Weird Kids and a Sad Cat

Reviews

"It speaks to us with the same intensity, bringing the style and dynamics we got used to in the first book, and takes the reader’s attention by storm with an intriguing plot and new characters. As you read, you get everything you enjoyed in the first volume and then some.

(…) By replacing Franta and Katka with two new children, Luisa and Eliáš, the story gains much more power and energy than it probably would have with the original cast.

(…) Needing to be emotionally attached to someone, Petr chooses Eliáš after Katka leaves, bringing an interesting line of LGBTQ+ themes into the story.

(…)  As in the first episode, we zigzag between questions: who is actually weird? What is right and what is wrong? Who is good and who is bad? Is revenge fair? There are no explicit answers in the text, but everyone’s mind is clear on these matters as they read. It’s just that this clarity may be a little different for everyone.

(…) For the child reader, it is a believable story in a familiar setting, made appealing by its tension and the courage of the main characters, and it also prompts deeper reflection on the topic of group dynamics and sibling relations. For the adult reader, it’s one big slap in the face, reminding us how often we preach water and drink wine, pretending to be blameless while every day sweeping our sins under the carpet. How we try to be good parents, but often miss the target completely in our efforts.

(…)  I am grateful to the Host publishers for repeatedly bringing titles to the Czech children’s book market that challenge conformist thinking, disrupt the conventional, morally narrow-minded presentation of the children’s world, tackle difficult topics and appeal to those outside the reading mainstream."

Petra Schwarzová Žallmannová, Tvar

"This year’s title also confirms that in contemporary Czech literature we would be hard pressed to find an author who is able to empathize so easily with the minds of children and adolescents and who portrays their experiences so credibly.

(…) Petra Soukupová again shows herself to be an inimitable observer of children’s thinking and behaviour."

Daniel Mukner, ČT Art

"Soukupová does not write bad books. (...) Her perfectly observed psychology and dialogues work even on children.

(…) Bonus: beautiful graphic design with illustrations by Nikola Logosová. Czech illustration has been at its peak for quite a few years now. And Logosová is one of the most talented artists of her generation."

Jonáš Zbořil, Seznam Zprávy

"Soukupová once again masterfully combines humour with poignancy and creates situations that stick in the memory when what are often invisible childhood fears come to the fore. As usual, adults don’t come out of this reading very positively, no matter how hard they try. (…)

As a result, it's a good read for parents, who might reflect on how much is sometimes missing in their children’s lives. The adventurous and suspenseful journey to find the strange cat is based on the unseen emotions of children. It is sad and funny, touching to the point of tears.  But Soukupová can also read children perfectly. Their frustrations and joys sound very logical and understandable and evoke the reader’s empathy, especially in the suspenseful finale."

Irena Hejdová, Deník N