The Ghost Cat: 12 decades, 9 lives, 1 cat

Product Information

All of the characters are so diverse and are perfectly crafted in retrospect to their decade, which brought about this extra umph to them. Alex did an amazing job of creating such characters, and the complexities of it all show and pay off. I love the world, how everything changes, and the descriptive style of writing used to embody it all, making it quite easy to envision. Witnessing the changes of a century and more, the Ghost Cat purrs, shuffles and sniffs his way through the fashion, politics and technological advances of the modern era, alongside the ever-changing inhabitants of an Edinburgh tenement. This unique story unearths some startling revelations about the mystery of existence and the human condition and provides a feel-good read full of charm for any fan of history, humour and fur-ridden feline fun.” With open doors and open hearts for pets and their people, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home can continue to rescue, reunite, and rehome dogs and cats across East and Central Scotland. The Ghost Cat is a historical, cosy and heartwarming book that I really enjoyed reading. I’m a big cat lover anyway (as you might be able to tell from the cat items in this picture) so this book was totally up my alley but it also has a little something for everyone. It’s comical at times, very heartwarming and all wrapped up into a really interesting exploration of history.

Thus, it is early in the morning when Grimalkin the cat breathes his last as he lays before the comfortable heat of a roaring fire in the tenement flat he calls home. As he slips from his earthly bonds, Grimalkin will become the Ghost Cat, a supernatural being with the ability to observe and reflect as the world rapidly changes despite the consistency of the tenement flat. Join us for a special fundraising event in support of Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home. We'll be joined at East Linton's Community Hall by author Alex Howard for a Q&A about his new novel The Ghost Cat, followed by a book signing. Consider the possibility of retaining the ability of seeing the world through the eyes of your favourite animal. Would it be your pet cat? A dog? Perhaps something a bit more wild? Follow The Ghost Cat as he witnesses the changes of the next two centuries as he purrs, shuffles and sniffs his way through the fashion, politics and technological advances of the modern era alongside the ever-changing inhabitants of an Edinburgh tenement. As we follow our new spirit-feline friend, this unique story unearths some startling revelations about the mystery of existence and the human condition and provides a feel-good read full of charm for any fan of history, humour and fur-ridden fun. Alex Howard You see, even at fifteen, Grimalkin believed, as did many Victorian cats, that a clean pelt led to a pure soul. Rising, he padded closer to the fi re, coming to rest on a little rug beside Mr Calvert’s gramophone, which stretched up its huge brass trumpet like an oversized daffodil. But no sooner had he dampened his paw with his tongue and hooked it up towards his left ear than his muscles seized, and his tummy cramped with a pain so strong that it almost made him cry out loud.

Born in London, Alex Howardmoved up to Scotland for his degree in English Literature at the University of Edinburgh. Completing the MA(Hons) with a first, he went on to pursue a PhD in 20 thcentury poetry, from which his academic book Larkin’s Travelling Spirit(Palgrave, 2020) emerged. Alex has also been published in the likes of New Writing Scotland, Gutter, The London Magazineand Orbis,including being invited to read at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, before winning a place in The Charles Causley Poetry Prize. When not writing, Alex works at Capital Theatres as a Creative Engagement Coordinator, along with documenting the renovation of his Edinburgh home to his large TikTok following.

We follow Grimalkin the cat, who passes away one fine day by the fire and his soul is transported to another world where he meets the great cat-sìth, who explains to him that he still has 8 lives remaining and that he has something special about him. It turns out that Grimalkin is a cat of uncommon curiosity and insight, the finest of the cat kind! Which means that should he choose to take the 8 lives he is owed then he must live them out on earth as a ghost cat! Alex Howard was born in London and moved to Scotland to study. He graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a first-class degree in English Literature. He then completed an MA, before pursuing a PhD in 20th century poetry. His academic book Larkin's Travelling Spirit was published upon completion of his doctorate in 2021.

Advance Praise

I found out about this book through the author's tik tok account. I was intrigued by the idea of retelling history from a different point of view, and through a time travelling cat. I wasn't disappointed as history was brought to life and also seen from the viewpoint of a cat who didn't really appreciate the changes of societal values through the decades. There's no better place to hear about some of the inspirations for the book, than directly above the Blair Street Underground Vaults…