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Joseph Guzzo’s debut novel, “Mousetrap, Inc.”, was published in 2021. His short work has appeared in “42 Stories Anthology.” He is currently working on a sequel to “The Catalysts” and resides in the Pittsburgh area with his wife. They have one adult son and have shared a home with numerous stray and shelter cats over the years.
Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
The Catalysts by Joseph Guzzo follows Orville, a shelter cat adopted by Luca and his parents Vic and Claudia, who forms a bond with the family, is renamed Red, and enjoys a comfortable life in their home. Red meets a stray cat, hungry and cautious after winter, who gradually trusts the family and is named Fatty. Over time, Red and Fatty develop a happy routine of sunbathing and snacking, but an accident reveals their secret ability to talk when Luca overhears them. Luca keeps this secret from his parents but tells his best friend Jonathan, who mocks him and spreads the story at school, leading to ridicule. Meanwhile, Franklin, a neighborhood father beset with alcoholism and family estrangement after his wife’s death, becomes entangled with the cats, stirring further unresolved trauma and “the catalyst” that follows.
Joseph Guzzo’s The Catalysts is a heartfelt story that takes its shape from rehomed cats, offering readers a touching but unflinching portrayal of their adjustments. Guzzo avoids romanticizing how hard this can be, whether they are abandoned, born without families, or choose to leave a home. The writing is simple and straightforward, allowing us a wonderfully unique perspective from the point of view of the cats themselves, who feel fully fleshed out and believable. There were a lot of surprises and I was moved by the first of two unexpected reunions, which almost had me crying, and an illness that hit me pretty heavily in the heart. The story is beautifully balanced, with a clean, engaging style that works for both children and adults alike. It’s a story about survival, second chances, and the quiet power of pets, making it a rewarding read for anyone who has ever loved an animal. Very highly recommended.
