Product Description

In this endearing memoir, William Jordan's reluctant adoption of a stray cat leads to an unexpectedly deep bond, one that will be immediately recognizable to anyone who has ever fallen under the spell of a pet. When Jordan brings Darwin into his home, he is forced into a commitment more devoted and sincere than any he has known before. He observes Darwin not only with the lovestruck gaze of a doting pet owner but also with the keen eye of a trained scientist, and he ruminates insightfully on the complex relationship between humans and their pets. Through issues of territory and separation, sickness and health, Jordan's heartrending memoir of his relationship with Darwin is made irresistible by his "self-effacing honesty, his ever-present wit, and, above all, the unashamed nakedness of his emotions" (San Diego Union-Tribune).

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #995421 in Books
• Published on: 2003-11-12
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

About the Author

Customer Reviews

WARNING not for the recently bereaved
Yes, this is one of several "personal journeys" into discovering how delightful a human/cat relationship can be. It's approached with unusual openness and thoughtfulness, and for that I applaud it. But...

Warning! Although other reviewers have found this an appropriate book for those who truly love cats (and do not have to think of them as human to love them) realize this is one man's discovery of who/what a cat is and some may find him as frustratingly dense and insensitive as I did. By the end of the book I thoroughly hated the author and would have cheerfully choked him if I met him.

I would REALLY warn off any who have just lost a beloved cat companion: during Darwin's struggle with dying, Jordan brings a new cat onto the house (which I find horribly cruel), and worse, he decides to euthanize of Darwin himself instead of taking him to the vet, and botches it. I will live with that horror forever. I read this after having to euthanize my fur-friend and this book tore me to shreds. I truly did not need the added pain reading this book created.

Sorry if I "shared" more than you wanted to know, but I'd rather that if I spare anyone else from the damage I incurred.

The right book at the right time...
I stumbled upon this book weeks after losing my feline companion of over twelve years. As much as I appreciated the openness and the excellent writing style of this author, the book was simply the right book at the right time for me. Part of my dealing with the loss of my beloved cat has been writing fictional stories of the bond between humans and cats, and this book was a marvelous, therapeutic read for me. I've never written to an author before, but I plan to write Mr. Jordan and thank him for this gift of love and loss he shares in this book.

Heart Warming
As an animal lover this was a very heartwarming book of a relationship between Man and his Pet. Althou Mr. Jordan referred to Darwin (the Cat) as more of a partner, and treated Darwin as such. Mr. Jordan articulates the growing relationship with his cat quite well and sucks the reader right into the relationship as well. You feel his pleasure, love and pain; and also get great insight in the battle of his logical brain versus his heart and emotions.