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lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I loved the idea of this book, following the inhabitants of a flat in Marchmont (Edinburgh) through the eyes of a ghost cat over 100 years. Unfortunately, this wasn't a hit for me. I felt it read like a children's book, very simplistic and with few connections throughout the years. It was kind of interesting seeing what the Victorian cat (Grimalkin) made of the social and technological changes over the course of the century but that's about the only positive I can find.
I listened to the audiobook and (with apologies to the author who narrates it) I didn't like the narration at all. Again, it felt like someone reading a bed time story to a child. I wasn't convinced by the accents, not even the Scottish accents. In fact, some were quite painful to listen to!
I'm not usually so critical of a book but I was really disappointed in this one.
If you want to read a book about a century in one house in Edinburgh, I'd recommend 25 Library Terrace by Natalie Fergie instead of this one.
I listened to the audiobook and (with apologies to the author who narrates it) I didn't like the narration at all. Again, it felt like someone reading a bed time story to a child. I wasn't convinced by the accents, not even the Scottish accents. In fact, some were quite painful to listen to!
I'm not usually so critical of a book but I was really disappointed in this one.
If you want to read a book about a century in one house in Edinburgh, I'd recommend 25 Library Terrace by Natalie Fergie instead of this one.
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I love unique stories that bring the world to life in a fresh and exciting way - a ghost time-traveling cat sounded out there on the weird and wonderful scale that I enjoy in life, so I had to check it out. We tag along on the adventures of Grimalkin, a Victorian cat living through his nine ghost lives. His haunting journey takes him from the Victorian era to the modern a day from his former home of 7/7 Marchmont Crescent bearing witness to important social events in or around this flat. Each chapter feels like a unique little adventure in a different time period where Grimalkin plays a different role from observer following those he loved in their lives, getting revenge, playing the ghostly hero, and joyriding with hippies. Seizing the moment as only a Cat Ghost can do.
Alex Howard's brilliant storytelling brings to life the quirky perspective of Grimalkin, the ghost cat, with comical insights into this cat's inner thoughts, musings, and ruminations on life. He's so prim and proper but picks up little odd bits here and there of modern slang or mannerisms as he lives down the years of his ghostly life. I loved how opinionated, gallant, and funny Grimalkins turned out to be. The human characters are a range of well-developed characters ranging from servants to millionaires, bringing to life a large cast of residents who inhabit 7/7 Marchmont Crescent for a chapter or two.
The writing is beautifully descriptive, full of personality, and bittersweet, squeezing out a vast range of emotional responses in the reader. I have laughed, cried, and mourned with this ghost cat. Howard brings Edinburgh to life and expresses her charm and beautiful and enduring heart through the eyes of Grimalkin and his vivid descriptions of the city's locations.
An enjoyable, engrossing, and charming read that deserves to be this month's Waterstones Scottish Book of the Month. This is my first ghostly recommendation ahead of autumn and spooky season. If you're looking for a page-turner read with amusing ghostly goings, I recommend you pick up The Ghost Cat to get your supernatural fix from this imaginative ghost story. Even if you aren't a cat person, as long as you love incredible, quirky stories, history, and Edinburgh, you will love this book.
Alex Howard's brilliant storytelling brings to life the quirky perspective of Grimalkin, the ghost cat, with comical insights into this cat's inner thoughts, musings, and ruminations on life. He's so prim and proper but picks up little odd bits here and there of modern slang or mannerisms as he lives down the years of his ghostly life. I loved how opinionated, gallant, and funny Grimalkins turned out to be. The human characters are a range of well-developed characters ranging from servants to millionaires, bringing to life a large cast of residents who inhabit 7/7 Marchmont Crescent for a chapter or two.
The writing is beautifully descriptive, full of personality, and bittersweet, squeezing out a vast range of emotional responses in the reader. I have laughed, cried, and mourned with this ghost cat. Howard brings Edinburgh to life and expresses her charm and beautiful and enduring heart through the eyes of Grimalkin and his vivid descriptions of the city's locations.
An enjoyable, engrossing, and charming read that deserves to be this month's Waterstones Scottish Book of the Month. This is my first ghostly recommendation ahead of autumn and spooky season. If you're looking for a page-turner read with amusing ghostly goings, I recommend you pick up The Ghost Cat to get your supernatural fix from this imaginative ghost story. Even if you aren't a cat person, as long as you love incredible, quirky stories, history, and Edinburgh, you will love this book.
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
A lovely happy sad book. A comfort to anyone owned by a feline family.
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No