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A Conversation with a Cat
Stephen Spotte's imaginative novel recounts the tales of a scroungy former alley cat named Jinx, whose memories aren't just his own but those of other cats who existed before him, one of which was Annipe, Cleopatra's pampered pet. Through Annipe's eyes the ancient Mediterranean world of Cleopatra and her legendary lovers, Caesar and Antony, spread before us in all its glory, pathos, and absurdity. Jinx reveals these stories telepathically one night to his stoned and inebriated owner just home after gall bladder surgery. Annipe's memories are bookended by Jinx's own that detail his early scavenging days in bleak urban alleys.
“Could not stop reading this unique and curious account of a major period in history. Viewing events that shook the ancient world through the eye of a feline makes one want to view today’s news stories through the same lens. Never read a book with such a unique perspective. And it was fun.”—Edward R. Ricciuti, author of Bears in the Backyard
“Could not stop reading this unique and curious account of a major period in history. Viewing events that shook the ancient world through the eye of a feline makes one want to view today’s news stories through the same lens. Never read a book with such a unique perspective. And it was fun.”—Edward R. Ricciuti, author of Bears in the Backyard
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Published April 27, 2018
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About the author
Stephen Spotte
35 books22 followersStephen Spotte, a marine scientist born and raised in West Virginia, is the author of 23 books including seven works of fiction and two memoirs. Spotte has also published more than 80 papers on marine biology, ocean chemistry and engineering, and aquaculture. His field research has encompassed the Canadian Arctic, Bering Sea, West Indies, Indo-West Pacific, Central America, and the Amazon basin of Ecuador and Brazil. ANIMAL WRONGS is his fifth novel. He lives in Longboat Key, Florida.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 1, 2018
One evening, when a former alley cat named Jinx’s human is laying on the sofa, fresh from the hospital for gall bladder surgery, Jinx starts talking to the human. Sure, the human is not only on prescription meds but has done some self medicating with pot and alcohol, but it’s a pretty intense experience. Jinx tells the human about his former life as a pampered pet of Cleopatra. The heart of the story is the history of Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, and Mark Antony.
Sadly, even though it’s a story narrated by a cat, there is not much cat in the tale. It’s a fairly dry relating of the facts of the struggle between Egypt and Rome. Jinx doesn’t have much to do, and doesn’t develop a personality. Jinx’s human is a captive audience. The author has his facts down pat, but doesn’t make them come to life. Only three stars, even though a cat is the main POV.
Sadly, even though it’s a story narrated by a cat, there is not much cat in the tale. It’s a fairly dry relating of the facts of the struggle between Egypt and Rome. Jinx doesn’t have much to do, and doesn’t develop a personality. Jinx’s human is a captive audience. The author has his facts down pat, but doesn’t make them come to life. Only three stars, even though a cat is the main POV.
June 1, 2018
I have a theory that dogs (and cats also, I suppose) actually can talk and understand humans but choose to pretend to be dumb, simply because it's easier to lie around and do nothing all day than get a job and go out and work for a living as so many humans must. Another caveat: I do not have any pets. So I am not a cat or a dog person. But I am into history; as an aspiring science fiction novelist, I do not believe you can write compellingly about any possible future if you don't know the past. Having said all this, I found this book immensely engrossing and ridiculously funny; I honestly haven't read anything this hilarious since "Lolita" or "Pnin." The author recounts a first-person narrative of his descent into a nirvana of medical painkillers, augmented by alcohol, cigars and marijuana, to a state of drug-addled consciousness where his cat begins speaking to him. And what a tale this feline weaves! No spoilers, but suffice it to say his cat named Jinx wastes no words nor spares any sensibilities. Thumbs up also for having very few typos; I counted only two or three, depending on your erudition, and all punctuation. Well worth your time!
November 7, 2018
Home fresh from the hospital after having gall bladder surgery, our unnamed pet owner is relaxing on his back patio with his cat Jinx. Aside from the copious amounts of pain medicine provided by the hospital, our man has also decided to self medicate with a bit of alcohol and marijuana. With this combination running through his veins, it is not hard to believe he is able to have a kind of psychic conversation with Jinx.
Jinx then begins to tell the tale of one of his predecessors - a cat named Annipe who belonged to the great Cleopatra.
Unfortunately, though the story is about a cat and told by a cat, there is not much cat in the actual tale. The felines are reduced to secondary characters with the humans being pushed to the fore. Annipe and her siblings have very little to do and therefore do not grow as characters as such. With so much attention given to the human characters, it is difficult to actually care for the feline ones.
Another unfortunate point is that the Egyptian story is the only story related by Jinx; aside from a brief telling of his own early years. Early in the novel Jinx says that all cats have a kind of racial memory, where one cat can recall what other cats in the past have experienced. It would have been nice it Jinx had given more than one story from the past.
One good thing I can say about A Conversation with a Cat is that Spotte has done a good deal of research. The struggle between Egypt and Rome is decently told with great detail. Sadly, it isn't any different from what can be found in any number of history books.
As unique as the idea behind the book is, I'm sad to say it just wasn't carried out to its full potential. And as rare as it is to have a book with a cat as the main character, I can't recommend this book to my readers either.
June 10, 2018
A conversation with a former alley cat, Jinx shows an interesting look back into the history of cats with their mistress Cleopatra. Jinx relives the life of Cleopatra's cat Annipe and the story about her mistress Cleopatra and her lovers Antony and Caesar. Jinx tells his owner about his own upbringing as an alley cat before he was taken to the adoption centre. Jinx speaks telepathically through his owner's mind when his owner comes home from hospital after gall bladder surgery and is high on medication and is stoned.
I thought that the book was good, except I think I would of preferred a little more on the actual cats during Cleopatra's reign. The middle of the book was the history surrounding Cleopatra, Antony and that era and the cats that she had. I really enjoyed the last part of the book when Jinx talked about what it was like as a kitten, then adult Male cat growing up in an Alley. It was humorous and entertaining and different. Imagine if we really could have a conversation with a cat? I think a lot of how Jinx spoke (via telepathy) would be close to what cats really would think. I often wonder what my cat must be thinking. I think she would tell me that she hates me cuddling her, kissing her and picking her up. That she wants food at all times, to sleep uninterrupted and be outside at all times. She would be very bossy and only nice during the night, when for some reason she is the most affectionate. I would of asked Jinx why it appears that cats are scared of Cucumbers? Is it because a Cucumber looks a bit like a snake to them? 😼
Overall I rate the book 4/5 stars and if you like cats I think you will enjoy the read.
I thought that the book was good, except I think I would of preferred a little more on the actual cats during Cleopatra's reign. The middle of the book was the history surrounding Cleopatra, Antony and that era and the cats that she had. I really enjoyed the last part of the book when Jinx talked about what it was like as a kitten, then adult Male cat growing up in an Alley. It was humorous and entertaining and different. Imagine if we really could have a conversation with a cat? I think a lot of how Jinx spoke (via telepathy) would be close to what cats really would think. I often wonder what my cat must be thinking. I think she would tell me that she hates me cuddling her, kissing her and picking her up. That she wants food at all times, to sleep uninterrupted and be outside at all times. She would be very bossy and only nice during the night, when for some reason she is the most affectionate. I would of asked Jinx why it appears that cats are scared of Cucumbers? Is it because a Cucumber looks a bit like a snake to them? 😼
Overall I rate the book 4/5 stars and if you like cats I think you will enjoy the read.
January 22, 2019
This is an odd-shaped novel to say the least--about 75% history framed by vignettes about a man and the cat he rescued from a shelter. If you read it as a very long blog post, the lack of an obvious connection between Cleopatra and a feral cat who adopted a homeless addict is less jarring. I enjoyed both stories. As an aunt I had to deduct a few points for explicit scenes and language adults would be embarrassed if children caught us reading. As a cat rescuer I think Jinx generalizes from himself and denies my Purrmanent Resident cats' reality (he states flatly that "cats aren't social"), but I will admit that there are about a thousand times more cats like Jinx than there are like my select social cat friends. People need to accept cats like Jinx as the default in order to appreciate the ones with the extra brain circuits. Jinx deserves a few extra points for affirming a relatively natural lifestyle; as a suburban beach cat he's neutered but not confined. There's a full-length review, including a (sober, whimsical) conversation with a cat, on my Blogspot.
June 18, 2019
Jinx, a former stray, chooses to have a telepathic conversation with his human - when the human is home recovering from surgery. The human in question is pretty high on his medication at the time, so we are left to decide if this is actually happening or not.
Apparently, all cats share the memories of the felines that have lived before. Jinx shares his memories of life a one of Cleopatra's pampered pets, with said human.
This is an interesting concept for a story - cats are mystical and aloof creatures and you can certainly believe they hold many secrets behind their beautiful eyes. - and it is told in a humorous and entertaining way.
This is an ok read if you like cats, and it is always good when a cat is the star of the show, but it did not really do it for me.
Apparently, all cats share the memories of the felines that have lived before. Jinx shares his memories of life a one of Cleopatra's pampered pets, with said human.
This is an interesting concept for a story - cats are mystical and aloof creatures and you can certainly believe they hold many secrets behind their beautiful eyes. - and it is told in a humorous and entertaining way.
This is an ok read if you like cats, and it is always good when a cat is the star of the show, but it did not really do it for me.
June 11, 2018
An entertaining read that was well researched. The narration from Jinx the cat was both lofty and crude. Which to me is just the way cats are - looking so wise and mysterious one minute and throwing up a hairball the next.It would be an excellent reference for someone who wants to learn a bit about Cleopatra and her times. I would enjoy reading more history from the perspective of a cat by Mr. Spotte.
June 11, 2018
An entertaining little read that tells you some stories from a certain time in history in the point of view of a cat. Spotte writes in a light hearted manner with extensive vocabulary that left me, and avid reader with a wide vocabulary of my own or so I thought, reaching for the dictionary.
September 30, 2018
I enjoyed the first and last p a arts of the book the most,when the author has the 'conversation' with his cat.
February 25, 2019
Welcome back everyone, I hope you’ve been enjoying all the posts that have been coming out recently. Today’s review is another one from BookGlow, and I feel like I started off strong with the Autobiography of Satan and I’ve reached a point where I really struggled.
I went into this book thinking I’d be reading about some fantasy style version of the world where we can talk to cats. So, I was quite disappointed when it turns out that you just have to be high and drunk.
We started off the story hearing about how the main guy went
fishing and ended up needing to get his gall bladder removed once he got home.
And how from that he was high on pain killers and spent quite a bit of time
drinking. Until he was outside one night and his cat suddenly starts talking to
him.
Then the next challenge I faced while reading this was that
I didn’t find the story engaging. The style of the writing was bad enough for
me. But then the fact that there were very few paragraph breaks and there were
only 8 chapters meant I didn’t have any natural spots to stop.
And what made it even worse for me was the fact that there
were multiple times where one sentence spanned 1-2 pages. How does this even
happen?!
I will allow that I had my Kindle zoomed in slightly, so I didn’t have to wear my glasses while I read. But I didn’t have it zoomed in THAT much! I even showed a friend who agreed the sentences were way too long.
And then at the end of the story, after spending pretty much the whole book focussed on Cleopatra, we all of a sudden are finding out about the cat’s life before he was adopted by the guy he’s been talking to.
As much as I wanted to enjoy this, because the idea sounded really cool, I really felt there is a lot of improvements that need to be made. Firstly, by having an editor go through it thoroughly. Those sentences, paragraphs and chapters need to be shorter. Hopefully that will help create some natural breaks and give it the improvements it deserves.
I went into this book thinking I’d be reading about some fantasy style version of the world where we can talk to cats. So, I was quite disappointed when it turns out that you just have to be high and drunk.
We started off the story hearing about how the main guy went
fishing and ended up needing to get his gall bladder removed once he got home.
And how from that he was high on pain killers and spent quite a bit of time
drinking. Until he was outside one night and his cat suddenly starts talking to
him.
Then the next challenge I faced while reading this was that
I didn’t find the story engaging. The style of the writing was bad enough for
me. But then the fact that there were very few paragraph breaks and there were
only 8 chapters meant I didn’t have any natural spots to stop.
And what made it even worse for me was the fact that there
were multiple times where one sentence spanned 1-2 pages. How does this even
happen?!
I will allow that I had my Kindle zoomed in slightly, so I didn’t have to wear my glasses while I read. But I didn’t have it zoomed in THAT much! I even showed a friend who agreed the sentences were way too long.
And then at the end of the story, after spending pretty much the whole book focussed on Cleopatra, we all of a sudden are finding out about the cat’s life before he was adopted by the guy he’s been talking to.
As much as I wanted to enjoy this, because the idea sounded really cool, I really felt there is a lot of improvements that need to be made. Firstly, by having an editor go through it thoroughly. Those sentences, paragraphs and chapters need to be shorter. Hopefully that will help create some natural breaks and give it the improvements it deserves.
October 19, 2018
***I was kindly provided with a free copy of this book by OpenBooks in exchange for an honest review. All the opinions stated below are my own ***
A Conversation with a Cat is a great introduction to the lives of Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, and Mark Antony, especially for those without the opportunity to learn about these remarkably powerful historical figures.
Prior to reading the book, my knowledge of Cleopatra came from Shakespeare. To be honest, my understanding of Shakespeare is sketchy. It always has been. Studying Antony & Cleopatra without a consistent teacher – I had no chance really. Sigh.
I was as good as a complete newbie to this topic. Did I find it interesting? Absolutely! The details don’t bog the story down at all, but a lot of research has gone into the novel. The historical superpowers use their brains and brawn (amongst other things) to vie for power. The kind of things that cause salacious gossip and disgruntled wives. The lavishness and decadence of the ruling class are both enticing and beautifully described; Stephen ensures each scene is deliberately picturesque.
The book is cleverly written to pull off its conversational tone.
A commentary is given by Jinx, (in addition to narrating Cleopatra’s life from Annipe’s memory) which is interesting and charismatically witty. Jinx is a feline with “cattitude” and it definitely shows in the narrative! Naturally, the concept of a cat striking up a conversation with you telepathically is far-fetched. However, the story and circumstances are set up humorously so that it pushes boundaries, but isn’t unbelievable.
The perspective offered in this book is truly a unique one. Jinx reminisces about Ancient Egypt, as cats historically were held in higher esteem there. They were worshipped like Gods – unlike him, who finds his freedom and virility catnapped in one fell swoop, as we learn later. You can imagine his tail twitching in agitation even now. The balance between the present day and recounting Cleopatra’s reign is perfect. I would even go so far as to say that even somebody who doesn’t love historical fiction as much as I do could get on with it.
A Conversation with a Cat is funny and approachable to read. I personally really enjoyed the book – the fact that I read it in only two days speaks volumes.
A Conversation with a Cat is a great introduction to the lives of Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, and Mark Antony, especially for those without the opportunity to learn about these remarkably powerful historical figures.
Prior to reading the book, my knowledge of Cleopatra came from Shakespeare. To be honest, my understanding of Shakespeare is sketchy. It always has been. Studying Antony & Cleopatra without a consistent teacher – I had no chance really. Sigh.
I was as good as a complete newbie to this topic. Did I find it interesting? Absolutely! The details don’t bog the story down at all, but a lot of research has gone into the novel. The historical superpowers use their brains and brawn (amongst other things) to vie for power. The kind of things that cause salacious gossip and disgruntled wives. The lavishness and decadence of the ruling class are both enticing and beautifully described; Stephen ensures each scene is deliberately picturesque.
The book is cleverly written to pull off its conversational tone.
A commentary is given by Jinx, (in addition to narrating Cleopatra’s life from Annipe’s memory) which is interesting and charismatically witty. Jinx is a feline with “cattitude” and it definitely shows in the narrative! Naturally, the concept of a cat striking up a conversation with you telepathically is far-fetched. However, the story and circumstances are set up humorously so that it pushes boundaries, but isn’t unbelievable.
The perspective offered in this book is truly a unique one. Jinx reminisces about Ancient Egypt, as cats historically were held in higher esteem there. They were worshipped like Gods – unlike him, who finds his freedom and virility catnapped in one fell swoop, as we learn later. You can imagine his tail twitching in agitation even now. The balance between the present day and recounting Cleopatra’s reign is perfect. I would even go so far as to say that even somebody who doesn’t love historical fiction as much as I do could get on with it.
A Conversation with a Cat is funny and approachable to read. I personally really enjoyed the book – the fact that I read it in only two days speaks volumes.
January 19, 2019
Uhmm. Spotte got super high on purpose after a freak fishing accident. Then, he kept himself high. One evening while he was sitting at home totally stoned, his cat tells him the entire history of Cleopatra’s Egypt from the point of view gained from the conglomerate Cat mind. The logic isn’t very sound, and I couldn’t make it any further due to how stale the narration is.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews