by Clarede Vries (Author)
Last seen taking her beloved brown Burmese cat Claudius on a final tour of the United States in "I & Claudius", Clare de Vries now searches for the perfect replacement in Burma and Thailand. In Burma, whilst learning the basic Buddhist tenets and being liberally doused during the annual Thingyan celebrations, Clare encounters brave and dignified people from all walks of life, struggling in this beautiful yet politically oppressed country. But no cats. Instead, she finds nats at Mount Popa, temple-strewn plains in Bagan and a monastery full of jumping cats in Inle. In Thailand, whilst veering from nasty dives to luxurious spas, from white beaches to the smoggy lanes of Bangkok, from lecherous cat-breeders to ruthless elephant-trainers, Clare learns the history of the precious Siamese/Burmese cats and the royals that nurtured them. Finally, she discovers the perfect kittens, hidden in a remote temple. All she has to do is give a donation to the monk who owns them, or so she thinks.
Format: Paperback
Pages: 320
Edition: New
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published: 02 Jun 2003
ISBN 10: 0747563845
ISBN 13: 9780747563846
Book Overview: 'You don't have to be cat-crazed to enjoy this book. It is an entertaining read and de Vries is a gifted writer..a Shackletonesque sense of adventure..a cat version of The Beach' Daily Mail 'Bill Bryson with whiskers..hilarious..wonderfully sharp and funny' Daily Mail 'Idiosyncratic..honest and impeccably turned-out, it's impossible not to warm to her..charming and quirky' Big Issue