The chronicle of a young man who is transformed into a cat.
Inspired by Kafka's The Metamorphosis, this compelling novella could be described as an existential comedic horror fantasy, following a young man's journey of transformation.
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cat, comedy, existential, fantasy, fiction, horror, thriller, transformation
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This is not just some dull book with a funny title; it's vivid, original, highly entertaining, and intense! On my shelf and Today's Pick I Like for 12/11/09: http://newandgoodreading.blogspot.com/2009/12/todays-pick-i-like-121109.htmlL. Anne Carrington, "The Cruiserweight"
I usually don't even leave comments but I found this book so different & unusual, I decided to leave one..I've read your book from beginning to end & your summery, pitch whatever it is, doesn't do your book any justice,it's so much more!........ very intense, very imaginative...already backed.
I've already backed this, but failed to add comments. Having Kafka as an inspiration is a bold decision and you certainly bring a fresh approach to novel writing. I love cats and love to read something that pushes the boundaries - here I get both.Good luck with this.Jared.
Interesting gradual transformation with the heightened senses which is giving me something new. Well written and solid.
You are quite a talented artist/writer - love the cover and the premise is frightening yet comical! BACKEDLizThe Cheech Room
The smell. Yes. I think that would be first. I laughed aloud at him meandering around the flat sniffing.You have a comic knack, Sir. The overturned room like thugs reminding of a gambling debt. A moment of self awareness...carefully smelling.His armpits. Licking his armpit, Ha ha ha. He's a vegetarian. In for a shock, I think. They have the life of Riley, do cats.This is bizarre and inspired. I laughed several times and I am a humourless git. So I will shelve it.Nick"Mirror In The Sky" (not as funny as yours. Not intentionally, anyway)
Hi Mike, this is a wonderful idea that's well paced with a likeable MC and enjoyable settings. My only real problem is with how many 'I' s you have....?? Eg, the last para of ch. 1 could start with 'drying...'?? Really looking forward to buying this from my bookshop, and cherishing it, sincerely, Monique Grbec (The Male Influence)
The Cat in the Rye is certainly original and distinctive. You drew me in right at the start looking for that smell with you. It seems odd to say so, but the idea really got my curiosity aroused, and your easy-going chatty first-person style did the rest.This is clever and skillful writing that I'm happy to back.
"The first thing was the smell . . . the smell hit me . . . the scent continued to taunt me . . . it would fade away . . . I was desperate to get away from the smell . . . I barely took two steps when it hit me . . . the dreaded smell . . . like a rat's next . . . I decided if the smell was everywhere I might as well go home." And so it goes. "I didn't even know what sort of clue I was supposed to be looking for . . . I stuck my head down my torso . . . it was me." So it goes. "There was something in the smell that was almost attractive . . . I leaned over and discovered that it is possible to lick your own armpit." From there the story goes to sleeping too long, getting up early, washing his laundry, putting on a Lawrence Welk record and daydreaming about his cool grandpa. All the while, he's becoming more and more like a cat. A few chapters later, he dreams of being chased by dogs,and starts to have an aversion of getting wet. Then, more old records and more stories from his grandpa. "You are in a precarious position, to be sure . . . it is still the only experience you have . . . what role do you play . . . tell me about the cats." "In time" young grasshopper.
This has got to be one weird dude to like Lawrence Welk. I can't imagine anything less musical, myself. I think of it as muzak with singers. But the writing is intriguing. I'm amazed at how the obsession with the ammonia smell serves to make the mundanity of it interesting.I would be happy to back this for you, but have stopped giving outright backings because the return on investment is so poor, and I don't like giving my power away. Instead, I offer a modified read swap, in which I read and comment first, but withhold backing until my book has been considered. Even if you don't care for it, I would still be interested in knowing why. Tim Chambers (TSR 10)Chili con Carnality
Different. I think this is neat. Though I am certain I have read another book on here about a person changing into a cat. I loved the opening paragraphs. You do an excellent job at describing this. The smell at the beginning, that annoying, I know there is something that smells here and trying to figure out what it is. I hate that. I love the voice within this. It is engaging and unique. BackedT.L Tyson-Seeking Eleanor
A fascinating book, with an individual style that draws us in. You write carefully, meticulously, going into every detail of what is happening, as when your protagonist crawls round the apartment trying to find the source of the smell which is annoying him. This is the first clue, I suppose, to the future development outlined in your pitch. This almost feline sense of smell is the first manifestation of change. The incident with the dog who instinctively growls at him tells us more, implying that the dog hates the suggestion of cat which he carries with him. The cat which he finds himself unable to draw must mean something as well. Between these hints you give us stories, philosophy, and a range of interesting people. The grandfather's story about his con is engrossing and fun to read in itself, and Greg's conversation, and his story about the apes, can also be enjoyed for themselves. But running through this is the idea that people can be conned, that many people are dishonest, and that mutants happen. There are many implications here. This book is well written, in a style which reflects the narrator's age and personality successfully, and it flows smoothly enough to carry the reader on. There are a few small things that an edit will fix, but basically nothing to jerk us too much out of the story. Backed.Gerry McCullough,Belfast Girls.
Fucking, go on.Sorry, this was my first impression upon reading your pitch.... don't mean to offend.This is really good. Your writing does the story justice.MeaoooWW!BACKED
Mike, the intense, slight lunatic though lucid narration is unusual and irresistible. The stages of transformation are fascinating and unsettling. Shelved. Lynn
Mike Loved the title and bookcover... The pitch does not do you justice....I think of the pitch as the blurb on the back of the book, (should you be sitting on a bookshelf in a store).......You need to pad it out, give us a taster of whats to come...Your a gifted story teller...Digestable prose, and eloquent narration made this an easy read.....Have only read first two chapters, could see plot development well under way.....Not sure if I'd have picked this up, but that's what's good about this site.....you get nice surprises... Best of luck...shelved with pleasure......(leaving you a message)
The title pulled me in. The writing is very good and moves in a fast pace. "Like an airplane crashing-diving to the ground in slow, obstinate motion, my legs plotted the path to Greg's house, and my mind spun hard, trying to think how I would explain it all." Classic!I find this an original spin on the classicsScottThe Esrevinu Chronicles/Secrets of the Elephant Rocks
hello and well done...i am a cat lover...well an all animal lover. The descriptives are perfect and the humor is dry and clever.A unique beginning that holds the promise of a great follow through.Enjoyed and backed.well done indeed.SuzieDudes Down Under.
Mike, Outstanding!!!I was just browsing through random books and stumbled, quite happily, upon yours. Upon reading the first chapter I found myself snickering until your character began to lick himself, at which point I totally lost it altogether. As absurdly funny as I found it all to be, there was an uneasy feeling within myself of something sinister yet to come lurking just beneath the surface. I will definitely read more of this later on.Kudos!Nit
I have to say the title creeped me out slightly, a man turning into a cat, but that's just me. I do find transformation stories kind of creepy and a little scary, harking to An American Werewolf in London, I film I find so scary. The writing is brilliant and I was deteremined to find out also what that smell was and would have been just as frustrated. Excellent and deservedly backed.SandieThe Crown of Crysaldor
'The Cat in the Rye' is different, and deserves a boost. You managed to engage my interest successfully all the way through chapter one, even though you'd already revealed the outcome in your synopsis. Well done!I always liked Kafka, anyway.Backed.Marko
I would never read this. But I'll try. Backed.
The Cat in th RyeHi MikeThe Catcher in the Rye with four missing letters takes on a whole new meaning. A great beginning, intense narrative focus plunges us into this disorientating few moments at the beginning and we don't lose our way. I love the light-hearted discursive style. You are clearly having a lot of fun with this idea. I love the quite shocking impulsiveness he immediately begins to suffer from in the first chapter, from naps to washing himself. Great stuff, you definitely have a unique and individual book on your hands.Best wishes and good luckAndrew W (Sanctuary's Loss)
i'm really loving this, three chapters in. reading the pitch and knowing what the general story is, i like the hints at his cat-ness in these early sections, very humourous - in fact, lots of funny moments throughout, which i always admire because i can be funny in conversation but fail miserably at it in writing, so well done on nailing that angle of the story. the characterisation is strong, the writing is so smooth, the whole piece just flows easily, information added in at just the right moments, and i love the exchange between greg and our narrator, realistic and interesting to read. i'll back this.would you mind giving mine a read? 'the lader' by vrinda pendred.