Our family of animals, like the loaves and fishes, was showing a distinct tendency to divide and multiply... Initially we had tried rather half-heartedly to find homes for Carrots and Philby but after a few weeks we decided that they weren't going anywhere. They belonged with us. Suddenly we had five dogs and four cats, no longer such an even number...' In the first five years of their married life, Chrystal Sharp and her veterinarian husband encounter a variety of different creatures - feathered, furred and even scaled. Some pass through their lives, while others insert a toe in the door and hang on tooth and nail. Often literally. With many of them coming from what social workers might describe s 'dysfunctional backgrounds', a fair amount of chaos is to be expected. There is the greyhound who, unlike Greta Garbo, does not want to be alone. Then there are the cats - one suffering from delusions of grandeur, an epileptic, a snake collector and another recently discharged from a reformatory - not to mention peacocks of royal lineage, oiled penguins and a lost albatross. These are but a few of the creatures who find their way into the couple's home - and their hearts. A delightful and heart-warming book, If The Cat Fits... will appeal to animal lovers of all ages.
As a cat person, I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful novel of the life of a vet’s wife. It is charming, witting and a great mental rest. I will probably be rereading it again when the stress of life gets to me and I need a few laughs.
If the Cat Fits Book Review I had mixed feelings about this book because I personally felt the author was easy to connect to but the book didn’t have any definite plot which made it difficult to follow and hard to really get excited about.
If the Cat Fits: Stories of a Vet’s Wife written by Chrystal Sharp is a story about Chrystal and her husband Dave and their adventures through Africa and Europe. Chrystal’s memoir details her one of a kind experiences with her many pets in the different countries and places she lived, each that comes with their own set of challenges. The story follows the Sharps’ choices that showcase their unique view on living life in the most fulfilling way possible.
As a nonfiction book, this book had almost no significant biases that greatly affected the story. The only bias found in the book was Chrystal’s own feelings towards her pets. In my mind, this bias helped me better understand who Chrystal was as a character in the story, because it portrayed to the reader Chrystal’s own personal thoughts and emotions. Chrystal’s small personal bias also helped me relate more to her character and added a sense of connection to the book. Because she wrote with the bias that all pet owners have towards their pets, this made the story easy to follow and I was better able to connect with the story. The bias in this story in no way affected Chrystal’s trustworthiness as an author because she did not alter any facts or target any group with the bias; she simply revealed her feelings towards her pets in a non-straightforward way that made the story more enjoyable.
The theme of the novel is that the bond between a family and its pets can have a significant influence on the lives of the family. This theme is very strongly portrayed throughout the novel, helping the reader to understand some of the decisions that are made throughout the story.
This story has many funny anecdotes that are very unique because they could only ever happen to a vet and his family. Some of Dave’s troubles are so outrageous they seem like they must be made up. However, these truthful stories provide an endearing sense of chaos and humor to the story.
Because Chrystal and Dave and all their pets live in a variety of places throughout the book, Chrystal describes all of the challenges that come with living in these various places. Some are problems that are similar to the ones someone might face anywhere they live. However, some are beyond bizarre and add a level of astonishment to the book.
In this story there is very minor character development. However, at the parts of the story where Chrystal does develop as a character, it is clear the impact the situation is having on her. This makes it more clear to the reader and makes the book more enticing.
Overall I would recommend any pet and animal lover read this book. It is unique in its many settings and animal patients. Although sometimes slow, the book provides a look at the the world through Chrystal’s perceptive eye and allows the reader to enjoy her chaotic life journey.