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Cleo #2
Cats & Daughters:: They Don't Always Come When Called
Some say your previous cat chooses your new feline. If so, what in cat heaven's name was our beloved Cleo thinking when she sent us a crazy cat like Jonah?
Helen Brown swore she'd never get another cat after her precious Cleo died. But that was before a cute Siamese with an intense blue gaze wrapped her around his paw. Demonstrating the grace of a trapeze artist--and a talent for smashing anything breakable--Jonah seduced the household with his daredevil antics and heart-melting purr.
With her son getting married, her daughter setting off on a potentially dangerous personal quest, and a recent brush with her own mortality, Helen faced a whirlwind of joys and challenges. Yet Jonah proved just the thing to ease the busy household's growing pains.
Uplifting, witty, and wise, here is a story of love and family--four-legged members included.
Don't Miss Helen Brown's Beloved Bestseller, Cleo
"A buoyant tale, heartfelt and open." --Booklist
"An absolute must." --Cat World
"Even non-cat-lovers will be moved." --Good Housekeeping
339 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
78 people are currently reading
907 people want to read
About the author
Helen Brown
19 books199 followersHelen Brown was born and brought up in New Zealand, where she became an award winning columnist, TV presenter, and scriptwriter. She now lives in Melbourne, Australia, with husband Philip and their high maintenance cat, Jonah.
She loves writing about cats and the impact they have on people's lives. Her memoir CLEO (2009) became a New York Times bestseller, translated into more than 17 languages. A major movie is in development.
The sequel, AFTER CLEO CAME JONAH (2012) (otherwise known as JONAH or CATS AND DAUGHTERS), was published in many languages and embraced by readers and critics alike.
Other titles include TUMBLEDOWN MANOR (2014), BONO (2018) and the children's story CLEO AND ROB (2019).
Her next book, MICKEY, will be released in North America and Australasia in February 2022.
When she isn’t writing, Helen enjoys knitting badly, laughing with grandchildren and swimming near the family beach shack on Phillip Island.
Find Helen on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Helen.Brown....
She loves writing about cats and the impact they have on people's lives. Her memoir CLEO (2009) became a New York Times bestseller, translated into more than 17 languages. A major movie is in development.
The sequel, AFTER CLEO CAME JONAH (2012) (otherwise known as JONAH or CATS AND DAUGHTERS), was published in many languages and embraced by readers and critics alike.
Other titles include TUMBLEDOWN MANOR (2014), BONO (2018) and the children's story CLEO AND ROB (2019).
Her next book, MICKEY, will be released in North America and Australasia in February 2022.
When she isn’t writing, Helen enjoys knitting badly, laughing with grandchildren and swimming near the family beach shack on Phillip Island.
Find Helen on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Helen.Brown....
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
February 9, 2014
First, let me say that I was not aware of the author's first book, "Cleo" until I began reading this book. I don't remember how I discovered the availability of this title but it captured my attention and it was added to my 'wish to read' list. This is a beautiful memoir by Helen Brown to delight every aspect of a reader's senses from the beauty of the cover design by Colleen Andrews to the collage of color family photographs on the first page to the author's remembrances throughout the pages. The descriptions of experiences, thoughts and emotions are shared with honesty and without hesitation.
As I am a daughter that wandered away from my home town on two occasions to follow my heart - once for professional exploration and once simply to follow my heart - I can truly understand some of the perplexing conversations through the years between mother and daughter. As dearest cat Jolie continued to live with Mother throughout the years of these same wanderings I have a deep appreciation for Jonah's nurturing of Helen Brown's family as well as his soulful reactions.
This is a very special glimpse of the bonds shared by mothers and daughters, the friendship circle of women when courage, strength and hope are needed for sharing in higher volumes but softly without fanfare and the unconditional love between cats and their forever families.
As I am a daughter that wandered away from my home town on two occasions to follow my heart - once for professional exploration and once simply to follow my heart - I can truly understand some of the perplexing conversations through the years between mother and daughter. As dearest cat Jolie continued to live with Mother throughout the years of these same wanderings I have a deep appreciation for Jonah's nurturing of Helen Brown's family as well as his soulful reactions.
This is a very special glimpse of the bonds shared by mothers and daughters, the friendship circle of women when courage, strength and hope are needed for sharing in higher volumes but softly without fanfare and the unconditional love between cats and their forever families.
April 1, 2019
3.5 stars. I found the book easy to read and follow, but I was annoyed by several things. The writing style was very simple, which is fine, but I would have preferred it to be a little more complex.
Speaking as a daughter and not a mother, I was pretty annoyed by the dynamics between the author and her oldest daughter and I can say a lot about why but I'm not going to here. I was unhappy with the conclusion, especially because the author said she had finally "accepted" her daughter's life choices but then ended up getting what she wanted anyway.
I liked the 4th wall breaking regarding writing her first book, but found it to be somewhat self-congratulatory, and I didn't appreciate that.
Overall it is an interesting book and set of experiences, but I had a hard time loving it because my mindset isn't aligned with the author's.
Speaking as a daughter and not a mother, I was pretty annoyed by the dynamics between the author and her oldest daughter and I can say a lot about why but I'm not going to here. I was unhappy with the conclusion, especially because the author said she had finally "accepted" her daughter's life choices but then ended up getting what she wanted anyway.
I liked the 4th wall breaking regarding writing her first book, but found it to be somewhat self-congratulatory, and I didn't appreciate that.
Overall it is an interesting book and set of experiences, but I had a hard time loving it because my mindset isn't aligned with the author's.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2013
My Thoughts
What a lovely surprise!
I will admit that as a cat owner, I am drawn to books that have “cats” in the title. I was also attracted to the book cover. For whatever reason, I thought this would be mostly about funny cat stories. Oh - it was so much more than that!
The author really does have a delightful writing style. During the period in her life she is writing about, she has several different personal challenges going on at the same time. She presents her story with eloquence and charm - and yes - a few funny cat stories mixed in.
My thanks to Kensington Publishing and Netgalley for allwoing me to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.
What a lovely surprise!
I will admit that as a cat owner, I am drawn to books that have “cats” in the title. I was also attracted to the book cover. For whatever reason, I thought this would be mostly about funny cat stories. Oh - it was so much more than that!
The author really does have a delightful writing style. During the period in her life she is writing about, she has several different personal challenges going on at the same time. She presents her story with eloquence and charm - and yes - a few funny cat stories mixed in.
My thanks to Kensington Publishing and Netgalley for allwoing me to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.
March 9, 2013
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.
This was an okay book for me. It wasn't bad but I think I would have been more interested and invested if I had read the first book first but I did not realize that this was a follow-up when I picked it up. When I read the first one I will come back and try this one again.
This was an okay book for me. It wasn't bad but I think I would have been more interested and invested if I had read the first book first but I did not realize that this was a follow-up when I picked it up. When I read the first one I will come back and try this one again.
December 31, 2025
It was really interesting to read at times, but I wish it was more about the cat, like I thought it would be. There were often a lot of pages without any mentions of him. Also some stuff really rubbed me wrong, like the vegetarian cat in sri lanka??? but I guess that's not the authors fault. Also putting two cats together without letting them get used to each other, like huh???
February 14, 2021
A Beautiful, Thoughtful Read!
March 8, 2021
I loved this book.
More about family than a cat.
Made me miss my Mom and appreciate her
More about family than a cat.
Made me miss my Mom and appreciate her
July 24, 2020
3 stars |
I got this book as a gift from a friend. She knows I love cats, so the book caught her attention. The cover is beautiful. So right off the bat, I was ecstatic to have received this book in my possession.
My feelings on this book are mixed. Emotions have fluctuated on and off throughout reading the book. It honestly started as a one star. It didn’t start off interesting at all + I never knew there was a first book until the author had mentioned it in later chapters. Secondly, I had no motivation to continue the book. At the end of every chapter, I never wanted to continue on. Nothing kept me on the edge of my seat, or kept me turning pages. It’s a chill a book.
Overall, I loved the essence of the book, the main idea. I loved the rawness and the realness of the book. It made the book worth reading. I understand the book title is “Cats & Daughters” but I didn’t expect the majority of the story to be about the authors relationship with her daughter. I didn’t mind at all (I actually liked it), I just had my mind prepared for more cat action. At the beginning of the book, I was confused because there was no indication of a cat entering the story anytime soon. Hence why the book is three stars. It just took a while to get to the cat part, and even then, I was expecting more cat stories than daughter issues.
Nonetheless, the ending felt right. Someone misjudged for rebelling when, in reality, they were just trying to find themselves. Furthermore, the comparisons of the author’s daughter and the little Siamese kitty, Jonah, was a nice touch.
Although it wasn’t a page turning book, I enjoyed reading it during my free time.
I got this book as a gift from a friend. She knows I love cats, so the book caught her attention. The cover is beautiful. So right off the bat, I was ecstatic to have received this book in my possession.
My feelings on this book are mixed. Emotions have fluctuated on and off throughout reading the book. It honestly started as a one star. It didn’t start off interesting at all + I never knew there was a first book until the author had mentioned it in later chapters. Secondly, I had no motivation to continue the book. At the end of every chapter, I never wanted to continue on. Nothing kept me on the edge of my seat, or kept me turning pages. It’s a chill a book.
Overall, I loved the essence of the book, the main idea. I loved the rawness and the realness of the book. It made the book worth reading. I understand the book title is “Cats & Daughters” but I didn’t expect the majority of the story to be about the authors relationship with her daughter. I didn’t mind at all (I actually liked it), I just had my mind prepared for more cat action. At the beginning of the book, I was confused because there was no indication of a cat entering the story anytime soon. Hence why the book is three stars. It just took a while to get to the cat part, and even then, I was expecting more cat stories than daughter issues.
Nonetheless, the ending felt right. Someone misjudged for rebelling when, in reality, they were just trying to find themselves. Furthermore, the comparisons of the author’s daughter and the little Siamese kitty, Jonah, was a nice touch.
Although it wasn’t a page turning book, I enjoyed reading it during my free time.
April 14, 2013
Reading a book written by Helen Brown is like having a long comfy chat with a friend who you haven't seen in a while. Written with warmth, humour and a brave intimacy, Helen Brown's words bring absolute solace to the soul and laughter to the heart.
As in her previous book Cleo, we are given a clear view that reality can throw a curve ball more than once in a lifetime, and again, it's a cat that seems to saunter in, twining itself in the midst of everything to deflect the pitch of the accursed orb; except, Helen swore she would NEVER get another cat! Listen to your mother Helen, it doesn't pay to swear.
In Cats and Daughters, we sit quietly along with Helen as she is writing Cleo; we hold her hand with friends as she is faced with one of the biggest decisions of her life, and somehow, we manage to smuggle ourselves in her suitcase on a trip to Sri Lanka to visit her eldest daughter Lydia who wants to become a Buddhist nun.
Easily more than what the title suggests, Cats and Daughters is another Helen Brown masterpiece, full of emotion, strength and the sharing of everyday life.
Cats and Daughters may not always come when called, but when you really need them most, they both come with a guarantee of dependability which is uniquely their own.
As in her previous book Cleo, we are given a clear view that reality can throw a curve ball more than once in a lifetime, and again, it's a cat that seems to saunter in, twining itself in the midst of everything to deflect the pitch of the accursed orb; except, Helen swore she would NEVER get another cat! Listen to your mother Helen, it doesn't pay to swear.
In Cats and Daughters, we sit quietly along with Helen as she is writing Cleo; we hold her hand with friends as she is faced with one of the biggest decisions of her life, and somehow, we manage to smuggle ourselves in her suitcase on a trip to Sri Lanka to visit her eldest daughter Lydia who wants to become a Buddhist nun.
Easily more than what the title suggests, Cats and Daughters is another Helen Brown masterpiece, full of emotion, strength and the sharing of everyday life.
Cats and Daughters may not always come when called, but when you really need them most, they both come with a guarantee of dependability which is uniquely their own.
September 13, 2013
This was not the book I was expecting. I was given the book by someone who knows I love a good cat story, especially if the cat is still alive at the end (and I was assured Jonah would be!), and hadn't read Helen Brown's first book, 'Cleo'. Perhaps if I had read that, I wouldn't have been surprised and slightly disappointed that Jonah didn't appear until I'd already read 100+ pages.
Although this reads more like a memoir and personal account of the author's struggle with breast cancer and watching her teenage and twenty-something children grow up, which is not the sort of book I would normally read, I carried on through the first section, hoping that once Jonah put in an appearance there would be plenty of cat antics to make up for the lack of this in the first part. I was slightly disappointed when this didn't prove to be the case. There was enough about Jonah to make me smile and sometimes laugh, but I do feel the book, named for the cat (and his predecessor) could have been about him a little more. As it went on, I felt he was sidelined and returned at the end, almost as a way of wrapping things up.
In all, the book is well written and engaging. It's just not really about the cat.
Although this reads more like a memoir and personal account of the author's struggle with breast cancer and watching her teenage and twenty-something children grow up, which is not the sort of book I would normally read, I carried on through the first section, hoping that once Jonah put in an appearance there would be plenty of cat antics to make up for the lack of this in the first part. I was slightly disappointed when this didn't prove to be the case. There was enough about Jonah to make me smile and sometimes laugh, but I do feel the book, named for the cat (and his predecessor) could have been about him a little more. As it went on, I felt he was sidelined and returned at the end, almost as a way of wrapping things up.
In all, the book is well written and engaging. It's just not really about the cat.
September 6, 2014
Another wonderful book by Helen Brown. I read Cleo some years ago and really enjoyed it. It was also one of the first books I have been able to convince my mother, who is not a reader, to read. She fell in love, not only because the story revolved around a cat, but because she was able to relate with the authors pain from her son's death. While perusing a book store a couple months ago, my mother found this book, and I happily bought it for her, excited she wanted to read more, and also because it was written by Helen Brown.
To actually talk about this book, the writing style is what we have come to enjoy from this author. It is ultimately a story of the struggles in her life, held together by the joys and idiosyncrasies of a special cat who happens to be along for the ride. To say this is just a cat book would be overlooking what the book is really about. It's about growing older and facing fears. it's about learning that there are some things you can't fight, and simply have to go with the flow and learn from it. It's about trusting those you care about to make the best decisions for themselves. And sure, it's also a little about a funny little cat, who I'm sure all cat owners can relate to on some level.
To actually talk about this book, the writing style is what we have come to enjoy from this author. It is ultimately a story of the struggles in her life, held together by the joys and idiosyncrasies of a special cat who happens to be along for the ride. To say this is just a cat book would be overlooking what the book is really about. It's about growing older and facing fears. it's about learning that there are some things you can't fight, and simply have to go with the flow and learn from it. It's about trusting those you care about to make the best decisions for themselves. And sure, it's also a little about a funny little cat, who I'm sure all cat owners can relate to on some level.
October 19, 2018
This book angered me in two places which is why I only gave it 2 stars. In one place, the family is leaving for a wedding so their cat will be fed by a cat sitter, but the son brings his cat over to be watched too. They just leave them together with no introductions and hope for the best. Any cat owner knows this is so wrong and could have caused injury or possibly death to a cat.
The other part that upset me was when the author visits her daughter at a monastery in Thailand. She writes of the monks' cat, the daughter says she is a vegetarian and has lost several litters of kittens. How do these people not know that a cat can't be a vegetarian, they are obligate carnivores. Also, a cat should be altered. I thought Buddhists were not supposed to cause harm to others and this poor cat sure sounds like she was suffering. I was so mad that the author didn't try to rescue the cat or at least point out these errors.
Other than that, the book is well written and kept me interested in reading despite these flaws. The author did grown personally and found a way to connect with her daughter, but I can't stop thinking of the cat at the monastery and how cats are treated in other countries.
The other part that upset me was when the author visits her daughter at a monastery in Thailand. She writes of the monks' cat, the daughter says she is a vegetarian and has lost several litters of kittens. How do these people not know that a cat can't be a vegetarian, they are obligate carnivores. Also, a cat should be altered. I thought Buddhists were not supposed to cause harm to others and this poor cat sure sounds like she was suffering. I was so mad that the author didn't try to rescue the cat or at least point out these errors.
Other than that, the book is well written and kept me interested in reading despite these flaws. The author did grown personally and found a way to connect with her daughter, but I can't stop thinking of the cat at the monastery and how cats are treated in other countries.
April 20, 2019
I enjoyed Brown's first book, Cleo, more than this one. This book is much more focused on her daughter's interest in becoming a Buddhist nun and their relationship. Not being a mother, I know I don't fully understand this dynamic from the mother's perspective, but I found myself getting bored as that storyline dragged on. I was more interested in Jonah stories, but I also found myself annoyed a bit there as well. I thought maybe this family had learned more about cats after 20+ years with Cleo, but I was flabbergasted when they decided to leave town, hired a cat sitter and brought in a second cat for the weekend. Any cat, but especially a neurotic cat like Jonah, wouldn't likely do well with a strange cat dropped into his home without proper interdictions and especially with his family gone at the same time. When a behavior problem arises with Jonah, they consider rehoming him. I know this is fairly common, but I guess I expected more from someone who's working books about her cats. There is another book about another cat from this author... not sure I'll be reading that one.
March 19, 2013
This book follows Helen brown’s memoir, Cleo, the wonderful memoir of the cat who healed her family during a time of many changes. Cleo was a very “persnickety” cat, and just what they needed.
Now Cleo is gone. Many believe that once a pet crosses the Rainbow Bridge, it will send you a pet that you need. Here comes Jonah! She wonders if high-energy Jonah is the answer, as he is very different than Cleo had been!
Helen’s son is getting married and starting his own life and family. Her daughter is beginning a questionable quest of her own (a Buddhist nun), much to Helen’s concern. Helen, herself, has serious health issues, facing breast cancer. Life is chaotic and filled with a whole new set of very real challenges.
This new memoir is another wonderful book by Helen Brown. It is genuine and honest. Cat fanciers will especially enjoy Jonah and his own way of healing, just as Helen did.
Now Cleo is gone. Many believe that once a pet crosses the Rainbow Bridge, it will send you a pet that you need. Here comes Jonah! She wonders if high-energy Jonah is the answer, as he is very different than Cleo had been!
Helen’s son is getting married and starting his own life and family. Her daughter is beginning a questionable quest of her own (a Buddhist nun), much to Helen’s concern. Helen, herself, has serious health issues, facing breast cancer. Life is chaotic and filled with a whole new set of very real challenges.
This new memoir is another wonderful book by Helen Brown. It is genuine and honest. Cat fanciers will especially enjoy Jonah and his own way of healing, just as Helen did.
October 23, 2012
Of course I had to pick up this book, after finishing the first brilliant story. Helen's writing hasn't changed, but her life has. How do you go on after saying goodbye to a beloved pet who has become as important to you as your own family? People are always going to ask 'When are you getting a new cat?" and Helen, like myself, knows her precious Cleo cannot be replaced. However, when she locks eyes with Jonah, she just knows that this is the cat to fill the void Cleo left behind.
Jonah seems like a sneaky, funny thing. He reminds me of my own boy cat Ivan- the spaying, the jumping, the dismay at anyone going away. He is different from Cleo, but I think he was what Helen needed at the time. This is another emotional story although the first absolutely made me bawl. Highly recommend both books, but don't read this one if you haven't read the first!
Jonah seems like a sneaky, funny thing. He reminds me of my own boy cat Ivan- the spaying, the jumping, the dismay at anyone going away. He is different from Cleo, but I think he was what Helen needed at the time. This is another emotional story although the first absolutely made me bawl. Highly recommend both books, but don't read this one if you haven't read the first!
October 16, 2015
The book before this one is CLEO which I'd quite enjoyed and again when I spied this book at Big W I bought it without hesitation. I dusted off the cover on Sunday and launched myself into the book and I found that I couldn't put it down!! It's been quite a long time since a book has captured me in such a way..I loved reading about Jonah and how wild of a kitty he was...He actually reminds me of my own little boy (but very different in looks n breed).
I also found this book flowed a lot easier than the first and I kept finding myself saying 'Just until the end of the chapter' and before I knew I'd read about 3 more. Really, I couldn't put the book down :)
I also found this book flowed a lot easier than the first and I kept finding myself saying 'Just until the end of the chapter' and before I knew I'd read about 3 more. Really, I couldn't put the book down :)
April 22, 2013
A perfect continuation of the memoir CLEO! This true story follows the author through another serious time in her life, as well as through some life changes in her children's lives. I love Helen Brown's candid and humorous take on life! I couldn't help but fall in love with Jonah-- and (unfortunately!) I could relate to his "little problem as I have a cat with the same one-- and we always make excuses for him since he is part of our family. :)
I would recommend this memoir to any mother-- even if you don't like cats.
I would recommend this memoir to any mother-- even if you don't like cats.
March 1, 2017
Reading a book by Helen Brown is like having coffee with a good friend - a warm, funny, witty, smart friend who is willing to share openly & honestly (no small thing). It feels like a two way conversation though I don't get a word in, Brown is so easy to relate to. I don't want to finish this book and have our coffee be over.
But alas, I have!
I loved 'Cleo', and now 'After Cleo'. Helen Brown's books rate right up there with my very favourites.
But alas, I have!
I loved 'Cleo', and now 'After Cleo'. Helen Brown's books rate right up there with my very favourites.
February 23, 2018
Great read!
April 6, 2024
This book was pretty much a cover buy for me. I love cats and Siamese are one of my favorite breeds because my family had Siamese cats as I grew up. None of ours acted like the cat in Brown's book, and I don't think my parents would have been willing to put up with the behavior that Jonah exhibited. But it was delightful to read about him. It takes a long time to get to him and that was unexpected. The book starts out with a brief mention of Jonah then he disappears for about 100 pages. Brown describes her diagnosis with breast cancer and her tense relationship with her elder daughter, Lydia, as the focus in these first 100 pages.
Lydia was interested in Buddhism and had met a charismatic monk from Sri Lanka who served as a teacher to her. Just before her mother was diagnosed, Lydia announced she was leaving to spend time in the monastery in Sri Lanka, and she didn't change her mind even when she discovered she would be gone when her mother was scheduled for mastectomy surgery. Clearly this was hurtful to Brown but she tried to be understanding. Lydia surprised her mother by showing up at the hospital then taking care of her mother during her weeks of recovery. But then Lydia returned to the monastery and let her family know she was was considering becoming a Buddhist nun. This was a hard time time Brown as she didn't understand Lydia's feelings, and Lydia refused to share how she felt.
Just after Helen Brown had her surgery, her visiting sister told Helen she had found a beautiful Siamese kitten in a pet store. Brown had been adamant that she wasn't getting another cat after the death of her previous cat a few months earlier. That cat had been pivotal in helping her and her son recover from a tragedy over two decades earlier, and she didn't think another cat could live up to the legacy of Cleo. I haven't read Brown's first book Cleo: How an Uppity Cat Helped Heal a Family, but I could see why she felt reticent about getting a new cat. All it took to change her mind was a visit to the pet store, but she had no idea what a crazy cat she was adopting. Jonah sounds wonderful in many ways, but I honestly wouldn't want to live with him. Ultimately I enjoyed the book and Brown'sstory of her struggles with cat and daughter. It wasn't quite what I thought it would be, but I still enjoyed it.
Lydia was interested in Buddhism and had met a charismatic monk from Sri Lanka who served as a teacher to her. Just before her mother was diagnosed, Lydia announced she was leaving to spend time in the monastery in Sri Lanka, and she didn't change her mind even when she discovered she would be gone when her mother was scheduled for mastectomy surgery. Clearly this was hurtful to Brown but she tried to be understanding. Lydia surprised her mother by showing up at the hospital then taking care of her mother during her weeks of recovery. But then Lydia returned to the monastery and let her family know she was was considering becoming a Buddhist nun. This was a hard time time Brown as she didn't understand Lydia's feelings, and Lydia refused to share how she felt.
Just after Helen Brown had her surgery, her visiting sister told Helen she had found a beautiful Siamese kitten in a pet store. Brown had been adamant that she wasn't getting another cat after the death of her previous cat a few months earlier. That cat had been pivotal in helping her and her son recover from a tragedy over two decades earlier, and she didn't think another cat could live up to the legacy of Cleo. I haven't read Brown's first book Cleo: How an Uppity Cat Helped Heal a Family, but I could see why she felt reticent about getting a new cat. All it took to change her mind was a visit to the pet store, but she had no idea what a crazy cat she was adopting. Jonah sounds wonderful in many ways, but I honestly wouldn't want to live with him. Ultimately I enjoyed the book and Brown'sstory of her struggles with cat and daughter. It wasn't quite what I thought it would be, but I still enjoyed it.
February 15, 2023
i didn't enjoy the second book as much as the first one did, though the first one had be balling my eyes out like a baby. Helen Brown has lived a life and I'm glad she had shared it with us and opened herself up.
I couldn't get past Lydia, she did make me very angry. I just can't imagine going off to another country while your own mother might have breast cancer. A cancer that many women in her family get and have died from. Lydia was supposed to be so selfless and caring and generous with people, and when her mother needed her the most she jumped the country. granted, she did come back and nurse her though her recovery, but the emotional damage that Helen would have went through would have only hindered her health and recovery. during her recovery from surgery she was worried that her daughter was going to leave for Sri Lanka, a country at war and could have been killed.
Though they did get a lot out of Sri Lanka, including their relationship back, experiences and perceptions that would shape their future lives forever. Lydia was upset that she waisted five years of her life, but I disagree, she experienced and done things very few people would see or do. But her leaving her mother when she needed her the most and disregarding her feelings for her independence, mind and safety really angered me.
I'm very happy that Helen found new love again in the small crazy feline Jonah. I can't imagine my own life with out my own crazy kitty.
I couldn't get past Lydia, she did make me very angry. I just can't imagine going off to another country while your own mother might have breast cancer. A cancer that many women in her family get and have died from. Lydia was supposed to be so selfless and caring and generous with people, and when her mother needed her the most she jumped the country. granted, she did come back and nurse her though her recovery, but the emotional damage that Helen would have went through would have only hindered her health and recovery. during her recovery from surgery she was worried that her daughter was going to leave for Sri Lanka, a country at war and could have been killed.
Though they did get a lot out of Sri Lanka, including their relationship back, experiences and perceptions that would shape their future lives forever. Lydia was upset that she waisted five years of her life, but I disagree, she experienced and done things very few people would see or do. But her leaving her mother when she needed her the most and disregarding her feelings for her independence, mind and safety really angered me.
I'm very happy that Helen found new love again in the small crazy feline Jonah. I can't imagine my own life with out my own crazy kitty.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2019
Twice in her life, now, Helen Brown has been in the depths of despair. The first time was after a death. A remarkable kitten came into the lives of her shattered family and set about healing them. Cleo became the entrancing heroine of Ms. Brown's first book, which bears that precious cat's name. Years have passed, and so had Cleo. Helen wants no more cats after her. But again life had jerked the rug out from under her, and from two directions at once. In the midst of the fear and confusion comes Jonah, a pet shop kitten, probably the product of a kitten mill, and with his share of issues. But along with those issues comes a boundless enthusiasm for life and living, and a heart much bigger than his slender body should hold. Once again, a cat plays a huge part in bringing this family out of fear and sorrow into the light again.
If you love cats, all three of Ms. Brown's memoires of her life with them are Must Reads.
If you love cats, all three of Ms. Brown's memoires of her life with them are Must Reads.
January 30, 2022
This was an interesting read, it covers 5 years of a mother's journey with her family, especially her daughter Lydia. Although, the book does cover their good & bad experience with buying/adopting a cat named Jonah, it's mostly about recovery from breast cancer and the relationship between mom & daughter. The relationship between mom and daughter is pretty interesting. Growing up I did not have a good relationship with my mother, so it was interesting to read about a good mother daughter relationship. Overall, this book was good. Interesting read for sure.
**This book has two titles, Cats & Daughters, and Jonah. Jonah is the title of the book I read. The original title should have been kept, because upon seeing the cover for Jonah, I imagined this book was mostly about a relationship with a cat.
**This book has two titles, Cats & Daughters, and Jonah. Jonah is the title of the book I read. The original title should have been kept, because upon seeing the cover for Jonah, I imagined this book was mostly about a relationship with a cat.
February 3, 2020
Cats & Daughters : They Don't Always Come When Called (or the alternative title After Cleo, Came Jonah) was a lovely follow up to Cleo: How a Small Black Cat Helped Heal a Family. Jonah's part in the book was smaller in this book than I think Cleo was in the first, yet I wasn't disappointed. She appropriately tied him in with her fight with breast cancer, the emotional turmoil of her daughter going off to a Buddhist monastery in Sri Lanka, as well as the joys of her son getting married and the birth of her granddaughter. Helen Brown writes very honestly and reading her stories are like catching up with an old friend.
September 16, 2020
When I first bought this book, I had no idea that I too like Helen Brown had breast cancer. I also had no idea that my last cat, a sweet, sweet, male ginger cat would die 15 days after my diagnosis. While my daughter does not want to become a Buddhist nun, she never comes when called. In many ways the author and I were leading parallel lives. I really enjoy Helen's writing style, her wry sense of humor, her all to real and realistic obsessions with dangers, pitfalls, and possibilities of what could go wrong (another parallel I hate to admit). The ways she tried to overcome and balance the negatives of her fears with the beauties of nature, family, love, and cats won my heart. Hhhmmm so serendipitous.
November 12, 2017
This book about this Australian author’s relationship with her cat and her daughter was a fine and insightful read about the human condition. Little did I know when I chose the book that part of the storyline was the author’s diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer. I am currently recovering from breast cancer surgery, so this theme touched my heart.
I learned that the author had written a previous book, about a previous cat who helped her family deal with the tragic loss of a young child. I am eager to read that as well.
P.S. She HATES misplaced apostrophes in plurals, as do I!!!
I learned that the author had written a previous book, about a previous cat who helped her family deal with the tragic loss of a young child. I am eager to read that as well.
P.S. She HATES misplaced apostrophes in plurals, as do I!!!
February 19, 2022
A very sweet book about a woman who is coping with major changes in her life, including breast cancer and a mastectomy and also a daughter that is determined to move to Sri Lanka and become a Buddhist non. Woven through the stories of the author dealing with this challenges is the tale of the family cat Jonah. Bought on the spur of the moment shortly after her surgery, Jonah proves to be a mix of joy and challenges. I'm not convinced that Jonah really added relevance to the rest of the story, but it was an enjoyable read nonetheless.
June 22, 2024
Helen Brown has a unique gift of writing about her cats and her family with immense insight, humor and honesty. In this book, she ends up buying a kitten at a pet store after the death of her beloved Cleo, despite her firm decision to never have another cat because it's too hard to eventually lose them.
Cats and Daughters intertwines the story of Helen's relationship with her daughter Lydia, Helen's own health crisis and her impulsive purchase of Jonah. Prepare to laugh, cry, and flip those pages to devour this book as fast as you can. It's definitely an attention grabber!
Cats and Daughters intertwines the story of Helen's relationship with her daughter Lydia, Helen's own health crisis and her impulsive purchase of Jonah. Prepare to laugh, cry, and flip those pages to devour this book as fast as you can. It's definitely an attention grabber!
November 11, 2020
A truly wonderful sequel to Cleo. Helen Brown is a wonderful writer who pulls you into the story with all her wonderful characters, taken from lived experiences with her family. It'll pull at your heartstrings, have you in tears, have you laughing your head off, and just generally becoming extremely intimate with her family, and an adorable Tonkinese cat called Jonah.
Highly recommended for every animal and cat lover out there.
Highly recommended for every animal and cat lover out there.
March 6, 2020
I have enjoyed each one of Helen Brown's cat-related memoirs. She's authentic in her approach to motherhood and one has to wonder sometimes how and why we become attached to the cats who rule our lives and become the objects of our love. I think she may wonder the same thing about Jonah. He's certainly provided her with writing material and Helen rose to the challenge.
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