A Sense of Purpose

by Russell H. Plante

Overview

Orphaned on the streets of Manhattan, a cat named Chester begins a life-changing journey to a dark wetland forest on the coast of Maine. There he befriends an abandoned cat named Patches whose father had disappeared in the forest. An ancient neglected graveyard, sketches by a young artist revealing the secret of a lost father, a life-threatening blizzard, the arduous search for a missing friend, the struggles of a feral mother cat with her four kittens, and terrifying encounters under the halo of a moonlit night are all manifestations that forever change Chester's outlook on life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781635542776
Publisher:	W & B Publishers
Publication date:	10/08/2020
Pages:	244
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.51(d)

Editorial Reviews

"Everyone faces hardships in life. Even animals aren't exempt from that, feral or domestic. Russell H. Plante brilliantly illustrates this aspect of life in his book A Sense of Purpose. In it, he introduces us to Chester, a cat that gets to experience many things, some good, some not so great, and helps us see the purpose that we all have in our lives, one way or another. The story is told from Chester's perspective. Despite being a cat, there's so much that people can relate to with his life. What Chester goes through are things that we all go through and experience in our lives. Fear, uncertainty, loneliness, but also hope, friendship and love. Both the beauty and the harsh reality of life is presented in detail throughout the book. Each situation gives Chester a new perspective through which to see life. There are so many things to like about this book. It is an overall sweet and beautiful story that will resonate with everyone that reads it. Love for those around us, humans and animals, are the main things that I leave with after finishing this book. We all have a sense of purpose, and this book will help you understand that more clearly."
—LITERARY TITAN (5 STARS) ★★★★★

"A Sense of Purpose, by Russell Plante, is a cleverly-crafted, thought-provoking story confirming that a purpose exists within every living creature. Told uniquely from the POV of a cat, you will be inspired by these true events. We have a cat who is an orphan, going on a journey through life, which can be symbolic of our own odyssey. It's about learning how to survive, discovering your worth, and finding meaning in your life. One of the primary messages is that we are all connected in some way, and are important to one another. This book takes a philosophical approach to events that occur, and that even small acts can mean something to someone else, even if we aren't sure what that purpose is.

Plante gives us Chester the cat, a character that could be a stand-in for any of us. We follow his life as he goes from home to home, owner to cat-friends, the lessons he learns, and the lessons he passes on to others, just as we humans do. I love that Chester is the main character in the story, therefore providing us with a very personal connection with him, and ourselves. The author's attention to detail, vivid descriptions, and poetic way with words make this book special and meaningful. Strong emotions coupled with real-life scenarios make for realism and truth. You really get inside the life of Chester and those he meets, feel his struggle, and learn from his insights and the things he does. As far as personality traits, I like his intelligence and resilience, and the photos are a heartwarming addition. If you like allegories or sweet stories with cats but a deeper message, A Sense of Purpose by Russell Plante should be at the top of your reading list."
—Tammy Ruggles for Readers' Favorite (5 STARS)

From the Publisher