Member Review
Review by
Mariechen P, Reviewer
I was a bit nervous about The Nine Lives of Summer… in this novel, the nine lives of a cat does not refer to them sleekly escaping death and thus “losing” a “life”. Rather, the cat dies - actually dies - and is reincarnated as another cat, in a different place, and with different humans.
I was wary of reading about a cat dying eight or nine times; and the Syrian war setting at the beginning of the book would add to my sadness. Indeed, I cried a lot during the 159 pages of this little book. At least once for every life - but often more.
Author Jem Vanston captures the personalities of cats beautifully, as well as the relationship between cats and humans. Summer, in every life, is a delightful cat with great loyalty. But she never forgets her mission: to be reunited with her first two-legs, Sami.
As much as this is marketed as a book for kids and adults, I think it might be a bit heavy for kids. Perhaps if a parent were reading out loud to them, they could gloss over the details of the end of each life.
I have two issues that really bug me though, and they relate to the writing rather than the narrative.
First, Summer often translates her cat-speak to the reader. I think it takes away from reading experience. She shouldn’t need to clarify that “two-legs” means “human” - it’s easy enough to figure out.
Second, when Summer is reincarnated into a life where English is not her owner’s first language, their speech is in broken English. Why would a Japanese national speak English to their cat? Surely they would raise the cat in their own language, and so Summer would understand it.
I was wary of reading about a cat dying eight or nine times; and the Syrian war setting at the beginning of the book would add to my sadness. Indeed, I cried a lot during the 159 pages of this little book. At least once for every life - but often more.
Author Jem Vanston captures the personalities of cats beautifully, as well as the relationship between cats and humans. Summer, in every life, is a delightful cat with great loyalty. But she never forgets her mission: to be reunited with her first two-legs, Sami.
As much as this is marketed as a book for kids and adults, I think it might be a bit heavy for kids. Perhaps if a parent were reading out loud to them, they could gloss over the details of the end of each life.
I have two issues that really bug me though, and they relate to the writing rather than the narrative.
First, Summer often translates her cat-speak to the reader. I think it takes away from reading experience. She shouldn’t need to clarify that “two-legs” means “human” - it’s easy enough to figure out.
Second, when Summer is reincarnated into a life where English is not her owner’s first language, their speech is in broken English. Why would a Japanese national speak English to their cat? Surely they would raise the cat in their own language, and so Summer would understand it.
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