting, open manner of writing. His sense of humour and honesty are key elements as he writes about animals, his life with them, and himself. He has been a favourite author of mine since I read his first book, “Enslaved by Ducks”, followed by “Fowl Weather”.
In “Kitty Cornered”, Bob takes us back to his Michigan home to tell us about life with his cats. Bob sees within each cat a life worth saving and a story worth telling. With his humorous but keen insight, we learn how each cat comes to Bob & his wife, Linda’s home. As they learn to fit into the household, Bob finds that he also has lessons to learn. He also sees reflections of himself. He shares not only the cat’s story, but also what he learned about and from the cat.
Bob confesses that he was not originally a “cat person”, but further admits to having been won over by their honesty, and similar ways of viewing their environment, life, each other, and themselves.
“Kitty Cornered” is a wonderful, warm and fuzzy book. It is a definite must-read for cat lovers. Bob Tarte is funny, wise, and very human. His books have heart and soul. I highly encourage you to read “Kitty Cornered”, and all of Bob Tarte’s books.
In “Kitty Cornered”, Bob takes us back to his Michigan home to tell us about life with his cats. Bob sees within each cat a life worth saving and a story worth telling. With his humorous but keen insight, we learn how each cat comes to Bob & his wife, Linda’s home. As they learn to fit into the household, Bob finds that he also has lessons to learn. He also sees reflections of himself. He shares not only the cat’s story, but also what he learned about and from the cat.
Bob confesses that he was not originally a “cat person”, but further admits to having been won over by their honesty, and similar ways of viewing their environment, life, each other, and themselves.
“Kitty Cornered” is a wonderful, warm and fuzzy book. It is a definite must-read for cat lovers. Bob Tarte is funny, wise, and very human. His books have heart and soul. I highly encourage you to read “Kitty Cornered”, and all of Bob Tarte’s books.
July 1, 2012
I am intrigued by cat behavior. I really liked the humor and the personal connection. This book wasn't just anecdotes, it was about Bob's life as a cat owner. He and his wife also have a lot of birds, and he wrote about that (Enslaved by Ducks). I haven't read it, and I probably won't, because I'm not that interested in birds, but if it falls into my hands I may read it because I liked Tarte's writing. Someday I will get more cats...
July 16, 2014
Finished reading " Kitty Cornered " by Bob Tarte. This is one way I can tell how behind I am on my reading. I purchased this book the day it came out....in 2012. I did enjoy this book a lot and, like any book revolving around animals, I had a hard time putting it down. I think any animal lover especially cat lovers, will really enjoy this book.
It isn't necessary to read the previous two books ( Enslaved By Ducks and Fowl Weather ) but it really does help to show how many animals the Tarte's really do have. Kitty Cornered focuses on the feline members of the Tarte family. Explaining how each came to them and how they scratched, clawed, purred, and meowed their way into their hearts. Any cat lover knows how cats can be. They each have their own personalities and sometimes they mix well and sometimes there is an all out war! Agnes, Mooby, Frannie, Lucy, Tina, and Maynard are the main characters and you will grow to love them. There are other members of the family mentioned but it really helps to read the other books to know who they are. Of course, Bob's self-depreciating humor always makes for a good laugh.
The author will tell you flat out that he is a bird lover over all but he has room in his heart for all animals. Growing up he really seemed to see animals as non entities. Then he married Linda. It all started with one bunny and then the animals took over their lives. You can tell how much they care about their furred and feathered family by reading the books. Well worth it.
It isn't necessary to read the previous two books ( Enslaved By Ducks and Fowl Weather ) but it really does help to show how many animals the Tarte's really do have. Kitty Cornered focuses on the feline members of the Tarte family. Explaining how each came to them and how they scratched, clawed, purred, and meowed their way into their hearts. Any cat lover knows how cats can be. They each have their own personalities and sometimes they mix well and sometimes there is an all out war! Agnes, Mooby, Frannie, Lucy, Tina, and Maynard are the main characters and you will grow to love them. There are other members of the family mentioned but it really helps to read the other books to know who they are. Of course, Bob's self-depreciating humor always makes for a good laugh.
The author will tell you flat out that he is a bird lover over all but he has room in his heart for all animals. Growing up he really seemed to see animals as non entities. Then he married Linda. It all started with one bunny and then the animals took over their lives. You can tell how much they care about their furred and feathered family by reading the books. Well worth it.
November 22, 2012
Cute. Read this one as an advance copy, so there were some errors (one "far" was typed in as "fat"), and the editors will probably clean it up a bit more.
Tarte's observations toggled back and forth between witty, interesting and amusing to overly self-sabotaging. In a "comedy in contemporary culture" class that I took for my master's program, we examined the differences between comedians who either a) shoot other people down or b) shoot themselves down. Tarte is one of the latter, and sometimes he gets it right and sometimes he gets too heavy and you want to send him some Prozac.
His opinions about his cats (and other critters) make for a fun, quick read. (Just check your copy editor's red pen in the nightstand drawer first.)
Tarte's observations toggled back and forth between witty, interesting and amusing to overly self-sabotaging. In a "comedy in contemporary culture" class that I took for my master's program, we examined the differences between comedians who either a) shoot other people down or b) shoot themselves down. Tarte is one of the latter, and sometimes he gets it right and sometimes he gets too heavy and you want to send him some Prozac.
His opinions about his cats (and other critters) make for a fun, quick read. (Just check your copy editor's red pen in the nightstand drawer first.)
February 6, 2013
If you are a cat lover, then you will enjoy Kitty Cornered. As someone who is owned by a cat, I could see bits of myself in some of the stories. The Tarte household is much more than just cats, they also ducks, chickens and other assorted animals but the main story was about how they acquired their cats or as many people say, how the cats acquired their humans. The stories were funny and poignant. I could actually place myself in his shoes in some of the story. The author is a work in progress himself, as much as the cats. However,as a cat person, you know that they are not pets, they are members of your extended family and the stories are written so you understand that deep love they have for their cats and their other animals. Highly recommend.
October 1, 2017
I listened to this on audiobook. The narration was spot on for conveying the humour in this book, which there is a lot of. In fact, even though I'm a cat fan, it was the humour more than anything else, that made me love this book. Also, the obvious fact that not only is the author owned by his various cats, but that he revels in it, is what really appealed to me about this book. His affection for them is obvious and a delight to read about.
Oh, and although cats are the focus of this book, there are several other animals that make appearances throughout this book: various birds, mice, wild life, rabbits etc.
The book has some drama, a lot of laughs and a whole lot of heart.
Oh, and although cats are the focus of this book, there are several other animals that make appearances throughout this book: various birds, mice, wild life, rabbits etc.
The book has some drama, a lot of laughs and a whole lot of heart.
February 17, 2017
I adored this book, especially since I have cats myself. I even found myself laughing out loud many times, which is very unusual for me. Bob Tarte is a fantastic writer and I feel like the animals are leaping off the pages as he tells the story. Can't wait to see where his next one takes us.
August 2, 2012
Love!
July 3, 2017
I really wanted to love this book. I love cats, I love books about cats, it seemed like a no brainer. Maybe if i had read Tarte's previous book (Enslaved by Ducks) I would have been better prepared for reading this book. The author spends a lot of time talking about his neuroses, which got pretty annoying after a while. I wanted to hear less about him and more about the cats. The majority of the cats all seem to have major issues that cause one to wonder why anyone would put up with them with pets. However, if you have ever owned a difficult cat, you will understand how the author feels when the difficult cat rewards his persistence with some cat affection. But I don't think it is worth reading the book just to reach that moment of understanding. Supposedly, this book is funny. I didn't see much funny about it - any possible humor was dragged down by endless litanies about the author's depression, anxiety, feelings of insecurity, etc. There were times I felt like I was participating in group therapy.
October 11, 2020
3.5 stars
Bob and his Linda have a mini-zoo in their house: ducks, geese, rabbits, various birds and six cats. This book focuses on their cats and how they came to be in Bob and Linda’s lives.
I love how he showed each cats’ personality – they really are all different. There was humour in this book, and I discovered after that he has other books about their other critters – I’ve added one more to my tbr. I wasn’t necessarily impressed with a few things they did (indoor/outdoor cats; (at least) one was declawed; I’m not sure they really understand the best way to introduce cats, as they seemed to be the type that just let them “sort it out”), but maybe he just didn’t go into detail or explain? Really, though, you can see how much he loves his cats and he has some great stories, and some of them do include some of the harder things – the vet visits, peeing outside the box, shy/feral cats.
Bob and his Linda have a mini-zoo in their house: ducks, geese, rabbits, various birds and six cats. This book focuses on their cats and how they came to be in Bob and Linda’s lives.
I love how he showed each cats’ personality – they really are all different. There was humour in this book, and I discovered after that he has other books about their other critters – I’ve added one more to my tbr. I wasn’t necessarily impressed with a few things they did (indoor/outdoor cats; (at least) one was declawed; I’m not sure they really understand the best way to introduce cats, as they seemed to be the type that just let them “sort it out”), but maybe he just didn’t go into detail or explain? Really, though, you can see how much he loves his cats and he has some great stories, and some of them do include some of the harder things – the vet visits, peeing outside the box, shy/feral cats.
December 11, 2024
I am rereading this LESS THAN 20 DAYS after I originally finished it. (I'm also rereading Enslaved By Ducks and listening to Bob's podcasts while I drive or do housework. . . I am kind of on a Bob Tarte binge!) I think that means that three stars was a bit of a stingy rating!! The first time I read it, I was coincidentally listening to podcasts covering the time period when the book was being written, and some of the events were still going on, which made for an especially interesting experience.
Those of you who are a lot like me might be interested to learn that, though some of their cats remain indoor/outdoor throughout this book, they started keeping their cats indoors only not long after the book came out.
Those of you who are a lot like me might be interested to learn that, though some of their cats remain indoor/outdoor throughout this book, they started keeping their cats indoors only not long after the book came out.
September 17, 2012
I'd like to give this book 2.5 stars, rather than 3. I thought I was going to enjoy it as much as the $64 Tomato, but that book still wins hands down.
Tarte's observations about his cats (and his parrots, parakeets, ducks, chickens, geese) are mostly entertaining and familiar, but the overall effect of the book is whiny. I'm not talking out of school, he goes on (and on) about his depression and sluggishness.
As usual, I'm not sure what book the blurb writers on the cover read :) While there are moments of levity in the book, Tarte finds it necessary to overshadow them with his personal self-therapy. I do hope he feels better now. I suppose the royalties help!
Tarte's observations about his cats (and his parrots, parakeets, ducks, chickens, geese) are mostly entertaining and familiar, but the overall effect of the book is whiny. I'm not talking out of school, he goes on (and on) about his depression and sluggishness.
As usual, I'm not sure what book the blurb writers on the cover read :) While there are moments of levity in the book, Tarte finds it necessary to overshadow them with his personal self-therapy. I do hope he feels better now. I suppose the royalties help!
February 19, 2013
In this tell all of how the Tarte household grew from one recalcitrant cat to six - including hard-to-manage stray named Frannie - Bob Tarte confesses to allowing these interlopers to shape his and his wife's life, from their dining habits to their sleeping arrangements to the placement and furriness of the furniture. But more than that, Bob begins seeing Frannie and the other cats as unlikely instructors in the art of achieving contentment - and realizes that sometimes wildness and mystery are exactly what he needs.
June 22, 2012
If you're an animal lover and haven't yet read any of Bob Tarte's books, you need to rush right out and get the first one, "Enslaved by Ducks." That was followed by "Fowl Weather," and then his latest, "Kitty Cornered." He is laugh-out-loud funny and his tales of how he went from not having any pets to having over 50, ducks, geese, parrots, canaries, rabbits, and cats are quite charming and endearing.
June 8, 2013
Would give it 3 1/2 stars if GoodReads allowed me to do so. It was a bit of a slow, gradual start, but once Tarte delved into the plot, this book about 5 quirky cats was amusing and easy to relate to as I have 2 amiable and unique cats of my own. I really enjoyed how Tarte illustrated each cat's personality and their friendships with one another through funny anecdotes. A good, quick, and easy read that only took me 2 weeks to finish - and this was during the school semester.
March 21, 2015
I give it an extra star because I'm a cat lover! Volunteering in the cat room of an animal shelter, my inner voice may have heckled him, but putting my scared-cat expertise aside, I love the journey he took the reader on to come to the aha moment every cat rescuer hopes for--loving and appreciating the cat on their terms is what forges the bond. If you're not a cat person, maybe you won't enjoy this on the same level, however, it is a well written book with wonderful self-deprecating humor.
August 19, 2019
Meh.
The book is loosely outlined around how he came to acquire so many cats after already living with so many creatures. But that's not enough of a hook to keep one reading. Although he lives with a bunch of cats, he's not really fond of any of them. Nor has he really made any effort to get to understand them. He just sort of has them.
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2019/comm...
The book is loosely outlined around how he came to acquire so many cats after already living with so many creatures. But that's not enough of a hook to keep one reading. Although he lives with a bunch of cats, he's not really fond of any of them. Nor has he really made any effort to get to understand them. He just sort of has them.
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2019/comm...
May 6, 2013
Fun to know that I'm not alone. A nice read exploring the unique and individual personalities, in the most literal sense, of our animal companions. I quickly recognized the things we do and the why we do them in Mr. Tarte's account. And maybe it will help me be just that little bit more patient with the kitten.
October 2, 2014
I found this a fun book but I think these people are insane. I can't fathom why anyone would want to live with 6 cats, parakeets, parrots, geese, ducks, chickens etc....
We live with 3 cats and a dog but even we have limits of tolerance for their behavior. I guess I should say that I am glad that there are people like this in the world to rescue these animals.
We live with 3 cats and a dog but even we have limits of tolerance for their behavior. I guess I should say that I am glad that there are people like this in the world to rescue these animals.
February 26, 2013
This book clearly defined the relationships between people and cats. As well as cats and cats. A real page turner and I laughed out loud several times. A great read that doesn't take much time at all.
March 25, 2013
If you are a cat lover, you will love this book. Otherwise, you will think Bob and wife Linda are just plain nuts. Fortunately I am one of the former and could find myself and several cats I have shared my life with in these pages. A fun, light read.
August 13, 2016
The cover blurb that described this as "laugh-out-loud" funny had me expecting, off course, a humorous tale. I didn't find it funny; any levity that might have been was obscured for me by the author's glumness. That said, it wasn't all bad for a quick read.
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