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Garfield Gets a Life
You call this living?
Garfield has a problem and its name is Jon Arbuckle. Jon is breaking all records for standing, sitting, or lying down boredom. And Jon's apathy is really starting to bug Garfield! It's clear to him that Jon needs friends, Jon needs excitement, Jon needs . . . a life!
As Jon and Garfield set off in search of excitement, what they find are lots of laughs, plus a few important lessons about love and loyalty.
Of course Garfield knows the secret to a happy you just take it one meal at a time!
Garfield has a problem and its name is Jon Arbuckle. Jon is breaking all records for standing, sitting, or lying down boredom. And Jon's apathy is really starting to bug Garfield! It's clear to him that Jon needs friends, Jon needs excitement, Jon needs . . . a life!
As Jon and Garfield set off in search of excitement, what they find are lots of laughs, plus a few important lessons about love and loyalty.
Of course Garfield knows the secret to a happy you just take it one meal at a time!
64 pages, Paperback
Published April 23, 1991
1 person is currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Jim Davis
2,344 books637 followersJames Robert "Jim" Davis is an American cartoonist who created the popular comic strip Garfield. Other comics that he has worked on are Tumbleweeds, Gnorm Gnat, Slapstick, and a strip about Mr. Potato Head.
Jim Davis was born in Fairmount, Indiana, near Marion, where he grew up on a small farm with his father James William Davis, mother Anna Catherine (Carter) Davis, brother Dave, and 25 cats. Davis' childhood on a farm parallels the life of his cartoon character Garfield's owner, Jon Arbuckle, who was also raised on a farm with his parents and a brother, Doc Boy. Jon, too, is a cartoonist, and also celebrates his birthday on July 28. Davis attended Ball State University. While attending Ball State, he became a member of the Theta Xi fraternity. He earned the dubious honor of earning one of the lowest cumulative grade point averages in the history of the university, an honor incidentally shared with Late Show host David Letterman.
Davis as of 2007 resides in Muncie, Indiana, where he and his staff produce Garfield under his company, Paws, Inc., begun in 1981. He was married to Carolyn, a singer and elementary teacher whom he met while both were attending college, and has a son named James with her. However, the couple divorced, and Davis since 2000 has been married to Jill, Paws' senior vice president of licensing, who has worked there approximately 25 years.
Ironically, Davis did not own cats when he started Garfield because of Carolyn's allergies, but they owned a Labrador retriever named Molly. With Jill, the family has expanded to include children Ashley and Chris; three grandchildren, Chloe, Carly and Cody; cats, Spunky and Nermal; and a dog, Pooky.
Jim Davis was born in Fairmount, Indiana, near Marion, where he grew up on a small farm with his father James William Davis, mother Anna Catherine (Carter) Davis, brother Dave, and 25 cats. Davis' childhood on a farm parallels the life of his cartoon character Garfield's owner, Jon Arbuckle, who was also raised on a farm with his parents and a brother, Doc Boy. Jon, too, is a cartoonist, and also celebrates his birthday on July 28. Davis attended Ball State University. While attending Ball State, he became a member of the Theta Xi fraternity. He earned the dubious honor of earning one of the lowest cumulative grade point averages in the history of the university, an honor incidentally shared with Late Show host David Letterman.
Davis as of 2007 resides in Muncie, Indiana, where he and his staff produce Garfield under his company, Paws, Inc., begun in 1981. He was married to Carolyn, a singer and elementary teacher whom he met while both were attending college, and has a son named James with her. However, the couple divorced, and Davis since 2000 has been married to Jill, Paws' senior vice president of licensing, who has worked there approximately 25 years.
Ironically, Davis did not own cats when he started Garfield because of Carolyn's allergies, but they owned a Labrador retriever named Molly. With Jill, the family has expanded to include children Ashley and Chris; three grandchildren, Chloe, Carly and Cody; cats, Spunky and Nermal; and a dog, Pooky.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 17, 2022
I'm a longtime fan of the cartoon fat cat, but...
Though the artwork was good and there were some cute moments, something seems to be lost in the translation from television special to comic book. Tubby Tabby diehard fans would do better to find the original on DVD, assuming it is available; knowing Jim Davis' marketing savvy, it probably is.
Though the artwork was good and there were some cute moments, something seems to be lost in the translation from television special to comic book. Tubby Tabby diehard fans would do better to find the original on DVD, assuming it is available; knowing Jim Davis' marketing savvy, it probably is.
January 31, 2023
I've seen the special for this one and just like the speical it's alright. I don't hate it but I tended to just want to rush through the story. But it's fun and goofy and kinda sweet.
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November 21, 2023easy and fast
November 18, 2015
Garfield Gets a Life was a Garfield television special in 1991 starring Lorenzo Music as the voice of Garfield. The book is in color.
I could see how living alone with your cat and dog could get a little monotonous. Jon has always wanted a girlfriend, but Dr. Liz Wilson never really seems interested in him. I was happy to see that Jon finally finds someone who likes him for who he is. After all, finding that one special person to spend your life with helps a person feel complete. And, no, Garfield, a cat does not fill that empty hole . . . only another human being can. Sorry, Garfield. Although, a cute and cuddly animal often helps.
The story that Jim Davis created for this television special is entertaining, but I didn't really like Lorenzo, the character at the school, not the voice actor Lorenzo Music who does Garfield's voice. Jon bought the little nerd's spiel, but I didn't. Lorenzo wasn't any cooler than Jon, he just has more of a personality and more money. I think Jon was lucky that he happened to be sitting next to Mona in the audience. Otherwise, Jon still would not have found anybody.
Overall, Garfield Gets a Life is a good story, but I was disappointed by the ending. I want Jon to have a girlfriend, which I think would add a whole new dynamic to the Garfield comic strip. How long can Jim Davis make a comic strip last with only three characters? Forever . . . it seems. So, if you are looking for a book with a longer Garfield storyline than in any of the comic strip books, then pick up a book based upon one of his television specials.
I rated this book a 7½ out of 10.
I could see how living alone with your cat and dog could get a little monotonous. Jon has always wanted a girlfriend, but Dr. Liz Wilson never really seems interested in him. I was happy to see that Jon finally finds someone who likes him for who he is. After all, finding that one special person to spend your life with helps a person feel complete. And, no, Garfield, a cat does not fill that empty hole . . . only another human being can. Sorry, Garfield. Although, a cute and cuddly animal often helps.
The story that Jim Davis created for this television special is entertaining, but I didn't really like Lorenzo, the character at the school, not the voice actor Lorenzo Music who does Garfield's voice. Jon bought the little nerd's spiel, but I didn't. Lorenzo wasn't any cooler than Jon, he just has more of a personality and more money. I think Jon was lucky that he happened to be sitting next to Mona in the audience. Otherwise, Jon still would not have found anybody.
Overall, Garfield Gets a Life is a good story, but I was disappointed by the ending. I want Jon to have a girlfriend, which I think would add a whole new dynamic to the Garfield comic strip. How long can Jim Davis make a comic strip last with only three characters? Forever . . . it seems. So, if you are looking for a book with a longer Garfield storyline than in any of the comic strip books, then pick up a book based upon one of his television specials.
I rated this book a 7½ out of 10.
January 17, 2026
honestly don't have much to say other than garfield is essentially the best wing man and also the worst.
quick to read and funny
quick to read and funny
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews