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Skeeter: A Cat Tale
When a stray kitten romps into Lynne's life, she has no idea what she's getting into. As Lynne describes in letters to her friend Angie, Skeeter is all cat -- high-spirited, contrary, and inventive. He's so goofy that he reminds Lynne of her own nuttiest escapades; so irrepressible that even Lynne's neighbor, Mark, gets wound around his paw. And when Angie visits to see Skeeter for herself . . . . Well, no one who meets Skeeter will ever be quite the same again.
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Anne L. Watson, a retired historic preservation architecture consultant, is the author of several novels, plus books on such diverse subjects as soapmaking and baking with cookie molds. A former resident of San Pedro, California -- the setting of "Skeeter" -- Anne currently lives in Friday Harbor, Washington, with her husband and fellow author, Aaron Shepard, and one formerly-stray cat.
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SAMPLE
January 29, 2000
Dear Angie,
Skeeter is not entirely happy about the way we live. For example, he doesn't like my going to work. With more justification, he disapproves of some of my attitudes. Most of my experience with animals is with dogs. In a relationship with a pet, I elect myself pack leader. Cats are not pack animals. Skeeter, a democrat, considers us equals and resents my bumptious ways.
This is particularly true when it comes to food. I buy various kinds of food for Skeeter so he won't become too set on one type or flavor. I had a friend in high school whose cat, Sparkles, would eat nothing but Kitty Queen Tuna. No other brand would do, even people tuna. Kitty Queen Salmon would not do, either. My friend's family had Kitty Queen Tuna crises, when none could be found. "Did you try the all-night drugstore?" "We went there last time, remember? They don't have it." The cat probably would have starved before it ate anything else.
My friend's mother had a strange relationship with the cat. She believed Sparkles to be the reincarnation of her own mother, long deceased. So the cat ruled the household. I am not going down that road with Skeeter.
A gauntlet has been thrown, though, regarding turkey. Till last week, he ate it with obvious enjoyment. The two cans I've given him this week have gone untouched. Someone said it might be spoiled, that I should smell it. A longtime vegetarian, I think meat always smells spoiled, but I gave it a whiff. Disgusting, but not rancid. I won't buy it again, though, if he feels that way.
This morning he got beef, which he accepted. In fact, he made a pig of himself. After breakfast he returned to the bedroom, belching alarmingly.
"Would Monsieur like a potato with the steak next time?" I asked. "Perhaps a small glass of red wine?" Monsieur looked interested. "A salad?" No sale.
I think I'll continue being pack leader. Like all despots, I perpetuate Skeeter's servitude by monopolizing the means to freedom: the checkbook, the car keys, the can opener.
It's unfair that I should be the leader just because I'm bigger and smarter and have opposable thumbs. But it's going to stay that way as long as I can manage it. If Skeeter is the reincarnation of my mother, she can learn to eat what she's given.
Love,
Lynne
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Anne L. Watson, a retired historic preservation architecture consultant, is the author of several novels, plus books on such diverse subjects as soapmaking and baking with cookie molds. A former resident of San Pedro, California -- the setting of "Skeeter" -- Anne currently lives in Friday Harbor, Washington, with her husband and fellow author, Aaron Shepard, and one formerly-stray cat.
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SAMPLE
January 29, 2000
Dear Angie,
Skeeter is not entirely happy about the way we live. For example, he doesn't like my going to work. With more justification, he disapproves of some of my attitudes. Most of my experience with animals is with dogs. In a relationship with a pet, I elect myself pack leader. Cats are not pack animals. Skeeter, a democrat, considers us equals and resents my bumptious ways.
This is particularly true when it comes to food. I buy various kinds of food for Skeeter so he won't become too set on one type or flavor. I had a friend in high school whose cat, Sparkles, would eat nothing but Kitty Queen Tuna. No other brand would do, even people tuna. Kitty Queen Salmon would not do, either. My friend's family had Kitty Queen Tuna crises, when none could be found. "Did you try the all-night drugstore?" "We went there last time, remember? They don't have it." The cat probably would have starved before it ate anything else.
My friend's mother had a strange relationship with the cat. She believed Sparkles to be the reincarnation of her own mother, long deceased. So the cat ruled the household. I am not going down that road with Skeeter.
A gauntlet has been thrown, though, regarding turkey. Till last week, he ate it with obvious enjoyment. The two cans I've given him this week have gone untouched. Someone said it might be spoiled, that I should smell it. A longtime vegetarian, I think meat always smells spoiled, but I gave it a whiff. Disgusting, but not rancid. I won't buy it again, though, if he feels that way.
This morning he got beef, which he accepted. In fact, he made a pig of himself. After breakfast he returned to the bedroom, belching alarmingly.
"Would Monsieur like a potato with the steak next time?" I asked. "Perhaps a small glass of red wine?" Monsieur looked interested. "A salad?" No sale.
I think I'll continue being pack leader. Like all despots, I perpetuate Skeeter's servitude by monopolizing the means to freedom: the checkbook, the car keys, the can opener.
It's unfair that I should be the leader just because I'm bigger and smarter and have opposable thumbs. But it's going to stay that way as long as I can manage it. If Skeeter is the reincarnation of my mother, she can learn to eat what she's given.
Love,
Lynne
110 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2005
53 people are currently reading
272 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
January 7, 2020
Skeeter: A Cat Tale is a short book that is a series of letters that a girl named Lynne writes to her friend back in Chicago after she moves to Los Angeles and adopts Skeeter, a cat. It is flavored with humor, mostly talks about Skeeter's antics but also current events, a new boyfriend and bits of humor from her past. It was neither great or bad but somewhere in the middle.
October 17, 2017
Lynne acquires a stray kitten, whom she names Skeeter, and finds that he is quite a companion. This novella is epistolary. Lynne writes about Skeeter's antics to her friend Angie. I enjoyed this story.
March 6, 2019
A short but charming tale about the ways in which an obstinate but charming cat (and I've had a couple) can worm their way into your hearts. On occasion, the "cuteness" factor of the book can exceed the sugar-limit, but it can be overlooked because of Skeeter's actions. Fast, simple and uplifting story; we can all use those, right??
February 16, 2023
Sweet, short, charming little book. I enjoyed it as a break from all the complicated and heavy stuff I normally read and the utter anxiety invoking mess the world is in. It worked brilliantly to take my mind off of it all and just laugh a little. People giving 1 and 2 stars have no sense of humor.
September 26, 2017
Can you give less than 1 star? This book was not worth reading.
July 29, 2018
Fun book
Nice fun short tale. Interesting form all done in letters. Light read could be more in depth. I did enjoy it however.
Nice fun short tale. Interesting form all done in letters. Light read could be more in depth. I did enjoy it however.
September 19, 2024
too cute
I read this because I appreciate and love cats. The style is very funny and lighthearted. Very easy to read.
I read this because I appreciate and love cats. The style is very funny and lighthearted. Very easy to read.
November 8, 2014
This book was a really fast read... in the sense that I started skimming the book about a quarter of the way through so I could finish it and get it off my Kindle. And after reading it, I can understand why it was free.
Written in a series of letters, the author basically gives day-to-day updates of her life and the cat (Skeeter) to her friend. This was my first issue with the book - I literally had no idea who the author was writing to until I read some reviews of the book. Apparently, the person she was writing to was her friend, but I didn't see anything that explained that while I was reading it.
My next issue with the book - it's flat out boring. There's nothing extraordinary about the cat (though I'm sure the author thinks her cat is extraordinary). Are his antics cute? Sure. But they're basic cat things. And in the plethora of books about cats and their owners that's out there, honestly, there is nothing that makes this one stand out. You don't get to see the lasting impact on the author's life (if there is one). If anything, the cat just seems like a prop... something that the author looks at and goes, "Ooooo let me write about you." There just didn't seem to be any significant connection between the author and her cat (and if there was one, it wasn't apparent in the book).
Finally - the author calls this book "A Cat Tale," and while the cat is featured in pretty much every letter once you get roughly 10% into the book, more often than not, the cat seems to get mentioned in passing and then the author is off writing about something completely unrelated.
If this really was a cat tale, I'd be expecting a few things. First: the cat being the main subject/topic of the book. Second: show the lasting impact the cat had on your life. Finally: don't end the book suddenly and unexpectedly only a year into your time spent with the cat.
To wrap this up, the Amazon description was misleading, I understand why it was free, and I was very underwhelmed/disappointed when I read this book. This is probably the worst pet memoir I've ever read, and I would suggest other readers not waste their time reading this book (unless you want something to confuse you/put you to sleep).
Written in a series of letters, the author basically gives day-to-day updates of her life and the cat (Skeeter) to her friend. This was my first issue with the book - I literally had no idea who the author was writing to until I read some reviews of the book. Apparently, the person she was writing to was her friend, but I didn't see anything that explained that while I was reading it.
My next issue with the book - it's flat out boring. There's nothing extraordinary about the cat (though I'm sure the author thinks her cat is extraordinary). Are his antics cute? Sure. But they're basic cat things. And in the plethora of books about cats and their owners that's out there, honestly, there is nothing that makes this one stand out. You don't get to see the lasting impact on the author's life (if there is one). If anything, the cat just seems like a prop... something that the author looks at and goes, "Ooooo let me write about you." There just didn't seem to be any significant connection between the author and her cat (and if there was one, it wasn't apparent in the book).
Finally - the author calls this book "A Cat Tale," and while the cat is featured in pretty much every letter once you get roughly 10% into the book, more often than not, the cat seems to get mentioned in passing and then the author is off writing about something completely unrelated.
If this really was a cat tale, I'd be expecting a few things. First: the cat being the main subject/topic of the book. Second: show the lasting impact the cat had on your life. Finally: don't end the book suddenly and unexpectedly only a year into your time spent with the cat.
To wrap this up, the Amazon description was misleading, I understand why it was free, and I was very underwhelmed/disappointed when I read this book. This is probably the worst pet memoir I've ever read, and I would suggest other readers not waste their time reading this book (unless you want something to confuse you/put you to sleep).
July 9, 2012
I have little to say about this book, frankly because there's almost nothing to say.
Lynne moves to California and buys a cat. Because Skeeter is just as mischevious and stubborn as the vast majority of cats, she assumes her cat is the worst/best cat in the world. That's it, plot-wise. I know; it's surprisingly unsubstantial.
Amazon's summary was misleading, and for good reason. No one would read a book described as boring and flat-as-a-brick even if it was free. First of all, I assumed that this short story would be told from Skeeter's perspective. It's not. Secondly I assumed Skeeter would do something extraordinary, like unite an estranged family or cure a cancer patient. He doesn't. I assumed that the characters would have enough substance beyond barely-relevant memories to make the reader give half a fuck about them. They don't.
Skeeter doeqs what all cats do: pervasely disobey authority, cajole his owner for treats, and caterwaul. Yet somehow Amazon tells us that no one Skeeter meets will be the same and Lynne is convinced that he's Jesus Christ/ the anti-Christ. She wastes more paper complaining about Skeeter's SHOCKINGLY ORDINARY behavior than she does talking about her own damn life...ah, right, she doesn't have one.
And that brings me to our characters. Does Anne realize that books written as letters or diary entries have to have the most convincing characters of all? Lynne has perfect grammar and spelling, a voracious vocabulary, and good enough memory to remember exactly what everyone says days or hours afterwards. Seriously? It doesn't matter how many memories are peppered in, Lynne is as flat and unrealistic as any character could be.
This book is one of the worst I've read in a while. Luckily it's short and free.
Lynne moves to California and buys a cat. Because Skeeter is just as mischevious and stubborn as the vast majority of cats, she assumes her cat is the worst/best cat in the world. That's it, plot-wise. I know; it's surprisingly unsubstantial.
Amazon's summary was misleading, and for good reason. No one would read a book described as boring and flat-as-a-brick even if it was free. First of all, I assumed that this short story would be told from Skeeter's perspective. It's not. Secondly I assumed Skeeter would do something extraordinary, like unite an estranged family or cure a cancer patient. He doesn't. I assumed that the characters would have enough substance beyond barely-relevant memories to make the reader give half a fuck about them. They don't.
Skeeter doeqs what all cats do: pervasely disobey authority, cajole his owner for treats, and caterwaul. Yet somehow Amazon tells us that no one Skeeter meets will be the same and Lynne is convinced that he's Jesus Christ/ the anti-Christ. She wastes more paper complaining about Skeeter's SHOCKINGLY ORDINARY behavior than she does talking about her own damn life...ah, right, she doesn't have one.
And that brings me to our characters. Does Anne realize that books written as letters or diary entries have to have the most convincing characters of all? Lynne has perfect grammar and spelling, a voracious vocabulary, and good enough memory to remember exactly what everyone says days or hours afterwards. Seriously? It doesn't matter how many memories are peppered in, Lynne is as flat and unrealistic as any character could be.
This book is one of the worst I've read in a while. Luckily it's short and free.
November 28, 2011
This is a book I got on my Kindle for free several months ago. I like animal books and this one had fairly decent reviews so I decided to give it a try. I must have missed something because I was not that entertained with it.
This is the story of Skeeter...the cat, well sort of. The story is written through letter from Lynne (the owner of Skeeter) to her friend Angie in the span on 7 months. Pretty much most letters are a small antidote of what Skeeter did this time, followed by a more long-winded correlating story about her own life in the past or present. Some of the letters are cute and amusing but only some. All I kept thinking is if I received a letter every few days from my friend and every single one was filled with cat stories, especially after 7 months, I would ask her to refrain just a tad.
Anyone with cats are bound to relate to one or two of the cat antidotes, he does all your typical crazy cat antics. But overall I found myself somewhat annoyed and glad the book was fairly short and done with. On the plus side, this is one of those books with the animal doesn't die, so no tear-shed.
This is the story of Skeeter...the cat, well sort of. The story is written through letter from Lynne (the owner of Skeeter) to her friend Angie in the span on 7 months. Pretty much most letters are a small antidote of what Skeeter did this time, followed by a more long-winded correlating story about her own life in the past or present. Some of the letters are cute and amusing but only some. All I kept thinking is if I received a letter every few days from my friend and every single one was filled with cat stories, especially after 7 months, I would ask her to refrain just a tad.
Anyone with cats are bound to relate to one or two of the cat antidotes, he does all your typical crazy cat antics. But overall I found myself somewhat annoyed and glad the book was fairly short and done with. On the plus side, this is one of those books with the animal doesn't die, so no tear-shed.
January 7, 2012
Skeeter: A Cat Tale is a cute tale about a troublesome cat written in letter format. I liked this book, but it could have been so much more. The first few pages left me confused as to who Angie and Lynne were and why they were writing, but that became apparent after a few more page. There is a whole chapter devoted to Melissa, but we never find out much about her. The characters other than Skeeter are under developed. I did like how Lynne put little stories in her letters that related to something Skeeter was doing at the time. Skeeter's antics also made me laugh. I could definitely relate to them, having had a few cats that misbehaved. The book was cute and entertaining, but left me a little disappointed. It had so much more potential.
January 15, 2012
This wasn't so much a book, as it was a collection of letters written by the author to her friend after moving back to California. I expected the book to be about the cat since it's called "Skeeter: A Cat's Tale". Skeeter was more of a supporting cast member instead of the lead actor. It was a cute book nonetheless and it was nice to hear about his antics as told by his human.
I'm giving it 3 stars because of that. I didn't hate it, but I will probably forget this book before summer arrives. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick read - perfect for waiting rooms, and light reading for the poolside or beach.
The premise of the book sounds cute, but keep it away from the kids - this is a book for adults.
I'm giving it 3 stars because of that. I didn't hate it, but I will probably forget this book before summer arrives. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick read - perfect for waiting rooms, and light reading for the poolside or beach.
The premise of the book sounds cute, but keep it away from the kids - this is a book for adults.
December 28, 2015
I needed a light read, and this was one, but as much as I like animals, this really didn't do much for me. I thought about giving it 2.5 stars came and gave it 3. At least I didn't pay for it.
Lynne moves from Chicago back to Los Angeles and ends up getting Skeeter, a stray tabby kitten that her landlord has told her about. Skeeter's antics are told through a series of letters from Lynne to her friend, Angie (and then her sister Melissa), and that is basically all there is. Parts of this book were amusing, but it got a little old, and it seemed like the author was trying too hard to be funny but failing IMO.
Lynne moves from Chicago back to Los Angeles and ends up getting Skeeter, a stray tabby kitten that her landlord has told her about. Skeeter's antics are told through a series of letters from Lynne to her friend, Angie (and then her sister Melissa), and that is basically all there is. Parts of this book were amusing, but it got a little old, and it seemed like the author was trying too hard to be funny but failing IMO.
April 4, 2013
This is an extremely simple read about a woman who adopts a cat, who she names Skeeter. It is written in letter format so has a very simple writing styles where you only learn about Lynne, who is the narrator. Although not much happens, I enjoyed all the stories of Lynne's past which built her character a lot. All of the stories and letters relate in some way to Skeeter or past pets and although this was a little boring at points it was an okay read and I read it really fast as it only has 105 pages and large writing (in Kindle format). A good book to read if you love cats!
May 14, 2009
I grew up with cats and have a kitten since week. What Anne Watson tells us about Skeeter is a lot like what we live now with Whiskey. Just yesterday my husband was taking pictures and complained about all those pictures with just a tail, or some part of the cat, or nothing at all and it made me laugh, because it was exactly as in the letters.
My big complain is that it's too short, I wanted the book to be longer.
My big complain is that it's too short, I wanted the book to be longer.
December 7, 2012
This book is somewhat boring, but I did finish it. I can't figure out if the letters are actually based on letters between the author and her friend. The book would work better if the focus was more on the cat and not on the digressions (or focus on the digressions and not the cat or be more direct in showing how people and cats are similar). It's cute, maybe a child would enjoy it more than an adult.
April 9, 2013
I really enjoyed this book...The way the character talks about Skeeter the cat is the way in which a lot of cat owners and cat lovers refer to their beloved pets. The little stories of what Skeeter gets up to are cute, endearing and honest. Anne Watson is clearly a cat person.
The only reason it got three stars is because the ending was rushed and I would have liked a little more insight to Skeeter and seen more examples of how he 'touches' the lives of the people who meet him!
The only reason it got three stars is because the ending was rushed and I would have liked a little more insight to Skeeter and seen more examples of how he 'touches' the lives of the people who meet him!
July 21, 2014
I am borrowing my mom's kindle and reading some books that were on there already. I'm assuming this was the free kindle book... reminds me of my grandma telling me stories about her cat. Aside from the sentimental value I could see in this book, it's ultimately a story of a cat doing cat things, and his boring owner who finds it all worthy to document in letters to people we never meet. glad it was short because I didn't feel like I wasted my time!
September 13, 2009
Wonderful book about a woman who moves to California and as she develops a new life sh invites a kitten to join her on the journey! This Cosby-esk book about the trials and tribulations of daily living with a cat is beyond heart warming and FUNNY! The story is written as a series of letters to a friend- really makes the human experience look catty! ;)
August 10, 2011
A sweet novella in letters about a woman's move from Chicago to San Pedro and her misadventures with her cat, Skeeter. The novella ends on a hopeful note, but offers no real conclusion. So many animal story books end in the death of the animal - this one didn't. I like that Skeeter remains irrepressibly alive and well and ready for the next adventure.
April 5, 2013
This was a free kindle book and now I know why. Written in the epistolary style, this short story is rather boring. From the title one would think it would be told from the cat's POV but it isn't. Nothing really exciting happens just a telling of what a cat does on a day to day basis. I wouldn't recommend this one as it's not really worth wasting your time on.
January 1, 2012
I got this book free on my kindle. That's probably the whole reason I read it. It was pretty cute,but there didn't seem to have a true audience. There was swearing and adult references but the story was more childlike. The main character isn't really intelligent,a fact that bothered me. There also didn't seem to bra storyline or theme, just a lot of Lynnes memories.
June 13, 2013
When I first started reading this book I wasn't sure about it all being in letter form and kinda wished it wasn't all in letter form, but some of the entries were actually pretty funny and made me laugh. I probably wouldn't put it a the top list of favorite animal books but I gave the book 3 stars for the several laughs.
January 11, 2011
This was the perfect afternoon read. A fun distraction. I've had a few Skeeters in my life, so this really fit with me. I enjoyed it alot, totally brought a smile to my face. I'd recommend this for those looking for a nice easy distraction read.
July 5, 2010
A cute story about a cat, Skeeter who is adopted by Lynne when she has just moved in. The story is told in the form of letters that Lynne writes to her friend Angie. I highly recommend this.
The book was a gift from the author. Thank you Anne!
The book was a gift from the author. Thank you Anne!
July 20, 2011
Eh...all I have to say about this book. 2 stars because I'm feeling generous.
I'm bored with the book I'm reading and this has been on my Kindle for a long time. I'm nit a cat person but figured I'd give it a try.
I'm bored with the book I'm reading and this has been on my Kindle for a long time. I'm nit a cat person but figured I'd give it a try.
July 23, 2016
I got this book for free on my Kindle and enjoyed it well enough. I like cats and it was a sweet little story of the life of a cat and his owner. It didn't have much of a plot, just letters recapping scenarios. I enjoyed it while reading but it wasn't something that I will remember or reread.
March 14, 2013
It's a quick, light read. The story is in the form of letters to a friend by the author about life in general and the antics of her cat...which is similar to any other cat. Nothing original or substantial, but can't argue with a book that has a cat!
September 19, 2009
This was a free Kindle book and it just wasn't that interesting for me to finish it
Read
November 8, 2009truly awful
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews