P.S. Your Cat Is Dead: A Novel

Has your life ever gone so far off the rails that you're sure there's a cosmic plot afoot and it's just for you? This is the book you need in your life. It's a nice easy read, perfect for those cold winter months when we all feel a little more down anyway, and it fits the season of the book.It's a genuine, funny, heartfelt book by a great writer that's accessible without talking down to the reader. A story of a guy just having a very hard time in a New York that hasn't existed in 40 years, but still feels familiar and, well, vivid. A friend gave me a copy a few years ago when I was going through it, and I've since bought it time and again for other friends who were having a go at it, as well as rereading it for myself every year - even if I'm not in a rough place.

I hesitate to sum this book up, for its nuances and innuendo are at once very clear and rather implied. In other words, the mark of a good book or movie is that it makes you think and wonder. This book makes you do both.The other good part is that I wanted to finish it, sooner rather than later, and gave up some much-needed beauty sleep to do it. So there is value in this book.This scenario involves a wretchedly unhappy and unsuccessful "sad sack" man who manages to catch, tie up, and proceed to torture the (gay) man who is attemtpting to burgle (is that a word?) his apartment for the third time. Once the tying up and pants-removing is done (don't ask,) where things go from there is anybody's guess, including an ex-girlfriend and a sexually-adventurous (maybe predatory) friend, who stop by.I didn't realize that this book was written in 1972 until after I had finished it. Yes, there are some sorta dated views and theories, along with some philosophies that hold up well in our "modern" and "enlightened" times. Certainly the knowledge of the age of this story helps to understand it, and many of the references to music went right over my head.It's not hard to figure out, but I felt the book was more mysterious underneath the surface than I expected, and not at all clear, for instance, about whether much of the burlgar's rantings were true, rooted in truth, or simply huge lies. I would have also liked a more definitive and clearer ending, but it's just a matter of taste. I think you can read into it whatever you want, and that was probably the author's intent.Overall, it's mostly pretty fascinating, and certainly is worth your time. I'd stop short of saying it was hilarious (I didn't think it was; amusing, yes, but hilarious, no.) I'd also stop short of saying it was a classic, but is something I found real hard to put down once I got going.

Read this as a book club selection. Although it is dated it had some interesting twists. After reading found the movie and was disappointed in it.

The writing definitely transported me back in time - however, it took me a while to adapt to the style - once I did, I started to really enjoy it and then when I finished , I did some research , I found that this was not an unbelievable tale but actually based in truth and somewhat autobiographical which gave me added insight and enjoyment! THEN I realized the author received a Tony for co-writing one of the best plays ever written - A Chorus Line. I think if I began reading it with the knowledge I gained later - I would be giving it at least 4 stars for having a better appreciation of the writing style

The title put me off a bit when I first saw this book in the early 80s. But a glance at the first few pages got me hooked. Just the complete title is enough for a short story worth reading!;) Looking over the reviews, especially of the folks that came to this story in the last decade or so, made me wonder if my memory was slipping. I don't think so. I have shared this book with many people and the complete title with many more. Like the Chronicles of Narnia and The Forgotten Beasts of Eld I often keep spare copies to give away. Dated or not, it is a window to those still able to read when the world seems to be collapsing and it has helped several of us get through a tough spot. No, it doesn't solve any problems it can just let some of the pressure escape so breathing is maybe a little easier. And if the days aren't tough, it is still an amazing web of what an imagination run wild can create. It's not a major investment in either money or time so I would still recommend it happily.

I first read this book in the early eighties and enjoyed the hell out if it. It’s a tiny bit dated but not really noticeable. It holds up after all these years and I enjoyed it as much as the first time. Give it a try!

I wasn't paying attention when I ordered this; it is a PLAY and not a book. I love James Kirkwood books and was desperately seeking a Kindle edition copy of "There Must Be A Pony" when I came across this one. It is a script edition so it is hard to read unless you are into reading scripts. I just wanted to warn you to pay attention and look closely before you order this.BTW: I eventually found a book version to read, it's kind of a strange story and I'm having a tough time getting into it enough to really sit down and read it.

What a wild ride. I didn't want the story to end.

Oh wow, this was way better than I expected. I bought it to stop a friend from nagging me about it, and I couldn't stop reading it! It takes a while to get used to the style (it's very, very dated) but that's not a bad thing, and it works really well. If you dislike typical novels and want to give something a bit more abstract, easy to read, and entertaining a shot, try this one - it's a beautiful little read that many of us can relate to.

I read this book many years ago, and gifted it to my UK friend (I live in the U.S.) to help get through the blue days of this pandemic. Although he hasn't had a chance to read it yet, I'm almost certain it will give him as much joy as it did me. This is one great book to beat the blues.

Weird story which was disappointing due to lack of depth - A good idea that never went anywhere- I had to finish it though which made it seem worse.- Book arrived quickly and was in good condition,

I read it when it first came out, and repurchased it a few weeks ago. To my mind the humour is still relatively fresh. I may be caught in a bit of a time warp, but I would still recommend it.

Beloved in its time (the play, wonderfully, starred Sal Mineo,) PS has fallen somewhat by the wayside. Yet in spite of some dated slang and terminology, it remains, for the LBGTQ communities, for every reader, a daring, funny, heart wrenching, romantic and beautiful look at the complexity of sexuality, the vagaries of fate, and the miracle that is self-renewal through faith, through faith in love.