The Little Kitten of Death
353997
Today is the official publication date for Audrey Niffenegger's new novel, HER FEARFUL SYMMETRY, which is cause for celebration. I'm a huge fan of THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE as well as of Niffenegger's illustrated novels. I greatly admire her ability to bridge the worlds of art and words with such artistry and integrity. So you can imagine how excited I was when I read that Scribner had acquired her new novel earlier this year in a very significant publishing deal. I was even more excited to score an advance copy of it.

I was up to 2:30 in the morning devouring HER FEARFUL SYMMETRY--it's that enthralling a page-turner. Though it's been about two weeks since I finished, I'm still processing my thoughts about it. It's lingered with me, which is my mark of a good book.

First off, set aside any preconceptions or expectations you may have about HER FEARFUL SYMMETRY. It's decidedly not THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE, though there is a similar theme of The Things People Do For Love knitted throughout it, as well as a mordant humor. It's also written in third person, instead of the alternating first person narrative of TTW. For that alone, kudos to Niffenegger for not resting on her laurels to craft a TTW-romance-redux.

Short version: HER FEARFUL SYMMETRY is a exquisitely written ghost story. The book's premise is not dissimilar to one offered by a horror film: To claim an inheritance, Julia and Valentina, a set of abnormally attached identical twin sisters, must live for a year in a fabulous London apartment bequeathed to them by an aunt they've never met. The apartment is set next to Highgate Cemetery, the final resting place of many Victorian-era luminaries, including Karl Marx and Elizabeth Siddal Rossetti. The cemetery permeates the novel with an intense sense of place. (To research HFS, the author became a tour guide there; her deep knowledge infuses the novel.) Soon after the twins take possession of the apartment they learn that auntie may not have passed over to the other side. Paranormal shenanigans ensue.

HER FEARFUL SYMMETRY is far darker and more complicated and twisty than THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE. The main characters are not what they seem and do stunningly selfish and cruel things; regardless, you find yourself seduced by them and ultimately caring about their fates. The ending is not tidy and requires a serious suspension of disbelief--I still have not decided what final outcome Niffenegger insinuated for one of her characters-- though it is strangely uplifting. No spoilers here, but the concluding scene has a poetic justice/beauty about it that moved me deeply.

And yes, I cried at the end, though not the huge gulping sobs that TTW induced in me.

I suspect HER FEARFUL SYMMETRY is going to be a divisive book that some will adore, others may not. I loved it. It's especially perfect for this time of year, as we gear up to the night when the "veils between the worlds are thin."

If you do read, watch out for the Little Kitten of Death. Yup, it's that kind of book.
4488672
Our new sweet little kittens love this bed!! Its so soft that the little gray boy tries to nurse on it!  Its perfect for those cute tiny bodies.
4273401
A wonderful book about a cat and his relationship with the people in his life.  Get your tissues out, he dies in the end.
4123008
Making Rounds with Oscar is really the Angel of Death.  IT's very, very special and rare cat to see every residents in their final hours of their lives.  Great book
3882589
This wonderful little book tells the story of a colony of feral cats living in Philadelphia. Accessible to children, this story helps us understand a kinder, more humane way to deal with the issue of stray cats. It also has a very important secondary lesson, teaching children the importance of kindness.
929326
Poor puppy and bad Kitty is awesome you should try it too. Poor puppy is awesome and bad kitty is bad!
1572647
We needed these when we found a barely week old kitten in our backyard as my husband was clearing away some old tires. It looked like she had accidentally fallen between some and the stray mama cat couldn't get to her. When my husband found her she was hardly responsive and nearly died of hypothermia. The first pic was when Hubby found her. At first he didn't think she was alive. She was so tiny! She is 8 months old now, healthy, and one silly cat who has a favorite blanket and stuffed animal. There would have been no way she could have survived without these tiny Miracle Nipples. It was a real challenge teaching a kitten to eat but I wouldn't trade her for anything.
2355980
What a tiny web we weave when we deceive. This is ultimate cat and mouse, you try to figure out who is stronger the cat or the mouse? In this case, the mouse is smarter because everyone thinks he's trapped--Sean. Avery is the cat with nine lives but this time it's not just her life to consider (for real)! Mommy needs to be smart....right
...
4005764
I reported that my kitten almost died in this over two years ago by getting its head stuck in a hole.  This should never be given to younger kittens to play with. I can't believe it is still being sold. And to see other people's stories about the same problem they had.  Shame on this company for selling this kitten death trap.
4561824
Is that worlds smallest cat in the picture? I did not check the dimensions.  Pic must be doctored IMO.
2056528
My daughter was looking for a battery operated kitten and saw this one on Amazon. For the price we decided to give it a try. The main complaint is that the "meow" sounds more like a small dog barking. She was a little dissapointed but she still plays with it. If you are looking for an affordable electronic animal you may still want to consider buying this one.
2825561
The Cat Who Lost His Meow is a very sweet,short story about a Calico Cat Who one day couldn't meow. My grandchildren loved it.
3026382
So my Kitty Kat and I adopted a black long-hair kitten with blue eyes. I thought I'd give the kitten book a try and it's a good thing I did so.

for the first few days, the kitten was sick and the book suggested it could be quite a few problems: worms, changing the diet or even stress from being taken away from it's siblings.

Then the evil kitten started to bite with those little fangs of hers. The book suggested hissing at her or when picking her up, also picking up one of her toys so she can bite that instead.

Overall, the book came in handy.

And by the way, the kitten's eyes are green now.
4879427
Very small, but worth the price I suppose. My kitten loved the toy features (one of which eventually fell off). After a few weeks though she could barely fit on the top of it comfortably because she had already outgrown it.  She is now 8 months old, and occasionally will sit on it, but is too big to lay.
3973454
Both my kitten and my Chihuahua LOVE this dumb little thing.  They are fastinated by it's erratic movements and love the furry Weasel.  I would recommend this to small dog lovers and kitten/cat parents alike.
4349732
I bought this for my grand kitty, and he loves it. I would caution, however, that the hammock poses a choking hazard to small kitties. He is 4-months old and got the sling wrapped around his neck somehow. Thankfully my daughter got home in time before a tragedy occurred.
2860791
Anne Mortimer does it again with this dear little book filled with her beautiful cat illustrations. The star of this story is a tabby kitten with a white bib and four white socks.  We follow him through his busy day of mischief and exploration. The details and soft colors bring the kitten's world to life with such charm. Eileen Spinelli has written a text that can help to reasure any curious and mischievous little explorers that you may know that they are understood and cherished just as this lively kitten is.