Review of High Clowder Cats
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Elizabeth Cocina
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- Latest Review: High Clowder Cats by Ruby Knight
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Review of High Clowder Cats
[Following is a volunteer review of "High Clowder Cats" by Ruby Knight.]
The regal, orange-tinged tomcat Bushytail assuredly declares, “I am a cat, and I walk alone” (34) in Ruby Knight’s High Clowder Cats (2022). Like all cats, Bushytail is focused, graceful, as well as a highly skilled predator. Feral Bushytail desires what all felines desire: to be master of their own world, to create a family with a partner, and to be part of a clowder. A clowder is a group of cats who are affiliated, not necessarily by family ties, but by a common purpose.
When the young Bushytail sets off to find his destiny, he meets Bristle, a mysterious tom unlike any other cat Bushytail has ever encountered. To Bushytail’s astonishment, Bristle is able to predict Bushytail’s every move. Bristle offers his help as a companion and as a teacher. Bristle shares three rules for living a meaningful life. He urges Bushytail to find stillness, see what truly is, and to establish balance. He soon engages Bushytail in mental and physical drills to help him to follow the three principles.
I rate this novel a five out of five. My first reason for this score is because the combination of the references to scientific felinology and fantasy is carried out with seamless finesse. I was also immediately beguiled by Bushytail’s voice and reasoning. Bushytail is royal, not only in the way that all cats have a sense of sovereignty about them, but Bushytail supersedes even the royal air that every cat seems to carry. His instinctual cat detachment paradoxically coupled with his demand for love and justice makes him unforgettable.
The politics of the clowders are fascinating, as well as the leadership approaches adopted by the cat leaders. The clowder is not patriarchal. It is important to note that female cats are described as incredibly effective hunters, fierce protectors, devoted mothers and loving partners. She-cats do not occupy a lower position than any other cat in the clowder hierarchy.
The plot’s rhythmic pace does not miss a turn or lose a beat. The stakes are high, and the sense of deadly risk is always apparent. I fully invested in Bushytail's world and read the book in a few long sessions.
The novel is furthermore expertly edited. I found no errors. Of course, the book was not written using American conventions such as spelling and certain phrases. It is written in a distinctive Australian English. But those are not errors, of course.
There are scenes of cats in terrible pain. There are scenes in which cats are hurt badly by humans, as well as cats inflicting horrendous injuries on one another. The cats can be psychologically cruel to one another, as well, and bully one another. I would urge caution if a reader is very sensitive to animal suffering, even if other animals are the ones responsible. I would also urge caution if a reader is sensitive to bullying.
I would recommend this book to animal lovers, to those who love stories of justice and mercy, of the victory of kindness over brutality, and of the sacrifices we must all make to maintain democratic civilization.
I would also recommend this book to believers in true love; romances that make an indelible impact on lives. While there is romance in the novel, the references to love are carried out with discretion. The romance is described in terms of the respect, admiration and commitment the coupled cats have for one another. In this way, the book is appropriate for younger, more sensitive readers.
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High Clowder Cats
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on Smashwords
The regal, orange-tinged tomcat Bushytail assuredly declares, “I am a cat, and I walk alone” (34) in Ruby Knight’s High Clowder Cats (2022). Like all cats, Bushytail is focused, graceful, as well as a highly skilled predator. Feral Bushytail desires what all felines desire: to be master of their own world, to create a family with a partner, and to be part of a clowder. A clowder is a group of cats who are affiliated, not necessarily by family ties, but by a common purpose.
When the young Bushytail sets off to find his destiny, he meets Bristle, a mysterious tom unlike any other cat Bushytail has ever encountered. To Bushytail’s astonishment, Bristle is able to predict Bushytail’s every move. Bristle offers his help as a companion and as a teacher. Bristle shares three rules for living a meaningful life. He urges Bushytail to find stillness, see what truly is, and to establish balance. He soon engages Bushytail in mental and physical drills to help him to follow the three principles.
I rate this novel a five out of five. My first reason for this score is because the combination of the references to scientific felinology and fantasy is carried out with seamless finesse. I was also immediately beguiled by Bushytail’s voice and reasoning. Bushytail is royal, not only in the way that all cats have a sense of sovereignty about them, but Bushytail supersedes even the royal air that every cat seems to carry. His instinctual cat detachment paradoxically coupled with his demand for love and justice makes him unforgettable.
The politics of the clowders are fascinating, as well as the leadership approaches adopted by the cat leaders. The clowder is not patriarchal. It is important to note that female cats are described as incredibly effective hunters, fierce protectors, devoted mothers and loving partners. She-cats do not occupy a lower position than any other cat in the clowder hierarchy.
The plot’s rhythmic pace does not miss a turn or lose a beat. The stakes are high, and the sense of deadly risk is always apparent. I fully invested in Bushytail's world and read the book in a few long sessions.
The novel is furthermore expertly edited. I found no errors. Of course, the book was not written using American conventions such as spelling and certain phrases. It is written in a distinctive Australian English. But those are not errors, of course.
There are scenes of cats in terrible pain. There are scenes in which cats are hurt badly by humans, as well as cats inflicting horrendous injuries on one another. The cats can be psychologically cruel to one another, as well, and bully one another. I would urge caution if a reader is very sensitive to animal suffering, even if other animals are the ones responsible. I would also urge caution if a reader is sensitive to bullying.
I would recommend this book to animal lovers, to those who love stories of justice and mercy, of the victory of kindness over brutality, and of the sacrifices we must all make to maintain democratic civilization.
I would also recommend this book to believers in true love; romances that make an indelible impact on lives. While there is romance in the novel, the references to love are carried out with discretion. The romance is described in terms of the respect, admiration and commitment the coupled cats have for one another. In this way, the book is appropriate for younger, more sensitive readers.
******
High Clowder Cats
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on Smashwords
Latest Review: High Clowder Cats by Ruby Knight
