A True Story of Love, Desperation, and GPS Technology
October 22, 2012
The self-deprecating author’s note sets the stage for this hilarious, and moving, account of Paul’s relationship with her two cats. In the note, the 40-ish Paul (East Wind, Rain) qualifies the accuracy of her story by noting that she was on painkillers for some of the time (while recovering from a plane crash) and asking the reader to also take into account “normal confusion for people our age.” The author’s note is followed by a New Yorker–like map of San Francisco, as seen by a cat, divided into areas of Fear, Large Threat, Total Death, Other Cat, Food? and Home. Her experiences with Fibby and Tibby (full names Fibula and Tibia) range from farce, as she attempts to track Tibia’s travels out of the home by means of a GPS device, to tragedy. The humor of the opening continues throughout, augmented by diagrams such as one of an animal shelter volunteer, with an arrow pointing to the woman’s “kind, crazy eyes.” Even non–cat lovers will find this an engaging read, charmingly illustrated by Paul’s partner, MacNaughton, as Paul easily makes her strong emotions for her pets accessible and universal. Illus. Agent: Charlotte Sheedy, Charlotte Sheedy Literary Agency.
March 1, 2013
Paul (Fighting Fire) survived a plane crash and was slowly recovering at home with her beloved cats, Tibby and Fibby, and her partner, illustrator MacNaughton. Several weeks later Tibby, an anxious, shy cat, disappeared. Frantic, Paul consulted a pet psychic and a pet detective with no success. Weeks later, Tibby waltzed back into their lives with a newly confident demeanor. Paul and MacNaughton wondered where he had been, whether he'd been on the move or had been spending time with another family. Determined to find out more about Tibby's travels, they began what they called "Operation Chasing Tibby" using GPS technology, cat cameras, and flyers. Their search eventually led to an answer, and in the process the couple learned more about their neighbors and neighborhood. Paul's droll narrative combined with MacNaughton's playful illustrations make for an entertaining read. VERDICT This unusual title is recommended for large public libraries with extensive collections of cat titles.--Eva Lautemann, formerly with Georgia Perimeter Coll. Lib., Clarkston
Copyright 2013 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
March 1, 2013
Paul (Fighting Fire, 1998; East Wind, Rain, 2006) was recovering from the crash of her small, experimental plane and the smashed ankle (and other injuries) that ensued. In a daze of painkillers, depression, and waking nightmares, she was afraid that her new partner, Wendy, would leave. Relying on the relationship she had with her catsthe longest relationship of her adult existenceshe clung to this normalcy in her changed life. And then the male, Tibby, disappeared. After five weeks of calling his name, placing flyers, consulting a psychic, and multiple visits to the shelter, a sleek and healthy Tibby just showed up one day. Where had he been? This funny and poignant memoir follows Caroline and Wendy's quest. Using a GPS unit and a kitty-camera, they tracked his movements around their San Francisco neighborhood, and in the process managed to cure Caroline's depression, meet their neighbors, and figure out where Tibby had been. This addictive read, marvelously illustrated by Wendy's ink-and-wash drawings, will captivate all pet lovers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)