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The Astonishing Thing
In her inventive, sometimes bittersweet, ultimately uplifting debut, Sandi Ward draws readers into one extraordinary cat's quest to make sense of her world, illuminating the limits and mysterious depths of love . . .
Pet owners know that a cat's loyalty is not easily earned. Boo, a resourceful young feline with a keen eye and inquiring mind, has nonetheless grown intensely devoted to her human companion, Carrie. Several days ago, Carrie--or Mother, as Boo calls her--suddenly went away, leaving her family, including Boo, in disarray. Carrie's husband, Tommy, is distant and distracted even as he does his best to care for Boo's human siblings, especially baby Finn.
Boo worries about who will fill her food dish, and provide a warm lap to nestle into. More pressing still, she's trying to uncover the complicated truth about why Carrie left. Though frequently mystified by human behavior, Boo is sure that Carrie once cared passionately for Tommy and adores her children, even the non-feline ones. But she also sees it may not be enough to make things right. Perhaps only a cat--a wise, observant, very determined cat--can do that . . .
Wonderfully tender and insightful, The Astonishing Thing explores the intricacies of marriage and family through an unforgettable perspective at the center of it all.
"A beautiful and touching look into the intricacies of marriage and family life, all seen through the loving and unique perspective of the family pet."
--Modern Cat
Pet owners know that a cat's loyalty is not easily earned. Boo, a resourceful young feline with a keen eye and inquiring mind, has nonetheless grown intensely devoted to her human companion, Carrie. Several days ago, Carrie--or Mother, as Boo calls her--suddenly went away, leaving her family, including Boo, in disarray. Carrie's husband, Tommy, is distant and distracted even as he does his best to care for Boo's human siblings, especially baby Finn.
Boo worries about who will fill her food dish, and provide a warm lap to nestle into. More pressing still, she's trying to uncover the complicated truth about why Carrie left. Though frequently mystified by human behavior, Boo is sure that Carrie once cared passionately for Tommy and adores her children, even the non-feline ones. But she also sees it may not be enough to make things right. Perhaps only a cat--a wise, observant, very determined cat--can do that . . .
Wonderfully tender and insightful, The Astonishing Thing explores the intricacies of marriage and family through an unforgettable perspective at the center of it all.
"A beautiful and touching look into the intricacies of marriage and family life, all seen through the loving and unique perspective of the family pet."
--Modern Cat
304 pages, Paperback
First published October 31, 2017
158 people are currently reading
4303 people want to read
About the author
Sandi Ward
3 books196 followersSandi Ward is a native New Englander who now lives on the Jersey Shore with her husband, kids, dog and a big black cat named Winnie. She received her MA in Creative Writing from NYU, and is a copywriter at an advertising agency. Her novels include THE ASTONISHING THING, SOMETHING WORTH SAVING, and WHAT HOLDS US TOGETHER (Kensington Books).
Visit Sandi at: http://www.sandiwardbooks.com
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Visit Sandi at: http://www.sandiwardbooks.com
Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/sandiwardbooks/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews
December 24, 2017
Have you ever wondered what your family pet is thinking?
Don’t be deceived by the gorgeous cover of this book, or that the narrator of this story is a cat. Boo is an inquisitive and sensitive creature who loves her family, especially “Mother” with whom she shares a special bond. When “Mother” leaves soon after the arrival of baby Finn, we uncover the reason through Boo’s eyes.
Yes, this book is delightful and charming, and is interspersed with many moments of humour and hope. But underlying this, the book tackles many deep and complex issues. Very serious topics such as mental health, the breakdown of the family unit, physical impairment, fear, the meaning of forgiveness, and the deep need to belong and feel safe and loved.
Our pets are such an intrinsic part of the family unit, and Boo’s character shows how they also feel the turmoil that their families go through, when difficult events occur.
My review simply cannot do this book justice. Just read it, and be as swept away by Boo as I was 🐾
Don’t be deceived by the gorgeous cover of this book, or that the narrator of this story is a cat. Boo is an inquisitive and sensitive creature who loves her family, especially “Mother” with whom she shares a special bond. When “Mother” leaves soon after the arrival of baby Finn, we uncover the reason through Boo’s eyes.
Yes, this book is delightful and charming, and is interspersed with many moments of humour and hope. But underlying this, the book tackles many deep and complex issues. Very serious topics such as mental health, the breakdown of the family unit, physical impairment, fear, the meaning of forgiveness, and the deep need to belong and feel safe and loved.
Our pets are such an intrinsic part of the family unit, and Boo’s character shows how they also feel the turmoil that their families go through, when difficult events occur.
My review simply cannot do this book justice. Just read it, and be as swept away by Boo as I was 🐾
November 28, 2017
“A cat has absolute emotional honesty: human beings, for one reason or another, may hide their feelings, but a cat does not.”
----Ernest Hemingway
Sandi Ward, an American author, has penned a heart warming debut contemporary fiction called The Astonishing Thing that is centered around a regular family of four and with one pet cat and a pet dog, and this pet cat narrates the story of this family from her perspective and how suddenly the marriage of the husband and wife shakes the ground of each one, including the cat itself, and how the cat makes an effort to repair this family. A truly enlightening and refreshing tale told from the point of view of a pet female cat whose emotions run deeper than the roots.
Synopsis:
In her inventive, sometimes bittersweet, ultimately uplifting debut, Sandi Ward draws readers into one extraordinary cat's quest to make sense of her world, illuminating the limits and mysterious depths of love . . .
Pet owners know that a cat's loyalty is not easily earned. Boo, a resourceful young feline with a keen eye and inquiring mind, has nonetheless grown intensely devoted to her human companion, Carrie. Several days ago, Carrie--or Mother, as Boo calls her--suddenly went away, leaving her family, including Boo, in disarray. Carrie's husband, Tommy, is distant and distracted even as he does his best to care for Boo's human siblings, especially baby Finn.
Boo worries about who will fill her food dish, and provide a warm lap to nestle into. More pressing still, she's trying to uncover the complicated truth about why Carrie left. Though frequently mystified by human behavior, Boo is sure that Carrie once cared passionately for Tommy and adores her children, even the non-feline ones. But she also sees it may not be enough to make things right. Perhaps only a cat--a wise, observant, very determined cat--can do that . . .
Wonderfully tender and insightful, The Astonishing Thing explores the intricacies of marriage and family through an unforgettable perspective at the center of it all.
Boo is the female feline member of a family of four, with a mother, named Carrie, her man named, Tommy and Carrier's two children, who are brother and sister to Boo, also there's a "Not-a-cat" pet animal named Jasper, belonging to Boo's sister. Boo has a happy family and things run smoothly at her household, as he carefully observes and foretells the daily life of her four human family members. But one fine day, Boo's mother leaves the house all of a sudden with no information or anything and never comes back. And Carrie was the only one who loved Boo a lot and also cared for her. Now that she is gone, Boo once again observes the changing emotions in her fellow human family members, and how she tries hard to bring the mother back home or rather tries hard to figure out the reason why Carrie left the family.
The pet cat's observation of a failing marriage and mental illness of a human being is innocently yet vividly captured by the author. How cat who doesn't understand what is going on with the issues like divorce or depression has rightly depicted those troubles in a lighter or understandable manner that readers can easily hint on them. The best part of the book would be how this cat feels and perceives the emotions of her human counterparts so aptly, that even a human being fails to understand that. The cat's innocence and the light humor of her description of certain things and facts that are beyond her imagination or thought process often cracked me up and made me hug my own pet cat a li'l tighter.
The author's writing style is really beautiful and excellently laced with emotions that will touch the souls of the readers. The narrative is evocative and often hilarious, since a cat is narrating the story, in short, it is very, very refreshing to read about. The pacing is fast and smooth and there are quite a lot of intriguing factors that will keep the readers glued, since just like the cat, the readers too are anticipating impatiently about what is actually happening with the family and what is going to happen with this family. So the story will keep the clueless travelers engaged till the very last page, although some characters lacked concrete development and the end turned out to be bit cliched.
The characters lacked a bit of depth, even though told from the perspective of a cat, character development plays a key role in any novel, and without that, readers will fail to connect with them in an emotional or psychological level. The main character, Carrie is vaguely described like a painting, like whether she is suffering from depression or stress or whether she is mad at her husband or whether she is seeing someone else, everything is like a haze, hence Carrie is my least favorite character in the book, even though Carrie holds an important position in Boo's heart. Boo herself is a curious, observant and inquisitive cat and often helpful and thoughtful enough in her approaches, mostly she is painted as a mature cat. On the other hand, Tommy's portrayal is done with enough realism and the readers can relate with the stress, grief and pain this man is undergoing with due to his wife's absence from his life. The rest of the characters are also nicely etched out from reality and with honesty.
In a nutshell, this is an incredibly delightful, often funny and thoroughly captivating story told from the point-of-view of a female pet cat.
Verdict: An unusual yet a regular and compelling family drama dealing with mental illness and marital troubles told from a cat's voice.
Courtesy: Thanks to the author, Sandi Ward, herself for giving me an opportunity to read and review her book.
----Ernest Hemingway
Sandi Ward, an American author, has penned a heart warming debut contemporary fiction called The Astonishing Thing that is centered around a regular family of four and with one pet cat and a pet dog, and this pet cat narrates the story of this family from her perspective and how suddenly the marriage of the husband and wife shakes the ground of each one, including the cat itself, and how the cat makes an effort to repair this family. A truly enlightening and refreshing tale told from the point of view of a pet female cat whose emotions run deeper than the roots.
Synopsis:
In her inventive, sometimes bittersweet, ultimately uplifting debut, Sandi Ward draws readers into one extraordinary cat's quest to make sense of her world, illuminating the limits and mysterious depths of love . . .
Pet owners know that a cat's loyalty is not easily earned. Boo, a resourceful young feline with a keen eye and inquiring mind, has nonetheless grown intensely devoted to her human companion, Carrie. Several days ago, Carrie--or Mother, as Boo calls her--suddenly went away, leaving her family, including Boo, in disarray. Carrie's husband, Tommy, is distant and distracted even as he does his best to care for Boo's human siblings, especially baby Finn.
Boo worries about who will fill her food dish, and provide a warm lap to nestle into. More pressing still, she's trying to uncover the complicated truth about why Carrie left. Though frequently mystified by human behavior, Boo is sure that Carrie once cared passionately for Tommy and adores her children, even the non-feline ones. But she also sees it may not be enough to make things right. Perhaps only a cat--a wise, observant, very determined cat--can do that . . .
Wonderfully tender and insightful, The Astonishing Thing explores the intricacies of marriage and family through an unforgettable perspective at the center of it all.
Boo is the female feline member of a family of four, with a mother, named Carrie, her man named, Tommy and Carrier's two children, who are brother and sister to Boo, also there's a "Not-a-cat" pet animal named Jasper, belonging to Boo's sister. Boo has a happy family and things run smoothly at her household, as he carefully observes and foretells the daily life of her four human family members. But one fine day, Boo's mother leaves the house all of a sudden with no information or anything and never comes back. And Carrie was the only one who loved Boo a lot and also cared for her. Now that she is gone, Boo once again observes the changing emotions in her fellow human family members, and how she tries hard to bring the mother back home or rather tries hard to figure out the reason why Carrie left the family.
The pet cat's observation of a failing marriage and mental illness of a human being is innocently yet vividly captured by the author. How cat who doesn't understand what is going on with the issues like divorce or depression has rightly depicted those troubles in a lighter or understandable manner that readers can easily hint on them. The best part of the book would be how this cat feels and perceives the emotions of her human counterparts so aptly, that even a human being fails to understand that. The cat's innocence and the light humor of her description of certain things and facts that are beyond her imagination or thought process often cracked me up and made me hug my own pet cat a li'l tighter.
The author's writing style is really beautiful and excellently laced with emotions that will touch the souls of the readers. The narrative is evocative and often hilarious, since a cat is narrating the story, in short, it is very, very refreshing to read about. The pacing is fast and smooth and there are quite a lot of intriguing factors that will keep the readers glued, since just like the cat, the readers too are anticipating impatiently about what is actually happening with the family and what is going to happen with this family. So the story will keep the clueless travelers engaged till the very last page, although some characters lacked concrete development and the end turned out to be bit cliched.
The characters lacked a bit of depth, even though told from the perspective of a cat, character development plays a key role in any novel, and without that, readers will fail to connect with them in an emotional or psychological level. The main character, Carrie is vaguely described like a painting, like whether she is suffering from depression or stress or whether she is mad at her husband or whether she is seeing someone else, everything is like a haze, hence Carrie is my least favorite character in the book, even though Carrie holds an important position in Boo's heart. Boo herself is a curious, observant and inquisitive cat and often helpful and thoughtful enough in her approaches, mostly she is painted as a mature cat. On the other hand, Tommy's portrayal is done with enough realism and the readers can relate with the stress, grief and pain this man is undergoing with due to his wife's absence from his life. The rest of the characters are also nicely etched out from reality and with honesty.
In a nutshell, this is an incredibly delightful, often funny and thoroughly captivating story told from the point-of-view of a female pet cat.
Verdict: An unusual yet a regular and compelling family drama dealing with mental illness and marital troubles told from a cat's voice.
Courtesy: Thanks to the author, Sandi Ward, herself for giving me an opportunity to read and review her book.
September 24, 2017
This book had me all sorts of curious, as I've never read a book from a POV of a cat (or non human) before, and I really enjoyed my time with Boo (or Fat Fat, or her many other names). The book surprised me in a lot of ways, being both straightforward, yet complex -- serious, yet funny -- and unique, yet familiar. It's a quick read with a charming perspective that I definitely recommend!
November 22, 2017
Well, if there is a cat on a cover my ACB (automatic cat buy) is triggered. Sometimes this causes problems cause not enough cat time is included in the story and this can lead to EPIC ranty moments.
I hate that.
However, I am delighted to say that not enough cat time is NOT an issue with this book. It is AAALLL about the cat - Boo, who is adorable and if she ever wanted to move, my house is a Catopia with catnip all the time - practically an inter-catlactic kegger 24/7. But the story isn't bad either
Boo's person left her, and the rest of the family and Boo has to try and make sense of it all and help the shattered family find a way to move on forward. Which does happen, tho the road forward is not easy and there are bumps and potholes along the way.
Essentially the wife was bi-polar and her medication was withheld from her during pregnancy. This did NOT go well and eventually the wife left, got some help and got a new man that was not her husband. The baby, Finn, was born deaf and things just went downhill for a while until everyone regrouped.
So we have a husband, two older children and a baby and a cat and a not-a-cat (really the dog,) an estranged wife who is finding a new life and Boo has to try and figure out what her cat staff is up to and why they are acting so weird.
Sometimes it is really hard to herd those humans, but Boo does an excellent job and her voice is all that one could wish for when hearing about things from the Cat perspective. I enjoyed this book, Boo gets 3.5 stars and probably should get five, but the parents in the situation were kinda whacked. I liked the kids tho and the other assorted cat staff and so they got to share some of the stars cause the story kept me turning the pages.
It ends happily enough, for those who need that. But as we all know life is uncertain , while the destination is not and it makes a bittersweet ending. Tho nobody is moving to another plane of existence at the end, just growing into a new stage of life and the main couple ends up divorced.
Boo is happy, that is what really counts and if it is all good with Boo, then I am calling it a win and saying you should read this book if you like cats who convince humans to finally get themselves together and dole out the cat treats properly.
I hate that.
However, I am delighted to say that not enough cat time is NOT an issue with this book. It is AAALLL about the cat - Boo, who is adorable and if she ever wanted to move, my house is a Catopia with catnip all the time - practically an inter-catlactic kegger 24/7. But the story isn't bad either
Boo's person left her, and the rest of the family and Boo has to try and make sense of it all and help the shattered family find a way to move on forward. Which does happen, tho the road forward is not easy and there are bumps and potholes along the way.
Essentially the wife was bi-polar and her medication was withheld from her during pregnancy. This did NOT go well and eventually the wife left, got some help and got a new man that was not her husband. The baby, Finn, was born deaf and things just went downhill for a while until everyone regrouped.
So we have a husband, two older children and a baby and a cat and a not-a-cat (really the dog,) an estranged wife who is finding a new life and Boo has to try and figure out what her cat staff is up to and why they are acting so weird.
Sometimes it is really hard to herd those humans, but Boo does an excellent job and her voice is all that one could wish for when hearing about things from the Cat perspective. I enjoyed this book, Boo gets 3.5 stars and probably should get five, but the parents in the situation were kinda whacked. I liked the kids tho and the other assorted cat staff and so they got to share some of the stars cause the story kept me turning the pages.
It ends happily enough, for those who need that. But as we all know life is uncertain , while the destination is not and it makes a bittersweet ending. Tho nobody is moving to another plane of existence at the end, just growing into a new stage of life and the main couple ends up divorced.
Boo is happy, that is what really counts and if it is all good with Boo, then I am calling it a win and saying you should read this book if you like cats who convince humans to finally get themselves together and dole out the cat treats properly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2017
I LOVE THIS BOOK. Boo's voice, as she tells about the brokenness of her family and her desperation to help them pick up the shattered pieces, is endearing, irresistible, sometimes painful, and unforgettable. She has curled up and nestled herself into a permanent place in my heart. Her perspective is so innocent and devoted, yet she lacks understanding, so you are enticed to join Boo's search for answers and to love and protect Boo and her family the way she knows they deserve. As her family clings together in their brokenness, Boo believes it is her responsibility to help them find healing...a daunting undertaking for the smallest member of the family. Sandi Ward's writing will enrapture you, pull you in by the heart, and insist you become part of her story. THE ASTONISHING THING easily earns a spot on my favorite books shelf. I was privileged to receive an advance review copy of THE ASTONISHING THING from the publisher, which in no way influenced my honest opinion of this delightful book.
January 12, 2018
3.75 stars Thanks to author Sandi Ward and Kensington books for a chance to read this ARC.
An out of the ordinary story told by a very unconventional narrator - the family cat, Boo.
Shortly after the birth of their third child Tommy and Carrie begin to do a lot of fighting. Their teenage children, Mary and Jimmy, are left to tend to Finn, the baby. As the family falls apart the cat tries to make sense of what is happening. Boo's love for Carrie makes it hard to see from anyone else's point of view. The next thing Boo knows, Carrie is gone. Boo does not understand. Doesn't Carrie love her anymore, has Carrie been hurt, is Carrie dead, where has she gone?
Mental illness is explored throughout this novel. Boo, the cat, silently watches the interaction of the immediate family, Finn's therapist and varying other friends and family. She relates the story to us through her thoughts. This story not only watches as a family is torn apart, but also acknowledges that life can, and will, go on.
An out of the ordinary story told by a very unconventional narrator - the family cat, Boo.
Shortly after the birth of their third child Tommy and Carrie begin to do a lot of fighting. Their teenage children, Mary and Jimmy, are left to tend to Finn, the baby. As the family falls apart the cat tries to make sense of what is happening. Boo's love for Carrie makes it hard to see from anyone else's point of view. The next thing Boo knows, Carrie is gone. Boo does not understand. Doesn't Carrie love her anymore, has Carrie been hurt, is Carrie dead, where has she gone?
Mental illness is explored throughout this novel. Boo, the cat, silently watches the interaction of the immediate family, Finn's therapist and varying other friends and family. She relates the story to us through her thoughts. This story not only watches as a family is torn apart, but also acknowledges that life can, and will, go on.
May 14, 2017
The Astonishing Thing takes a unique perspective on a family's drama. Narrated by Boo, the family cat, the story is filtered through a level of innocence and questioning that I found really touching. At first, this feels like a mystery as clues become available to make sense of the world around us, much like the cat, trying to understand why everything has suddenly changed and what it means to each of the people she loves. But over time, the cat becomes wiser and more perceptive, and this seems to mirror the growth that comes with the family she lives with. It's such an interesting twist on narration, as Boo is somehow both distant from the events she's observing, but also emotionally enmeshed. The result is a blend of humor, empathy, and real love. I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves cats, unique narrative techniques, or well-told contemporary novels.
May 27, 2017
This is an incredibly sweet and charming novel--but it doesn't shy away from difficult subject matter, either. In classic feline form, Boo's voice had me smiling at her wry observations and self-awareness. I love that the dog is referred to as Not a Cat. I love that Boo points out that the eldest human son is "incapable of fixing his own meals"--followed by: "As am I. So I am sympathetic." And I love that the novel doesn't stoop to the quick-and-easy resolution, that it makes space for complexity and evolution.
December 3, 2021
I truly enjoyed this story told from Boo the cat’s standpoint as she witnesses her family, and especially ‘Mother’ AKA Carrie, going through life’s trials, fighting, and trying to find a better way for themselves. Of course, Boo doesn’t totally understand why Carrie has left home but she’s finding out that maybe Tommy, Carrie’s husband, isn’t quite as bad as she thought. Boo is just so sweet and innocent and just doesn’t know what’s going on or why things seem to be going bad at home. Since the story is only from Boo’s POV we aren’t totally sure what’s happening either at first. As things start to happen the reader can see that there is a lot of pain in the family. Depression and mental health issues are at the heart of the family’s fracturing and we the reader understand this even as Boo is struggling to figure things out and find out why Carrie, his beloved Mother, has left. This story is sweet and sad, and had moments of joy and happiness and overall, I just want to hold Boo close to my heart and let her know that even though everything is changing, it’s going to be ok. Highly recommended.
Received via Netgalley
Received via Netgalley
April 29, 2017
Both charming and thought-provoking, The Astonishing Thing delves into complex family relationships and mental illness. Narrated by the opinionated family cat, Boo, the novel follows one family's path from broken to healing.
When "Mother" first leaves, Boo is confused and hurt. As time progresses, she begins to fit the puzzles pieces together of exactly why Mother left, and her feelings of abandonment evolve to those of compassion and understanding.
The novel touches on some very heavy topics, such as divorce, abuse, and egregious judgment errors. However, Boo's endearing voice is a salve for the reader, and Ward's command of balancing comedy with drama shapes the novel's tone into something both unique and inspiring.
People who like THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN will enjoy this unusual take on a family in crisis. You'll be rooting for Boo, and each of her family members, to live their most healthy and happy lives. I know I certainly did.
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
When "Mother" first leaves, Boo is confused and hurt. As time progresses, she begins to fit the puzzles pieces together of exactly why Mother left, and her feelings of abandonment evolve to those of compassion and understanding.
The novel touches on some very heavy topics, such as divorce, abuse, and egregious judgment errors. However, Boo's endearing voice is a salve for the reader, and Ward's command of balancing comedy with drama shapes the novel's tone into something both unique and inspiring.
People who like THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN will enjoy this unusual take on a family in crisis. You'll be rooting for Boo, and each of her family members, to live their most healthy and happy lives. I know I certainly did.
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
May 19, 2017
I was dubious about the idea of a family in distress narrated by the home's cat, but Sandi Ward makes it work. The cat, Boo, has a partial and self-interested view of what's going on, much as a child would, yet is also a keen-eyed and loving member of the family, struggling to make sense of puzzling events, both those that unfold in the course of the story and those recalled from a time before the action began, gradually understood in a new way. In tone it's sweet, yet not cloying; it does not pull out all the sentimental stops in the manner of that best-selling tear-jerker narrated by the family dog, The Art of Racing in the Rain (not a favorite of mine). It is a deeply odd, original, and heartfelt story.
April 25, 2017
The Astonishing Thing is a stunning debut told from the endearing voice of the feline narrator-Boo. Masterful in its telling, and weaving a complex story about mental illness, the complexities of love, and finding hope when all seems lost, this story will break your heart, and put in back together page by page.
July 30, 2018
I wanted to love this.
I had hoped to love this.
So far i read two books from the perspective of dogs and LOVED them.
Its so nice if an author manages to actually put the reader inside the animals head and make us see the perspective of our furry little companions/babies.
So i was very excited to see this book from the perspective of a cat.
Who does not want to know what cats think? (the answer is that EVERYBODY wants to know that, by the way!)
Sadly this book was just not that great.
I think the biggest issue with this was that it was too long and in the end of the book in a little interview thingy, the author herself ways that this book was a lot shorter at first but she kept adding to it to make it a "whole novel" (or something similar, not a direct quote here!)
I only mention this because i think you can really notice exactly that!
This book feels stretched, it feels filled in and as if things where added to make it longer.
And i really don't like it when i while i read notice very clearly that some sections read and feel different than others and are clearly only there to fill pages.
I do like the idea of seeing a mental illness in "humans" through a pets eyes.
thats unique. thats different and not something i ever seen in a book (i am sure there are some out there though, i am guessing)
But there are so many moments that made no sense to me in the book.
Why is there "another woman" in the book that leaves just as fast as she appears into it.
Why would a husband that clearly has a wife he still loves and want to take care of even though he is clearly over is head with the situation and her illness try to "get it on" with a girlfriend on the side?
Made NO sense to me. Especially when he has two older kids and a baby to take care of at the same time.
I am not sure if it made no sense to me at all because we never got an explanation since we are told this from the point of view of the cat that clearly doesn't get why there is another woman.
But those sections felt sloppy and unnecessary.
There are more than a handful of those moments sprinkled throughout the book that i just didn't understand that made those sections that i really enjoyed -the sections between "mommy" and the cat- that were also clearly the cat's favourite moments and so cute, no longer feel as great because of all the other things that just were not nearly as nicely done.
All in all it was a beautiful idea and had some cute little moments but overall it was way to long.
this should have been a novella short of length, and maybe than it would have been a beautiful read from start to finished.
Sadly as it is, it didn't work for me.
*Thanks to NetGalley.com for providing me with a free e-copy of this book in exchange for a free on honest review!*
I had hoped to love this.
So far i read two books from the perspective of dogs and LOVED them.
Its so nice if an author manages to actually put the reader inside the animals head and make us see the perspective of our furry little companions/babies.
So i was very excited to see this book from the perspective of a cat.
Who does not want to know what cats think? (the answer is that EVERYBODY wants to know that, by the way!)
Sadly this book was just not that great.
I think the biggest issue with this was that it was too long and in the end of the book in a little interview thingy, the author herself ways that this book was a lot shorter at first but she kept adding to it to make it a "whole novel" (or something similar, not a direct quote here!)
I only mention this because i think you can really notice exactly that!
This book feels stretched, it feels filled in and as if things where added to make it longer.
And i really don't like it when i while i read notice very clearly that some sections read and feel different than others and are clearly only there to fill pages.
I do like the idea of seeing a mental illness in "humans" through a pets eyes.
thats unique. thats different and not something i ever seen in a book (i am sure there are some out there though, i am guessing)
But there are so many moments that made no sense to me in the book.
Why is there "another woman" in the book that leaves just as fast as she appears into it.
Why would a husband that clearly has a wife he still loves and want to take care of even though he is clearly over is head with the situation and her illness try to "get it on" with a girlfriend on the side?
Made NO sense to me. Especially when he has two older kids and a baby to take care of at the same time.
I am not sure if it made no sense to me at all because we never got an explanation since we are told this from the point of view of the cat that clearly doesn't get why there is another woman.
But those sections felt sloppy and unnecessary.
There are more than a handful of those moments sprinkled throughout the book that i just didn't understand that made those sections that i really enjoyed -the sections between "mommy" and the cat- that were also clearly the cat's favourite moments and so cute, no longer feel as great because of all the other things that just were not nearly as nicely done.
All in all it was a beautiful idea and had some cute little moments but overall it was way to long.
this should have been a novella short of length, and maybe than it would have been a beautiful read from start to finished.
Sadly as it is, it didn't work for me.
*Thanks to NetGalley.com for providing me with a free e-copy of this book in exchange for a free on honest review!*
June 19, 2017
I was given an ARC of The Astonishing Thing, which is narrated by a cat named Boo. I loved THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN, narrated by a dog, so gave this book a shot. I found Boo to be a funny, charming, and though distant as a cat can be, full-on-empathetic member of a family that is in distress. The book touches on some of the darker turns in life, such as mental illness which is difficult to understand for Boo, and divorce which creates divides that like a child, a cat has a hard time figuring out. Though the cat’s personality and insights are so unsparing that it pulled me though this rich novel. I kept stopping in my reading and asking how the author found so many creative ways to look at the world through a cat’s POV. Boo makes me look at my own cat in a whole new light. The author also makes me look at surprising narrative choices as a new go to for enjoyable reading. I recommend this one for sure!
May 5, 2017
I’m always appreciative of writing that takes chances and dares to be different. Kudos to Sandi Ward for being that kind of writer with her debut, The Astonishing Thing. This novel’s unique narrator, the family cat, shows us that sometimes it takes an unexpected witness to see our lives in a whole new perspective. Anyone who’s ever owned or known a cat would not be surprised that Boo is opinionated and discerning to a fault. As she begins to understand her mother’s illness and family’s struggles, she moves beyond judgement to find acceptance and belonging. There are lessons here for everyone, about sacrifice, starting over, and seeing the hero in those we too often overlook. A fun and fantastic read.
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
May 22, 2017
Sandi Ward’s novel, The Astonishing Thing, is a sometimes funny, often poignant story told through the perspective of the family cat. This unique narrator is utterly convincing and full of charm.
Boo observes her humans with a keen and objective eye, as her family is broken and then put back together in new ways. You’ll come to know all of the characters deeply and want the best for them.
This tender, charming novel is a true pleasure and worthy of your time and attention. If you can read just one book this year, this would be an excellent choice.
Boo observes her humans with a keen and objective eye, as her family is broken and then put back together in new ways. You’ll come to know all of the characters deeply and want the best for them.
This tender, charming novel is a true pleasure and worthy of your time and attention. If you can read just one book this year, this would be an excellent choice.
January 10, 2018
Okay, on one hand, of course this was cute. It's a story about a family and its dysfunction, told by the family cat, Boo. Going into a book with this description, you expect it to be cute and sweet. A story told through the perspective of a cat? I'm in! And there were absolutely times when this story lived up to that cuteness potential. But other times, unfortunately, it felt too heavy and dreary to be told in such a "cutesy" format. For the most part, despite loving the cat element, the story itself just didn't really work, in my opinion.
I'll freely admit that I'm bumping this review up to 3 stars because I loved Boo. She is such a sweet member of the family - best friends with "Mother", and simply coexisting with the other family members: "Man", "Brother", "Sister", and "Not a Cat" (dog, Jasper). She's adorable, and her descriptions of life in their quaint home are so charming. This cat loves to eat and snuggle, and she's absolutely in love with "Mother".
When "Mother" leaves one day, and it's clear she's gone for good, Boo wonders why. Why has life so suddenly changed? Why has the family (herself included) been abandoned? How can she figure out what's happened, and how will she continue to be fed on time? Where will she sleep? Who will she snuggle with? Why is she suddenly drawn more towards "Man", whom she's beginning to consider "Father"?
It's an interesting concept, and like I said, cute. But this story dives deep into some dark stuff - surprisingly darker than I ever would have imagined. This is a story about mental illness, broken family relationships, and forgiveness. It's really not that lighthearted at all, except for the narrator, and I just don't think that worked very smoothly. I ended up closing this book with a frown, and that says a lot.
Of course, there are issues with the narration too. Boo is a cat, after all. She should not be nearly as analytical as she is, or perceptive of her world and the humans around her. Sure, it could be argued that we don't necessarily KNOW what our cats are picking up on or noticing around them, or what their depth of emotional connection is... but this was just veeeerrrryyy far-fetched. Boo reads more like a human, who occasionally licks her paws or climbs into a human's lap, reminding us that she's actually a cat. Her analysis and description is, for the most part, just too human-like.
And on that note I'll admit, this wouldn't be much of a story WITHOUT that level of analysis. If it were simply told from a more realistic perspective of a family cat, I can't imagine there'd be a whole lot of plot. So I get why the author wrote it this way. I just think it was maybe too much of a challenge, too large a leap. I'll stick with my 3-star rating because I'm a die-hard cat fan and I did love Boo. But I'm just not so sure about the rest of it...
I'll freely admit that I'm bumping this review up to 3 stars because I loved Boo. She is such a sweet member of the family - best friends with "Mother", and simply coexisting with the other family members: "Man", "Brother", "Sister", and "Not a Cat" (dog, Jasper). She's adorable, and her descriptions of life in their quaint home are so charming. This cat loves to eat and snuggle, and she's absolutely in love with "Mother".
When "Mother" leaves one day, and it's clear she's gone for good, Boo wonders why. Why has life so suddenly changed? Why has the family (herself included) been abandoned? How can she figure out what's happened, and how will she continue to be fed on time? Where will she sleep? Who will she snuggle with? Why is she suddenly drawn more towards "Man", whom she's beginning to consider "Father"?
It's an interesting concept, and like I said, cute. But this story dives deep into some dark stuff - surprisingly darker than I ever would have imagined. This is a story about mental illness, broken family relationships, and forgiveness. It's really not that lighthearted at all, except for the narrator, and I just don't think that worked very smoothly. I ended up closing this book with a frown, and that says a lot.
Of course, there are issues with the narration too. Boo is a cat, after all. She should not be nearly as analytical as she is, or perceptive of her world and the humans around her. Sure, it could be argued that we don't necessarily KNOW what our cats are picking up on or noticing around them, or what their depth of emotional connection is... but this was just veeeerrrryyy far-fetched. Boo reads more like a human, who occasionally licks her paws or climbs into a human's lap, reminding us that she's actually a cat. Her analysis and description is, for the most part, just too human-like.
And on that note I'll admit, this wouldn't be much of a story WITHOUT that level of analysis. If it were simply told from a more realistic perspective of a family cat, I can't imagine there'd be a whole lot of plot. So I get why the author wrote it this way. I just think it was maybe too much of a challenge, too large a leap. I'll stick with my 3-star rating because I'm a die-hard cat fan and I did love Boo. But I'm just not so sure about the rest of it...
April 21, 2018
After being contacted by this author and reading the synopsis, I knew this was a must read for me. Who wouldn’t love a story written in a family pet’s perspective, especially a cat? I read A Dog’s Purpose and it hit me so hard, and I expected to shed some tears while reading this one as well. I wasn’t disappointed that’s for sure.
I found Boo an amazing narrator! I laughed, cried, and did a little of whatever you call the in-between. In my mind I always knew cat’s as curious and intelligent parts of our family, and Boo was no exception. I absolutely loved seeing the story unfold through her eyes. She had this way of understanding almost better than I think I would in her family’s situation. Boo just wanted everything to be “right” again with her family, but sometimes her “right” isn’t what happens, but she learns that it’s OK.
If you have any hesitancy picking this one up, please don’t. It was so well written and just a bittersweet book, that bring forth all of your emotions. The topics of mental health and abandonment (just to name a few) were handled with grace and seriousness. This is such a unique, lovely story!
I found Boo an amazing narrator! I laughed, cried, and did a little of whatever you call the in-between. In my mind I always knew cat’s as curious and intelligent parts of our family, and Boo was no exception. I absolutely loved seeing the story unfold through her eyes. She had this way of understanding almost better than I think I would in her family’s situation. Boo just wanted everything to be “right” again with her family, but sometimes her “right” isn’t what happens, but she learns that it’s OK.
If you have any hesitancy picking this one up, please don’t. It was so well written and just a bittersweet book, that bring forth all of your emotions. The topics of mental health and abandonment (just to name a few) were handled with grace and seriousness. This is such a unique, lovely story!
March 7, 2019
Sandi Ward so immersed me in this story's charming perspective -- which somehow manages to portray events and characters in a way that is simultaneously naive and astute -- that I have to wonder if she lived a previous life as a cat. The Astonishing Thing offers a sweet, original look at family dynamics, mental illness, forgiveness and love. (Many thanks to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read and review early.)
December 31, 2017
My goodness what a great book. I am already looking forward to the next book from this wonderful author.
I absolutely love books written from the POV of an animal and this one certainly did not disappoint. Here we have the cat named Boo who observes everything that happens in the family. As the story opens there is a husband and wife, two teenagers and a newborn baby, plus a small dog. The wife is unhappy and seemingly is falling into a very low point.
With Boo writing this book we get a different perspective on how things that we do appear to our pets. The story goes through many phases including mental illness, child abuse and single parenthood.
Trying to not put spoilers in here is a bit difficult because I really want to tell everyone about this book.
An excellent read.
I absolutely love books written from the POV of an animal and this one certainly did not disappoint. Here we have the cat named Boo who observes everything that happens in the family. As the story opens there is a husband and wife, two teenagers and a newborn baby, plus a small dog. The wife is unhappy and seemingly is falling into a very low point.
With Boo writing this book we get a different perspective on how things that we do appear to our pets. The story goes through many phases including mental illness, child abuse and single parenthood.
Trying to not put spoilers in here is a bit difficult because I really want to tell everyone about this book.
An excellent read.
October 22, 2017
Wait! Come back! Yes, it's narrated by a cat, which has the potential to go oh so wrong but here's the thing, this is a wonderful novel of a family in crisis. Sometimes the unexpected quiet one is the individual who knows the most and that's true here, where Boo the cat knows and worries about all sorts of things her human family might not see. I was surprised at how much I liked this book, which is carefully written and never descends into the twee. What went wrong for Carrie and where has she gone? What's Tommy going to do- how does he deal with the kids and how does he relate to Boo and Not A Cat? Ward addresses a number of challenging issues, all thoughtful and with clear eyes. This left me wondering how my own cats view us. Thanks to Netgalley for the ArC. Try this one for a different take on a domestic novel.
October 31, 2017
I'm a sucker for animal stories and The Astonishing Thing seemed to offer one with an unusual perspective where the cat, Boo, not only narrates the book, but tried to solve the mystery of what happened to the mother and why. While I enjoyed the book, I just didn't love it the way I was hoping to.
Thanks to netgalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to netgalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 2, 2020
4.5739612/5 stars
”When the afternoon sun comes through the front window and makes a bright square on the floor, I lie down, spread out my fat stomach, and purr.
Yes, life is short.
My life will be the shortest of all, but such is life for a cat.”
I’ve literally always wondered what my cat is thinking. I mean, who hasn’t? I’ve always wanted to spend the day in the mind of my cat or wished that she was able to speak English so I could understand her better😂 The Astonishing Thing did such a great job of portraying what a cat actually feels like, what they do during the day when their owners are gone, and what they’re actually thinking. This book was so good, funny, and cute. It was really entertaining to read this story from Boo’s point of view. Boo is the name of the kitty. Furthermore, the plot was very engaging and heartwarming (at some parts, most kind of sad though, so I don’t know why I wrote “heartwarming”) The cat POV was so amazing and I’m really excited to read some of Sandy Ward’s other books to see if they and the cat POVs are just as good.
Highly recommend to cat lovers!! Meow
❤️😻🧡😽💛😺💚🐱💙🐈💜
Warning ⚠️: CAT NEGLECT 💔🙀🖤😿💔
”When the afternoon sun comes through the front window and makes a bright square on the floor, I lie down, spread out my fat stomach, and purr.
Yes, life is short.
My life will be the shortest of all, but such is life for a cat.”
I’ve literally always wondered what my cat is thinking. I mean, who hasn’t? I’ve always wanted to spend the day in the mind of my cat or wished that she was able to speak English so I could understand her better😂 The Astonishing Thing did such a great job of portraying what a cat actually feels like, what they do during the day when their owners are gone, and what they’re actually thinking. This book was so good, funny, and cute. It was really entertaining to read this story from Boo’s point of view. Boo is the name of the kitty. Furthermore, the plot was very engaging and heartwarming (at some parts, most kind of sad though, so I don’t know why I wrote “heartwarming”) The cat POV was so amazing and I’m really excited to read some of Sandy Ward’s other books to see if they and the cat POVs are just as good.
Highly recommend to cat lovers!! Meow
❤️😻🧡😽💛😺💚🐱💙🐈💜
Warning ⚠️: CAT NEGLECT 💔🙀🖤😿💔
February 16, 2021
I chose this book because it was from the point of view of the family cat Boo. I wanted to love this book but unfortunately I did not. The simplest things were not understood by Boo so it took a while for the reader to figure out what exactly was going on in the story. Carrie, the mother, in the story was bipolar and a good amount of the story described her in detail. It was very sad to read about how her life was when she was not taking her medication. I think the book would’ve been better if the mother had been a normal mother and not bipolar.
December 19, 2017
THE ASTONISHING THING is an interesting look at family life. Told from the unique perspective of the family cat, the story is at times touching and amusing. I found the characters to be sympathetic, and I enjoyed watching them grow as the story progressed. Cat lovers especially will likely enjoy this book.
Disclosure: I won a free copy of this book in a giveaway.
Disclosure: I won a free copy of this book in a giveaway.
January 7, 2019
the touching story of a sweet cat and her impressions of her family dealing with the aftermath of a mentally ill wife and mother (I also think the woman is incredibly selfish). It all works out in the end as the cat comes to understand better the dynamics of the family and its hidden pain and dysfunction, realizing that what was normal with the mother was not in fact normal at all. The little cat comes to cherish the family that remakes itself when the mother leaves. Readers should be aware that there is abuse on the part of the mother in the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2020
As a cat lover, I knew I had to read this book. It was a touching story of a family dealing with the trials and tribulations of a loved one with a mental illness all told through the eyes of a cat. Have you ever wondered what a cat is truly thinking? A different take on story telling. I look forward to reading the author’s other 2 books
October 31, 2017
https://bookishdevices.com/2017/10/30...
Think A Dog’s Purpose (W. Bruce Cameron) only with a cat … kind of.
Boo, a resourceful young feline, is intensely devoted to her human companion, Carrie. However, Carrie—or Mother, as Boo calls her—suddenly leaves her family. Boo worries about who will fill her food dish and provide a warm lap to nestle into. More pressing still, trying to uncover the truth about why Carrie left.
I’m a cat person, so the cover of this book immediately grabbed my attention when I was searching NetGalley. My first impression of this book when I read the description was that it would be somewhat like Cameron’s book. A book with a cat as a narrator … I was in! I hoped this book would be as great. However, it didn’t live up to the expectations I had. Unfair expectations perhaps because I LOVED A Dog’s Purpose.
The Astonishing Thing didn’t bring forth any emotions at all. I found that I cared about the characters but I wasn’t totally invested in their story. There were some interesting points that I wanted the answers to and those points are what kept me turning the pages. However, none of these points were all that intriguing.
In the end, I enjoyed this book though I probably wouldn’t read it again. If you’re a cat person like me, give it try.
Advanced copy of The Astonishing Thing provided by NetGalley.
Think A Dog’s Purpose (W. Bruce Cameron) only with a cat … kind of.
Boo, a resourceful young feline, is intensely devoted to her human companion, Carrie. However, Carrie—or Mother, as Boo calls her—suddenly leaves her family. Boo worries about who will fill her food dish and provide a warm lap to nestle into. More pressing still, trying to uncover the truth about why Carrie left.
I’m a cat person, so the cover of this book immediately grabbed my attention when I was searching NetGalley. My first impression of this book when I read the description was that it would be somewhat like Cameron’s book. A book with a cat as a narrator … I was in! I hoped this book would be as great. However, it didn’t live up to the expectations I had. Unfair expectations perhaps because I LOVED A Dog’s Purpose.
The Astonishing Thing didn’t bring forth any emotions at all. I found that I cared about the characters but I wasn’t totally invested in their story. There were some interesting points that I wanted the answers to and those points are what kept me turning the pages. However, none of these points were all that intriguing.
In the end, I enjoyed this book though I probably wouldn’t read it again. If you’re a cat person like me, give it try.
Advanced copy of The Astonishing Thing provided by NetGalley.
January 7, 2018
Although this book was told from the perspective of a cat, it was not at all lightweight or overly cutesy. It was a thoughtful look at the end of a marriage and the effects on the entire family. We learn the events and motivations behind them as the cat does, so the story and characters are revealed gradually.
The only thing that didn’t work for me was the way the two teenaged children spoke and acted... they sounded almost middle aged to me at times and were far too forgiving of their parents’ shortcomings... but, to be fair, I haven’t had a teenager at home in almost a decade.
The only thing that didn’t work for me was the way the two teenaged children spoke and acted... they sounded almost middle aged to me at times and were far too forgiving of their parents’ shortcomings... but, to be fair, I haven’t had a teenager at home in almost a decade.
May 1, 2018
A lovely story, told from the cat Boo's point of view, about adjustment, love, change and acceptance.
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