06 February, 2019

Book Review: Strays

Image from the interwebs
Strays: A Lost Cat, a Homeless Man, and Their Journey Across America
by Britt Collins
Hardcover, 272 pages
Published July 18th 2017 by Atria Books
ISBN 1501122592 (ISBN13: 9781501122590)

Synopsis:
Homeless, alcoholic, and depressed, Michael King discovers an injured but friendly cat while in Portland, Oregon.  After finding no 'lost cat' flyers, Mike and his friends venture around the Western United States as drifters and panhandlers, with the cat Tabor riding on Mike's shoulder.  When visiting his foster father in Montana, the veterinarian discovers that Tabor HAS a family, back in Portland, via microchip.  After almost two years of being soul-mates, Mike struggles to do the right thing.

Opinion:
This story is not only about Mike and Tabor, it's about Ron Buss, who lost his beloved cat Mata Hari, and how he fought the deep pain of that void.  Both men fight prejudice, depression, the loss of love, and the struggle to define themselves in an overwhelming world.  Mata/Tabor bridges that gap, and it's a powerful story.

Recommendation:
Without a doubt, I recommend this book to all!  There are a few HBO words, so perhaps it's not for young children.  The author weaves together the separate stories of Mike and Russ between chapters, and we, as readers, live the reality of both men as the book progresses.  And you'll fall in love with the cat!

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19 comments:

  1. Sounds fascinating! I will look it up :)

    Purrs xx
    Athena and Marie

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  2. The sounds like something our mom would like to read.

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  3. This book sounds charming and Mom will put the title on her list! Thanks for the find and great review!

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  4. Sounds like a fun read.

    Have a fabulous day. ♥

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  5. Ahhhhh I have added it to my to read list.
    Thank you!!
    Hugs Cecilia

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  6. Sounds like a great read.
    RE: your comment on my blog. Is your house really dry? That could be the reason Sweetie wakes up with an attack. Her throat and windpipes get dry. That used to happen with me b4 our humidifier.

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  7. This sounds like such a wonderful book. I definitely have to put it on my to read list.

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  8. My human has been wanting to read this book for the longest time!

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  9. We hope the book hadded a good ending. The Human gets all ridiculously weepy at stuff. She thinks she's a sociopath because sad or touching stories about Humans don't affect her that way, but even a story about a darn lizard or something getting hurt sends her off into sobbing. Me, I just roll my eyes and take a nap.

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  10. It sounds like the book is about all kinds of strays, all of whm deserve homes and affection.

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  11. I will definitely keep an eye out for this book since it's about relationships between felines and our humans and the strength we give them. -Tom x

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  12. I would like to read this very much.

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  13. It sounds like a great book that makes you wonder what you'd do in that situation. Thanks for the recommendation!

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