Review: Lovable, Heart-Warming Story
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 1, 2013
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Author Becky Corwin-Adams makes a bold authorial decision right from the very beginning when she decides to let the story be narrated in this fashion:(Quote) "My name was Tabby, and I was a beautiful brown tabby cat. I was born on April 28, 1965 in Defiance, Ohio. My mom, Becky, could always remember my birthday for some reason. My formal name was Tabitha Jean. My middle name was the same as that of Becky's mom, my grandmom. No one ever called me by my formal name since I was never in trouble like the silly dogs my mom now has. Mom calls those pesky dogs by their formal names at least twice a day." (end of quote)Authors have been giving animals the power of speech for so long now (centuries) that it doesn't throw us off stride at all. The personification of Tabby, the cat, will only serve as a frame of reference by which we can speculate upon what an animal (in this case, a cat) might "say" about us humans, if they had the power of speech. Many of us humans would be praised to the utmost, others would suffer a tongue lashing, no doubt. Here is a moment to stop and reflect, and if we take the opportunity, surely some good would come of it.In the opening paragraph we have some of the elements which make for a good memoir: place, time, setting, characters. We now need to see what is motivating the story, to have a clue as to where this might be going in this unique memoir. "Tabby Cat Tales" takes on a predictable pattern: nostalgia, the remembrance of yesterday and yesteryear. It is a journey back in time.Indeed, it is genuinely nostalgic look back to the 1960's, aided by lovely photographs that add authenticity to the tale. This is a time when pets (and children) could go wherever they wanted, whenever they wanted. Life was a lot simpler then. The dangers that exist today simply did not exist then. How times have changed so drastically for the worse since then (sigh).  If only there weren't automobiles, the world would have been purrfectly safe for cats... Or things like being tied in a garage...Or left behind by a trusted adult... (It's not easy being a cat)Overall, this is a lovable, heart-warming story that is a very enjoyable read. In the end, reflection should impress upon us all the great responsibility we have to take care of the animals we come into contact with, especially our pets. This book is without a doubt written for the cat lover in you.Reviewed by Thomas Jerome BakerAuthor ofPublic Speaking: What Amazing Nonsense You Are Talking!