Close Encounters of the Furred Kind

Tom Cox writes with great tenderness and humour, and with a deep-rooted love for the countryside, wildlife, and his four cats (plus stray, plus enthusiastic borrowed dog). This book is an absolute must for anyone who is familiar with The Bear, Shipley, Ralph, Roscoe and George from Twitter, but I don't think anyone with a soft spot for animals or nature could fail to be charmed.As always with Tom's books you're also left with a pretty good feeling about humans, and how kind, interesting, generous, and funny people can be - not at all bad for a book where the stars are four-legged and furry!I heartily recommend this amusing, touching book - buy it, read it, and then buy a copy for that friend of yours who looks longingly at the host's pets whenever they go to a party. You won't regret it, although you will leave it feeling very attached to the lives you got to know within its pages.

I still can't remember how I got hooked to Tom Cox's books and online stories, I just know it happened fast and it hit me hard. For this particular book, I went crazy trying to find someone who could deliver it to my country (I live in Peru) and probably had the longest wait ever until it finally arrived. But let me tell you, not a single page of this book will disappoint you. The stories of Tom and his furry mates The Bear -whom I adore from the bottom of my heart-, Shipley (F*** spatula!), Ralph and Roscoe were hilarious and left me asking for more. George, the hippiest cat in the world, was one of the best things that could have happened to this story line. Mom and Dad, just the cherry on top of it. Everything is so well written and beautifully described, it had me laughing and in tears all throughout the book. Don't be fooled that this book might just be for "cat lovers". This is a book for story lovers that just happens to have cats as main characters, so well developed it will blow your mind.Needless to say, I was done with it in two days and now back to square one with "Under the Paw" waiting impatiently for when the talented Mr. Cox announces his next book (too soon?).

I read and have re-read this particular book the most out of all the author's books. I have found it to be amusing, comforting and a distraction when when one needs a distraction. The characters of the cats are really brought out in this book, Ralph glorying in his magnificence, Shipley's swagger, the one and only Bear, who has....eyes, and business cat Roscoe.Charting several house moves and all that entails with 4 cats and seventies Pat, his lovely mum and DAD, errant cat neighbours, I've absorbed it all happily.Plus, there's the Devon countryside and several walks which are nice to read about during lockdown, I can't get out much at the moment due to an elderly dog who considers a walk around the park an adventure that needs a week to recover from, and I can't get another cat just yet, so it's a vicarious thrill to remember Iife with a cat. When I can I will get an older rescue puss. Ideally called Steve.

Very entertaining read

If you don't buy and idolise this book forever, you are a flea from Ralph's impeccably furry back, so there. Genial, spill your tea he's so funny headband a sporting country living Tom Cox tells 'furrrrther tails' of his veritable band of hilarious anthropomorphized kitties and his move from Norfolk to Devon, in a non sugary way, featuring his legend loud dad who speaks in capital letters, who does stuff like take dead snakes into poncy art galleries, to record spraying ego cats like Ralph who is a 70s sideburns cat and justifiably loves himself, meowing Ralph Ralph Ralph. I think I am in cat love with Ralph, and could picture myself marrying his royal furriness and living in his cardboard box, obviously I'd have to become a doll sized me. There is the Bear, who knows life and melancholyness, and is kind of a Morrissey with furry ears, and of course Arse Biscuits Sweary Cat himself, Shipley, taking photos of Tom with flowers on his head with one of the cats, cat astrology, toads in shoes and his dad drawing a fish who died a bit like a police chalk drawing on the ground of a dead body. It tells of Toms tribulations with moving, a gym cat who terrorises his babies of fur, missing cats, his 70s hair obsession and more.Don't read this on the bus or tube as you will wee the seat or cry with laughter and look like Courtney Love on her Live Through This album. Do read it though, and read all of his other books, and don't marry Ralphy cat because I am in there first.

Nothing to dislike and I’m someone who does’t swear!All the characters in this book, feline and human are brought to life to such an extent, I feel I should put them all on my birthday and Christmas card list.I love them all, as an oldie perhaps lean more towards The Bear, but, as with all cats I’ve known, they are such characters. All their lives are recounted with wit and great humour, laugh out loud humour and it’s so pleasant to read a book that is grammatically sound.As a music lover, all genres, I also appreciate the music references .An author I would love to have as a dinner guest plus one, but not sure if I could handle all the cats

As a lover of the previous three offerings, I was looking forward to my next adventure with Tom, The Bear and Co. and I was not disappointed. I get annoyed when other reviews send you in the direction "of proper and much better cat books". These aren't just cat books, they are a story of Tom Cox's thoroughly entertaining family where not all the members are on two legs!!!!This book had my emotions all over the place. I chortled at the random activities of the cats, smiled at how much the tales of his DAD (had to do that in big letters!) reminded me of my own dad and my eyes filled as he talked about moving house away from Janet's tree. One of the most surprising things was the the huge amount of poignancy as Tom talks about the mortality of The Bear. It made me go and hug my own furry buddy and proclaim LONG LIVE THE BEAR!!!!Read this if you like cats or not, but read it because it's just a lovely book by a witty and talented author.

Lovrly book

Another great cat read from Tom. You don't have to be a cat lover to love this book, but it really helps! Reading Tom Cox is like having a friend you really really like round for coffee and they unexpectedly bring ginger biscuits, a total win win!!!

This is the first book I've ever read by Tom Cox, but it will not be my last! I read the entire book in one day, because I enjoyed it so much. It was funny, heart warming, and at times made me want to go for the tissues, but in the end, had a message of love, hope, and the courage that comes with both rescuing, and be rescued by an animal. I love the way the cats in this book are described, and I really felt like I could understand each of their personalities. The humans in the book were no less endearing, and hilarious. It's possible I loved this book so much, because I have 3 of my own wonderful cats, and I have always found cats to be endlessly fascinating and entertaining. Still, I don't think you have to be a crazy cat lady, (or cat daddy) to enjoy this book. I look forward to reading more about Mr. Cox and his his companions, feline or otherwise.

Perfect when you're in the mood to enjoy the simple pleasures of cat-love! Tom Cox's writing is just the right amount of laid-back without losing your interest.

Great Book. Had a lot of fun while reading it. If you have cats or think about to adopt someday - buy it. you will enjoy this stories and be prepared. British english is a little hard to read - but well I learned a lot of new vocabularies. Tom Cox convinces by its brilliant and vivid writing . Lovers of British humor will have a great fun with it . His stories recognize every cat-owner of its own four-legged friends. Its worth reading!