Anatoli Scholz brings us this entertaining novella with a philosophical outlook, If Cats Could Talk… Would They Cry introduces Julie Galles, an introvert in an extrovert’s world. Julie is stuck in a rut – until the day she wakes up as a cat. Can a feline perspective help her to reconnect with humanity?
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The Book
This story explores the core issues of companionship, authenticity, and purpose, and each one is explored with a lightness of touch and an off-beat charm while dealing with isolation, identity, and desperation for connection. A book that readers can really connect to because the story is a playful modern take on Kafka’s ‘Metamorphosis’. For those of you who have never heard of “Metamorphosis”, it was first published in 1915 in Austria-Hungary, so this is a tale that can stand the test of time. And just like “Metamorphosis”, this is a snappy novella that is straight to the point.
Thoughts on the Book
The book itself is a short one (as novellas tend to be) but it is still a decent length to tell a great story and keep your attention for a few days. Throughout the book, there are little illustrations by the talented Felix Diaz de Escauriaza. Each illustration is completely unnecessary but absolutely perfect. In fact, the entire story is filled with the essence of Frenchness and Paris that I find exceptionally appealing as a wannabe French woman. There is a certain refinery, a je ne sais quoi that fills each page that makes it soothing yet a tale filled with drama.
Thoughts on the Author
Anatoli Scholz was born in Moscow and raised in the US, France, Ireland, and many other countries. He has never lived in one place for more than two years and he speaks seven languages. He currently lives in Spain; before that he lived in Paris, on the very road where this book is set. This is his third book and is the son of Soviet scientists. You can connect with Anatoli Scholz over on his Facebook page.
Overall
The best way that I can describe this book is *delightful* and an excellent choice for summer reading. The delicious flow of the story will keep you entertained and intrigued as you discover Julies’ fate and how she comes to terms with life as a cat.