Title: Hemingway’s Cats

By: Lindsey Hooper

ISBN: 9781496729606

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra

Summary:

Inspired by the true story of the world-famous six-toed felines of the Ernest Hemingway House in Key West, Florida–and the fur-raising hurricane that nearly blew them away–Hemingway’s Cats is a delightful novel packed with colorful characters, adorable cats, a little romance, and a lot of humor.

Laura Lange didn’t come to Key West to fall in love. As a recent college grad–with a useless degree in English–she came to work at the historic Hemingway home as a tour guide. Why not? She wrote her thesis on the iconic author. She has no other job offers. And she’s desperate. Now Laura is falling desperately in love–with the fifty-four frisky felines who freely roam the estate. These descendants of Hemingway’s original cat have not only stolen her heart–they’re changing her life in ways she never imagined . . .

First there’s Nessie, the bushy-tailed house mother of the cats who seems to have adopted Laura, too. Then there’s grumpy old Pawpa Hemingway; the cat thieves Chew-Chew and Whiskey; the big-pawed Boxer and Bullfighter; and dozens of darling kittens. The locals are lovable, too. Laura’s having a great time with her boy-crazy bungalow roomies, the Crabb sisters, and especially the young, handsome cat keeper, Jake. But Laura’s summer of fun is about to take an unexpected turn–a Category 5 hurricane is about to make landfall directly on their doorstep . . .

They can’t possibly evacuate fifty-four cats. So Laura, Nessie, and all of their friends decide to hunker down in the Hemingway House to weather this storm–together. (Goodreads)

Review:

Hemingway’s Cats is the first book by Lindsey Hooper that I have read. A thoroughly enjoyable, easy to read story about the myriad of six-toed (polydactyl) cats that inhabit the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum in Key West, Florida. 

Laura Lange moves to Key West to take a job as a tour guide at the Hemingway Museum (she did after all write her college thesis on Hemingway) …and thus the story begins. The reader is taken on a journey like no other as Laura adapts to life in Key West, her new job and a blossoming love life (possibly-only time will tell). Of note – this is not the first time Laura had been to the Hemingway Museum – she visited as a child and had fond memories of the museum since that time.

The book is filled with humor. I quite enjoyed it when Nessie (officially known as Ernestine Hemingway), one of the 54 four cats that roam this historic home, museum and palm-shaded gardens was speaking or more appropriately, the narrator was telling the reader what Nessie was thinking.  

“Being a cat, Nessie has never read any of the Nobel Prize winner’s acclaimed novels or stories. Also, being a cat, she has never actually counted the number of felines prowling the Hemingway estate-because cats can’t count. Nessie does, however, know each and every one of the cats personally. She knows them like the back of her six-toed paw-or however many toes she has.” 

Needless to say – Nessie is one of my favorite characters in the story! Additionally, I loved the names given to the cats – Chew-Chew (a food thief), Whiskey (likes to sample drinks!), Spinderella, Larry, Curly, Moe, Boxer and Bullfighter (big-footed brothers) and Pawpa – just to name a few. Each of the cat’s personalities shone through the storytelling, also reflected in their name, and it felt like I knew each of the cats as if they were my own.

Humor is not all that the book has to offer though. We get to read about a number of romantic encounters – not just Laura and her suitor(s)… but also other characters as well (specifically I am thinking of Margarita Bouffet – the general manager of Hemingway House and dancer extraordinaire). 

Finally, who wouldn’t love a book cover with so many cute cats? I count seven in total and they are all adorable. Can you tell I like cats ☺

I found this an enjoyable, fun read which took me on a journey. I would like to actually visit the museum myself! Time will tell. Regardless – I got to explore and experience the museum through this delightful story. If you are looking for a light read, with endearing characters (and cats…and other animals!), a bit of humor, some romance, a bit of inclement weather that all the humans and cats must survive and a really funky cab driver named Mama Marley – then pick up this book, get yourself a margarita (okay – that is optional) and immerse yourself in some seriously fun reading.