Woe: A Housecat's Story of Despair – Lucy Knisley

A quick guide to determine if “Woe” is the right book for you:

This isn’t a graphic novel you read, rather it is one you project your experiences onto. While the story is quick and engaging enough, its beauty lies in the universal relatability that Knisley has captured — the far from rare, but incredibly special, fraternity of cat lovers. 

I share many parallels to Knisley — specifically, dealing with aging cat health issues — that made this a more heart-rendering read than expected. The author does a great job of showing the everyday, mundane moments that make the human-animal bond so special, but it was the final act that demonstrated the power of her storytelling.

While “Woe” ends with the death of Linney, it’s not used for emotional manipulation. In portraying the slow building — and then rapid — decline of her feline family member, Kinsley has crafted one of the most relatable portrayals of grieving for an animal I’ve seen.

This serves as both a touching tribute to a beloved cat and a comforting reminder to those who have lost a four-legged friend that their sorrow is valid and shared.

Rating (story): 4/5 stars

Rating (narration): N/A

Format: eBook (library loan)

Dates read: September 9, 2024

Multi-tasking: N/A