Friday 18 June 2010

Dewey The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched The World by Vicki Myron


Pages - 271

Challenges - Non Fiction Five

Published in 2008 by Hodder and Stoughton

The first thing I felt was a blast of freezing air. Someone had jammed a book into the return slot, wedging it open. It was as cold in the box as it was outside; maybe colder, since the box was lined with metal. You could have frozen meat in there. I was still catching my breath when I saw the kitten.

It was huddled in the front left corner of the box, its head down, its legs tucked underneath it, trying to appear as small as possible.

The kitten looked at me, slowly and sadly. The it lowered its head and sank down into its hole. It wasn't trying to appear tough. It wasn't trying to hide. I don't even think it was scared. It was just hoping to be saved.

Why do I put myself through such torture by reading this style of book. I have got through a whole box of hankies and actually had to sit in a room on my own by the end of the book as I was sobbing so much.

This book is the story of Dewey, the cat that took over a library, making it his home and became an international star. The book follows the lives of the library staff through the years as they move on with their lives and build a relationship with Dewey. Now I know that there are exceptional cats all over the world, but even I came away thinking Dewey was very special. Like most cats, he could sense when someone needed his company to ease their pain.

Anyone reading this book, who owns a cat, will notice elements of their own relationship with their pet and I think this is what makes this book special. It reminds you how much your animals actually mean to you. How they are always there when you need them the most. When I finished reading this book, I searched the house for my beautiful boy, Georgie, who has been poorly lately and just sat and cuddled him.

I dare anyone to read this book and not cry a few tears, especially if you are a cat lover. Once I finished, I found myself googling Dewey and watching videos on YouTube about him. This book affected me in the same way that A Lion Called Christian did. It tugged at my heart strings and made me mourn an animal I never knew. This book will never win any literary awards, but it will win Dewey fans around the world.

The book not only deals with the love we have for our animals, but it also deals with the emotional roller coaster we call life. Vicky Myron tells us a lot about her journey through life whilst working at the library and you feel her pain, as she loses members of her family and goes through major operations in order to keep surviving. Vicky Myron is a fighter and so was Dewey.
I intend to rave about this book to everyone I speak to for the next month. It might not be your normal style of book, but if you love animals, you really should read this. It might encourage you to give your pets an extra cuddle or another little treat.

I love this book, but I don't think I can ever read it again without investing in a handkerchief company. Off now, to buy some very thick concealer, to cover up the puffy, red eyes caused by this book.

22 comments:

  1. Vivienne, I am so glad you read and reviewed and enjoyed this book. I did, too. I didn't realize that library cats were so popular until I read Dewey. Terrific review!

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  2. Sniff, sounds sad :(
    But I do wanna read this one one day

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  3. Too sad for me. Thanks for a great review though.

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  4. I got this when it first came out and I still haven't read it because I know it will make me cry my eyes out and hug my cat to pieces.

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  5. I loved this book! I listened to the audio version in the car. By the end of the book, my eyes were filled with tears and I couldn't see. Great book, but very sad.

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  6. I had envisioned that this would be a sad book, which is why I have not yet picked it up. I am so glad that it resonated well with you.

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  7. You made me so curious that I went off googling and only just remembered to come back and comment.

    Sounds like definitely one to read :)

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  8. I feel the same about these books. I wanted to read Dewey, but at the same time, I have stayed away. It's to easy to know what will happen in the end.

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  9. I don't normally read animal books, but this one actually sounds like one I want!

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  10. Wonderful review, Vivienne! I know everyone loves this and I'm tempted but I've not had good luck with "animal" books before. I may have to rethink my whole stance!

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  11. This sounds very good, great review. Sometimes its nice to read a tearjerker.
    http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

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  12. My daughter's been wanting this book ever since it came out. I figured it would just be too heart-wrenching for me...but you know, I think you've made me want to give it a go after all.

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  13. Awww. This sounds like a great book. I'll wait until I need a good cry before picking this up! ;-)

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  14. I read this book and was totally disappointed. Maybe my hopes were too high? I found the writing horrendous and lacking. I'm glad you enjoyed it though.

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  15. Sorry this one was such a tear jerker for you. I read it when it was first released and it was sweet but sad.

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  16. Ooh, I didn't know it would be a sob-fest book. I have this one on my shelf, and I still intend to read it, but at least I'll be prepared with the kleenex now.

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  17. Sounds like a sweet book. Not sure I am in the mood for such a book right now though. How far are you in Monsters of Men? I am sure you will beat me to it ;-)

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  18. Awwwww. I've heard the story about Dewey and would love to read this. Though I'm a sucker for animals and would probably be in tears too!

    ~*~*~

    Ceri

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  19. Thanks for a fascinating review.

    All the best, Boonsong

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  20. I read this book a year or so ago, I loved it. Send it on to my daughter to read. Of course I loved it, I'm from Iowa...

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  21. I left a comment once, but, my husband needed me, so don't remember if I published it or not.

    I loved this book. I read it a year or so ago, and then send it on to my daughter. I just had to read it, since I love dogs and cats, and I also live in Iowa, USA.

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  22. I want to read this book one day. I have it in my TBR and am contemplating of taking it with me to Penang. I think I should. Thanks for the review and reminder that I should have it with me there.

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