THE CAT AND THE CURMUDGEON

by Cleveland Amory ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 29, 1990

This appealing sequel to the The Cat Who Came for Christmas (1987) picks up the story of Amory's life with Polar Bear, the stray cat who ""aeioued"" his way into the writer's curmudgeonly heart' 12 years ago. With the first book's success, Polar Bear--a confirmed agoraphobic--is faced with the demands of his public for book tours, TV appearances, etc., and he ""fails miserably at celebrityhood"" despite Amory's vigilant cajoling and determined efforts to ""bring him out."" (Amory hires a psychic, reads up on feline astrology, and even tries to ""train"" Polar Bear to do tricks, all to no avail.) We also learn of Amory's two recent romances--and Polar Bear's part in squelching them; of the author's relationships over the years with various people of renown (P.G. Wodehouse, Nancy Reagan, and George C. Scott among them); of his ongoing animal-rescue work as head of the Fund for Animals; and of Polar Bear's first meeting with the likes of wild burros, llamas, and even an elephant as a reluctant visitor to the Fund's preserve in Texas. Though this follow-up is as funny and cleverly written as its predecessor, at times Amory seems to be stretching to find Polar Bear stories. But at book's end, he has opened his heart to another furry white waif--Polar Star--who will, no doubt, be featured in any forthcoming sequel.

Pub Date: Sept. 29, 1990

ISBN: 0316037451

Page Count: -

Publisher: Little, Brown

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1990

Categories: NONFICTION