Kat onder de kerstboom

Alfie #7

by Rachel Wells, Jet Matla (Translator)

Het meest fluffy cadeau: heerlijke kattenroman voor lezers van Bob de straatkat.

Kerstmis staat voor de deur, en Alfie en George kunnen niet wachten tot het zover is! Dit jaar organiseert de buurt een kerstvoorstelling om geld in te zamelen voor een daklozencentrum. Iedereen is druk met de voorbereidingen, inclusief Alfie en George.

Maar dan gaat het mis. Op een ochtend blijkt de hele set met alle decorstukken vernield te zijn. Het is duidelijk dat hun mooie voorstelling gesaboteerd wordt. Maar waarom? Dit is een kolfje naar Alfies poot. Het is duidelijk dat hij en George de boel moeten redden en zo snel mogelijk de dader moeten vinden. The show must go on!

In het allerlaatste deel van de Alfie-serie zorgen onze twee favoriete katten voor een onvergetelijke kerst.

Lezersreacties op Goodreads:

‘Dit is een geweldig kerstboek.’ Sophia *****

‘Ik vond het leuk dat het vanuit het perspectief van de katten werd verteld.’ Moony *****

‘Een heerlijke serie, en Alfie is een echte kerstkat!’ Rachel *****

Genres: Animals, Cats, Christmas

295 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 19, 2022

About the author

Rachel Wells is a mother, writer and cat lover who lives in North Devon with her son, Xavier and her cat Lady A. She grew up in Devon but lived in London for a number of years, working in Marketing and living in a tiny flat with an elderly rescued cat, who she called Albert.

After having a child she moved back home and is currently juggling writing full time and being a single mum.

She has always had cats as pets, ever since she was a young child, and she has always loved writing. Delighted to have been able to combine her two main passions, ALFIE THE DOORSTEP CAT was her first cat novel. She has continued with A CAT CALLED ALFIE, ALFIE & GEORGE and the new book, ALFIE THE HOLIDAY CAT. Delighted to be able to continue to bring Alfie’s adventures to life, Alfie has become a part of the family. She has also written two books for children about Alfie; ALFIE – CAT IN TROUBLE and ALFIE – FAR FROM HOME.

Reviews

[Silvie Klokgieter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kerstmis staat voor de deur, en Alfie en George kunnen niet wachten tot het zover is! Dit jaar organiseert de buurt een kerstvoorstelling om geld in te zamelen voor een daklozencentrum. Iedereen is druk met de voorbereidingen, inclusief Alfie en George.

Maar dan gaat het mis. Op een ochtend blijkt de hele set met alle decorstukken vernield te zijn. Het is duidelijk dat hun mooie voorstelling gesaboteerd wordt. Maar waarom? Dit is een kolfje naar Alfies poot. Het is duidelijk dat hij en George de boel moeten redden en zo snel mogelijk de dader moeten vinden. The show must go on!

Dit verhaal klonk wel schattig en als "mama" van twee katten wilde ik dit verhaal graag lezen. Dit is het laatste deel van de serie met Alfie, maar is ook prima als losstaand deel te lezen.

Je leest dit verhaal vanuit Alfie, een kat die een zoontje, genaamd George, heeft. Er zijn volop voorbereidingen voor de Kerst en de twee katten doen graag mee. Deze kerstsfeer is goed op papier gezet, net zoals de verschillende situaties waarin de katten belanden. De grote vraag is of ze degene die alles wil saboteren op tijd kunnen betrappen en pakken.

Dit verhaal is erg lief geschreven, sowieso omdat het vanuit een kat wordt verteld. Er zit ook de nodige humor in verwerkt. Het wordt allemaal niet super bijzonder, maar toch leest het lekker weg. En het is natuurlijk een keer wat anders dan alleen maar thrillers lezen.

Heb je zin in een leuk verhaal dat zich rond Kerst afspeelt en waar je niet teveel bij hoeft na te denken? Lees dan zeker dit laatste deel van Alfie en zijn vriendjes.

Ik wil @harpercollins_holland heel erg bedanken voor dit recensie-exemplaar!

Beoordeling: 3,5 ⭐️

[Moony (Captain Mischief) MeowPoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this eARC from Netgalley in exhange for a honest review
3.75 stars.
This book were nice and kind of cute! I loved that we got to see it from Alfie`s and the other cats perspective and that they talked like humans. All their great personalities shone through.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulous Christmas book of Alfie and his good friends adventures the book is definitely a Christmas number one!

[Fefi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ultimo libro su Alfie, i felini di Edgar Road e le famiglie più normali che esistano. Mentre negli altri libri il Natale arriva sempre verso la fine, qui siamo alle prese da subito con la magia di queste feste. Alfie le sue famiglie sono sempre più vicine alla comunità dei senzatetto del quartiere e decidono di fare uno spettacolo di beneficenza natalizio, coinvolgendo proprio chi non ha nessuno. Ma qualcuno non è così felice come vuol far sembrare e quindi il nostro gatto dei portoni i suoi amici felini e non saranno alle prese con dei sabotaggi.
Questo ultimo libro mi è sembrato un po' più lento rispetto agli altri, devo ammettere anche un po' scontato in certe situazioni, ma si conclude con una bellissima sorpresa...
Alla prossima avventura Alfie & George!
Se amate i gatti in particolare e vorreste come me sentirli discutere di quello che siamo noi umani, allora questa serie fa per voi; se invece pensate che i gatti siano solo felini, allora non leggete di Alfie e Co. perché qui i mici sono tutto, tranne che solo felini.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alfie the Christmas Cat is the 7th book in the Alfie series, but I read and enjoyed it easily as a stand alone story. Alfie is a porch cat, meaning he lives with many people on Edgar Road, they are all his people. Alfie, his son George, several other cats and one pug, in the neighbourhood are quite the group. Their owners/people have pulled together to put on a Christmas show to support the local homeless shelter. They have auditions, cast the parts and begin rehearsals, but someone is sabotaging the show. Can Alfie and the gang find the culprit and communicate who it is, because the Show Must Go On.

I enjoyed this story told from the perspective of Alfie, the cat. He was the defacto leader of the animals on the road and I loved how he organized them, commented on what was going on, and even planned things to help the humans. It was also cute to see how the humans were able to see what Alfie was trying to communicate to them. I liked how the themes of loneliness and homelessness are dealt with and that the friends got to know the people they were helping. The play itself was very creative and having four cats play sheep, was hilarious. There was one seemingly sick cat, Hana, who had a wonderful, happy, Christmas ending which made me smile as this story came to a fitting end. You don't have to love animals to enjoy this Christmas story, but if you do, you will enjoy it even more.

[Barisca · Rating 4 out of 5]

In dit zevende deel steekt Alfie zijn poezelige neusje in allerlei zaken en heeft hij het druk. De bewoners van Edgar Road voeren een kerst spel op ten bate van de daklozen in hun buurt. Maar het decor wordt vernield. Alfie wil weten wie het gedaan heeft. Maar hoe communiceert een kat met mensen?
Dit deel van de serie over Alfie is wederom gezellig; de buurt, de families en de poezenvrienden. Op een enkeling na. Maar de warmte straalt uit het boek, als je het leest. Het is een boek dat fijn leest. Zoals altijd in de Alfie boeken is er ook ruimte voor een serieus onderwerp: de daklozenopvang. In het nawoord staat Rachel Wells hier nogmaals bij stil.
Rachel Wells schreef al 7 boeken over Alfie, de drempel kat. Hartverwarmend.

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alfie, George, Snowball, Hana, Pickles and the whole Edgar Street posse of cats (and pug) are back, and it was a joy to be back amongst them.

I really do love this series from Alfie's perspective, for he really is a rather clever cat, and the bond he has with his various humans is amazing.

The idea for the Christmas Show was inspired, and seeing how the community comes together to help put this show on and to raise awareness and money for the homeless is rather special. Not only that but they insist the whole cast goes to the homeless shelter and meet some of those they will be helping.

Which is a great follow on from the themes of the previous book which dealt a lot with loneliness at all times of year but especially Christmas, and the programme Harold set up is fully functioning now and really does seem to help a lot of people.

Not everything is smooth sailing for the humans, Tommy is playing up at home and school and everyone is worried about him. And that is before we take into account someone attempting to sabotage the show, and a new rather complicated neighbour on the street too.

There is something so amusingly imaginative about having four cats in the Nativity part of the show, playing sheep, and seeing the cats get together regularly amongst themselves in order to practice how to be the best sheep they can be. While Pickles gets to be Rudolph!

There is also a storyline about Hana, who George is increasingly worried about, that well I had an inkling but the way it played out was just perfect for a Christmas book!

This is just such a special series, and Alfie really is a Christmas cat. I really had the feeling of the true spirit of Christmas while reading this story.

Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[Sanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weer een nieuw verhaal over Alfie en zijn vrienden. Dit keer organiseren ze een kerstshow ten behoeve aan daklozen. Helaas is er een saboteur die het decor probeert te vernielen. Gelukkig is Alfie er om alles weer op orde te brengen.

Zoals altijd vond ik het weer geweldig om te lezen. Alfie is zo ontzettend lief en leuk. Ik vind het heerlijk om door hem te worden meegenomen. Ook de andere personages blijven leuk. Ook deze blijven zich ontwikkelen en groeien.

In dit verhaal stonden de daklozen centraal. Ik vind het mooi dat de schrijfster altijd zulk soort zware onderwerpen in haar boeken verwerkt. Ze doet dit op een manier die heel luchtig is maar waardoor je wel gaat nadenken.

Het enige nadeel is dat na 7 boeken de verhalen steeds een beetje hetzelfde zijn. Ook was er in het begin van dit boek heel veel herhaling. Hierdoor kwam het verhaal wat traag op gang. Al maakt dit wel dat je het ook prima als stand alone kunt lezen.

Toch was het weer erg genieten om Alfie zijn avonturen te beleven. Wat ik heb begrepen is dit het laatste deel. Hoewel het steeds een beetje hetzelfde is geniet ik er toch ook steeds van en vind ik het jammer als het nu echt eindigt.

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una chicca per chi ama i gatti, da leggere durante le festività natalizie. Leggero e divertente.

[Chantal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fabulous Christmas book of Alfie with a good cause of raising money for the homeless. What a Christmas spirit. Easy and very enjoyable to read.

[Veronique Wilbrink · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deze recensie is eerder verschenen op Koukleum.nl.

Als er een boek van Alfie aangekondigd wordt, word ik al meteen enthousiast. Ik heb de voorgaande zes delen met zoveel enthousiasme gelezen, dat ik meteen wist dat ik dit zevende deel ook wilde lezen. Doordat het een kerstboek is, kon ik deze al iets sneller lezen dan gebruikelijk.

Alfie hebben we in eerdere boeken al leren kennen als een eigengereide kat, die humor heeft, eigenwijs is en overtuigd is van zijn eigen kunnen. Samen met zijn geadopteerde kitten George beleven ze allerlei avonturen. Dit staat altijd garant voor een hilarisch verhaal, waarbij ook altijd een serieus onderwerp centraal staat. Dit is in dit zevende deel natuurlijk ook weer het geval.

Zoals in de voorgaande delen is ook dit deel geschreven vanuit Alfie. Alfie is een drempelkat, dat wil zeggen dat hij bij meerdere gezinnen thuishoort. Ik kan me voorstellen dat niet iedereen ervan houdt, dat het verhaal vanuit Alfie geschreven is, maar ik ben er echt wel een liefhebber van. Zoals de vaste volgers weten heb ik een aantal blogs op die manier geschreven vanuit onze twee kleine bengels Lilly & Stitch en het is erg leuk om te doen, dus kan me voorstellen dat Rachel Wells echt plezier beleefd aan het schrijven van deze boeken.

Aan de titel van het verhaal kun je natuurlijk al afleiden dat het over kerstmis zal gaan in het boek en hier draait het natuurlijk ook om, maar dit is voor mijn gevoel niet het belangrijkste onderwerp. In de boeken van Alfie heb je altijd belangrijke maatschappelijke onderwerpen, zoals verdriet, rouw, eenzaamheid of iets voor de gemeenschap over hebben. Dit is in dit verhaal natuurlijk niet anders. Wat ik zelf altijd erg leuk vind, is de manier waarop Alfie op het idee komt en dit zonder problemen over brengt op zijn familie, die de ideeën tenslotte toch ten uitvoer moeten brengen. Dit is in dit boek niet anders. Aleksy en Connie willen iets doen voor de daklozenopvang, maar hebben niet echt een idee wat. Door toeval heeft Alfie een idee en hij weet dit op een hilarische manier over te brengen. Onze katten komen niet buiten, maar sommige dingen zie ik zo voor me en kan ik me goed voorstellen dat zij dit ook zouden uitspoken. Ik vind het dan ook echt een genot en een feest van herkenning om dit nieuwe boek van Alfie te lezen.

Een aantal van de personages kennen we natuurlijk al van de voorgaande delen en deze leren we in dit deel weer wat beter kennen. Maar ook de nieuwe personages worden voldoende diep uitgewerkt, waardoor ze geloofwaardig neergezet worden. Vooral Barbara was een personage met een diepere laag. Het verhaal is nooit bijzonder ingewikkeld, maar door Alfie, George en zijn vriendjes zou je bijna gaan hopen dat er zo’n drempelkat in je eigen buurt was, want hierdoor worden maatschappelijke onderwerpen aangepakt en problemen die in de wijk spelen, worden door Alfie aangepakt en zo opgelost dat een hele straat samenwerkt.

Door het einde van het boek, kan ik nu al niet wachten tot het volgende deel van Alfie, want dat dit weer een apart verhaal wordt, durf ik nu al te zeggen. Ik kijk er in ieder geval weer naar uit.

[Kraken_libri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scritto, come affermato dalla scrittrice stessa, durante la pandemia questo nuova avventura miciosa traspare la voglia di reciprocità e amore che solo gli animali riescono ad elargire senza chiedere nulla in cambio.

Una storia tenera, vista dal punto di vista di un animale che sembra sempre vedere oltre e nascondere misteri, dopotutto in Egitto venivano venerati.

Un racconto che risalta come dietro la tristezza di un volto si può nascondere un cuore puro, che ha solo perso la capacità di credere nella bontà degli altri, ma Alfie sa provvedere anche a questo.

Un lieto racconto di Natale che forse solamente Dickens può superare la bellezza, le atmosfere natalizie, la dolcezza e la lezione celata dietro questo peloso racconto.

Un libro che mi ha portato nostalgia delle luci, dell'albero, dei regali, delle serate insieme a giocare a carte ma sopratutto il freddo, perchè qui si muore davvero dal caldo.

[Marloes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even mijn reviews van December bijwerken!
Dit was mijn eerste echte kerstboek ooit en het was een vermakelijk boek. Hallo katten?
Wel was het in het begin verwarrend die er nu precies de katten waren en wie precies de mensen waren in het verhaal. Dit komt omdat de katten dus denken en doen als mensen. Het idee voor het verhaal is erg leuk en concept ook. Je leest het boek makkelijk weg. Wel vond ik Alfie af en toe iets te vol van zichzelf. Ik dacht regelmatig, Alfie kom op, je bent echt niet zo geniaal als dat je denkt en mensen kunnen dit ook gewoon bedenken. Maar al met al een erg leuk en kersterig boek!

[Stacy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

While I loved the premise of this book, which is raising money and awareness of homelessness, it was just lacking in so many other ways for me. It was told from a cat's perspective, which I normally enjoy, but I found the writing to be a little too simple and basic. There honestly wasn't much of a story to keep me invested or interested. The "twists" (if you can call them that) were laughably easy to figure out. It was cute in parts, but I think it would have been better written as a children's book.

[Alessandra Les fleurs du mal blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice guarda i gatti
e i gatti guardano nel sole
mentre il mondo sta girando senza fretta.
Francesco de Gregori

Non potevo non iniziare questa recensione se non citando la meravigliosa canzone di De Gregori Alice non lo sa.
Perché qua è concentrata tutta la meraviglia di questa tigre in formato mignon. Sorniona, paciosa e pigra, tutta concentrata a godere della vita con il minimo sforzo, ringraziando la divinità che splende come il sole, per una carezza, un tipino di lana, una pallina fatta con la carta di allumino o una crocchetta a base di semplice pollo.
I gatti, diciamocelo, sono esseri magici provenienti, secondo Murray Hope, da Sirio venuti qua per controllare l’evoluzione di questo strano, goffo stupido ma adorabile umano.
E troverete spesso i gatti bearsi al calore del sole o su in termosifone, intenti a risolvere concentrati e attenti i problemi del mondo con i loro occhi chiusi e i loro ron ron.
E sbagliate se pensate che dormono.
Affatto.
Progettano, inventano, sognano e al tempo stesso creano.
E non è raro vedere il gatto stiracchiarsi e ciondolare con passo elegante e seducente verso il suo umano preferito pronto a suggerirgli la tattica giusta o il consiglio adatto per dipanare quella matassa ingarbugliata.
E se proprio non ha voglia ti insegnerà a giocarci con quella matassa, disseminandola in giro e ridendo felice nel farlo.
E il gatto è come l’alice del testo: guarda il mondo da osservatore non partecipante, cogliendo sfumature, motivi reconditi dietro ogni gesto e ogni scelta e senza giudicare.
Ed è in quel non giudizio che il gatto...riporta il sorriso sul volto.
E’ raro trovare qualcuno che non sorride delle sue buffe mosse, della dolcezza con cui anche i gatti adulti si lavano il musetto con meticolosità e con gesti lenti, calmi tranquillizzanti.
Alfie in questo libro non è che il simbolo di tutti i gatti del mondo.
Anche del mio rosso che osserva compiaciuto le parole che sto scrivendo come a dirmi “Brava umana. Devi venerarci e adorarci”.
E omaggiarli in barba alle frasi fatte e ai mille pregiudizi che lo circondano da sempre.
Anaffettivo, egoista, furbo farabutto ( beh non quella la meritano) opportunista e pigro ( anche quella è vera però).
Il gatto e Alfie dimostra soltanto una diversa filosofia esistenziale, sconvolgente nella sua immediatezza e nella sua semplicità: dietro ogni gesto, ogni azione si nasconde un intero mondo di dolore, sofferenza, disagio, alienazione.
E il gatto osservando senza pregiudizi, fregandosene persino di quelli che lo condannano a una sorta di damnatio memoriea, lo apprende.
E con la sua sagacia tutta soprannaturale arriva con la sua maestosa coda alzata a cambiare il corso del tuo camminare.
No ragazzi miei.
Non è un dispetto quello di farci cadere dai nostri piedistalli o a cambiare il corso del nostro fragile vagare.
O almeno non sempre.
Alfie è la dimostrazione che, i gatti, sono sulla terra per ricordarci valori fondamentali come l’accettazione del diverso ad esempio.
Del resto è uno di quegli animali, straordinari, che se ne frega delle gerarchie sociali e della divisione in specie.
Va d’accordo con noi esseri umani, che diamo davvero una specie apparte.
Con i cani nonostante quella trita e ritrita volontà di vederli acerrimi nemici. Ama il diverso e lo osserva con curiosa meraviglia.
Tutto gli sembra interessante e spesso ci osserva con un sorriso sornione sul musetto baffuto.
Ci insegna il valore della casa, ma non solo come luogo fisico ma come comunità in cui tornare dopo avventure incredibili e in cui ricaricare le energie perdute.
Ci insegna la compassione.
Il rispetto degli spazi, il valore della libertà che non è certo quella egoista di fare un po' il cavolo che ci pare.
Ci insegna l'amore, quello che ci deve suscitare un sereno ron ron, non certo fiotti di lacrime.
L’amore che va mantenuto vivo ogni giorno e mai, dico mai, dato per scontato perché ogni giorno dobbiamo meritarlo eh.
E ci insegna il valore della solidarietà, con quella voglia che ha Alfie di abbracciare con i suoi adorabili gommini anche chi è in difficoltà.
Eh si Alfie e tutti i nostri amici gatti possono riportare il sorriso.
Ma oso dire di più.
Possono riportare indietro un umanità che spezziamo e roviniamo a ogni scelta caotica, o ogni gesto lesivo dell’altrui dignità.
Basta il gatto a ricordarci di essere, nonostante una propensione accentuata per la stupidità, capaci di gesti meravigliosi, quelli che ci hanno fatto guadagnare il nome altisonante di figli di dio.

[Teena in Toronto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alfie is a doorstep cat who has many families. He lives with Claire and Jonathan and their young children. Polly and Matt (and their young children and cat), and their children, Sylvie and Marcus (and Sylvie's daughter) and Harold (Marcus' father who also has a cat) are their neighbours and Franceska and Tomasz )and their teenage children) are former neighbours. All the families are very good friends with each other, thanks to Alfie. Alfie is the adopted "dad" to a cat named George.

Connie, Sylvie's daughter, is dating Franceska and Tomasz' son, Aleksy. They are doing a school project and decide to do something to help the local homeless shelter. After brainstorming with everyone, including the cats, they come up with idea of having a Christmas show and giving the proceeds to the homeless shelter. Plus they will ask for donations of clothing, etc. The neighbourhood pitches in and they have quiet a show planned. But someone starts sabotaging it but know one knows who. Alfie takes it upon himself to find out what's going on.

This is the seventh and latest in Alfie series and I liked it (I've read them all). Though it's part of a series, it works as a stand alone. It is written in first person perspective in Alfie's voice. We can see the conversations he has with other cats and now Pickles. Plus he understands the conversations of humans around him (rather than "blah blah blah blah blah Alfie blah blah blah). Though he can't talk back to them in their language, he does try to communicate in cat-talk and expressions.

Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2020/11...

[Sesy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Questo è il settimo libro su Alfie e amici e devo dire che è il primo a deludermi. Non so cosa sia stato a provocare questo calo, forse una vera e propria mancanza di idee originali e sorprendenti. Tutto ciò che accade è abbastanza "telefonato", infatti si poteva capire come andasse a finire il libro già verso la metà. Poi non ho apprezzato l'inizio problematico di un personaggio (Tommy) sfumato nel nulla fin troppo facilmente. Ho anche sentito la mancanza della solita dolcezza di pensiero di Alfie... Questa volta "campava di rendita" dai libri precedenti e di fronte al personaggio "difficile" appena introdotto si è arreso quasi subito. Sarà l'età che avanza anche per il nostro gattino?
Tutto il motore del libro si basa su un'opera di beneficenza (uno spettacolo) da preparare in occasione del Natale e tutte le famiglie con i relativi membri vi prendono parte. Bella l'idea di rivolgere l'attenzione a temi sensibili quali la condizione dei Senza Tetto, però è stata vissuta molto dall'esterno, mentre invece mi sarei immaginata bene un Alfie che diventava vero amico di uno di questi Senza Tetto, che restano un'entità non ben definita, tranne che per poche e brevi rappresentazioni.
Carino il "colpo di scena" sulla gatta Hana, ma anche questo poi così sorprendente non era visto che era facile immaginarlo già prima della metà del libro. Forse però sarà utile a rendere più interessante il prossimo libro. Mi è piaciuta invece la nascita di una vera amicizia tra Alfie e Salmone, perché è proprio da lui riuscire a essere amico tutti, anche dei gatti (e degli umani) più impensabili!

[Shirley McAllister · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who is Trashing the Christmas Play?

Alfie's humans are putting on a Christmas play to benefit the homeless shelter. It was really Alfie's idea and it took him a while to get his humans to get the idea. Now everyone is involved...George, Alfie's son, Snowball Alfie's lady friend, and Pickles the pug puppy that lived in their house. This is plus all the humans that got involved.

They found a hall to use for the play, put out flyers and decorated. They got acts for the play from the school, the church and the neighborhood. Even the newspaper lady took pictures for the paper to help the homeless shelter. Of course Alfie and George were the features..what great cats they were.

Everyone got parts, made costumes, practiced and made scenery. However, someone keeps destroying the scenery. Who is doing it? Alfie and his cat crew need to go detective and solve the crime of who is trashing the Christmas play.

I really liked this book. It is a lighthearted read about loss, compassion and forgiveness. It is about the real spirit of Christmas and helping others. To give to those that have nothing so they can have a wonderful Christmas. What a great story and told by a cat. It is adorable. I recommend this Christmas story to all young and old.

Thanks to Rachel Wells, Avon Books UK, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy in return for an honest review.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alfie The Christmas Cat by Rachel Wells is a delightful tale that will appeal to cat lovers everywhere. It is the seventh book in the Alfie series but can be read as a stand-alone. This was my first visit to Alfie’s street but it won’t be my last.
The story is told from the point of view of Alfie, the lead cat. The other cats and a dog called Pickles look to Alfie to lead them. The story is set in the lead up to Christmas as the humans decide to put on a Nativity to raise money for the homeless. Alfie is keen to get involved as he was once homeless before his adoption.
The reader is enchanted by all the cats, each with their unique personalities. The cats turn to super sleuthing as someone is determined that the play will not go on. Once the culprit is spotted, the challenge is to bring them to the attention of the humans.
Alfie The Christmas Cat really was a warm and charming story. Love and kindness is the order of the day. I really loved it. It is just purr-fect to be read in the run up to Christmas. I shall definitely be seeking out more Alfie books.
I shall leave you with my favourite quote:
“The heart is a miracle… it allows you to miss those you’ve lost and still love those who are with you.”
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

[Susan Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Princess Fuzzypants here: Alfie is a cat after my own heart. His mission in life is to manage all the humans around him and be a bright light even when the darkness threatens. He and his son George and their two girlfriends, Snowball and Hana, must work very hard to thwart a real-life grinch who threatens to ruin the charity Christmas show the humans are putting on in aid of a local homeless shelter. Alfie cannot believe that someone could be that wicked but the evidence is clear. It took him and all his kitty friends to bring the miscreant to justice although I knew right from the get-go the identity of the villain. They also had to make sure the humans knew the truth too. *Mops brow*. Good grief! Some humans can be so dense but Alfie always manages to get across his message.

Alfie is extremely empathetic to the plight of the homeless as he was without a home himself when we first met him. Now he has an entire street of extended family. The story asks the reader to look at the homeless situation with more compassion. There also is a message of redemption, Of course, Alfie writes a fine story that is both heartwarming and uplifting. And in this world of COVID, don’t we all need a little of that. This is a book the entire family can enjoy.

Four purrs and two paws up.

[Claire Swain · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Alfie The Christmas Cat' by Rachel Wells.

About The Book: Alfie and the families of Edgar Road are organising a Christmas show to raise money for a local homeless shelter. The community are happily getting involved and everyone has a part to play. However, things start to go wrong and the families are struggling to fix everything that keeps being sabotaged. It is up to Alfie and his fellow cat friends to save the Christmas Show!

My Review: Absolutely Wonderful! I have enjoyed all the Alfie novels and the 7th novel is just as fantastic!.
I was hooked from the beginning and the pacing was perfect.
Alfie is such a loveable and unique protagonist. I love reading about his adventures with his adorable and witty friends.
This novel is full of joy, love, happiness, friendship, family and laughter. There is a lovely Christmas spirit throughout the book. I was smiling throughout the story.
There is no over description. A great balance of show and tell.
Also, praise for Rachel for providing Important awareness of homelessness and information about how you can support people who are homeless.

I highly recommend the Alfie series to anyone who loves cats. Rachel is a very talented author and I hope there will be many more Alfie novels in the future.

Disclaimer: My Book Reviews are based on my own opinions and experiences only.

[Liberi Leggendo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ho conosciuto il gatto Alfie con questo romanzo, ma ce ne sono altri sei che parlano di lui, qui troviamo naturalmente una nuova avventura.

Alfie vive a Edgar Road con suo figlio George e altri amici gatti ed è molto amato dalle famiglie che vivono lì. In una di queste vive Hana la fidanzata di George.

In queste pagine è Alfie a parlare, il suo modo di fare attento, il suo saper gestire le situazioni, lo porta ad aiutare dei ragazzini a convincere i familiari a organizzare un evento di beneficenza in occasione del Natale. La sua idea è quella di fare uno spettacolo per raccogliere fondi da donare ai senzatetto.

Tutti si danno da fare per la realizzazione dello spettacolo, c'è chi realizza i costumi, chi fa pubblicità distribuendo volantini e chi prepara lo scenario con addobbi. M c'è anche qualcuno che comincia a distruggere lo scenario. Chi sarà.

Alfie insieme ai auo amici dovrà far luce su questo mistero per salvare lo spettacolo.

Un romanzo delizioso e dolcissimo, una storia che entra dentro facilmente perchè scalda il cuore. Impossibile non innamorarsi di Alfie e dei suoi amici. L'autrice affronta un tema importante, ci fa riflettere sull'importanza della solidarietà e lo fa raccontandoci una storia emozionante. Lo consiglio sicuramente.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like Christmas books, I also really like cats so this seemed the perfect choice. I have to confess though I found this hard to get into. I think that's because the cats all had human names but are presented with voices and thoughts like humans and I kept getting confused between who was talking, human or cat. I don't remember being this confused when I read 'The cat who...' series of books. That aside this is a light heartwarming tale of a close knit street where humans and cats work together to promote a community spirit and in this book, to raise money for the homeless. It raises some important points and awareness of homelessness and has a lovely happy ending. There is a pantomime villain who has a remarkable quick change of heart which feels unlikely. The teenage tearaway changing his ways was more believable. This would be a good book for a young person or anyone learning to read books in English.

With thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kaitlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you're looking for a light story to get into the Christmas spirit, this may be for you. Not overly complicated to get into and it highlights the important aspects of helping out the homeless, especially during the holiday season but I just felt that it was lacking something. It was just a little bit too long, with a lot of extra side plot that could have been cut out but it wasn't super boring or anything. The characters were mostly likable but I didn't really feel any strong connection with them. I've read quite a few books where cats are the main characters but for some reason, this one broke my immersion and I'm not sure why. I found it very unrealistic how their owners always understood what was going on because I know if my cat came to me trying to tell me something, I'd be oblivious. I do think the writing was slightly juvenile and it would have worked perfectly as a children's book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for this eARC.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alfie and George can't wait for Christmas, especially when all the residents come together to put on a festive show to raise money for a local homeless shelter. Everything is going great... until things start to go wrong. When residents find the set trashed, it becomes clear that someone is trying to sabotage the performance. Alfie and George must find the culprit and save the day. Another lovely story of Alfie and George that keeps you reading and warms your heart. The perfect read for Christmas! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of the book in return for my honest feedback.

[Robert Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALFIE THE CHRISTMAS CAT

ALFIE THE CHRISTMAS CAT IS A SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER WRITTEN BY RACHEL WELLS. ALFIE IS THE RECIPIENT OF A FAMILY AND A HOUSE FOR CHRISTMAS. ALFIE IS THE NEIGHBORHOOD CAT, AND HE DOES NOT HAVE AN OWNER. THE HOLIDAY IS THE BEST EVER INCLUDING ON CHRISTMAS WHEN EVERYONE GOES TO BACK TO THE SHELTER TO COLLECT THEIR CHRISTMAS PRESENTS. THIS WAS AN EASYGOING AND FUN-LOVING RETREAT FROM THE APPARENT. EVERYONE KNOWS THE RIPE ADAGE OF A PURE SILENT NIGHT. ONLY JESUS SPEAKS TO HIS MOTHER THAT NIGHT TELLING THE PLANET WHERE HE IS SLEEPING. ALFIE IS THE BEST PUSSYCAT EVER. THIS WAS A GOOD EFFORT.

[Daniela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parlare di questo libro non mi è facile perché la prima metà mi ha annoiata molto: narrazione lenta e vicende statiche. La restante parte del romanzo mi è piaciuta perché si entra nel vivo, ed Alfie ed i suoi amici tornano attivi come nelle storie precedenti. Non so se sia l'ultimo su nostro gattone, ma è come se un cerchio si chiuda. Sono in dubbio se leggerò i seguiti...

Pare che ci sia un ottavo libro (in italiano, ma non in inglese per ora e la cosa mi pare davvero strana).
Qualcuno ha notizie certe? Io ho capito dalla trama che potrebbe trattarsi persino dell'inizio di una serie Spin Off.. magari mi sbaglio).

[Mrs J · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Christmas story is told by Alfie the cat. It is the 7th book in the series but can be read as a standalone. Cute premise, but I did find there were quite a few names to get your head around at the beginning, maybe it would have been easier if I'd read the others first? That being said I do enjoy stories told by animals and this was a heartwarming festive read about a community trying to raise money and awareness for the local homeless shelter. Lovely cover - I think this would make a nice little stocking filler for a cat/book lover.

[Nessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh I do love reading the Alfie books, being reacquainted with Alfie, little George and all of the other characters is always such a joy and pleasure.

There were a fair few scenes that made me giggle, just so entertaining. It never ceases to amaze me as to how amazing and clever these cats can be, but then Cats are a lot more clever than we truly give them credit for.

So if you love cats, I highly recommend thos book and all the ones that come before it.

[Marit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another entertaining read in the Alfie series. It also focuses on homelessness and loneliness at Christmas time but as always the observations and activities of Alfie, George, Pickles and their human families and cat friends are so enjoyable.