Rhubarb
5 journalers for this copy...
I bought this fair-condition '68 paperback at the Humane Society for Greater Nashua annual fund-raising yard sale. It's "the outrageously funny story of the cat who inherited a baseball team", or at least that's what it says on the cover {grin}; I like cats and baseball, so we'll see if the book works for me!
Later: Very enjoyable read, with a feel of Damon Runyon's work - tough guys and dames and all. I enjoyed the author's rather snarky tone, which began in the dedication: "The author is far behind in the production of books, this being but his seventh, wherefore he is also behindhand in dedicating books to those who, he feels, should have books dedicated to them, plus those who have asked him to dedicate books to them. To catch up he would have to write around 143 books real quick."
The story (which has some amusing illustrations by Leo Hershfield) opens with a scene in which the cat of the title proves his mettle (and his temper) by terrorizing a dog AND its owner. Turns out that this cat winds up the designated owner of the Loons, the local Major League team, which has its own problems, including a player whose fascination for airplanes causes him to stop and stare whenever one passes overhead - even when he's at bat.
There are plenty of other characters, including Eric, the fellow who becomes the cat's de facto guardian, Polly the assertive female weight-lifter, assorted shady individuals having something to do with gambling... Not to mention the person who thinks the inheritance should have gone to her, and wants to get that cat out of the way!
There is a plot, but frankly I didn't care what it was - I was enjoying the writing too much, for its totally madcap swerves and delightfully snarky tone. Whether about baseball, health food, cat ladies, relationships, or publicity campaigns (just wait for the ones centered around Rhubarb and his ball club), something would make me laugh on every other page.
Will Eric survive his stint as guardian to such a polarizing creature? How many people will Rhubarb shred? Will the Loons win the pennant? Read the book and find out!
Turns out there was a 1951 film adaptation, which I finally saw thanks to Netflix; very entertaining, with some good performances from the human actors as well as the cats...
Later: Very enjoyable read, with a feel of Damon Runyon's work - tough guys and dames and all. I enjoyed the author's rather snarky tone, which began in the dedication: "The author is far behind in the production of books, this being but his seventh, wherefore he is also behindhand in dedicating books to those who, he feels, should have books dedicated to them, plus those who have asked him to dedicate books to them. To catch up he would have to write around 143 books real quick."
The story (which has some amusing illustrations by Leo Hershfield) opens with a scene in which the cat of the title proves his mettle (and his temper) by terrorizing a dog AND its owner. Turns out that this cat winds up the designated owner of the Loons, the local Major League team, which has its own problems, including a player whose fascination for airplanes causes him to stop and stare whenever one passes overhead - even when he's at bat.
There are plenty of other characters, including Eric, the fellow who becomes the cat's de facto guardian, Polly the assertive female weight-lifter, assorted shady individuals having something to do with gambling... Not to mention the person who thinks the inheritance should have gone to her, and wants to get that cat out of the way!
There is a plot, but frankly I didn't care what it was - I was enjoying the writing too much, for its totally madcap swerves and delightfully snarky tone. Whether about baseball, health food, cat ladies, relationships, or publicity campaigns (just wait for the ones centered around Rhubarb and his ball club), something would make me laugh on every other page.
Will Eric survive his stint as guardian to such a polarizing creature? How many people will Rhubarb shred? Will the Loons win the pennant? Read the book and find out!
Turns out there was a 1951 film adaptation, which I finally saw thanks to Netflix; very entertaining, with some good performances from the human actors as well as the cats...
I'm adding this book to the Cat Stories bookbox, which I'll be handing off to BCer eponine38 over lunch tomorrow. Hope someone enjoys the book!
This came home in my Cat Stories bookbox today. I may give this one a try before sending it out again. Thanks GoryD! I'm glad you managed to find a few cat books you hadn't already read ;)
Sadly, MaryZee passed suddenly in September 2012. MaryZee's daughter is now ready to rehome her mom's books and I was willing to collect and redistribute them to keep her literary legacy alive.
In memory of MaryZee, I hope this book will continue to travel and find many eager readers. Thank you, 6of8, for bringing me this and other books Of MaryZee's to share.
Journal Entry 6 by 
SqueakyChu
at LFL - Vandegrift Ave (5811) (#7720) in Rockville, Maryland USA on Wednesday, June 20, 2018
SqueakyChu at LFL - Vandegrift Ave (5811) (#7720) in Rockville, Maryland USA on Wednesday, June 20, 2018
Released 5 yrs ago (6/26/2018 UTC) at LFL - Vandegrift Ave (5811) (#7720) in Rockville, Maryland USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Enjoy the book!
I selected this book from the Little Free Library of Twinbrook (#7720) to travel elsewhere...
Journal Entry 8 by SqueakyChu at Birdie's Cafe - 233 E. Main St. in Westminster, Maryland USA on Tuesday, October 23, 2018
SqueakyChu at Birdie's Cafe - 233 E. Main St. in Westminster, Maryland USA on Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Released 5 yrs ago (11/3/2018 UTC) at Birdie's Cafe - 233 E. Main St. in Westminster, Maryland USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
I'm releasing this book at Birdie's Cafe for our annual
BookCrossing meetup in memory of fellow Bookcrosser MaryZee.
--------------------------------------------------------------
I'm releasing this book for the following challenge:
***The 2018 E-less Challenge hosted by motherof11.
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Hello and welcome to BookCrossing ... where we make the whole world a library!
Now that you've "caught" this book, it is yours to do with as you like. Read it, keep it, or give it away. It's your choice!
I'd love if you'd enter a note here on BookCrossing about this book -- where you found it, how you like it, and/or where you release it. If you join BookCrossing (free and fun), kindly list me, SqueakyChu , or any other journaler on this thread as your referring person. Thank you so much.
Enjoy the book!
BookCrossing meetup in memory of fellow Bookcrosser MaryZee.
--------------------------------------------------------------
I'm releasing this book for the following challenge:
***The 2018 E-less Challenge hosted by motherof11.
-------------------------------------------------
Hello and welcome to BookCrossing ... where we make the whole world a library!
Now that you've "caught" this book, it is yours to do with as you like. Read it, keep it, or give it away. It's your choice!
I'd love if you'd enter a note here on BookCrossing about this book -- where you found it, how you like it, and/or where you release it. If you join BookCrossing (free and fun), kindly list me, SqueakyChu , or any other journaler on this thread as your referring person. Thank you so much.
Enjoy the book!
Brought home from the BCinDC meetup to help continue my celebration of the Nationals World Series victory. Who would have thought a book titled Rhubarb with a cat on the cover would be baseball related. I’m happy to have one of MaryZee’s books since she was one of the first Bookcrossers I met. I still miss seeing her at events.
