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Ulysses S. Cat and Other Animals I Have Known
From the beloved host of NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday, moving tales of the marvelous animals who have crossed his path.
Scott Simon’s household does not make much distinction between humans and other animals. Whether two legged or four, flesh-covered, fur-covered, feathered, or gilled—everyone is family. Today, the beloved radio host lives with the haiku-writing and absolument charmant French poodle Daisy; the daringly audacious foster cat Gato Blanco; and the energetic, cage-escaping hamster Bagel, who was almost Gato’s meal. And that’s just the start. In Ulysses S. Cat and Other Animals I Have Known, Simon warmly philosophizes on the unforgettable and utterly ordinary but enduring moments in the remarkable relationships between species, along with their joys, worries, love, and humor. From a cat who escaped the British Embassy—Simon had to promise she’d keep her accent—to street dogs during Sarajevo’s siege, to a series of beta fish all named Salman Fishdie, this enchanting work is a profusion of exuberant memories and musings on a life spent in animal company.
Scott Simon’s household does not make much distinction between humans and other animals. Whether two legged or four, flesh-covered, fur-covered, feathered, or gilled—everyone is family. Today, the beloved radio host lives with the haiku-writing and absolument charmant French poodle Daisy; the daringly audacious foster cat Gato Blanco; and the energetic, cage-escaping hamster Bagel, who was almost Gato’s meal. And that’s just the start. In Ulysses S. Cat and Other Animals I Have Known, Simon warmly philosophizes on the unforgettable and utterly ordinary but enduring moments in the remarkable relationships between species, along with their joys, worries, love, and humor. From a cat who escaped the British Embassy—Simon had to promise she’d keep her accent—to street dogs during Sarajevo’s siege, to a series of beta fish all named Salman Fishdie, this enchanting work is a profusion of exuberant memories and musings on a life spent in animal company.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published May 5, 2026
About the author
Scott Simon
51 books124 followersSCOTT SIMON is one of America's most admired writers and broadcasters, having reported from all over the world and from many wars. He is now the award-winning host of Weekend Edition Saturday. With over 4 million listeners it is the most-listened to news program on NPR. Simon has won a Peabody and an Emmy for his reporting and also has over 1.2 million followers on Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Thank you to W.W. Norton and Company for providing me with an ARC.
This book was so much more than I was expecting. From the description, it presents itself as a cute book filled with stories about the animals the author has met throughout his life. And it is, but it’s also a whimsical look at how animals shape, change and better our lives as our relationships with them intertwine and weave into unbreakable bonds of friendship, love and family. As cliche as it may be, I laughed, I cried, and I hugged my pets a little tighter after reading this.
Not only does this book tell the stories of the animals, but also of the author’s life and how he came to love each and every one of them, no matter how closely or distantly he knew them. As the book unfolded, the same animals would come up multiple times to mark a specific era in his family’s lives. He even makes a correlation between adopting a pet and adopting a child, much like he adopted both of his daughters, and how it’s all family in the end. I really enjoyed the author’s writing style and found it fun, witty and poignant.
One of the things that all pet parents will find relatable is how the author couldn't quite figure out what title humans should take on when it comes to their pets. Owner didn’t seem to fit, but neither did caregiver. I, personally, am so much more than a proud crazy cat lady, because I refer to myself as “mom” to any and all animals that will allow me to be their guardian and friend. My mother, naturally, is their grandmother. All my friends, vets, and other people they may meet become their aunts and uncles. I think, no matter what title you bestow upon yourself on their behalf, we can all agree that they are our best friends, who enrich our lives in ways we could have never imagined.
Though I truly savored every story, there were some standouts for me. First was Penny. She may have failed as a police dog, but her love for Caroline’s mother showed that she was meant for so much more than a life of service. She was meant to be a companion in a time when she was needed the most, and that was the most important job of all. Animals know so much more than we give them credit for, and they give us more than we could ever return if we let them.
It’s not every day that one ends up with Leona, a cat formerly owned by interns of the British Embassy. Being told to raise a cat British wasn’t something that everyone would take on, but Scott did, even appointing her a British accent, much like he chose appropriate accents for all of his animals. Every time I pictured Leona, I pictured the cat version of Leona Lewis, ready to belt out a tune at a moment’s notice.
On the same note, it was very relatable that the author creates voices for each of his pets, and then announces their thoughts to the household. I, too, like to narrate my pets’ every action and whim. I imagine that my very fluffy cat, Lloyd, who was found in a pile of garbage, speaks in a British accent and calls me Mumsy, because I am entirely uncool and drowning in cats.
I wasn’t expecting the beautifully tragic story of the relationship between the people and animals in Sarajevo during the war. As people would die, someone would always be there to step in and care for their animal. They would await the snipers’ breaks to dash through the streets and gain supplies for their own animals and homeless ones alike. They learned how to trade the rations on the black market for things the animals liked better, all while dodging bullets and trying to survive another day.
After reading about Ulysses S. Cat, it’s clear why his name is loud and proud on the book cover. His story is one of love, grief and empathy and will truly touch your heart.
There’s an ongoing esoteric joke about Stripey the Zebra. Stripey, of course, doesn’t exist, but he is family. They have many adventures together, including riding on the subway and hiding out on their balcony from the neighbors. His stripes do blend into the railing so nicely, after all. I thought this was such a cute thing to add. In our household we have Maple and Pickles, two corgis who run a corgi inn our property. Pet owners are weird, but we own it.
As a former vet tech, the story about vets and suicide really hit close to home. I don’t think people realize how hard it is to see animals you come to immediately love suffer day in and day out. They live and die at the hand of the vet, and the vet just has to accept that. They can’t talk or tell us what’s wrong, so if we can’t interpret that for them, then the consequences can often be fatal.
Lastly, the haiku that Daisy writes are an absolute hoot, and I do believe that she writes them without Scott’s help, as one should.
This is a book I will keep to read over and over again, and share so others experience the same joy it brought me. (But only if I know they’ll return the book when they’re finished!) I will mark this one as a must read for all pet lovers and am interested in checking out Scott’s other books.
This book was so much more than I was expecting. From the description, it presents itself as a cute book filled with stories about the animals the author has met throughout his life. And it is, but it’s also a whimsical look at how animals shape, change and better our lives as our relationships with them intertwine and weave into unbreakable bonds of friendship, love and family. As cliche as it may be, I laughed, I cried, and I hugged my pets a little tighter after reading this.
Not only does this book tell the stories of the animals, but also of the author’s life and how he came to love each and every one of them, no matter how closely or distantly he knew them. As the book unfolded, the same animals would come up multiple times to mark a specific era in his family’s lives. He even makes a correlation between adopting a pet and adopting a child, much like he adopted both of his daughters, and how it’s all family in the end. I really enjoyed the author’s writing style and found it fun, witty and poignant.
One of the things that all pet parents will find relatable is how the author couldn't quite figure out what title humans should take on when it comes to their pets. Owner didn’t seem to fit, but neither did caregiver. I, personally, am so much more than a proud crazy cat lady, because I refer to myself as “mom” to any and all animals that will allow me to be their guardian and friend. My mother, naturally, is their grandmother. All my friends, vets, and other people they may meet become their aunts and uncles. I think, no matter what title you bestow upon yourself on their behalf, we can all agree that they are our best friends, who enrich our lives in ways we could have never imagined.
Though I truly savored every story, there were some standouts for me. First was Penny. She may have failed as a police dog, but her love for Caroline’s mother showed that she was meant for so much more than a life of service. She was meant to be a companion in a time when she was needed the most, and that was the most important job of all. Animals know so much more than we give them credit for, and they give us more than we could ever return if we let them.
It’s not every day that one ends up with Leona, a cat formerly owned by interns of the British Embassy. Being told to raise a cat British wasn’t something that everyone would take on, but Scott did, even appointing her a British accent, much like he chose appropriate accents for all of his animals. Every time I pictured Leona, I pictured the cat version of Leona Lewis, ready to belt out a tune at a moment’s notice.
On the same note, it was very relatable that the author creates voices for each of his pets, and then announces their thoughts to the household. I, too, like to narrate my pets’ every action and whim. I imagine that my very fluffy cat, Lloyd, who was found in a pile of garbage, speaks in a British accent and calls me Mumsy, because I am entirely uncool and drowning in cats.
I wasn’t expecting the beautifully tragic story of the relationship between the people and animals in Sarajevo during the war. As people would die, someone would always be there to step in and care for their animal. They would await the snipers’ breaks to dash through the streets and gain supplies for their own animals and homeless ones alike. They learned how to trade the rations on the black market for things the animals liked better, all while dodging bullets and trying to survive another day.
After reading about Ulysses S. Cat, it’s clear why his name is loud and proud on the book cover. His story is one of love, grief and empathy and will truly touch your heart.
There’s an ongoing esoteric joke about Stripey the Zebra. Stripey, of course, doesn’t exist, but he is family. They have many adventures together, including riding on the subway and hiding out on their balcony from the neighbors. His stripes do blend into the railing so nicely, after all. I thought this was such a cute thing to add. In our household we have Maple and Pickles, two corgis who run a corgi inn our property. Pet owners are weird, but we own it.
As a former vet tech, the story about vets and suicide really hit close to home. I don’t think people realize how hard it is to see animals you come to immediately love suffer day in and day out. They live and die at the hand of the vet, and the vet just has to accept that. They can’t talk or tell us what’s wrong, so if we can’t interpret that for them, then the consequences can often be fatal.
Lastly, the haiku that Daisy writes are an absolute hoot, and I do believe that she writes them without Scott’s help, as one should.
This is a book I will keep to read over and over again, and share so others experience the same joy it brought me. (But only if I know they’ll return the book when they’re finished!) I will mark this one as a must read for all pet lovers and am interested in checking out Scott’s other books.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Scott Simon, Emmy- and Peabody-award-winning NPR weekend host, reporter, and author, has added to his catalog of fascinating books with Ulysses S. Cat and Other Animals I have Known. It's a compilation of very short chapters/essays about the non-human members of his family and their role in the lives of Scott, wife Caroline, and their two daughters, and about other animals the author has met and observed.
The featured adopted animals in the Simon household are their small poodle Daisy, huge cat Gato Blanco, and hamster Bagel, and more short-lived family members--a tiny turtle and a series of betta fish. Not to mention a bin of a thousand worms on their balcony. (Seriously, let's not talk about it!) Simon's messages are not heavy-handed, but they remind us of how pets "unlock our hearts . . . make us laugh, and produce memories we stow away for all time." They can also steer us through difficult emotions, and they remind us that "the best thing we can do for one another in life is just to be there." One of my favorite chapters is about the haiku Daisy "writes" about her daily life--perhaps with Scott's help--which have been popular on social media.
There is a lot of gentle humor in the book, along with many deeply emotional observations about our relationships with animals, including how we communicate by creating a common, personal language It's a charming book that can be read in chunks, or sped through in a day, as I did.
My review is based on a complimentary pre-release copy of this book.
The featured adopted animals in the Simon household are their small poodle Daisy, huge cat Gato Blanco, and hamster Bagel, and more short-lived family members--a tiny turtle and a series of betta fish. Not to mention a bin of a thousand worms on their balcony. (Seriously, let's not talk about it!) Simon's messages are not heavy-handed, but they remind us of how pets "unlock our hearts . . . make us laugh, and produce memories we stow away for all time." They can also steer us through difficult emotions, and they remind us that "the best thing we can do for one another in life is just to be there." One of my favorite chapters is about the haiku Daisy "writes" about her daily life--perhaps with Scott's help--which have been popular on social media.
There is a lot of gentle humor in the book, along with many deeply emotional observations about our relationships with animals, including how we communicate by creating a common, personal language It's a charming book that can be read in chunks, or sped through in a day, as I did.
My review is based on a complimentary pre-release copy of this book.
May 6, 2026
A big thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the advanced copy.
Medium: Audiobook
My thoughts:
The real rating is closer to 3.5 ⭐. This was a delightful little book about the animals that share our homes and our lives. Every chapter felt like a short story about the writer's real life, his family, and the pets that accompanied him from childhood all the way to the present. It was interesting to see these small but poignant moments in the life of a person whom I previously knew nothing about. Some parts of this book were more interesting than others, but I overall enjoyed my time with this book. I chuckled and teared up, I was never bored and thought that no part of this book was badly written. In fact, the writing was one of the most compelling parts of this for me. MIster Simon takes us through a deeply emotional and lyrical journey. His approach is journalistic but in the best possible way.
The decision to have Mr. Simon narrate the book himself was a mixed bag for me personally. While I find his voice both pleasing and soothing in a way, there were some unexplained pauses in his cadence that took me out of the narrative.
While part of the lowered rating is due to my gripes with the audiobook, it was mostly because I know that I am unlikely to actually remember much about this book in a month's time. While I certainly don't regret reading it and I had a good time listening to it, I don't expect that this will be something that will stay with me in the long term.
Medium: Audiobook
My thoughts:
The real rating is closer to 3.5 ⭐. This was a delightful little book about the animals that share our homes and our lives. Every chapter felt like a short story about the writer's real life, his family, and the pets that accompanied him from childhood all the way to the present. It was interesting to see these small but poignant moments in the life of a person whom I previously knew nothing about. Some parts of this book were more interesting than others, but I overall enjoyed my time with this book. I chuckled and teared up, I was never bored and thought that no part of this book was badly written. In fact, the writing was one of the most compelling parts of this for me. MIster Simon takes us through a deeply emotional and lyrical journey. His approach is journalistic but in the best possible way.
The decision to have Mr. Simon narrate the book himself was a mixed bag for me personally. While I find his voice both pleasing and soothing in a way, there were some unexplained pauses in his cadence that took me out of the narrative.
While part of the lowered rating is due to my gripes with the audiobook, it was mostly because I know that I am unlikely to actually remember much about this book in a month's time. While I certainly don't regret reading it and I had a good time listening to it, I don't expect that this will be something that will stay with me in the long term.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Thank you to Norton for the Advanced Reading Copy.
I really wanted to like this book. As a huge cat fan and a fan of Scott Simon's work, it felt like a shoe in. Unfortunately, despite the short page count, I feel that the majority of this book could have gone unwritten.
A third was genuinely interesting. I enjoyed when Scott talked about the animals he'd met over his career in foreign countries and the lessons he learned from them. I also liked hearing him reminisce on the pets he had growing up and what they taught him, they served as an interesting narrative device for an autobiography of sorts.
Another third though went into extreme detail about the habits and tendencies of his current pets which in contrast was incredibly boring and uninteresting. The truth that nobody thinks your pets are as cute or interesting as you do rang particularly true in these sections.
Another third were essays with silly hypothetical situations and stories. I’m sure some people really enjoyed these, but they were not for me.
Overall, the book just felt a little tedious to get through.
I really wanted to like this book. As a huge cat fan and a fan of Scott Simon's work, it felt like a shoe in. Unfortunately, despite the short page count, I feel that the majority of this book could have gone unwritten.
A third was genuinely interesting. I enjoyed when Scott talked about the animals he'd met over his career in foreign countries and the lessons he learned from them. I also liked hearing him reminisce on the pets he had growing up and what they taught him, they served as an interesting narrative device for an autobiography of sorts.
Another third though went into extreme detail about the habits and tendencies of his current pets which in contrast was incredibly boring and uninteresting. The truth that nobody thinks your pets are as cute or interesting as you do rang particularly true in these sections.
Another third were essays with silly hypothetical situations and stories. I’m sure some people really enjoyed these, but they were not for me.
Overall, the book just felt a little tedious to get through.
May 13, 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The essays in this book covered a range of topics, and I found it very interesting to follow along. There were some chapters I really enjoyed and some that I did not. To be honest, I am still so confused about the zebra. Since I don't speak French, I had difficulty keeping up with the French words/talking.
One sentence I have thought about a lot is one about adoptions. I don't have the exact quote, but it was something along the lines of: we don't call the cat we adopted our 'adopted cat'; they are just our cat. So why do some people find the distinction of a child being adopted such a big thing?
One thing I really like about non-fiction books is how often the author narrates the book, as was the case with this one. I love that we got to hear the actual expressions of the animals.
Overall, an interesting book, but not the best.
The essays in this book covered a range of topics, and I found it very interesting to follow along. There were some chapters I really enjoyed and some that I did not. To be honest, I am still so confused about the zebra. Since I don't speak French, I had difficulty keeping up with the French words/talking.
One sentence I have thought about a lot is one about adoptions. I don't have the exact quote, but it was something along the lines of: we don't call the cat we adopted our 'adopted cat'; they are just our cat. So why do some people find the distinction of a child being adopted such a big thing?
One thing I really like about non-fiction books is how often the author narrates the book, as was the case with this one. I love that we got to hear the actual expressions of the animals.
Overall, an interesting book, but not the best.
Review of advance copy
This book is for anyone who has had and loved multiple pets throughout their life, and even more so for people whose pets are their only “children”. It is spot on for how the author describes his various pets and their behavior. His story is in the background, young child to husband and father with older children. He talks about the sad times with sensitivity and the fun times with lots of humor. It was easy to read and is a good “pick-me-up” book. There were few chapters that were a bit over the top silly, and I never really got the “zebra” chapter. I would love to give this book to my fourteen year old granddaughter to read because she loves animals but I worry that the chapter on Vets may scare her. It was good information but I wish it had been an addendum.
May 18, 2026
This was a birthday gift from my husband and I just flew through it!! I often read books of essays between long reads and this one was really enjoyable. I often listen to Scott Simon on NPR and was really excited to hear he had written a book about the animals in his life. As a practicing veterinarian for over 40 years, I love animal stories. Some great essays on the animals in Mr. Simon and his family. I grew to love Daisy, Gato Blanco, and Bagel. Also stories of how animals shape the lives of people in war zones. But I have to admit a deep sense of gratitude for Mr. Simon's story on the toll the profession of veterinarian can take on those of us in the profession. It really brought tears to my eyes.
Lovely collection!! Highly recommended for animal lovers!!
Lovely collection!! Highly recommended for animal lovers!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ulysses S. Cat and Other Animals I Have Known
by Scott Simon
I have long enjoyed Scott Simon on NPR and almost felt I could hear him reading this book. In fact, an audiobook with him reading would be great. This book included many of the running mates, as he calls them, of the Simon family as well as stories of other animals the author has encountered through work. The stories were funny, cute, touching, and sometimes sad. It was a quick and enjoyable read.
Thanks to NetGalley and BookBrowse for the opportunity to read this ARC.
P.S.
I just found out there will be an audiobook read by the author.
.
by Scott Simon
I have long enjoyed Scott Simon on NPR and almost felt I could hear him reading this book. In fact, an audiobook with him reading would be great. This book included many of the running mates, as he calls them, of the Simon family as well as stories of other animals the author has encountered through work. The stories were funny, cute, touching, and sometimes sad. It was a quick and enjoyable read.
Thanks to NetGalley and BookBrowse for the opportunity to read this ARC.
P.S.
I just found out there will be an audiobook read by the author.
.
Review of advance copy
This sweet and tender book is filled with "pet" essays written by the legendary NPR commentator, Scott Simon. His viewpoint is focused mainly on his family's wide array of pets, from cats, dogs, hamsters and even a tray full of earth worms. I really enjoyed the essay on a day in the life of a local San Jose veterinarian. His comments certainly made me stop and consider the pitfalls of being animal medic. I did not realize how deeply the vet's life can be affected by ill animals.
If you are a person who has had or loved many fur babies, this little book is for you. Filled with lots of humor and many "interesting" animals, Simon's book is a quick and easy read.
Thanks to Book Browse for being able to review this soon to be published book.
If you are a person who has had or loved many fur babies, this little book is for you. Filled with lots of humor and many "interesting" animals, Simon's book is a quick and easy read.
Thanks to Book Browse for being able to review this soon to be published book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I will happily listen to anyone talking about their pets. As odd as it seems, I think this would have been more interesting if it was longer. There were so many pets and even pets he encountered in other countries, which was fascinating. But it didn't leave an impression on me. Maybe if I listened again it would leave a different impression. The narrator was good for this with a nice, casual, calm speech.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me listen to this
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me listen to this
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
The essays in this book illustrate ways in which animal life intersects with the human life. The author's viewpoint/voice is mainly with their family pets (including a grasshopper and worms), but also includes an essay on the life of lab rats and an essay on a day in the life of a veterinarian. Well-written and an enjoyable read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC for review. To be published May 5, 2026.
3 stars
Very short essays by a legend of NPR that serve as a memoir of sorts, a life told through the pets that have been him Simon’s life. It’s sweet and a reader gets a nice picture of Simon’s family, but mostly just at surface level. Very pretty line drawings start each chapter. It’s a trifle but it’s cute.
3 stars
Very short essays by a legend of NPR that serve as a memoir of sorts, a life told through the pets that have been him Simon’s life. It’s sweet and a reader gets a nice picture of Simon’s family, but mostly just at surface level. Very pretty line drawings start each chapter. It’s a trifle but it’s cute.
May 7, 2026
A wonderfully crafted blend of animal stories and reflections on how to view life through the lens of our love for the creatures that accompany us on the journey and how the animals we love mold who we are. The tales are poetically written and delightfully entertaining. This is a charming book for everyone.
May 6, 2026
Thank you Libro.FM and Recorded Books Inc for a copy of this ALC!
The author narrator this book himself and did a great job.
I did like hearing about the pets he grew up with. I just thought we’d have more stories about cats. Guess the title fooled me.
The author narrator this book himself and did a great job.
I did like hearing about the pets he grew up with. I just thought we’d have more stories about cats. Guess the title fooled me.
May 20, 2026
I love this SO much!! Pets bring so much joy and love to our lives with so little complication. This is definitely worth a read and a think.
Also, I wish my dog wrote haiku, but I don’t think Malteses are as bright as poodles.
Also, I wish my dog wrote haiku, but I don’t think Malteses are as bright as poodles.
May 7, 2026
Fun, funny, and heartwarming
May 9, 2026
3.5 - fun short stories about animals and how they affect our lives. A good pick me up.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews