Diary of a Cat: 9the Confessions and Lifelong Observations of a Well-Adjusted House Cat

Rutledge's (Dear Tabby) latest excursion into the inner life of cats features nine months in the life of an anonymous feline diarist. With insight and compassion, the cat records the secrets he discovers on his rounds through the quiet neighborhood where he lives with the elderly Mrs. Vigil. There's Mrs. Thornhill's battle with her rebellious teenage daughter; the abuse of the young Whittlesee boy by his father; the yearning of eccentric Mr. and Mrs. Pinchon for yet another house cat even though they already play host to 23 of them; and the desire of Mrs. Mintucket, a 72-year-old agoraphobic grandmother, for a new pair of red high-top tennis shoes to walk her to freedom. Although the cat finds observing the neighbor's turmoil a fine way to pass his days, the adoption by ``Mrs. V'' of a rambunctious gray kitten named Bobbie Boop and an emaciated stray named Zachary is quite another matter. And then, just as harmony is achieved among the threesome, Mrs. V is taken sick and the cats find themselves at the mercy of the evil Lillian Axe. Cat lovers will find all this heartwarming and poignant; others, however, may be tempted to go out and buy a pit bull. BOMC selection. (Nov.)