Of Cats and Kings

Rating:
Summary: excellent! though I miss Claudius
Review: Clare is off to Burma and Thailand to find a cat who speaks to her the way her dear departed Claudius, companion of 20 years especially on a memorable road trip through the USA, did. But it's no easy task to find this soulmate.

Still, it's never boring with Clare. She goes to Burma right when it's Thingyan, a festival that involves getting doused with water. She takes a break to return to London before setting off to Thailand. The text is ripe with the history of cats in these lands, how they are the pets of royalty and revered. She encounters scores of interesting types -- including a woman who comes on to her, two annoying female travelers from other Westernized nations and a rickshaw driver who capsizes the vehicle and asks her to pay anyway.

But is Clare living in the past, using Claudius as an excuse to not move on? Ths is just as much an inner journey as outer -- you will love reading about both!

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Read!
Review: Having thoroughly enjoyed "I and Claudius," I was delighted to discover that this book is even better. Not only are her travels fascinating but, more importantly, her writing style has come into full flower. This is a great "laugh out loud" read with thoughtful subtext. I cannot wait to read what she writes next!

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Read!
Review: Having thoroughly enjoyed "I and Claudius," I was delighted to discover that this book is even better. Not only are her travels fascinating but, more importantly, her writing style has come into full flower. This is a great "laugh out loud" read with thoughtful subtext. I cannot wait to read what she writes next!

Rating:
Summary: Slightly crazy, very funny
Review: In her second book, Clare de Vries shares her experiences of Burma and Thailand as she searches for a replacement for her beloved Burmese cat Claudius, who readers may have already met in her debut _I & Claudius_. This is another madcap adventure written in the same inimitable style: sharp, witty, slightly crazy and very funny. Anyone expecting a fluffy, heartwarming tale about kitty cats, be warned. Don't let the cover mislead you: this book is candid in its descriptions and unapologetic in its use of four-letter words.
De Vries writes with pace and punch about the amazing places and sometimes bizarre people she encounters. It's an exhilarating read. One minute she's fighting off cockroaches and other local wildlife in a grubby hotel room, the next she's fighting off unwanted attention from fellow travellers. However, she also meets some brave locals who risk life and limb just by being seen talking to a foreigner. It is humbling to hear of the determination of these people in the face of the oppressive Burmese government.
While many of the stories she recalls are sad, de Vries' jaunty tone ensures that _Of Cats And Kings_ is never depressing. Rather, it is an honest, amusing and highly enjoyable piece of travel writing. What's more, it won't just appeal to cat lovers; all you need to enjoy this book is a sense of humour.