Review of Cat Lover by Dan Spencer

I have to admit, I didn't know what to expect when I began this novel but reading this unique prose, I was quickly enveloped into Ivy and Berry's world. Chapters alternate between the perspective of Ivy, a struggling A&E doctor, and Berry, her cat. Ivy lives a solitary life, a life which Berry enjoys, but when Ivy meets 'the Geologist' Berry detects a threat and does everything within his cat-esque powers to protect Ivy. The story alternates between Ivy’s past and present, helping us to understand how she’s ended up in her current position, and her unusual relationship to her cat.   

It's clear that Spencer is a poet. The use of rhyme, rhythm and onomatopoeia permeates this story and it really affected the way I experienced the book. Berry, of course, is a key character. I found it interesting the way Berry would fluctuate between catlike and humanlike behaviour, an observation I’d never considered before about cats. I found it interesting that the actual name of 'the Geologist' is used sparingly, and also how Ivy’s previous partner is constantly referred to either by his full name, ‘Ian Keele’ or just his surname. The use of language is so particular, it meant I had a crystal clear mental image of Ivy’s kitchen, garden and bedroom, yet I pictured ‘the Geologist’ to be something of a headless being. In not regularly using his name, I felt I couldn’t see him entirely, creating a layer of distance that was effective when developing his and Ivy’s relationship.

This is a unique debut which made me think of authors such as Max Porter and Rainer Maria Rilke. I’m excited to see what’s next for Spencer, for this certainly is a triumph.  

Review by Helen.

Cat Lover was published on 05/09/24 by Atlantic Books.

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