Three and a half stars, rounding up to four. I nearly gave this three stars, because enjoyable as it was, it didn't really have the depth that a couple of similar books I've read this year have. Dewey the Small-Town Library Cat was strongly connected to the role of libraries in small towns, and The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill, which also had a homeless protagonist, had a greater emphasis on science and that appeals to me. But, you know, I plain enjoyed reading this. I'd read it again. It's good natured and hopeful and the idea of this man, Bowen, a recovering heroin addict who is one bare step from the streets and busking to feed himself, finding an injured moggie and almost immediately spending nearly every penny he had getting said moggie medical attention... not everyone would do that. I was rooting for the pair of them, and I'm so glad they found each other.

I read a lot of popcorn fiction because it's entertaining. I think this might be a popcorn memoir, and if it is I'd like to read more of them, because optimistic stories in a challenging world are rarely so accessible as this. Apparently there are follow up books. I want to read them too.