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saralynnburnett's review against another edition
4.0
Based on the title and the premise that it's a book partly told from the point of view of cat I had a few reservations going into it. Would it be too mushy for me? Could I get used to a cat narrator? But I read the last 100+ pages of this book on a flight home and I was weeping and cheering the whole way through - completely unable to put it down despite the scene I was causing. Read it!
jorl79's review against another edition
5.0
I was not ready for this bloody book. its been with me for years, I spotted it on my shelves and moved it to the nightstand pile a few months ago. Then I read nothing new because quartine brain was having trouble processing anything for a while. Decided I needed to sit and read more than 5 pages and I thought this would be a happy nice read. Don't get me wrong it's good and I stayed up through the night to finish it (not like I can sleep anyway) but (slight spoilers) I at one line was gasping, sobbing crying mess. I got all my buttons pushed by this book dealing with the loss of a mother, dealing with worry over not being able to protect your kids from the world (hello virus), unexpected loss of home leaves family living with others, loss of a pet. Just let's dig up all sorts of childhood issues and rub current worries like salt in the wound. I can't decide if this is the worst or best time for me to have read this book. I will be reading something else by this author as I loved her style, tone, and pacing but my eyes are puffy and I feel exposed. Someone with different issues might feel differently but it was still a good book.
marryallthepeople's review against another edition
2.0
Struggled reading this book as the cat's voice irritated me. Eventually when the story became interwoven, it was okay, but I still struggled with the concept and thought it could be better executed.
Or maybe I'm bitter and twisted about family dynamics and cats haha.
Or maybe I'm bitter and twisted about family dynamics and cats haha.
mary_goddess_of_oz's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the book but only gave four stars because it was difficult to read as most of it was from the cat’s voice.
bookishcatlady's review against another edition
5.0
As a confirmed cat lover and a fan of Gwen and Homer it was a no brainier that I'd buy this book. But to have a book resonate loudly enough I can't get it out of my head is another matter entirely. Dear Prudence will stay in my heart.
shannon_c's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
lberestecki's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. Not really my kind of story, but it was a good book nonetheless. The author did a good job of evoking emotion. My one big issue with the book was the chapters written from Sarah's point of view. They really took me out of the story, because they were going back into the past twice: one to when Sarah was alive, and then into her memories of the past. I would have rather learned these stories from Laura's point of view so that the book could have maintained more linearity.
ashugirl's review against another edition
3.0
I would normally never buy a book with this title and only got it because it was on sale for one euro at work and it had a kitty on the cover. (The edition I have is the Bantam paperback with the cat in the window of a record store.) I expected it to be a contrived love story, and that the cat element would be cloyingly cutesy. There were two things I didn't count on: that Gwen Cooper GETS cats, and that this book would kick my ass, emotionally speaking.
Granted, I had some issues with the chapters written from Prudence's point of view. Some poetic license was taken with what she, as a cat, would know about human objects/events. She recognized and named objects that she would likely never have encountered before (a microphone in a photograph) but called the albums she was surrounded by every day "black disks". But the author's description of cat behavior were spot on and anyone who has spent time with kitties will recognize a lot of them.
As for the emotional thrust of the book, it's not a love story, but rather a story about loss. From the beginning you're confronted with loss and it's clear pretty early on that the narrative is leading you to the description of a traumatic event. I was on edge through the whole book waiting for heartbreak, and I got it. This book had me crying in public a few times (on the train and in a coffee shop). So if, like me, you have issues around loss, be prepared going in.
Granted, I had some issues with the chapters written from Prudence's point of view. Some poetic license was taken with what she, as a cat, would know about human objects/events. She recognized and named objects that she would likely never have encountered before (a microphone in a photograph) but called the albums she was surrounded by every day "black disks". But the author's description of cat behavior were spot on and anyone who has spent time with kitties will recognize a lot of them.
As for the emotional thrust of the book, it's not a love story, but rather a story about loss. From the beginning you're confronted with loss and it's clear pretty early on that the narrative is leading you to the description of a traumatic event. I was on edge through the whole book waiting for heartbreak, and I got it. This book had me crying in public a few times (on the train and in a coffee shop). So if, like me, you have issues around loss, be prepared going in.
summers7's review against another edition
4.0
Great book. It made me laugh & cry & taught me something. Plan to read more of her books.