Diary of a Buddhist Cat

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Pub Date 19 Sep 2021 | Archive Date 2 Mar 2022

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Description

Freddie’s start in life is difficult, but he finds The Buddha and decides to become a Buddhist cat.

When he’s saved from the cat shelter, by John and Mary, his new life begins. That’s when he meets Gemma.

Gemma regards humans as Fascist oppressors as they took her kittens away. She believes Freddie is soft in the head but begins to see his approach to life brings rewards.

Being a Buddhist cat isn’t always easy. He tries to live in the moment and wants to treat all animals and plants with kindness and respect.

Freddie finds himself at the centre of an adventure with his fellow animal friends. Freddie must help Rufus, who cannot fly as far as he wants from a children’s slide.

Freddie’s mission is to convince his humans to help.

From daring rescues to saving souls – Freddie’s journey is not for the fainted hearted. This cat has the heart of a lion and the wisdom of... The Buddha.

Freddie’s start in life is difficult, but he finds The Buddha and decides to become a Buddhist cat.

When he’s saved from the cat shelter, by John and Mary, his new life begins. That’s when he meets...


Advance Praise

I would recommend this book as well-written, escapism I highly recommend this book for a nice lighthearted read with a very deep meaning which will stay with you once you have finished reading the book.

I would recommend this book as well-written, escapism I highly recommend this book for a nice lighthearted read with a very deep meaning which will stay with you once you have finished reading the...


Available Editions

ISBN 9781914965142
PRICE US$2.99 (USD)

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Featured Reviews

Princess Fuzzypants here: This is a wonderful book not just because it is the diary of a cat but because Freddie is a most remarkable kitty. He is a Buddhist cat and the teachings that shape how he views the world and his place in it allow him to have a most profound impact on the various animals and humans around him.

He is a cat with a hunger for knowledge so when he learns there is a library nearby, he enlists the help of some friendly crows to assist him in his efforts to gain higher knowledge. He is unfailingly polite and respectful to everyone and everything around him. That goes from the kibble in his dish to the rose that grows outside his home to the squirrel, hamster and other assorted creatures he discovers. His teachings rub off on the various critters and turns what could have been an enemy into a friend and ally. The most amazing transformation is that of Gemma, the cat who lived in his home before he came and who hates the world.

Freddie, in his infinite wisdom and kindness understands why she is the way she is. With patience and consideration, he is able to win her over. His only “foe” seems to be a friend of his humans who wants to catch him on video doing one of the wonderful feats he pulls off. I am happy to report she is hoisted on her own petard.

This is a delightful read, full of wisdom and insight, that will enchant readers both old and young. It would be impossible not to love Freddie. He is a cat for all ages. Five purrs and two paws up.

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I would recommend this book as well-written, escapism I highly recommend this book for a nice lighthearted read with a very deep meaning which will stay with you once you have finished reading the book.

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Funny and entertaining but with a sneaky little kick back that will stay with you and keep you thinking. This is a great concept and I loved the writing style and perspective. Yes, it’s funny, but I think readers get a bit more than just a laugh from this insightful book.

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In 'Diary of a Buddhist Cat' Julian Worker captures the sense that cat owners will undoubtedly have of their animals not only having a secret inner life, but of them being highly aware of human shortcomings, reflected by the innate sense of superiority and aplomb that cats often convey.
Counter that with Freddie the rescue cat's decision to adopt Buddhist practices and philosophies such as gratitude and non-judgement, his ability to read and love of books, add his unsettled early life from which he still feels the separation from his mother, mix it with adventurous quests and encounters with unlikely allies - and you have very entertaining and unusual story.
Expressing principles and practices for living well and joyfully are so important in our world, and the thread of caring, non-judgment, forgiveness, loving-kindness, and acceptance is greatly needed in these challenging times.
Julian Worker shows an imaginative mind with a wide range of knowledge and wisdom interlaced with perceptive 'cat life' characteristics which entertain and amuse, and hopefully also enlighten.

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From a rather unassuming cover comes what I think is a small gem. A masterpiece of observation and insight into not only felines but humans too. More than this, an entertaining storyline sets this apart from far more mundane fictional works on feline and human relationships.

Freddie is a black and white cat determined to follow the Buddhist path. It was the only book on religion his previous human had. But when that human throws Freddie at the vet rather than pay the bill, Freddie's life changes. Made well by the kindly vet, he is adopted into a new home with John and Mary, two loving, caring, and quite normal and educated humans. They had previously adopted Gemma, a feline with a grudge against humans in general, for their fascist jackboot ways. Her reason is that some humans took her kittens away from her when she most needed them for support. Now, she refuses to kowtow to their oppressive ways, despite John's and Mary's kindness.

Freddie and Gemma do not get on. The relationship is based on the severity of Gemma's sneers, ranging from 1, being 'Ignorant cat', to 6, being 'enemy of cat kind'.

Freddie, though, is very passive, as you would expect from a Buddhist. He seeks to find common ground and treat everyone, even Gemma, with respect and kindness, helping where he can to ease her suffering and pain.
Now, if you hadn't surmised already, I need to mention that Freddie is an educated cat who likes to read books and experience life. So much so that he goes into his garden and befriends the resident crow family, Rufus, the local squirrel, and gets introduced to Holly, the hamster who's cage sits inside on the next door window ledge.
Very soon, with the help of his new pals, he is off in pursuit of educating himself in the fine arts and philosophers of the human world. But true to his beliefs, he is helping his new friends fulfil their own academic, sightseeing and high-flying goals. And how does he do this, you may ask? Answer: By entering and borrowing from the next door library, of course! The antics and chaos that ensue are hilarious and priceless. All of which is unseen by his human companions, but not so their neighbour, Penny, who tries to film it all.

For me, this is what truly makes this a stand out tale and a tour de force of entertainment and insight. Actions have consequences, even more so when species mix. And here they unfold so well and funnily that it was impossible not to turn the page and laugh and giggle aloud.
Told in first person as a series of Freddie's diary entries, this book will impart to the careful reader far more than at face value.

You don't have to have a cat companion or be a budding Buddhist to like this story. Nor a philosopher or connoisseur of, ahem, fine art to appreciate the insight woven carefully into the pages.

A must-read for anyone seeking a more educated, tongue in cheek fun, and thought-provoking read. I'll be delving more into the author's other works (both fact and fiction), as the writing style is very appealing.

I also find that I want to know more about Freddie's adventures. Whether we get to know more or not, I shall buy this and re-read it periodically to remind myself of the balance of life and all such good things. And yes, also laugh unashamedly at what went on in the library to Angela, and to that poor, poor dog of Penny's!

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Freddie the Cat comes home from the animal shelter with John and Mary. He had lived for a time with a woman referred to only as ‘old lady’ throughout the book, but he needed to go to the vet one day and when she learned the cost of the necessary medication, she threw Freddie at the vet and left. While he lived with her, he was able to read some of her books about Buddhism and other spiritual traditions—Freddie is a very well-read cat. He decides to be a Buddhist cat and he brings this philosophy of life with him when he meets his new sister, Gemma. Gemma has a different idea about humans, considering them fascists who stole her offspring from her.

Freddie gets himself outside when the people are away at work and befriends the local wildlife. Together, they have various adventures. Freddie is particularly keen on the library. One of the things I found most amusing in the book was his dedication to his ‘art.’ Before he went into the library for the first time, he observed the librarian in her office and was intrigued by the photocopier (which he calls the ‘birthing machine’). When he enters the building, that’s his first stop. He sits on it and presses the button. The resulting pictures of his backside please him very much and he considers them ‘postmodern surrealist masterpieces.’

There are some nods to various authors, from Dickens to Woolf to Agatha Christie, which I enjoyed.

The book is written as a diary, in which each day is simply today, because Buddhists are trying to live in the present moment.

This is a delightfully funny book that is a joy to read while also engaging with literature, philosophy, and other topics. There were several times when I read passages aloud to my husband.

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A little gem, Diary of a Buddhist Cat offers tidbits of wisdom with an entertaining tale of growth and change. Freddie is a crowd pleaser without even trying.

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Diary of a Buddhist Cat from Julian Worker is from the beginning a captivating read. Freddie the Buddhist cat is very conscious of being in his new home, rescued by some lovely humans from an adoption agency.
He is settling in very well, but having issues with Gemma, the other resident cat, also a rescue cat and finding life as a Buddhist cat somewhat interesting as well; as he is very mindful of his good fortune. His antics on day one are very chuckle worthy.
Each day in the diary is titled Today, as Buddhists live in the moment, or at least try to and as time passes he meets the other residents of the garden and park over the busy road, the local crows and a very forward squirrel called Rufus.
Freddie is more than just a cat, he is a very learned cat who loves to read and when he discovers a library right next door, he sets about finding a way to enter and be able to read whatever he enjoys. He has decided he needs to further understand many of the philosophers of life, as well as the classics of English literature.
Even though Mary and John, his new humans, have a wonderful bookcase full of interesting books, the library is even better. Far more choice.
With the help of the Crows they work put a plan and he carries out his first clandestine visit to the library via the librarian’s open window. Of course he can’t resist the photocopiers open tray and decides he really does need to create the perfect piece of modern art, which is where the real fun begins.
Add in a very organised squirrel called Rufus, who has always had a passion for things Egyptian, a hamster called Holly who really wants to read more about Care of Hamsters and a lively bunch of neighbourhood Crows and you have a page turning, laugh out loud, feel good book with a lovely message, that by working together, respecting those around us, and by being mindful, many wonderful things can happen.
Julian Worker has also laced carefully throughout the story some wonderfully insightful commentary on how we humans choose to live our lives. It is also very sobering, as well as amusing, to get the Cats, Crows, Squirrel and Hamsters perspective on humans and their ‘antics’.
Diary of a Buddhist Cat is a genuinely entertaining read.

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What a fun read this was and not just as a cat lover but I am sure anyone looking for a lighthearted read with that little bit of extra layer will enjoy this one. Freddie's view on the world is deeply colored by his past as a rescue but also how he sees the world now as he practises Buddhism.

An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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My thanks to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for a review copy of this book.

Diary of a Buddhist Cat is a delightful, humorous and entertaining read which I absolutely loved.

This was the second of my recent reads to be narrated by a cat! Freddie is a three-year-old black-and-white tom who is adopted from a shelter by John and Mary. He previously lived with an old lady who gave him up when she couldn’t afford his veterinary bills. But at the lady's house, Freddie had read some books on Buddhism and practices its principles trying to kind to everyone around him, living or inanimate. The other cat that John and Mary adopted, a few days before Freddie, is Gemma who is his polar opposite. Having had her kittens taken from her, she seems to hold this against all and sundry, seeing humans as fascists and being nasty to everyone. In fact, she has six levels of sneers expressing different degrees of disapproval.

Freddie of course gets along better with his humans and soon begins to explore his surroundings making friends with the crows in the garden, their cousins from the park, a squirrel named Rufus and Holly the hamster who lives in a neighbouring house. Freddie also loves to read so not only does he spend hours with his humans' books, he also begins to visit the library next door with help from the crows. When he tries his paw at the photocopier, the harried librarian gets a little spooked and has no idea what she’s dealing with, leading to some amusing consequences.

The story is essentially us following Freddie’s adventures as he settles into his new home, explores the park and the library, reads books and makes new friends, all the while practicing his Buddhist principles.

This was as I said a sweet, delightful and funny read which I enjoyed every bit of. I really loved Freddie. He's good-natured, friendly, helpful and genuinely wants to do good by everyone. He really believes in and tries hard to practice the Buddhist way of life, from moderation in food to thanking anything that helps him, even the tree he climbs, and this comes through in a very sweet way. I also liked that while he tries to be a good person, it is in a realistic way—he knows a nasty person or animal when he sees one and has no qualms when they get their just desserts (may be, he does have a pang). One enjoys following his adventures which are intended at simply exploring, reading new books and making friends but which end up in more complicated, even unexpected pursuits. And through them, we get glimpses of human oddities as well.

Freddie’s love of reading was also great fun--he's a well-read cat and reads widely so one finds him picking up Dickens and Austen, Agatha Christie, Virginia Woolf and Terry Pratchett but also Bertrand Russell and Carl Jung, among others. It was such fun seeing all the books he reads (lots and lots of them), and also the different allusions and references woven into the story. His reading also causes him to reflect on philosophical questions, at times but really, whether he is reading Dickens, Christie or Russell, I loved reading his observations on the stories and characters.

Most other characters too, are likeable whether it is the various crows (too many to name), Rufus the squirrel, Holly or even John and Mary the humans, but there are also those who are not so nice, even if they don’t quite qualify as ‘villains' (not that they don’t try). I also loved that the story remained light and fun throughout with no unnecessary drama, but at the same time keeping dangers such as the busy road realistic.

Except for some of Freddie’s art with the photocopier which was maybe not quite to my taste, I had very good fun with this one. Recommended for anyone who loves cats and books (and a humorous read).

5 stars

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I started off struggling with this book, but it’s worth the perseverance and as a cat owner I could see lots of similar traits. I didn’t know cats were religious, just goes to show. This is well written and humorous, it was a delight to read something as different as this. I recommend anybody should read this book for a lighthearted read which will make you smile.

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A fun story to read - what your cat gets up to when you're at work. We find ourselves in the life of Freddie (or Frederick when he's made his human cross) who happens to be a Buddhist cat. Who loves the library. And makes friends with the neighbourhood animals. And has heaps of adventures.
A fun, light read, perfect for relaxing.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me the chance to read this book.

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Diary of a Buddhist Cat is such a cute and charming story. Narrated by Freddie, the story revolves around his daily life. He writes his experiences in a diary. Cats are very intelligent creatures and Freddie is no different. He loves everything Zen.

This book will leave a lasting impression on all those who read it. Though narrated in a humorous way, one can reflect on the deeper meaning of the words that Freddie has to say. Kindness, understanding someone's suffering, helping someone and of course, a bit of fun is always necessary, innit?

If you are looking for a lighthearted read, I highly recommend you to try Diary of a Buddhist Cat by Julian Walker.

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Diary of a Buddhist Cat is a delightful tale of Freddie and his world. He brings new ways of experiencing humans to his animal friends who find them nothing but disdainful. He also lives in such a way that others are attracted to his peace.

Much wisdom in this little book! A lovely gift book~

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Sometimes you find a gem hidden in the mud. And that is exactly what this book is: a little gem.
In Diary of a Buddhist Cat, little kitten Freddie gives us great life lessons, which perhaps because of its simplicity we have stopped practicing: humility, manners, friendship, loyalty, patience... and all that in the day to day life of little Freddie.
An excellent book that we should all read and whose teachings we must put back into practice, to improve our lives and those of our fellow men.
Now, to follow the adventures of our cats in Amsterdam!
I thank the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this story. The opinion I have expressed above is based solely on what I think and feel about this book.

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Life of a Buddah kiity

This was a wonderful adventurous packed story. A diary full of today's and living in the moments. A joyful escape.

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Freddie, a black-and-white tom, finds a loving home with John and Mary after being abandoned due to expensive vet bills. Unlike his grumpy feline companion, Gemma, Freddie embraces Buddhist principles and befriends creatures from crows to squirrels. As he explores the world, his adventures in the library and affinity for books provide delightful moments, while his genuine kindness shines through. With humor and heart, this charming tale is a must-read for cat and book lovers alike.

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