Gifts
From a
Feral Cat
A Story of Love, Loss, and Miracles
A True Story…
The old adage, “When a student is ready, the teacher appears,” doesn’t say teachers are limited to the two-legged. In this true story, amid the beautiful backdrop of a small town in New Mexico in 1989, a woman seeks peace, answers, and perhaps redemption. On Thanksgiving morning, a mentor, healer, and teacher arrives at her home in the most unlikely of forms: an ugly, starving, beat-up cat. Thus begins an intimate and uplifting story about the power of Love.
The feral cat’s noble presence stimulates healing and conversations among a small cast of characters who form a circle of friends: her older neighbors, Gus and Emma; her Navajo friend, Jake; and the local MD and vet, Doc Parsons. Others join the cast – the Egg Lady and her husband; Carlita, the Mexican girl from down the street; and Barry Mackland and his dog, Ferrari.
Together they explore some of life’s biggest questions: What is love? How do I stop worrying? Do we still live after we die? How can I let go of the past? How do I quit worrying about the future? How do I go through loss and grief in a healthy way? What breaks relationships? What mends them? These and other questions allow the reader to join in the explorations of self-awareness and the meaning of life.
Over the span of a year, she and her friends experience profound life lessons and personal transformation. As they discover the richness of wisdom in friendship and community, the strange cat leads them and the reader on a multi-layered journey through love, loss, and miracles.
Editorial Reviews
“Wilson’s elegant words flow effortlessly, smooth and silky, whether she’s describing the vibrant colors of the New Mexico landscape or the ways the cat becomes a messenger of love and a catalyst for redemption.”
Publisher’s Weekly: BookLife Section | Editor’s Choice
“Gifts from a Feral Cat is refined and polished, reinforced by Wilson’s expressive, metaphoric prose…The writing carries readers into a magical world of hushed splendor and bucolic dreams, where animals and humans come together to spark miracles.”
2023 BookLife Prize Assessment
Our Readers Say…
Nicely written.
Reads easily and besides being a beautiful story, the writer has incorporated beautiful life lessons into it, which gives you an aha moment again. The characters in the book that everyone recognizes a piece of themselves in or longs to have them around you, also contribute to this. A book with a bit of soul food.
– Maaike B., The Netherlands
A great book for soul searchers and lovers of cats.
An enjoyable read with descriptions that make you feel you are one of the characters. Love Tian’s word usage and messages for life.
– Julie
Beautifully written, insightful and inspiring.
This book was very well written. It seemed like a collaboration between Mother Nature and human nature. There are many learning opportunities as well as being inspirational. The descriptions of the beauty that is New Mexico was amazing.
– Kim Shaw
Words have a magical power.
We read fiction because we want to be swept away by a story that grabs our imaginations and senses, makes us feel and rise to challenges. Every once in a while a story comes along that does all that but then surprises us with more. It makes us think and ponder and then Click, our perspective on something is changed. Gifts from a Feral Cat is just that book. We know from the first line that this story is going to make us question and wonder and along the way gain new awareness: “In a world where proof is required to believe, I experienced the unbelievable.” And this chapter (like all chapters) is headed with a quote, this one from Albert Einstein: “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” And sure enough, the author takes you by her gentle hand on a journey that explores miracles and what to make of them. No heavy hand here. This is rural New Mexico, where neighbors stop by with fresh cinnamon rolls in the morning, the local Doc attends to both humans and animals, and a mix of Native American and Hispanic and Anglo cultures is steeped in the landscape. I will tell you that I cried and I laughed and I loved this story. I won’t tell you the lines from the story I need to remember. You need to read this story and make your own notes. And listen for the Click yourself. This is the gift from Tian to you.
– Laura Baker
Lovely story that offers many practical nuggets of wisdom.
Happy that the book got here on Nov 21, I couldn’t wait to start reading it. I wanted to read it “sensibly”; little by little, but it soon became clear that no reading of any kind was going to happen while so much was going on, so I gave up. “I’ll read one section each night before sleep”, I thought. Such a page-turner though! I finished it in the wee hours of Thanksgiving Day.
The intervening days have been spent as if in a daze. What’s going on here? Why did I feel my relationship with my pet had changed to a sweeter one? Why did lots of black and white thinking disappear? Why am I feeling so moved, so tender-hearted, as if something big happened? Today I realized one of the “big” things that happened while reading the book. But I have no words to express it. But I did want to leave a review and let the author know that this book brought magic to me. Hard to put it into words. Such a GIFT.
– Maria L.
Truly an incredible gift!
Magnificent read! Filled with astounding views of life. Vivid depictions of all facets of moment-to-moment experiences. Definitely a page turner. I came away with gifts I had not imagined. This book will have untold gifts for all who read. Truly wise, inspiring and more than envisioned. Enjoy!
– Tanya Sulak
Gifts From a Feral Cat
I have just finished reading Gifts From a Feral Cat. Fantastic book! You could feel the author’s feelings in each word. Her heart, mind and soul was in each word written. Reminded me of the lessons set forth in each animal that I have loved in my Life. Reminded me to just stop and listen to what they have to teach. That their lessons were more valuable to me than any top-notch college professor. Each character of the book had a lesson to teach and was so loving and gifted in their lessons.
If you need a book to keep you company on these cold winter days this is the one!!
– Rebecca D Miller
An easy read that is full of insight into all our lives.
Gifts From a Feral Cat is an intimate and uplifting story that opens the reader to the magic and wisdom available in our world when we truly listen to the earth, our friends, and the “furried” that can enrich and simplify our life. It is a flowing read filled with practical wisdom, a depth of the characters, an enchanting description of New Mexico, and an honest portrayal of the overarching effect that guilt, regret, fear and judgment have on our daily lives. The author wove the past and present together artfully to create the richness of the characters through their varied cultures and experiences. Being a veterinarian, I followed Doc Parsons caring and true knowledge of his patients to validate his treatment, which Ms. Wilson characterized well. The imparted wisdom and the honest sweetness of the story makes this a special read for everyone.
– Todd Webster, DVM
Spiritual Life Lessons laced under true story
I heard through the grapevine that this book was coming out and grabbed a copy asap. Even got Amazon Kindle version. It is a delightful true story laced with life lessons for all of us! The novel seems to be from a new author (no other previous books) but written like a master storyteller. Set in New Mexico it reflects what I remember living there 30 years ago. Well Done! Looking for next work!
– Billy
Buy this book.
This was an enjoyable read on so many levels. I feel a connection to the characters and feel uplifted by the life messages woven into the story. I recommend reading it multiple times.
– Dave Beggs
You don’t have to own a cat to LOVE this story.
The author has woven an deeply moving story that I found appealing on many levels: 1) her exceptional knowledge of cat behavior and love for them; 2) her rich descriptions of rural life in New Mexico (makes me want to move there); 3) the friends she makes after she has arrived in a totally new environment; 4) and certainly far from least, the lessons she has learned from feline–and friend, and passed along to the rest of us.
I found Gifts From a Feral Cat a real page-turner, deliciously and skillfully written.
– Paula
“It might’a stung, but it wasn’t fatal.”
Life is a precious gift, and this book serves as a reminder of that in every way, shape, and form. Through personal stories, observations, and, of course, a very special feral cat, the book teaches you the importance of recognizing what life is communicating to you. It’s also an eloquent reminder to step back, pause, and appreciate – something so many of us fail to do. The book has many lessons, but you learn them through beautiful stories instead of self-help style chapters. The narrative in “Gifts from a Feral Cat” is much more effective than step-by-step instructions on how to live a more joyful and meaningful life.
“It mighta stung, but it wasn’t fatal,” is one of my favorite quotes from the book, but there are so many others you’ll find worthy of framing for your fridge. Do yourself a favor and give this a read. You won’t regret it.
– Amazon Customer
A wonderful book for heart and soul.
I initially purchased this wonderful little book on kindle intending to finish reading it after the busy stressful holiday season. But it had me from the first page and I couldn’t put it down. I have stayed away from cats my entire life due to a couple frightening experiences as a child. MJ, the ugly feral cat, healed me in many unexpected ways. I’m now respectfully enjoying the holidays for the first time in many years. 🙏 I love it so much, I’m gifting one to each of my kids to share with their families.
– Martina Auger
Lovely story with lessons that challenges us to think more deeply.
Tian Wilson’s book is not only a delightful story of change, but also is filled with life lessons. Based in New Mexico, the story follows the main characters journey as she leaves her life in the mid-west and moves into a new culture and new setting. There are challenges, but more importantly lessons to be learned and relationships forged by keeping an open mind and heart.
– Dr. Cathy Pratt
One of my most favorite books in a long time.
What a beautiful story, written in a way that puts you there in magical New Mexico. Anyone who has loved and lost anything can use this story to help fill the hole in their heart. The characters take the author, and the reader, on a thought-provoking adventure into understanding and healing. I only wish Emma had left the recipe for her cinnamon rolls – I can almost smell them and would love to taste them!
– L. Lancaster
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And thank you to the many who have!
Copyright ©2022 by Tian Wilson.
Designed by C. Gundry.
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