The Ghost Cat: 12 decades, 9 lives, 1 cat

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Bestselling author and former-Mercat Storyteller, Alex Howard, talks about his new novel; The Ghost Cat, in a special Q&A and book signing. decades, 9 lives, 1 cat… Early morning, 1902. In a gloomy Edinburgh tenement, Eilidh the charlady tips coal into a fire grate and sets it alight. Overhearing, a cat ambles over to curl up against the welcome heat. This is to be the cat's last day on earth. But he is going to return… as The Ghost Cat, a spirit-feline destined to live out his ghostly existence according to the medieval proverb of "The Cat with Nine Lives" - For Three He Plays, For Three He Strays, For Three He Stays. Early morning, 1902. In a gloomy Edinburgh tenement, Eilidh the charlady tips coal into a fire grate and sets it alight. Overhearing, a cat ambles over to curl up against the welcome heat. We follow Grimalkin, the cat, as his ghostly self traverses through decade after decade in accordance to the old English proverb; for three, he stays, for three he strays, and for three he plays. So for three, he haunts, for three he roams, and for three, he can interact as a poltergeist (oOOooOoOoOHhh)

This has got to be the first book that has made me weep during the first chapter! But by chapter two I was smiling again and I knew that I had a great read ahead of me! You see, even at fifteen, Grimalkin believed, as did many Victorian cats, that a clean pelt led to a pure soul. Rising, he padded closer to the fi re, coming to rest on a little rug beside Mr Calvert’s gramophone, which stretched up its huge brass trumpet like an oversized daffodil. But no sooner had he dampened his paw with his tongue and hooked it up towards his left ear than his muscles seized, and his tummy cramped with a pain so strong that it almost made him cry out loud.

Witnessing the changes of a century and more, The Ghost Cat purrs, shuffles and sniffs his way through the fashion, politics and technological advances of the modern era, alongside the ever-changing inhabitants of an Edinburgh tenement. This unique story unearths some startling revelations about the mystery of existence and the human condition and provides a feel-good read full of charm for any fan of history, humour and fur-ridden feline fun. The Ghost Cat is a historical, cosy and heartwarming book that I really enjoyed reading. I’m a big cat lover anyway (as you might be able to tell from the cat items in this picture) so this book was totally up my alley but it also has a little something for everyone. It’s comical at times, very heartwarming and all wrapped up into a really interesting exploration of history. Some scenes actually brought a tear to my eye, and some made me ponder upon how things really have changed and what it would be like in the future. There's no better place to hear about some of the inspirations for the book, than directly above the Blair Street Underground Vaults… The Ghost Cat: 12 decades, 9 lives, 1 cat

First of all a big big thank you to @bwpublishing for sending me a copy of this gorgeous book and including me in the book tour for The Ghost Cat. Alex Howard's latest novel is a thoroughly engaging and jovial experience for any animal lover. With explorations of the supernatural to suggestions of Celtic mythology, along with thrilling historical references and undisputed humour, the tale of Grimalkin has something to offer everyone. Follow The Ghost Cat as he witnesses the changes of the next two centuries as he purrs, shuffles and sniffs his way through the fashion, politics and technological advances of the modern era alongside the ever-changing inhabitants of an Edinburgh tenement. As we follow our new spirit-feline friend, this unique story unearths some startling revelations about the mystery of existence and the human condition and provides a feel-good read full of charm for any fan of history, humour and fur-ridden fun. Born in London, Alex Howardmoved up to Scotland for his degree in English Literature at the University of Edinburgh. Completing the MA(Hons) with a first, he went on to pursue a PhD in 20 thcentury poetry, from which his academic book Larkin’s Travelling Spirit(Palgrave, 2020) emerged. Alex has also been published in the likes of New Writing Scotland, Gutter, The London Magazineand Orbis,including being invited to read at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, before winning a place in The Charles Causley Poetry Prize. When not writing, Alex works at Capital Theatres as a Creative Engagement Coordinator, along with documenting the renovation of his Edinburgh home to his large TikTok following. We observe the nine lives of a sassy, sometimes grumpy, cat called Grimalkin from his point of view. While he passes on early in the book, as a cat he is granted 3 lives to stay, 3 to stray and 3 to play - lives which he uses to chart the progression of his home, his original owner and the wider world over the span of 120 years. He offers observations of Edinburgh with some hilarious quips and exciting insights. We see him travel from the Victorian era to the present day, with opinions on developments in architecture, technology and, of course, confusing humans.An entertaining and unique story, moving in parts. Something for everyone whether you enjoy history, nostalgia, Edinburgh, ghostly goings on or endearing cats. Once opened, The Ghost Cat is impossible to stop reading, however, not to worry as this is a story you will want to return to time and time again.

Discover wonderful wildlife tours to book and experience in Scotland, including bird watching safaris, whale watching, farm tours and much more!There's no better place to hear about some of the inspirations for the book, than directly above the Blair Street Underground Vaults… All cats have nine lives on planet Earth - three lives when they stay, three when they stray and three when they play.”

With open doors and open hearts for pets and their people, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home can continue to rescue, reunite, and rehome dogs and cats across East and Central Scotland. Alex Howard was born in London and moved to Scotland to study. He graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a first-class degree in English Literature. He then completed an MA, before pursuing a PhD in 20th century poetry. His academic book Larkin's Travelling Spirit was published upon completion of his doctorate in 2021. Grimalkin the cat is our guide through over 100 years of a residence in Edinburgh and it's changing residents and decoration. We also get to witness the discoveries and achievements of those living at the time, such as the discovery of penicillin and the Coronation and demise of Elizabeth II. It was also during his PhD that he became fascinated by the behaviour of a local cat, which prompted the creation of a blog. This went on to become his debut novel, Library Cat. The novel won the People's Book Prize and was translated into Korean, French and Italian. Alex has been published in New Writing Scotland, The London Magazine, Gutter and Orbis. He has also been invited to read at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, and won The Charles Causley Poetry Prize. The author’s writing style is enchanting, entertaining and engaging on so many levels, a perfect picture was painted in my mind of Grimalkins desires, surroundings and feelings. I found this beautiful little cats paws wrapped around my heartstrings throughout the entirety of the book.

Advance Praise

decades, 9 lives, 1 cat: The Ghost Cat is a spirit-feline destined to live out his ghostly existence according to the medieval proverb of “The Cat with Nine Lives” – For Three He Plays, For Three He Strays, For Three He Stays. Thus, it is early in the morning when Grimalkin the cat breathes his last as he lays before the comfortable heat of a roaring fire in the tenement flat he calls home. As he slips from his earthly bonds, Grimalkin will become the Ghost Cat, a supernatural being with the ability to observe and reflect as the world rapidly changes despite the consistency of the tenement flat. I found out about this book through the author's tik tok account. I was intrigued by the idea of retelling history from a different point of view, and through a time travelling cat. I wasn't disappointed as history was brought to life and also seen from the viewpoint of a cat who didn't really appreciate the changes of societal values through the decades. Consider the possibility of retaining the ability of seeing the world through the eyes of your favourite animal. Would it be your pet cat? A dog? Perhaps something a bit more wild? Home> Fiction from Scotland> Historical Fiction> The Ghost Cat The Ghost Cat By (author) Alex Howard