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If The Cat Fits

Chrystal Sharp

really liked it 4.00 · Rating details · 40 ratings · 8 reviews

Chrystal Sharp lives in the Eastern Cape where her husband runs a busy veterinary practice. As dedicated conservationists, much of their free time is devoted to the rehabilitation of marine and other wildlife. In the first five years of their married life, they have encountered a variety of creatures - feathered, furred and even scaled. Some pass through their lives, while ...more

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Kindle Edition, 260 pages

Published July 7th 2013 by SA Penguin (first published August 11th 2003)

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All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot

Adult Nonfiction Animal Books

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Nov 16, 2017 Rachel Beblo rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I really enjoyed reading this book. I loved how the author used imagery to make it feel as if we were actually there. She described everything in such a positive way (for the most part) and it makes you feel so awed at the way she views things. Her view on life and mine are so similar but yet so different. We both see the beauty in things even if others don’t see it at first, but I also happen to see the negative things. After reading this book I came to realize that it is really special and I w I really enjoyed reading this book. I loved how the author used imagery to make it feel as if we were actually there. She described everything in such a positive way (for the most part) and it makes you feel so awed at the way she views things. Her view on life and mine are so similar but yet so different. We both see the beauty in things even if others don’t see it at first, but I also happen to see the negative things. After reading this book I came to realize that it is really special and I will probably reread it in the near future. I would definitely recommend it to others no matter how old the age.
The book is called “If The Cat Fits… Stories of a Vet’s Wife” and it was written by Chrystal Sharp. This book is a first person non-fiction narrative. It took place during the 1980’s and the setting is found in multiple sites, specifically in Africa and Britain. Chrystal and her husband Dave moved around a lot in the beginning because they are trying to find the perfect place to settle down. Along the way she makes many new friends both human and animal. She also catches up with old friends by spending time with them. Throughout the book Chrystal learns many lessons that help her through her journey.
I found that this book was very easy for me to connect with and it probably had to do with the fact that I both own a dog and love animals. I feel that anyone with a pet or who has a love of animals would be able to connect with what Chrystal is going through at the time and also with Chrystals love for animals. Even people who don’t would be able to relate to the story told. The book could also be similar to your life or what you are going through and it might help you.
One of the major themes that I found in the book was that you should live life in the moment because every second counts. Chrystal has this really caring and kind heart. She seems to see the best in everything no matter how broken it make be. She takes in so many animals and helps them get better. She spends most of her time doing what she loves and doesn’t often focus on the negatives. She doesn’t do anything unless she has thought about it first or she really likes what she is doing.
While reading this book I noticed that
Chrystal changed from the beginning of the book to the end. This change represents to me the changes that everyone goes through, whether physical, emotional, mentally, or spiritually. Life is about change and hopefully it is change for the better. The book seems to convey the idea that people go through change and not only can people go through change but so can animals ...more

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Oct 30, 2016 Candice rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Perhaps not a stellar writer, this matters naught when her stories are absorbingly entertaining, poignantly heartbreaking, and heart-warmingly funny. Animal lovers who enjoy listening to someone tell a good story will surely love this. You'll laugh and cry. ...more

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Nov 17, 2017 Kevin Guo rated it liked it · review of another edition

If the Cat Fits... Stories of a Vet's Wife
By Chrystal Sharp
Review by Kevin Guo
Although I have never had experienced an author quite emotionally vocal about animals, it seems that Chrystal Sharp from the Swaziland plains has come to emotionally appeal to the audience about the importance of animals’ lives.
In Chrystal Sharp’s nonfiction novel, If the Cat Fits... Stories of a Vet's Wife, the author recalls major events in her life that are influenced by her family and her pets. Many of these even If the Cat Fits... Stories of a Vet's Wife
By Chrystal Sharp
Review by Kevin Guo
Although I have never had experienced an author quite emotionally vocal about animals, it seems that Chrystal Sharp from the Swaziland plains has come to emotionally appeal to the audience about the importance of animals’ lives.
In Chrystal Sharp’s nonfiction novel, If the Cat Fits... Stories of a Vet's Wife, the author recalls major events in her life that are influenced by her family and her pets. Many of these events are her various adventures and slice-of-life moments that you and I experience, such as car problems and dealing with pets. Details of the author’s life highlight the author’s thoughts throughout her life, whether it be through her various pets such as her first dog Whippy or through her husband, Dave (who is a veterinarian). These events all illustrate the author’s compassion for animals and her advocacy for animals’ lives.
As a Rhetorician, my purpose was to find examples of the author using logos, pathos, and ethos, the three main forms of rhetoric. As I read the book while searching for logos, pathos, and ethos, I came to realize an uneven usage of rhetoric in Sharp’s nonfiction novel. The author occasionally uses logos to establish herself as a logical person to make the reader believe in her thoughts. The author heavily relies on pathos to appeal to the reader emotionally about her feelings of animals. These appeals to emotion are what attract many readers such as yourself to the novel: Sharp’s ability to convey her emotions in her writing is what allowed her audience to connect. However, the author seems to lack ethos, and thus fails to establish credibility. Sometimes, you may feel as if the author could have been making all this up, as if it is the account of someone else. Although the author appeals to emotion often, she lacks what is necessary to convince the reader on a practical level.
The theme of the novel seems to be “Animals can form close relationships with their owners, but they can easily be broken.” This theme is seen heavily within other forms of literature, such as the poem The Power of the Dog by Rudyard Kipling. Sharp’s message about the emotional impact of pets on their owners emphasizes on how a close relationship with a loved one can suddenly be shattered through tragedy or loss. This was demonstrated through the deaths of her own pets, such as her pet cat Carrot.
The novel centers around the narrator, Chrystal Sharp. Chrystal is an eccentric pet owner who often outspokenly advocates for the lives of animals such as her pets. She does not discriminate between animals and humans alike, sometimes ascribing human dialogue to her pets. This makes her rather odd, but also an interesting character at the same time. You understand her struggles in life, making the narrator someone to be pitied. Not only was she afflicted with a dangerous condition that severely damaged her, but also Chrystal was impacted by the loss of several of her pets and other animals. Her physical trauma and emotional pain are palpable through her inner thoughts, which allows the audience such as myself to sympathize with the author.
Overall, I thought that the book was only mediocre, even though I still enjoyed what I could throughout the novel because the characters beside the author lacked development, the plot had little focus, and the story’s narrative was at times not compelling enough for me to read on.
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Nov 16, 2017 Lillian Hecht rated it liked it · review of another edition

After reading this book with a lit circle, my opinion on the book remains the same as it was when I finished the first chapter; the book is ok. If the Cat Fits… Stories of a Vet’s wife is a collection of Chrystal Sharps stories from veterinary fiascos to personal heartbreaks. You meet not only Chrystal and Dave, her husband, but their plethora of animals. Whippy, Philby, Carrots, Splittie, and others are an important cast of characters that are with Chrystal throughout her story.
Dave's job brin After reading this book with a lit circle, my opinion on the book remains the same as it was when I finished the first chapter; the book is ok. If the Cat Fits… Stories of a Vet’s wife is a collection of Chrystal Sharps stories from veterinary fiascos to personal heartbreaks. You meet not only Chrystal and Dave, her husband, but their plethora of animals. Whippy, Philby, Carrots, Splittie, and others are an important cast of characters that are with Chrystal throughout her story.
Dave's job brings in a lot of animals that are often in a sorry state. With the way that Chrystal describes them and their recovery, it really pulls at the heart strings of any animal lover. Being able to help any animal recover from and injury or illness is a great feeling that Chrystal manages to capture with some of the animals in her story. The heartbreak of losing any animal is also captured the same way.
The book is themed around family. Every animal that the Sharps adopt, either short term or long term, end up becoming a part of the Sharps. Where ever Chrystal goes, as long as she has Dave and her pets with her, she feels complete. It was humbling to remember that family can be one of the most important things in life.
While reading this book it became clear to me how human Chrystal was. The way she writes is very relatable and easy to connect to. She never goes into anything scientific with her explanations and it makes it easy to read. Her struggles are also what brings the book closer to the reader and what could make it easy for them to connect to.
If the Cat Fits is nothing that wowed me and while it might have been easy to connect with, I often found myself annoyed with Chrystal. Her writing style wasn’t particularly challenging either; it was very much like it was Chrystal sitting down and telling you the story herself. I will say that her writing in dialogue for her pets broke any immersion I had with the reading and was tiresome. All in all, the book isn't anything I would reread or recommend to a friend but it was filled with good stories. ...more

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Nov 21, 2017 Susan Dudt rated it it was ok · review of another edition

If the Cat Fits… Stories of a Vet’s Wife paved a pathway into the chaotic life of the author, Chrystal Sharp, by telling short stories about her life with her husband, Dave, who is a vet. They experience many new animals which test their morals and sometimes their safety. Along with that, as they travel to varies places around South Africa, they get to connect with animals that become part of their family.

Chrystal’s ethos, or ethics, is challenged throughout the book. Many of these challenges a ...more

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Mar 27, 2021 Caroline rated it really liked it · review of another edition

A light and enjoyable read. And to my surprise, written by a local author and set (mostly) in South Africa.

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May 27, 2013 Shelly Schutte rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

One of my all time favourite books! I've been trying for years to track down a mailing address for the author but I've never had any luck :( Truly incredible book, I'd highly recommend it to any animal lover ...more

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