Solomon's Tale - Sheila Jeffries
Published: 21/11/13
Publisher: Avon
Pages: 400
Before I begin this review I have to say I have seen mixed reactions about this book. A lot of people have made comments that it’s about cats and is silly etc but let me say, from someone who’s read it, it’s fantastic.
I think you will only really understand this book completely if you’ve ever had a pet cat yourself. Ever since I was born I’ve had a pet cat, (I live with four of them at the moment!) so I can understand the idea that cats are incredible creatures and really can affect the way you feel.
I will be honest that when I started Solomon’s Tale I wasn’t really sure it would be the book for me but how wrong I was!
Solomon’s Tale is told from the viewpoint of a cat. Bare with me, please. Through the eyes of a cat, we see the life of one family and the problems that they encounter. Solomon has been sent from the spirit cat world to go and rescue his human friend Ellen. In another life, Solomon was Ellen’s first cat, and he has a mission to save her from the life she’s living. Solmon arrives with Ellen and starts to see she’s not the happy, young girl she used to be. Instead, she’s sad, lonely and being shouted at by her husband. Solomon knows it’s his duty to make everything better so sets to work. He finds a friend in another cat called Jessica and soon they go on an adventure which will push their cat healing skills to the test.
Ok, now I read that back I realise how downright stupid it sounds. Healing cats, sprit cat world?! Please, stay with me.
I’ve never been a massive fan of animal books but when A Street Cat Named Bob surfaced I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed it and since then have been a little more open to this strange ‘animal’ genre. Solomon’s Tale was described as perfect for fans of Street Cat Bob so I was quick to agree to review.
I really did enjoy this book. It was an incredibly easy read; you can read it in one sitting for sure. I’m not totally sure what kind of age range this book is for; it could be read by young adults, possibly even children (?!) and adults like myself can enjoy it. The story is fast paced and addictive and you forget you’re seeing the world through the eyes of a cat. It was really intriguing to get inside the head of a cat (obviously, we can never know how or what they think) but it was lovely to see a cat so in tune to human emotion. It certainly made me look at my own cats in a different way!
Whilst I don’t necessary believe in the ‘healing’ power of cats, I certainly agree that they are very wise creatures and can rapidly reduce anger, sadness and depression, just by sitting on your lap. I loved Shelia’s writing style and it totally encompassed the feelings and thoughts that you would assume a cat could have.
I would only recommend this book to people who own cats, have owned cats or just generally love cats. If you’re a dog person then avoid and if you have no love of animals then also avoid! Unless of course you are open to all genres! Like previously mentioned, it’s fantastic for fans of Street Cat Bob and I am going to pass this book around my family for them to enjoy reading too.
Publisher: Avon
Pages: 400
Before I begin this review I have to say I have seen mixed reactions about this book. A lot of people have made comments that it’s about cats and is silly etc but let me say, from someone who’s read it, it’s fantastic.
I think you will only really understand this book completely if you’ve ever had a pet cat yourself. Ever since I was born I’ve had a pet cat, (I live with four of them at the moment!) so I can understand the idea that cats are incredible creatures and really can affect the way you feel.
I will be honest that when I started Solomon’s Tale I wasn’t really sure it would be the book for me but how wrong I was!
Solomon’s Tale is told from the viewpoint of a cat. Bare with me, please. Through the eyes of a cat, we see the life of one family and the problems that they encounter. Solomon has been sent from the spirit cat world to go and rescue his human friend Ellen. In another life, Solomon was Ellen’s first cat, and he has a mission to save her from the life she’s living. Solmon arrives with Ellen and starts to see she’s not the happy, young girl she used to be. Instead, she’s sad, lonely and being shouted at by her husband. Solomon knows it’s his duty to make everything better so sets to work. He finds a friend in another cat called Jessica and soon they go on an adventure which will push their cat healing skills to the test.
Ok, now I read that back I realise how downright stupid it sounds. Healing cats, sprit cat world?! Please, stay with me.
I’ve never been a massive fan of animal books but when A Street Cat Named Bob surfaced I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed it and since then have been a little more open to this strange ‘animal’ genre. Solomon’s Tale was described as perfect for fans of Street Cat Bob so I was quick to agree to review.
I really did enjoy this book. It was an incredibly easy read; you can read it in one sitting for sure. I’m not totally sure what kind of age range this book is for; it could be read by young adults, possibly even children (?!) and adults like myself can enjoy it. The story is fast paced and addictive and you forget you’re seeing the world through the eyes of a cat. It was really intriguing to get inside the head of a cat (obviously, we can never know how or what they think) but it was lovely to see a cat so in tune to human emotion. It certainly made me look at my own cats in a different way!
Whilst I don’t necessary believe in the ‘healing’ power of cats, I certainly agree that they are very wise creatures and can rapidly reduce anger, sadness and depression, just by sitting on your lap. I loved Shelia’s writing style and it totally encompassed the feelings and thoughts that you would assume a cat could have.
I would only recommend this book to people who own cats, have owned cats or just generally love cats. If you’re a dog person then avoid and if you have no love of animals then also avoid! Unless of course you are open to all genres! Like previously mentioned, it’s fantastic for fans of Street Cat Bob and I am going to pass this book around my family for them to enjoy reading too.
Laura