Nardio Book Review
Is It Worth Your Time?
Yes. Even if you didn’t read Cleo, you can still enjoy Cats and Daughters.
(Read our interview with Helen Brown!)
What Did You Think Without Spoiling It?
Helen Brown still brings plenty of her wry humor and openness to Cats and Daughters that she brought to Cleo. And again, it’s about the strength of the human spirit and the bonds we share between animals and humans. It’s a beautifully written short read that cat lovers should read.
Why it Works
You don’t have to be a cat lover to enjoy this book nor have a daughter. While the book focuses on Helen’s struggle with her daughter’s (Lydia) decisions and her own health struggle, it is ultimately a book about hope and trust. Jonah, the cat featured in the book, certainly might not be as charming as Cleo was, however the antics that he puts the family through is quite amusing.
Like in Brown’s previous hit book, Cats and Daughters gives the audience plenty of moments of humor and good nature mixed in between some very powerful and poignant passages. We are there with Brown as she discovers that she has breast cancer and experience with her the numerous surgeries she goes through to “get back to normal.” But it’s through these trying times that the bond between mother and daughter really shine through. At the end, the bond between the two is stronger than ever despite their original disagreements and they understand each other better.
No Like?
Honestly, I enjoyed the book so there’s not really much I disliked about it. I did feel like Jonah was more in the sidelines than Cleo, but I suppose that’s to be expected.
In Closing
Cats and Daughters is a short, entertaining memoir that takes us through the ups and downs of Brown’s life. Her humor and view on life is uplifting. When the mood gets a bit too dark, Jonah’s presence does a lot to lighten it.
Agree? Disagree? Write your comments below.
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Basic Info
- Author: Helen Brown
- Price: $9.99 on Kindle
and $12.86 for paperback
- Genre: Memoir
- Pages: 304
