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The Silent Miaow: A Manual for Kittens, Strays, and Homeless Cats
The Silent Miaow is the classic instruction book for all cats, based upon first-hand feline experience. Inside it contains all the information that every cat should know, such as: How to win a way into a household, take over a family and achieve control...
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First published January 1, 1964
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About the author
Paul Gallico
186 books318 followersPaul William Gallico was born in New York City, on 26th July, 1897. His father was an Italian, and his mother came from Austria; they emigrated to New York in 1895.
He went to school in the public schools of New York, and in 1916 went to Columbia University. He graduated in 1921 with a Bachelor of Science degree, having lost a year and a half due to World War I. He then worked for the National Board of Motion Picture Review, and after six months took a job as the motion picture critic for the New York Daily News. He was removed from this job as his "reviews were too Smart Alecky" (according to Confessions of a Story Teller), and took refuge in the sports department.
During his stint there, he was sent to cover the training camp of Jack Dempsey, and decided to ask Dempsey if he could spar with him, to get an idea of what it was like to be hit by the world heavyweight champion. The results were spectacular; Gallico was knocked out within two minutes. But he had his story, and from there his sports-writing career never looked back.
He became Sports Editor of the Daily News in 1923, and was given a daily sports column. He also invented and organised the Golden Gloves amateur boxing competition. During this part of his life, he was one of the most well-known sporting writers in America, and a minor celebrity. But he had always wanted to be a fiction writer, and was writing short stories and sports articles for magazines like Vanity Fair and the Saturday Evening Post. In 1936, he sold a short story to the movies for $5000, which gave him a stake. So he retired from sports writing, and went to live in Europe, to devote himself to writing. His first major book was Farewell to Sport, which as the title indicates, was his farewell to sports writing.
Though his name was well-known in the United States, he was an unknown in the rest of the world. In 1941, the Snow Goose changed all that, and he became, if not a best-selling author by today's standards, a writer who was always in demand. Apart from a short spell as a war correspondent between 1943 and 1946, he was a full-time freelance writer for the rest of his life. He has lived all over the place, including England, Mexico, Lichtenstein and Monaco, and he lived in Antibes for the last years of his life.
He was a first-class fencer, and a keen deep-sea fisherman. He was married four times, and had several children.
He died in Antibes on 15th July, 1976, just short of his 79th birthday.
He went to school in the public schools of New York, and in 1916 went to Columbia University. He graduated in 1921 with a Bachelor of Science degree, having lost a year and a half due to World War I. He then worked for the National Board of Motion Picture Review, and after six months took a job as the motion picture critic for the New York Daily News. He was removed from this job as his "reviews were too Smart Alecky" (according to Confessions of a Story Teller), and took refuge in the sports department.
During his stint there, he was sent to cover the training camp of Jack Dempsey, and decided to ask Dempsey if he could spar with him, to get an idea of what it was like to be hit by the world heavyweight champion. The results were spectacular; Gallico was knocked out within two minutes. But he had his story, and from there his sports-writing career never looked back.
He became Sports Editor of the Daily News in 1923, and was given a daily sports column. He also invented and organised the Golden Gloves amateur boxing competition. During this part of his life, he was one of the most well-known sporting writers in America, and a minor celebrity. But he had always wanted to be a fiction writer, and was writing short stories and sports articles for magazines like Vanity Fair and the Saturday Evening Post. In 1936, he sold a short story to the movies for $5000, which gave him a stake. So he retired from sports writing, and went to live in Europe, to devote himself to writing. His first major book was Farewell to Sport, which as the title indicates, was his farewell to sports writing.
Though his name was well-known in the United States, he was an unknown in the rest of the world. In 1941, the Snow Goose changed all that, and he became, if not a best-selling author by today's standards, a writer who was always in demand. Apart from a short spell as a war correspondent between 1943 and 1946, he was a full-time freelance writer for the rest of his life. He has lived all over the place, including England, Mexico, Lichtenstein and Monaco, and he lived in Antibes for the last years of his life.
He was a first-class fencer, and a keen deep-sea fisherman. He was married four times, and had several children.
He died in Antibes on 15th July, 1976, just short of his 79th birthday.
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December 9, 2019
After reading Thomasina recently I wanted to re-read some other Gallico titles from my bookcases. I hadn't read this book in ages. I had forgotten how cute it is both in the writing and the pictures.
If you have ever been taken over by a cat you will love this book. Our feline narrator explains to her audience (supposedly made up of kittens and others in search of a home) exactly how to insinuate themselves into the life of the chosen target people.
My best ever cat was not as subtle as Cica, though. He showed up one day and was enjoying the sun in the tiny backyard of the house I lived in at the time. That was all it took. I said 'hello kitty' and gave him some milk, which he lapped up quickly and then allowed me to pet him before he left. I wondered if I would see him again, and of course I did. He came back the next day with two friends!
This book brought back memories of those funny early days with Bigger Kitty and how he ended up staying while the other two, much wilder than he, moved on in search of their own perfect home to invade.
If you have ever been taken over by a cat you will love this book. Our feline narrator explains to her audience (supposedly made up of kittens and others in search of a home) exactly how to insinuate themselves into the life of the chosen target people.
My best ever cat was not as subtle as Cica, though. He showed up one day and was enjoying the sun in the tiny backyard of the house I lived in at the time. That was all it took. I said 'hello kitty' and gave him some milk, which he lapped up quickly and then allowed me to pet him before he left. I wondered if I would see him again, and of course I did. He came back the next day with two friends!
This book brought back memories of those funny early days with Bigger Kitty and how he ended up staying while the other two, much wilder than he, moved on in search of their own perfect home to invade.
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April 2, 2020The Silent Miaow by
All My Cats Have Read This Book
Okay, no more talking animal books for me. I hated the taking dog book that I tried to read, and now I am putting this one down. Children would love it, and maybe some adults, that have better imaginations than me, would also. Not that I didn’t like the talking tree in Tolkien’s book. Trees just talk better.
This was truly a manual as stated. A female cat that is teaching other cats and kittens how to be accepted by humans, how to deal with them, and even con them into keeping you. Kind of a what to do and what not to do manual.
If you ever thought that you would find a kitten, feed it and then find a home for it, you will find that you are very wrong. Last time I did this, and it was only a few months ago, I still have the kitten.
Like a mother with a human child, I watched him explore his indoor world. He was fascinated by my washing the dishes, just sat on the counter watching me. He was fascinated by the toast going down by itself in the toaster and coming back up again. He hates the vacuum and runs out the doggie door until the noise has been silenced.
He won my heart before I could give him away. He had been dumped here by someone who did not know his value. And he is almost silent, which made me get this book due to the silent miaow in its title. . I thought that maybe he couldn’t talk. When we took him to the vet, he didn’t cry in the cat carrier. He didn’t cry at the veterinarian’s office. He never cries for food. When I stepped on his tail, he squeaked like a mouse. Then one day I accidently stepped on him, and he cried with a big Miaow. At least he did not run away from home. My other cat knows to stay away from my feet, almost. She makes her mistakes.
The author has a chapter on two-timing cats. That is when a cat has two families. Neither family knows the other, and the manual says to try to keep it that way. I had a cat I named Tom when I was a child, and one day I followed him, and he went to someone else’s house and cried for food and was fed. I didn’t interfere, after all, we often had slim pickings for him.
Then there is a chapter on food, and how if you, as a cat, don’t like it, walk away, and your owner will give you something else and will continue to do so until they get it right. The foods picked by this cat were gourmet. I had never heard of them, and maybe the author made them up. Well, he had to have done this, unless there is something I don’t know about rich people and the types of cat food they get.
Next, there is a chapter on beds. This cat says to ignore whatever bed is given to you, except for the bed that your master sleeps in. Our kitten, Maubee, sleeps on our bed, but in the mornings, she walks across my face or tries kneading me. This is his way of saying, get up and feed me. He has read this manual.
All My Cats Have Read This Book
Okay, no more talking animal books for me. I hated the taking dog book that I tried to read, and now I am putting this one down. Children would love it, and maybe some adults, that have better imaginations than me, would also. Not that I didn’t like the talking tree in Tolkien’s book. Trees just talk better.
This was truly a manual as stated. A female cat that is teaching other cats and kittens how to be accepted by humans, how to deal with them, and even con them into keeping you. Kind of a what to do and what not to do manual.
If you ever thought that you would find a kitten, feed it and then find a home for it, you will find that you are very wrong. Last time I did this, and it was only a few months ago, I still have the kitten.
Like a mother with a human child, I watched him explore his indoor world. He was fascinated by my washing the dishes, just sat on the counter watching me. He was fascinated by the toast going down by itself in the toaster and coming back up again. He hates the vacuum and runs out the doggie door until the noise has been silenced.
He won my heart before I could give him away. He had been dumped here by someone who did not know his value. And he is almost silent, which made me get this book due to the silent miaow in its title. . I thought that maybe he couldn’t talk. When we took him to the vet, he didn’t cry in the cat carrier. He didn’t cry at the veterinarian’s office. He never cries for food. When I stepped on his tail, he squeaked like a mouse. Then one day I accidently stepped on him, and he cried with a big Miaow. At least he did not run away from home. My other cat knows to stay away from my feet, almost. She makes her mistakes.
The author has a chapter on two-timing cats. That is when a cat has two families. Neither family knows the other, and the manual says to try to keep it that way. I had a cat I named Tom when I was a child, and one day I followed him, and he went to someone else’s house and cried for food and was fed. I didn’t interfere, after all, we often had slim pickings for him.
Then there is a chapter on food, and how if you, as a cat, don’t like it, walk away, and your owner will give you something else and will continue to do so until they get it right. The foods picked by this cat were gourmet. I had never heard of them, and maybe the author made them up. Well, he had to have done this, unless there is something I don’t know about rich people and the types of cat food they get.
Next, there is a chapter on beds. This cat says to ignore whatever bed is given to you, except for the bed that your master sleeps in. Our kitten, Maubee, sleeps on our bed, but in the mornings, she walks across my face or tries kneading me. This is his way of saying, get up and feed me. He has read this manual.
January 10, 2013
I've carried this book fondly in my memory for 30+ years. I reread out recently and it did not disappoint. Add to the "essential" list for cat people.
July 9, 2014
Marvelous - definitely written by a cat.
December 17, 2019
Questa è una lettura imprescindibile per chiunque possieda un gatto, anzi no forse è meglio dire (non si sa mai che i miei gatti leggano questa recensione), per chi possiede la fortuna di poter ospitare dentro la sua umile dimora una di queste divinità così benevole che ci concedono la gioia di poterli servire umilmente.
Leggero e irriverente, "Il Grande Miao" è un piccolo manuale scritto da una gattina per tutti i suoi simili che decidono di impossessar... ehm di farsi ospitare e così poter onorare la casa che decidono di occupa... onorare con la loro presenza. Dunque una sorta di libro di testo per comandar... indottrinare i loro bipedi.
Dunque spazio alle lezioni per impossessarsi delle poltrone, le pose per suscitare visibilio e ammirazione, come farsi portare il cibo preferito, la tolleranza alle coccole, l'abilità nell'inserirsi e interrompere le molteplici attività umane, per catturare l'attenzione o conquistarsi i nostri favori. Ben presto capirete quanto bene ci conoscono i nostri mici e quanto poco conosciamo noi di loro.
Se state pensando di ospitare una di queste divinità pelose oppure siete già soggiogat... felicemente innamorati di uno di essi e volete comprendere come hanno fatto ad infinocchiarv... a farsi così amorevolmente amare le loro code all'insù e i loro baffi e i loro occhi affascinanti, questo è il libro che fa per voi cari gattofili!
Una chicca preziosa, proprio perchè scritta da uno di loro.
Leggero e irriverente, "Il Grande Miao" è un piccolo manuale scritto da una gattina per tutti i suoi simili che decidono di impossessar... ehm di farsi ospitare e così poter onorare la casa che decidono di occupa... onorare con la loro presenza. Dunque una sorta di libro di testo per comandar... indottrinare i loro bipedi.
Dunque spazio alle lezioni per impossessarsi delle poltrone, le pose per suscitare visibilio e ammirazione, come farsi portare il cibo preferito, la tolleranza alle coccole, l'abilità nell'inserirsi e interrompere le molteplici attività umane, per catturare l'attenzione o conquistarsi i nostri favori. Ben presto capirete quanto bene ci conoscono i nostri mici e quanto poco conosciamo noi di loro.
Se state pensando di ospitare una di queste divinità pelose oppure siete già soggiogat... felicemente innamorati di uno di essi e volete comprendere come hanno fatto ad infinocchiarv... a farsi così amorevolmente amare le loro code all'insù e i loro baffi e i loro occhi affascinanti, questo è il libro che fa per voi cari gattofili!
Una chicca preziosa, proprio perchè scritta da uno di loro.
January 17, 2017
Se c'è una cosa che mi è rimasta impressa de I Promessi Sposi al liceo, questa è il suo preambolo - ovvero come Alessandro Manzoni dica di aver trovato il manoscritto nel quale sono raccontate le vicende di Renzo e Lucia.
Qui la situazione è la medesima: l'autore ci informa che un suo amico editore una mattina si è trovato un manoscritto arrotolato sullo zerbino di casa al posto dei giornali e che gli ha chiesto aiuto in quanto suddetto manoscritto sembrava crittografato. E dopo qualche momento di confusione, Paul Gallico si è reso conto che l'autrice era una gattina dotata di estrema intelligenza - perché, c'è forse qualche gatto che ne risulta sprovvisto? - che aveva pigiato le sue zampette sulla macchina da scrivere.
Questo libro è un manuale che l'autrice scrive per i gatti cuccioli o ancora senza casa, con tutte le istruzioni su come sottomettere una famiglia umana.
E noi umani non ci facciamo una grandissima figura, io ve lo dico - i gatti riescono a vedere tutti i nostri difetti. Ma se amate i gatti, prenderete tutto con estrema auto-ironia e riconoscerete voi stessi e i vostri amici felini in quasi tutte le situazioni presentate - chi più e chi meno.
C'è la parte su come sottomettere prima un membro della famiglia per poi lavorare al meglio su chi fa più resistenza.
Ci sono le parti dedicate al cibo e al galateo in caso di ospiti - e in quel caso bisogna assolutamente mostrarsi a modo, mica vorrete far fare brutta figura ai vostri bipedi con il rischio che vi mettano alla porta, vero?
Ci sono le parti sui miagolii e sulle pose da adottare per suscitare la massima pena e la massima coccolosità perché sono ben consapevoli di quanto noi umani amiamo fotografarli e vantarci di loro.
Ci sono le parti sui letti e sulle poltrone da reclamare come proprietà esclusive e su come interrompere qualsiasi attività ricreativa a cui i bipedi si stiano dedicando senza che vi abbiano chiesto il permesso - e poi ehi, dovreste essere voi al centro dell'attenzione!
E ovviamente c'è la parte su quelle odiate, odiatissime porte chiuse.
È un manuale assolutamente divertente, nel quale ho riconosciuto sia i miei atteggiamenti - le foto, le vocine stupide, i nomignoli - sia gli atteggiamenti che ha Alaska o quelli che avevano Cico e Lancillotto.
La parola chiave è antropomorfismo: ovvero la situazione in cui noi attribuiamo ai gatti qualità e comportamenti umani e interpretiamo le loro occhiate e i loro miagolii. È naturale, non possiamo fare a meno di farlo.
E se credete di avere permesso ad un gatto di entrare nella vostra vita, sappiate che è esattamente il contrario.
Vivendo in campagna, abbiamo sempre avuto dei gatti in giardino ma solo con Lancillotto abbiamo iniziato a prenderne in casa perché gli altri sono sempre stati selvatici e invece Lancillotto ci aveva scelti.
C'è una parte nel libro in cui la Micia spiega come dissimulare l'imbarazzo di una figuraccia o fingersi innocenti come se non si avesse appena combinato una marachella.
E qui ho pensato immediatamente a Lancillotto.
Ero in terza media e avevo lasciato le scarpe vicino al divano quando ho beccato Lancillotto a giocare e a mordere i lacci. Quando gli ho chiesto cosa stesse facendo, lui si è messo a leccarsi una zampa come se niente fosse e nel momento in cui mi sono girata, ha ripreso a mordere i lacci della mia scarpa.
C'è anche una parte in cui la Micia spiega di avere pazienza quando non si vuole essere presi in braccio perché a volte i bipedi hanno bisogno di amore e compagnia.
E ho pensato al rapporto che avevo con il mio Cico, ho pensato che ero l'unica alla quale permetteva di essere preso in braccio e di solito, se vedeva il letto occupato lui non ci saliva, ma con me una volta ha fatto un'eccezione e mi si è messo a dormire a fianco.
E il Grande Miao.. il Grande Miao Cico lo usava solo con me perché ero io la sua bipede. E io cedevo ogni volta. Basti pensare a quando Cico si metteva fuori dalla porta della mia stanza e io capivo che voleva scendere al piano di sotto. Gli bastava fare un Grande Miao e io subito lo prendevo in braccio per non fargli fare gli scalini. Ah, l'amore.
E alla fine è stato inevitabile pensare e riconoscere Alaska nella maggior parte delle situazioni, principalmente perché è una femmina come l'autrice del manuale. Quindi quando la Micia spiega come ha sottomesso il suo bipede maschio è stato inevitabile pensare a mio padre e a come all'inizio lui non la volesse perché sentivamo ancora troppo la mancanza di Cico e adesso invece è la principessa di casa viziata e ricoperta di moine. Mio padre l'adora e il sentimento è reciproco: mio padre è il preferito di Alaska e ho riconosciuto tutti i "sintomi" nel manuale.
C'è poi tutta la questione dell'arredamento: una sedia in sala è esclusivamente di Alaska e Alaska ha anche la sua poltrona preferita e si fa capire benissimo quando la vuole tutta per sé - mette una zampa sul braccio a mia madre per scacciarla. Mio padre gliela lascia immediatamente perché non sia mai che la piccola Alaska non abbia tutto lo spazio necessario e invece io e lei abbiamo più un rapporto da "se la vuoi, devi condividere" - motivo per il quale si limita ad accomodarsi sulle mie gambe o sul mio stomaco a seconda di come sono seduta perché ha imparato che io non mi schiodo.
Forse sarebbe meglio dire che mi concede di farle da cuscino.
Il capitolo sulle porte è uno dei più divertenti e uno dei più realistici in assoluto: Cico grattava sulla porta della mia camera e piangeva se la trovava chiusa e Alaska resta seduta dritta e miagola finché mia madre non gliela apre. Se la porta della mia camera invece è solo accostata, non ci vuole molto prima che la veda spalancarsi da sola e Alaska faccia il suo ingresso trionfale.
È un manuale ricco di suggerimenti per i gattini e uno spasso per noi bipedi nel momento in cui riconosciamo l'assoluta intelligenza, furbizia e supremazia di queste bestioline.
Perché noi forse pensiamo di averli addomesticati e che loro abbiano imparato ad adattarsi ai nostri caratteri e alle nostre abitudini, ma in realtà è proprio il contrario: sono loro ad aver addestrato noi a soddisfare qualsiasi richiesta il loro temperamento (a volte anche pessimo - sì, Alaska, sto parlando di te) voglia in quel preciso istante.
E se avete ancora qualche dubbio, lasciate che ve lo sciolga subito: non siete voi a comandare in casa, ma loro. E la verità, che vogliamo ammetterlo o no, è che noi adoriamo venerarli come le divinità che sono da sempre.
Qui la situazione è la medesima: l'autore ci informa che un suo amico editore una mattina si è trovato un manoscritto arrotolato sullo zerbino di casa al posto dei giornali e che gli ha chiesto aiuto in quanto suddetto manoscritto sembrava crittografato. E dopo qualche momento di confusione, Paul Gallico si è reso conto che l'autrice era una gattina dotata di estrema intelligenza - perché, c'è forse qualche gatto che ne risulta sprovvisto? - che aveva pigiato le sue zampette sulla macchina da scrivere.
Questo libro è un manuale che l'autrice scrive per i gatti cuccioli o ancora senza casa, con tutte le istruzioni su come sottomettere una famiglia umana.
E noi umani non ci facciamo una grandissima figura, io ve lo dico - i gatti riescono a vedere tutti i nostri difetti. Ma se amate i gatti, prenderete tutto con estrema auto-ironia e riconoscerete voi stessi e i vostri amici felini in quasi tutte le situazioni presentate - chi più e chi meno.
C'è la parte su come sottomettere prima un membro della famiglia per poi lavorare al meglio su chi fa più resistenza.
Ci sono le parti dedicate al cibo e al galateo in caso di ospiti - e in quel caso bisogna assolutamente mostrarsi a modo, mica vorrete far fare brutta figura ai vostri bipedi con il rischio che vi mettano alla porta, vero?
Ci sono le parti sui miagolii e sulle pose da adottare per suscitare la massima pena e la massima coccolosità perché sono ben consapevoli di quanto noi umani amiamo fotografarli e vantarci di loro.
Ci sono le parti sui letti e sulle poltrone da reclamare come proprietà esclusive e su come interrompere qualsiasi attività ricreativa a cui i bipedi si stiano dedicando senza che vi abbiano chiesto il permesso - e poi ehi, dovreste essere voi al centro dell'attenzione!
E ovviamente c'è la parte su quelle odiate, odiatissime porte chiuse.
È un manuale assolutamente divertente, nel quale ho riconosciuto sia i miei atteggiamenti - le foto, le vocine stupide, i nomignoli - sia gli atteggiamenti che ha Alaska o quelli che avevano Cico e Lancillotto.
La parola chiave è antropomorfismo: ovvero la situazione in cui noi attribuiamo ai gatti qualità e comportamenti umani e interpretiamo le loro occhiate e i loro miagolii. È naturale, non possiamo fare a meno di farlo.
E se credete di avere permesso ad un gatto di entrare nella vostra vita, sappiate che è esattamente il contrario.
Vivendo in campagna, abbiamo sempre avuto dei gatti in giardino ma solo con Lancillotto abbiamo iniziato a prenderne in casa perché gli altri sono sempre stati selvatici e invece Lancillotto ci aveva scelti.
C'è una parte nel libro in cui la Micia spiega come dissimulare l'imbarazzo di una figuraccia o fingersi innocenti come se non si avesse appena combinato una marachella.
E qui ho pensato immediatamente a Lancillotto.
Ero in terza media e avevo lasciato le scarpe vicino al divano quando ho beccato Lancillotto a giocare e a mordere i lacci. Quando gli ho chiesto cosa stesse facendo, lui si è messo a leccarsi una zampa come se niente fosse e nel momento in cui mi sono girata, ha ripreso a mordere i lacci della mia scarpa.
C'è anche una parte in cui la Micia spiega di avere pazienza quando non si vuole essere presi in braccio perché a volte i bipedi hanno bisogno di amore e compagnia.
E ho pensato al rapporto che avevo con il mio Cico, ho pensato che ero l'unica alla quale permetteva di essere preso in braccio e di solito, se vedeva il letto occupato lui non ci saliva, ma con me una volta ha fatto un'eccezione e mi si è messo a dormire a fianco.
E il Grande Miao.. il Grande Miao Cico lo usava solo con me perché ero io la sua bipede. E io cedevo ogni volta. Basti pensare a quando Cico si metteva fuori dalla porta della mia stanza e io capivo che voleva scendere al piano di sotto. Gli bastava fare un Grande Miao e io subito lo prendevo in braccio per non fargli fare gli scalini. Ah, l'amore.
E alla fine è stato inevitabile pensare e riconoscere Alaska nella maggior parte delle situazioni, principalmente perché è una femmina come l'autrice del manuale. Quindi quando la Micia spiega come ha sottomesso il suo bipede maschio è stato inevitabile pensare a mio padre e a come all'inizio lui non la volesse perché sentivamo ancora troppo la mancanza di Cico e adesso invece è la principessa di casa viziata e ricoperta di moine. Mio padre l'adora e il sentimento è reciproco: mio padre è il preferito di Alaska e ho riconosciuto tutti i "sintomi" nel manuale.
C'è poi tutta la questione dell'arredamento: una sedia in sala è esclusivamente di Alaska e Alaska ha anche la sua poltrona preferita e si fa capire benissimo quando la vuole tutta per sé - mette una zampa sul braccio a mia madre per scacciarla. Mio padre gliela lascia immediatamente perché non sia mai che la piccola Alaska non abbia tutto lo spazio necessario e invece io e lei abbiamo più un rapporto da "se la vuoi, devi condividere" - motivo per il quale si limita ad accomodarsi sulle mie gambe o sul mio stomaco a seconda di come sono seduta perché ha imparato che io non mi schiodo.
Forse sarebbe meglio dire che mi concede di farle da cuscino.
Il capitolo sulle porte è uno dei più divertenti e uno dei più realistici in assoluto: Cico grattava sulla porta della mia camera e piangeva se la trovava chiusa e Alaska resta seduta dritta e miagola finché mia madre non gliela apre. Se la porta della mia camera invece è solo accostata, non ci vuole molto prima che la veda spalancarsi da sola e Alaska faccia il suo ingresso trionfale.
È un manuale ricco di suggerimenti per i gattini e uno spasso per noi bipedi nel momento in cui riconosciamo l'assoluta intelligenza, furbizia e supremazia di queste bestioline.
Perché noi forse pensiamo di averli addomesticati e che loro abbiano imparato ad adattarsi ai nostri caratteri e alle nostre abitudini, ma in realtà è proprio il contrario: sono loro ad aver addestrato noi a soddisfare qualsiasi richiesta il loro temperamento (a volte anche pessimo - sì, Alaska, sto parlando di te) voglia in quel preciso istante.
E se avete ancora qualche dubbio, lasciate che ve lo sciolga subito: non siete voi a comandare in casa, ma loro. E la verità, che vogliamo ammetterlo o no, è che noi adoriamo venerarli come le divinità che sono da sempre.
August 15, 2023
The text is purported to have been written by a cat, and there are photos of the cat with her paws on the typewriter. There are lots of cute photos, such as are common today on social media.
The text however is a document of its times, and reflects the sexism and stereotypes of the day. I picked away at this book but was never able to read much of it. Perhaps it was funny in 1960 to have these cultural observations made — by a cat! This humour does not age well.
The text however is a document of its times, and reflects the sexism and stereotypes of the day. I picked away at this book but was never able to read much of it. Perhaps it was funny in 1960 to have these cultural observations made — by a cat! This humour does not age well.
April 25, 2023
3.5 ⭐️
Molto carino!
Avendo un gatto la lettura è stata molto piacevole, pure divertente.
“Solo” tre stelle perché verso la fine il concetto ormai si è capito e diventa un po’ “ridondante ” ma comunque rimane una lettura scorrevole.
Consiglierei infine il libro solo a chi vive con un gattino, per poterlo apprezzare appieno.
Molto carino!
Avendo un gatto la lettura è stata molto piacevole, pure divertente.
“Solo” tre stelle perché verso la fine il concetto ormai si è capito e diventa un po’ “ridondante ” ma comunque rimane una lettura scorrevole.
Consiglierei infine il libro solo a chi vive con un gattino, per poterlo apprezzare appieno.
February 17, 2019
Il libro che ogni gattofilo dovrebbe leggere, o meglio che chiunque dovrebbe leggere perché come insegna questo libro, tutti amiamo i gatti solo che alcuni non sanno ancora di volere un gatto nella loro vita e vanno 'educati'.
January 13, 2020
What a charming, darling, sweet little book. Having repeatedly been taken over by cats (currently, I answer to three masters), I’m very glad that I read this. It is exactly true in every way and fully reinforces everything I’ve always suspected.
July 19, 2016
It's written by a cat, and translated by a human. Need I say more?
February 6, 2021
I believe this was given to me as a present from a friend at least 10 years ago. It was one of those books that I looked at a lot, but never actually read. Now I have read it and it was pretty enjoyable. It is written as though the author recieved the manuscript from a cat and now the author has published it as a book.
It felt like the book was written for a younger audience, maybe 12 years old and above. That doesn't mean that adults wouldn't enjoy it too. I enjoyed it and as much as I would like to think I am still a teenager, I am very much an adult.
The book is a little dated now. Without checking when it was published, it was obvious it was before the internet took off or even computers as the author mentioned about writing on typewriters. The book isn't dated enough to be irrelevant as cats still behave the same, which cat's behaviours is mostly what the book is about, but as time goes on, there will be readers who understand less of the examples.
Anyway, I would recommend this book to cat lovers or perhaps someone who is thinking about getting a kitten. While it doesn't specifically tell you how to raise a kitten, this book may help you understand how a kitten may behave.
It felt like the book was written for a younger audience, maybe 12 years old and above. That doesn't mean that adults wouldn't enjoy it too. I enjoyed it and as much as I would like to think I am still a teenager, I am very much an adult.
The book is a little dated now. Without checking when it was published, it was obvious it was before the internet took off or even computers as the author mentioned about writing on typewriters. The book isn't dated enough to be irrelevant as cats still behave the same, which cat's behaviours is mostly what the book is about, but as time goes on, there will be readers who understand less of the examples.
Anyway, I would recommend this book to cat lovers or perhaps someone who is thinking about getting a kitten. While it doesn't specifically tell you how to raise a kitten, this book may help you understand how a kitten may behave.
June 25, 2025
Cute and very accurate instructions from Cica. This was a fun book to read being a cat person and chuckled often at how accurate it is, obviously.
"...to hear the mother or father say to the children, 'We can't open presents yet; Kitty isn't here.' This is a well-trained family."
October 18, 2016
really a great book, funny, with a lot of witty comments - just loved it
February 6, 2017
Una piccola meraviglia.
March 4, 2023
childhood book from Grand Marie and Grand Dad’s. A wonderful and fun read, but very of the 60s. Very tongue and cheek.
January 19, 2023
In the spirit of revisiting golden oldies, I tracked down a copy of The Silent Miaow by Paul Gallico and Suzanne Szasz from a library, and oh, what a treat it was. I appreciated the book a lot more now as an adult than when I was a kid, and I think this book says more about us humans than it does about the cats.
First published in 1964, The Silent Miaow features a whole bunch of photographic studies of one cat, in particular, and her shenanigans with her humans. It's told in a 'mockumentary' style, as the subtitle suggests: A Manual for Kittens, Strays, and Homeless Cats, and it details all the ways a cat can wriggle her way into humans' homes and hearts, and how careful management of their, ahem, human resources, can lead to a long, fulfilling life.
A Silent Miaow is most certainly a book for ailurophiles, and if you don't read it with a knowing smile tugging at the corners of your lips, then you're not the kind of person I'm going to allow to step inside my house ;-)
A word on the author: Paul Gallico is also known for such classics as Thomasina, Jennie, and The Snow Goose, and his writing often features heroic animals. His books numbered among the first I read when I was little, and my mum encouraged me to get into literature. It's with equal parts nostalgia and love that I look back on his writing, and I'm hoping to revisit my old favourites.
First published in 1964, The Silent Miaow features a whole bunch of photographic studies of one cat, in particular, and her shenanigans with her humans. It's told in a 'mockumentary' style, as the subtitle suggests: A Manual for Kittens, Strays, and Homeless Cats, and it details all the ways a cat can wriggle her way into humans' homes and hearts, and how careful management of their, ahem, human resources, can lead to a long, fulfilling life.
A Silent Miaow is most certainly a book for ailurophiles, and if you don't read it with a knowing smile tugging at the corners of your lips, then you're not the kind of person I'm going to allow to step inside my house ;-)
A word on the author: Paul Gallico is also known for such classics as Thomasina, Jennie, and The Snow Goose, and his writing often features heroic animals. His books numbered among the first I read when I was little, and my mum encouraged me to get into literature. It's with equal parts nostalgia and love that I look back on his writing, and I'm hoping to revisit my old favourites.
April 14, 2015
This is a book any cat lover would enjoy. I know this because I have an Aunt who is a major Cat lover. It describes the cat traits so well. Like check out the descriptions he used to descripe kitty's tricks. I like how he wrote it from a cat's view. Its a funny read. It might even make your day! I think this will be a nice gift for my Aunt and it might be for someone you know who loves cats and even has cats.
July 23, 2012
Every cat lover must read this book, even though if you're a cat lover, you probably already know everything in it since you've lived it! A stray kitten's adoption of a human family, told through its point of view.
September 8, 2013
Very clever book written from the point of view of a cat on how to take over a family. Things from this book book have become part of my family's daily lexicon when dealing with our kitty and we certainly don't view her in the same way now. Funny quick read.
November 30, 2015
From the preface: “In the very existence of this book we have a most concrete example of the manner in which at least one of these marvellous creatures [cats], acquiring both an editor and a publisher, has advanced the eventual complete feline take-over of the human race.”
'Nuff said.
'Nuff said.
January 10, 2013
Hilarious advice on the art of living from less than a foot off the ground, and a few astute observations of human behaviour also. Must read for cat lovers.
September 19, 2014
Misanthropy and cats. Can't get much better than that.
Read
March 5, 2015Very insightful.
April 24, 2019
Un libro simpatico, anche se un po' datato. Per tutti noi gattofili :)
June 22, 2022
Una storia divertente e giocosa, che ci racconta il punto di vista dei mici su noi umani
February 19, 2024
( Format : Hardback )
"Purrfect"
On the day we were married in 1965, after we'd paid for our one way tickets to the city of our new home, my husband and I had almost no money left, just thought to buy a cat basket so my lovely Tom cat could travel with us on the train, the price of two cinema tickets and a pie to share between us - and a copy of The Silent Miaow. Many years passed and eventually the book was lost in my travels. When my daughter heard the story she traced for me a copy of the book and so I read it again after more than fifty years.
.
Charmingly written by the talented Paul Gallico and illustrated with numerous photographs by Suzanne Szasz, it purports to be advice from a cat to others of its kind on how to find a home and manipulate the humans. Quite delicious.
It was brilliant when first I read it and just as good today despite the now plethora of cat appearances on social media.
"Purrfect"
On the day we were married in 1965, after we'd paid for our one way tickets to the city of our new home, my husband and I had almost no money left, just thought to buy a cat basket so my lovely Tom cat could travel with us on the train, the price of two cinema tickets and a pie to share between us - and a copy of The Silent Miaow. Many years passed and eventually the book was lost in my travels. When my daughter heard the story she traced for me a copy of the book and so I read it again after more than fifty years.
.
Charmingly written by the talented Paul Gallico and illustrated with numerous photographs by Suzanne Szasz, it purports to be advice from a cat to others of its kind on how to find a home and manipulate the humans. Quite delicious.
It was brilliant when first I read it and just as good today despite the now plethora of cat appearances on social media.
June 15, 2022
I picked this up second hand (with its companion Honorable Cat) a few years ago. First published in 1964, some of the references and attitudes in the book are mildly dated. The text, written in first person by an anonymous member of the feline species, takes the form of a comprehensive guide to humankind The accompanying photographs are in black and white, but still very beguiling. . I've always had a soft spoke for Gallico and started to collect his books in my twenties. They are very much of their time, but he's still a great raconteur. This will appeal to cat lovers and anyone wishing for a bit of light hearted escapism.
November 9, 2022
I wasn't too keen on this book but it ended up being a lot of fun, albeit rather sexist and misogynistic. It was first published in 1964 though, so can't be too hard on it.
What is it? It is a book about training your family written from the perspective of a cat. And yes, it is quite clever and I am sure my cats have read at least part of it. There are some things they could stand to read, like how to behave when going to the vet, but alas I do not think they are that smart.
It's quite a short book with several full page photos, so it was a quick read. Other than that, not much else to comment on.
What is it? It is a book about training your family written from the perspective of a cat. And yes, it is quite clever and I am sure my cats have read at least part of it. There are some things they could stand to read, like how to behave when going to the vet, but alas I do not think they are that smart.
It's quite a short book with several full page photos, so it was a quick read. Other than that, not much else to comment on.
October 11, 2020
Cats in 1964 were the same as cats today so this advice to felines everywhere is still relevant and useful. It is dedicated to those moggies who want a cushy life being pampered by humans. Black and white photos of Kitty illustrate this delightful guide that any puss will be glad to get his or her paws on. As a human reader I'm rather sad to discover how much I am being manipulated by my unique four-legged companion but I still love her.
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