All right, I'm a sucker for orange cats.

Okay, I'll admit it. Usually, any book titled anything as hopelessly sappy as Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World would leave me cold. If I was really feeling myself, I'm guessing I would class such a book among the ranks of titles like Tuesdays with Morrie or Marley & Me.

But, in my weakened state, I'll admit it. I picked this book up because of the beautiful orange cat on the cover. So sue me: I like cats. I'll admit the library aspect had some appeal too. And then I read the whole thing, even though it's no great work of literature (which is typical when a book shares authors; this one is by Vicki Myron with Bret Witter).

It's the story of Dewey Readmore Books, an orange kitten that Myron found in her library's bookdrop one cold Iowa morning. She nursed the kitten back to health and he became the library's cat, living in the Spencer Public Library for nineteen years and eventually becoming famous the world over for his story and personality. Yup. Unadulterated pap. And I ate it up with a spoon.

Although I must admit that I found Vicki Myron's personal stories almost as interesting as those about Dewey. In one chapter she details how, when she had her daughter, the doctor gave her a double dose of inducing drugs because he was in a hurry, which caused her to have serious and continuing health problems in her early twenties. A short while after that, she went to the hospital for exploratory surgery and woke up to learn the doctor had removed her ovaries and her uterus. Christ, people. I don't care how long ago that was (early 1970s). Can you believe that sort of thing was ever acceptable? And yet Myron relates these tales with an admirable lack of rancor.

So the final word should come as no surprise: if you've got a soft spot for cats, libraries, small towns, or amazingly stoic women who undergo serious health problems but just keep fighting, go ahead and pick this one up. If any of those storylines make you want to gag, avoid it.

Comments

[Brian]

I'm a bit shocked that you followed a link to the Matt Taibbi story with this, and even included the saturated photo of the cat from the cover of the book. I'll let it pass without judgement, or too much judgement, but I'm hopeful you'll redeem yourself soon. Dewey Readmore Books?! Yikes. And I bet the author fought with her editor to keep the story of her uterus in the book.

[Citizen Reader]

Brian,
I know. Welcome to my world--I am ALL OVER the place lately. Maybe I've got a couple different personalities going--one that responds to the Taibbi, and one that responds to orange kitties. Disconcerting.

Yeah, the cat's name is lame. But, I'm glad she kept the story of her uterus in. I'm biased (see earlier orange kitties disclaimer) but they did a nice job of balancing her personal need for the cat with the cat's place as a "community cat." Again, schmaltzy. But you know what? The whole idea of libraries is at least a schmaltzy one that I can get behind: here, come borrow our stuff. No charge, just return it, please. That's an actual good example of community spirit. I still say that sets this book apart from bullshit like Tuesdays with Morrie or Marley and Me--which is all about, ooh, look at ME, I'm growing personally. And getting rich off this book to boot.

Judge away! I figure I've earned a bye for the Matt Taibbi thing, if not for calling Tom Friedman a tool. Plus I've got lots of anger left over, so I will hope to redeem myself soon.

[Katharine]

I am always trying to defend working at public libraries, both to myself and to others (why didn't I get an MBA instead of an MLS?) and what you said about "community spirit" is exactly why I'm sitting at the reference desk typing this, thanks for saying it so nicely. As for Dewey, I don't even like cats and that one is damn cute. here's to cute cats and public libraries!

[Venta]

Assume all librarians will receive this book at Christmas.

[Jeane]

Even though it does sound rather cheesy, sometimes I'm in the mood for that. And of course, I love libraries and cats. What better combination could there be? Although orange is my least favorite color in cats.

[Citizen Reader]

Katharine, love,
Why didn't all of us get MBAs? Although I guess I wouldn't want a job in the financial area the past couple of weeks. I'm so glad you're sitting at that reference desk--you're much better at it than I ever was. Me? I need a little time off to recharge and remind myself of that community spirit of libraries before I could ever think of going back. I'm weak, I know. :)

Oh, Venta,
Gosh, I hope not. Unless you're really in the mood for it, as Jeane points out, I don't think this is a book anyone should assume all librarians would love. Might I suggest Alberto Manguel's "A Night in the Library" instead? It's a bit long-winded but it does have beautiful pictures of libraries in it.

Jeane,
Oh, I agree. Sometimes you just need something a bit cheesy. But orange is your least favorite color? Sometimes I tell my gray tabby cat I'm thinking of replacing her with an orange kitty, just to get her to behave herself. It never works.

[Brian]

I just want to clarify that I am a 100% devoted library fan. I'm judging your choice of this one book is all, not your career or your other choices (see mention of Taibbi). I'd love to say I'm not judging, but with Dewey, I am. I admit it. I also am happy to give you a chance to redeem yourself. The blog is great!

[Citizen Reader]

Oh, Brian,
I figured you were on board with libraries--you'd have to be, with a blog like http://booksurvival.blogspot.com/ (yay, books!).

Really--you can judge away. I don't mind at all. It always leads to interesting conversations. Also: you'll notice I followed "Dewey" with a review of an Irvine Welsh book? I thought you might enjoy that.

[Brandon]

A spoon, huh? Personally, I prefer sporks.

I dunno about the whole uterus thing, especdially in a kitty book. I want to know, did the uterus story have anything to do with the cat story? Probably not. If that shit took place in the seventies, Dewey wouldn't have been born. See. I can scrape cat litter all over this book without even reading it! Since Dewey ain't alive to do it himself.

"Touched the World," hmm? That's pretty damned trite. I keep picturing that cat spinning the library's globe, after everyone's gone home. I bet the library smelled like cat piss, too.

Sheezus. I'm starting to hate the kitty. Which is completely uncalled for, I know. Still. I should get crackin' on "Wednesdays with Brandon."

[Citizen Reader]

Boys, boys,
Such anger about uteri appearing in books! The thing to remember is that this is a memoir--and that means it's fair game to bring in one's earlier life experiences. Especially if that earlier experience gave you continuing health problems that made you thankful for the comfort of a kitty.
On the other hand, I owe you big for the laugh I got when picturing the cat fondling the globe. Nicely played, sir.
And I'd TOTALLY pre-order a copy of "Wednesdays with Brandon." Get working on that.

[The Laundress]

Well, hell.

Taibbi, tabby orange kitties = same old difference to me. Wouldn't have given EITHER one of 'em the time of day except I do value and respect your bookish opinions and have glommed on to some of my very most favorite reads due to them (er, though some of my favs have been titles you have dissed). Whatever, wouldn't have found them w/o you. thanks once again,
tl (who lives with The Biggest and Orangest Kitty in the Universe. Just ask him.)

[The Laundress]

p.s. yeah, guys, what is with your horrification about info on a uterus?

[Citizen Reader]

Well, Laundress,
You know how I feel about "bad" reviews or dissing books others love....sometimes that's just another great way to find new reading material! I know you don't mind me dissing books you love because you are fully capable of defending them!!

I think you might like this one, uterus and all, especially because you have a big and very orangey kitty yourself.

[Melanie]

I'm waiting for my reserve copy to come in. The only reason I plan to read it is to see if my aunt is mentioned. She worked at the Spencer library for a time. But I do love cats and wish every library could have a library cat.

[Citizen Reader]

Melanie,
That's very cool that your aunt worked in Spencer! The author was very complementary about everyone who worked there, so I hope you find that she's in the book.
I would worry about a kitty escaping the library, personally, but it sounds like this cat was pretty good about staying indoors. I think the author's point that it takes a really special cat to make it work was a good one.

[maggie]

I just finished "Wesley" and "Dewey" left me non-plused. Just typing out loud, no need to respond.

[The Laundress]

sshhh, forgot to mention, we have relatives in Spencer, Iowa. I have been there. Even visited the library ('cuz, whatever town I am in, always visit the library, or stand outside of it if closed).

It is a long, long, long drive from anywhere east to Spencer. Lots of corn. Bad diners with runny green gelatin that Jane Stern would not appreciate. Spencer is a fine town, full of good people.