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Cat Man #2
Talk to the Tail: Adventures in Cat Ownership and Beyond
Following on from Tom's life with six cats in UNDER THE PAW, he now picks up the story in TALK TO THE TAIL, updating readers on what has happened with his feline friends as well as looking back for more confessions about his animal-loving past.
Readers of Tom's previous book will be delighted to read what has happened to his six eccentric cats. Why does Janet keep bringing 1980s sweet wrappers into the house? Will 24-hour surveillance of The Bear, using a state-of-the-art cat GPS system, finally solve the mystery of his wanderlust? Tom also writes about his bumbling forays into the remainder of the animal kingdom. He attempts to overcome his crippling fear of horses with disastrous results, chase ostriches in Kenya, put his hand into a tiger's mouth for 0.9 seconds and he meets his 'alter-doggo' -- the spaniel Tom regularly walks who likes to roll around in dead animals. Where will it all end? Will he give in to temptation and get a dog, a goat or even more cats? With this soppy creature-obsessive, anything is possible.
Gerald Durrell has lots of family and other animals, but Tom Cox has MY ANIMALS AND OTHER FAMILY.
243 pages, Paperback
First published January 6, 2011
30 people are currently reading
653 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
April 28, 2017
Cat men and ladies , this is YOUR book!
For the love of fur balls that taught me how to love.
For the love of fur balls that taught me how to love.
February 16, 2020
Eh. It was hilarious at times, but long-winded and definitely not as funny in others. Felt like reading the author's blog at times, not a book.
August 3, 2016
I loved the first book Under the Paw: Confessions of a Cat Man it was hilarious and heart-warming to read, at the same time I also found myself agreeing with certain things the author was saying about his cats when thinking of my own cat.
However this book seemed to have lost it's way a bit, there was humour, but there was something lacking, it felt less about the cats and owners and more about the owner and the life he has outside his bubble of cats. It could have been me though thinking that, but I love the personalities that Ralph, The Bear, Janet, Bootsie and Pablo brought to the book, what we learn about them and then suddenly we are taken away from the cats to look at a new angle of horse riding? It wasn't even a little story, a little humour tale, but it was a full chapter's worth about horse riding.
My way of thinking about it, is the author was using the space to write about his relationship with his wife Dee, but in doing so he was making the book an autobiography of himself and at times not with the cats that were the focus and whole point of the book.
There was a few sad moments in there, one about Janet and another about a neighbour.
This book could have done better, though it did still have the humour of the last book, it wasn't as funny, however I will see what the latest book The Good, The Bad and The Furry: Life with the World's Most Melancholy Cat and Other Whiskery Friends is like, I have higher hopes for it.
However this book seemed to have lost it's way a bit, there was humour, but there was something lacking, it felt less about the cats and owners and more about the owner and the life he has outside his bubble of cats. It could have been me though thinking that, but I love the personalities that Ralph, The Bear, Janet, Bootsie and Pablo brought to the book, what we learn about them and then suddenly we are taken away from the cats to look at a new angle of horse riding? It wasn't even a little story, a little humour tale, but it was a full chapter's worth about horse riding.
My way of thinking about it, is the author was using the space to write about his relationship with his wife Dee, but in doing so he was making the book an autobiography of himself and at times not with the cats that were the focus and whole point of the book.
There was a few sad moments in there, one about Janet and another about a neighbour.
This book could have done better, though it did still have the humour of the last book, it wasn't as funny, however I will see what the latest book The Good, The Bad and The Furry: Life with the World's Most Melancholy Cat and Other Whiskery Friends is like, I have higher hopes for it.
February 1, 2015
This was another highly enjoyable memoir about his life 'under the paw' from Tom Cox. As the title and synopsis indicates in this second book he ventures out to experience other animals besides cats.
His insights are so spot on. Like me he has a cat with over-active thyroid so knows the struggle for getting the daily pills into cat and the chapter outlining the steps for this had me weeping with laughter.
A delightful memoir even though there are a few sad bits as is inevitable in this kind of memoir.
His insights are so spot on. Like me he has a cat with over-active thyroid so knows the struggle for getting the daily pills into cat and the chapter outlining the steps for this had me weeping with laughter.
A delightful memoir even though there are a few sad bits as is inevitable in this kind of memoir.
December 27, 2015
Sweet and poignant, especially due to Janet, but a little more disjointed and less cat oriented than the previous novel.
February 20, 2019
So my husband has this habit of taking a song and changing the words to make it relevant for us. So I did smirk to myself when I found Tom Cox does the same with the example of Phil Collins Easy Lover, changed to He’s a tabby lover/He’ll do a fart and you won’t hear it - might have to sing this to my tabby now !
I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the first, I know it says adventures in cat ownership and beyond but there wasn’t enough cat fot my liking. I did enjoy his escapades into horse riding as I ride myself and could just picture the character of the horse. Also his dad sounds like quite the character, just the sort of person you’d like to meet. As with the first book, I felt we were missing some pictures of his cats and other animals, but a fairly entertaining read.
I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the first, I know it says adventures in cat ownership and beyond but there wasn’t enough cat fot my liking. I did enjoy his escapades into horse riding as I ride myself and could just picture the character of the horse. Also his dad sounds like quite the character, just the sort of person you’d like to meet. As with the first book, I felt we were missing some pictures of his cats and other animals, but a fairly entertaining read.
July 27, 2017
A 3.5 really, it was a bit of a strange book at first as it appeared to ramble all over the place, however, once I got used to the style I enjoyed it a lot.
It's a mostly funny read, with some sad moments and fun observations about mostly cats, but also relationships with others (friends, family etc.) and the occasional perils of work! The author is the guy behind 'MY SAD CAT', which has been funny to follow in my Facebook feed.
It both reminded me of how much I would like a cat, but also of how much chaos they can create... perhaps a good thing to be reminded of since I cannot get a cat yet!
I will be looking out for other books he's written, as I want to read more.
It's a mostly funny read, with some sad moments and fun observations about mostly cats, but also relationships with others (friends, family etc.) and the occasional perils of work! The author is the guy behind 'MY SAD CAT', which has been funny to follow in my Facebook feed.
It both reminded me of how much I would like a cat, but also of how much chaos they can create... perhaps a good thing to be reminded of since I cannot get a cat yet!
I will be looking out for other books he's written, as I want to read more.
November 10, 2023
A fun little book on cat ownership. Not funny but amusing.
April 6, 2024
This book made me smile and occasionally even laugh out loud. Sorely needed that!
February 18, 2017
It's strange reading an autobiographical book when you have knowledge of what comes later, but it didn't detract from this amusingly written selection of recollections. With long chapters detailing particular events, some funny, some sad and short bits to dip into there is much to enjoy.
The stories about Tom's parents and childhood really appeals to me, but it is the cats he writes about with such affection that I love most. Writing about felines without being twee is an accomplishment in itself and Tom's style is very easy to get on with. A pleasure.
The stories about Tom's parents and childhood really appeals to me, but it is the cats he writes about with such affection that I love most. Writing about felines without being twee is an accomplishment in itself and Tom's style is very easy to get on with. A pleasure.
February 18, 2012
This is THE book for any animal lover! It's cute, it's funny and even bittersweet at parts, but the love the author feels for his six (yes, SIX) cats is truly heartwarming. We follow him through cat-fights, hairballs, dog walks and hilarious family members; also coming across tigers, sheep, bats and human animals.
There are ups and downs and happiness interspersed with sorrow, and even if some parts seem a bit flat or over the top, his wry, wacky and witty humour shines genuinely through. I found myself wishing the book would have been longer because as a cat owner myself and having gone through what the author has, I know that not even twelve books that size could possibly contain all the adventures and misadventures he writes about. What made the book enjoyable is the varied chapters and diary excerpts (and puns in the titles) because not even one was boring or slow. Oh, and I mustn't forget the cat language dictionary. I assure you-this is the only place where you can find cat swear words or names for the fur they leave around the house!
I also loved the way he sees his cats as persons-holding dialogues and arguments with them, making them perfect human characters, only a little hairier.
Even those who may profess themselves as cat haters will find this an endearing read.
Next on my to-read list? Tom Cox's first book-Under the Paw!!!
There are ups and downs and happiness interspersed with sorrow, and even if some parts seem a bit flat or over the top, his wry, wacky and witty humour shines genuinely through. I found myself wishing the book would have been longer because as a cat owner myself and having gone through what the author has, I know that not even twelve books that size could possibly contain all the adventures and misadventures he writes about. What made the book enjoyable is the varied chapters and diary excerpts (and puns in the titles) because not even one was boring or slow. Oh, and I mustn't forget the cat language dictionary. I assure you-this is the only place where you can find cat swear words or names for the fur they leave around the house!
I also loved the way he sees his cats as persons-holding dialogues and arguments with them, making them perfect human characters, only a little hairier.
Even those who may profess themselves as cat haters will find this an endearing read.
Next on my to-read list? Tom Cox's first book-Under the Paw!!!
December 11, 2012
This is the kind of book any cat lover and owner can relate to. If you've owned multiple cats, then you know how unique and individual each one is. Tom Cox describes each of his in such a funny light that I found myself laughing (with them, not at them, the last thing you'll ever do is laugh AT a cat) It's just a really great book! I love the way he writes, and I love his sense of humor. I love the cats, and now I'm going to go out and somehow find a copy of his first book this one was just that good. So highly recommend I can't even put it into words, and a definite five star book!
October 6, 2014
I didn't enjoy this as much as Under the Paw; it was more disjointed, reading more like a collection of columns. But that's still quite a lot of enjoyment, and I loved being reunited with Cox's feline family. Sentimental, touching, hilarious, gross and above all real tales from the cat-owning battlefield.
September 10, 2016
amusing, well written book, although not as much about cats as the first in the series, very enjoyable and laugh out loud funny. I like how the style of writing changes like how some of it is written from the cats point of view. Would recommend, even to people who aren't huge cat fans.
January 24, 2013
Tom regards his cats as individuals with personalities and quirks of their own. The author begins this book with six cats and a wife. The book ends with less of each but it never feels sad or depressing. Cox writes with a dry wry humor, similar to other British authors I adore.
November 11, 2013
This book will be loved by anyone who has, or has had, cats in their life. Not the whole book is about cats, but the other tales don't feel out of place. It's written in a friendly, candid, and often humourous way. It's a comfortable book to read, like a conversation with an old friend.
December 28, 2013
Another amusing, delightful book on Tom Cox's companions of the furry variety but this time he widens his subject to include others. the sections on his father and his exploits in Kenya are especially amusing.
Another enjoyable, light holiday read.
Another enjoyable, light holiday read.
January 22, 2018
This book made me want more cats. All the cats! But most importantly it reassured me that I’m not totally deranged for committing so much time and money to my elderly, diabetic, irritably-boweled mess-machine.
January 22, 2015
Some truly laugh out loud bits in this book - while the relationship side is dealt with through the cats. A few bits I didn't like, but on the whole it was great.
January 3, 2021
Why this book got so many high ratings, is beyond me. I had to struggle to get halfway, and then it took me 5 years or so, to make myself pick it up again and finish it.
I have 3 cats, and wish I had more. I love cats. So that's really not the issue.
The book is just all over the place. All of a sudden there are pages about horses (if I remember correctly, it was in the first half I read 5 years ago), or a loooong dull chapter about a dog he borrows and walks every week.
And then, out of the blue, he starts writing about a Rally race in Kenya?! Where did that even come from? And why is it in there? That's not about cats. Nor do I care to read about.
Long story short, I found it super dull, most of the time. And half of the time I had no idea how we came on the topic he was going on about (like that rally race?!).
It's nice that other people liked it. But I really didn't. It only got 2 stars, instead of 1, because I enjoyed some small bits about his cats, and the cat on the cover is very handsome.
I have 3 cats, and wish I had more. I love cats. So that's really not the issue.
The book is just all over the place. All of a sudden there are pages about horses (if I remember correctly, it was in the first half I read 5 years ago), or a loooong dull chapter about a dog he borrows and walks every week.
And then, out of the blue, he starts writing about a Rally race in Kenya?! Where did that even come from? And why is it in there? That's not about cats. Nor do I care to read about.
Long story short, I found it super dull, most of the time. And half of the time I had no idea how we came on the topic he was going on about (like that rally race?!).
It's nice that other people liked it. But I really didn't. It only got 2 stars, instead of 1, because I enjoyed some small bits about his cats, and the cat on the cover is very handsome.
November 24, 2017
I have not read Cox's previous cat book (called Under the Paw), so at first it was difficult to learn which cat is which colour (I e.g. thought The Bear was a tabby, but finally it was revealed that he was black). Nevertheless, the book is funny and entertaining enough, although Cox's complex writing style made it a little bit hard to follow.
My favourite part was this (about a friend's fat cat called Samson): In the time since then, Daniel has kept me up to date on [Samson's] progress. Though he has lost more weight, he's still big enough to be seen from space. That is to say: when Daniel logged onto Google Earth to look at the picture of his house, he noticed a large ginger spillage in the corner of the driveway clearly visible as Samson.
My favourite part was this (about a friend's fat cat called Samson): In the time since then, Daniel has kept me up to date on [Samson's] progress. Though he has lost more weight, he's still big enough to be seen from space. That is to say: when Daniel logged onto Google Earth to look at the picture of his house, he noticed a large ginger spillage in the corner of the driveway clearly visible as Samson.
February 8, 2021
So I'm a cat lover and I love reading about other people's cats and Tom's are no exception. He's had a number of cats over the years and their antics form the main stories of all of these books, however, these are interspersed with Tom's life, where he lives, the nature and countryside surrounding him and his moves from one place to another, with wonderful descriptions of the houses he's lived in. I love Tom's style of writing, it's fresh and original and very entertaining.
February 22, 2021
I kinda wish I'd read the cat books before I'd read the folk horror books cuz man, Cox really does give em little personalities and foibles to rival any of the human characters (they're certainly more human than many of the golfers from previous books).
It's all kinda slice of life until the (amicable) divorce at the end gives it a bit of a climax. I dunno, these books are just gentle bedtime reading.
It's all kinda slice of life until the (amicable) divorce at the end gives it a bit of a climax. I dunno, these books are just gentle bedtime reading.
June 29, 2017
Second instalment of Toms adventures with his cats, and we start to glean a little more about Tom himself as he opens up into his writing. It's still a book about cats, but it's also about self discovery and how he starts to find himself more through his writing. Not quite the finished product but close.
May 11, 2019
I really enjoyed reading this book. While not as cat oriented as the previous cat book by Tom Cox, it was still highly enjoyable for me. I could hardly put it down! While cat based books aren't for everyone, or cat based memoirs for that matter, his book is still quirky and fun for any cat man or lady.
October 31, 2019
Having read a lot of articles in The Cat (Cats Protection magazine), I felt sure that this would be an excellent book for me.
Slightly disappointed. At times it started to sound more like an overall autobiography rather than the expected humourous cat tales (or should that be tails?)
Slightly disappointed. At times it started to sound more like an overall autobiography rather than the expected humourous cat tales (or should that be tails?)
December 2, 2019
Read this book for some lovely parts about making friends with animals and funny people. But, I also appreciated Cox talking frankly about his
I loved the parts with his parents. They’re just so likable.
I loved the parts with his parents. They’re just so likable.
March 3, 2021
In which the author and his wife get divorced, and divide custody of the cats. Who knew then what social media would become, making Ralph, Shipley, and The Bear famous?
Points docked for use of the word “retarded;” 2011 seems a little late to be using it.
Points docked for use of the word “retarded;” 2011 seems a little late to be using it.
September 27, 2023
A collection of diary entries and short anecdotes, and not really very interesting ones. Three stars for being useful to avoid eye contact with a drunk stranger in the launderette. Its going back to the library unfinished though.
October 26, 2017
An enjoyable read but surprisingly not as cat orientated as the previous book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews