The Cats of Thistle Hill

the long version

The cats of Thistle Hill are the ten-plus cats who live with Roger Caras and his family on their farm in Maryland. In this up close and personal visit to his farm, Roger Caras introduces his feline companions – including such memorable figures as Teddy, who holds court in Caras’s house; Marmalade, intent on sampling everything life has to offer; and Siafu, “the handsomest part-time barn cat anyone ever saw” – and the dogs, horses, cows, and even a llama with whom they share a “mostly peaceable kingdom.” As he recounts the life story of each cat, detailing its preferences and its peccadilloes, Caras lets us in on the truth about what cats need and what we can expect from them – and reminds us of the many rewards of bridging the gap between species.