Diary of a Buddhist Cat
Reviewed By Janet Mawdesley February 17, 2022
Author Julian Worker
Distributor: NetGalley
ISBN: 9781914965142
Publisher: Mirador Publishing
Release Date: September 2021
Website: https://www.netgalley.com/
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Diary of a Buddhist Cat from Julian Worker is from the beginning a captivating read. Freddie the Buddhist cat is very conscious of being in his new home, rescued by some lovely humans from an adoption agency.
He is settling in very well, but having issues with Gemma, the other resident cat, also a rescue cat and finding life as a Buddhist cat somewhat interesting as well; as he is very mindful of his good fortune. His antics on day one are very chuckle worthy.
Each day in the diary is titled Today, as Buddhists live in the moment, or at least try to and as time passes he meets the other residents of the garden and park over the busy road, the local crows and a very forward squirrel called Rufus.
Freddie is more than just a cat, he is a very learned cat who loves to read and when he discovers a library right next door, he sets about finding a way to enter and be able to read whatever he enjoys. He has decided he needs to further understand many of the philosophers of life, as well as the classics of English literature.
Even though Mary and John, his new humans, have a wonderful bookcase full of interesting books, the library is even better. Far more choice.
With the help of the Crows they work put a plan and he carries out his first clandestine visit to the library via the librarian’s open window. Of course he can’t resist the photocopiers open tray and decides he really does need to create the perfect piece of modern art, which is where the real fun begins.
Add in a very organised squirrel called Rufus, who has always had a passion for things Egyptian, a hamster called Holly who really wants to read more about Care of Hamsters and a lively bunch of neighbourhood Crows and you have a page turning, laugh out loud, feel good book with a lovely message, that by working together, respecting those around us, and by being mindful, many wonderful things can happen.
Julian Worker has also laced carefully throughout the story some wonderfully insightful commentary on how we humans choose to live our lives. It is also very sobering, as well as amusing, to get the Cats, Crows, Squirrel and Hamsters perspective on humans and their ‘antics’.
Diary of a Buddhist Cat is a genuinely entertaining read.