Cats on a Magic Carpet: A True Story of Cats, Life, Love, Divorce and Things that go Bump in the Night!
"Autobiographical story of a woman who finds magic in her inner voice and hope from her relationships with cats. Given the whimsical title, the reader might anticipate that Duncan’s debut novel was a children's book, or an imaginative fairy tale. However, the novel opens with Duncan’s disclosure of the mental, emotional, and sometimes physical abuse she sustained from her adopted father..... Duncan’s father moved the family from California to Ireland, to free his daughters from the influences of American 1960s drug culture. At school, Duncan’s emotional pain was further compounded by bullying from peers. Without the ability to physically escape the circumstances of her own life, young Duncan retreats into her own imagination. Her internal life intensifies when she begins hearing voices, guiding and instructing her actions. Eventually she begins acting out the voices’ instructions. Rather than exploring why Duncan is hearing voices, her grandmother tells her she has “the gift." Luckily the voices advise Duncan to join the school band. One day walking home from band practice, Duncan finds a seemingly neglected kitten. Duncan takes him home to join the family's six other cats. Unfortunately the kitten disappears into the night..... Each chapter, named in honor of a particular cat, reveals how Duncan’s relationships with cats complements her human relationships. Changes occur in Duncan’s family relationships, romantic relationships, and career. However, Duncan’s positive relationship with cats is a constant. Overall the writing is clear and sophisticated....sometimes insightful reflection on the complexity of human relationships. A quirky and at times humorous read."