My Cat Spit McGee (Vintage)

Rating:
Summary: The cat revealed as the Thinking Man's best friend
Review: Accomplished writer Willie Morris was a lifelong dog-lover and cat-hater, an ailurophobe. Growing up in Mississippi, that was only way a Manly Man could be. In "My Cat Spit McGee", the author describes his conversion to an ailurophile, or cat-lover, an epiphany apparently of the same magnitude as that experienced by Saul of Tarsus (a.k.a. St. Paul) on the road to Damascus.

Through association with his second wife, JoAnne, and after a series of response-modifying events, the author finds a boon companion in Spit McGee, a shorthaired, all-white male cat with one blue and one gold eye. It's in this short book's - 141 pages, hardcover - second half that Willie describes both the understanding that develops between himself and his new feline pal, as well as the personalities of Spit and several other family cats that won him over.

If you're not an ailurophile, or not someone confronted by fickle circumstance with a forced conversion, there's no reason to even crack this book open. For myself, a cat-lover of long standing, this gentle and heartwarming story made me appreciate more than ever my calico buddy, Trouble. Willie died in 1999, leaving Spit behind. Since I'm 51 and Trouble is approaching 9, there is a good chance that my furry friend will predecease me. I will rue the coming of that day. I shall miss her terribly.

Rating:
Summary: Hesitantly Likable
Review: At its heart, this is a nice story about a man who turns from a cat hater into a cat lover.

I'm amazed that no one else was disturbed by the obvious lack of information that Willie Morris seemed to have about cats. And, perhaps, about pets in general.

In the book, the author describes his endless research on cats. He has an obvious grasp of their historical and cultural significance. What he seems to be missing is knowledge of the basics. He never read about the dangers of having an outside cat? Or the benefits of early spaying/neutering? Nutritional requirements?

By way of explaining his hometown's inherent hatred of cats, he casually writes a sentence or two about the neighborhood teenage boys engaging in the torturing and killing of stray cats. This is very disturbing.

I never doubted Willie Morris's love and respect for his companion animals for one second, but, perhaps an ignorance that I found constantly exasperating.

This is definitely not a book that would be appropriate for younger children. And I believe that many cat owners and animal lovers will feel the same as I do.

Bottom line - well-written, entertaining, touching, fast, easy read; frequently quite infuriating and perhaps disturbing.

Rating:
Summary: I Love Spit McGee!
Review: I absolutely loved this little book! I saw the movie, "My Dog Skip" and was interested in reading the actual book and came across Spit and decided to buy both! I am a cat lover; have been all my life. It was really neat to read about Willie's journey into the cat world! Willie Morris' nostalgic writing style and how he learns to appreciate the uniqueness and quirky nature of the cat leaves you wanting more!

Rating:
Summary: Personal and Poignant
Review: I found 'My Cat Spit McGee' both touching and enjoyable, perhaps not for the reasons one might expect with a 'pet book'. The author describes his feelings about his dogs Skip and Pete as his early and midlife companions, then later his link with several generations of cats -- including the notable Spit -- as his companions in his maturity. Yes, this book should be enjoyed by dog or cat lovers everywhere. The added, pleasant surprise is that this is also a work to be savored by anyone who feels (or wants to feel) the curious and complex emotional undercurrent that growing up Southern instills. I found this book to be as much about the author as about Spit, and found it to be a very touching look at a man and his connection both with those he cared for -- be they human, canine, or feline -- and with his heritage. Did Willie Morris feel the end drawing near as he travelled again to the landmarks of his youth and of his family, with Spit McGee as his travelling companion? One has to wonder. Invest in this book if you're a cat lover, dog lover, southerner, or appreciate spending a (too) short time with a captivating book. Willie Morris will be missed by friends, family, readers, and a special cat named Spit. We love you, too, Spitty.