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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
Summary from Amazon: In the early 1950s, an eleven-year-old boy in Colombo boards a ship bound for England. At mealtimes he is seated at the “cat’s table”—as far from the Captain’s Table as can be—with a ragtag group of “insignificant” adults and two other boys, Cassius and Ramadhin. As the ship crosses the Indian Ocean, the boys tumble from one adventure to another, bursting all over the place like freed mercury. But there are other diversions as well: they are first exposed to the magical worlds of jazz, women, and literature by their eccentric fellow travelers, and together they spy on a shackled prisoner, his crime and fate a galvanizing mystery that will haunt them forever. By turns poignant and electrifying, The Cat’s Table is a spellbinding story about the magical, often forbidden, discoveries of childhood, and a lifelong journey that begins unexpectedly with a spectacular sea voyage.
A charming if somewhat perambulatory stroll through an eleven year old boy's coming of age during a 21 day cruise from Sri Lanka to England. Virtually unattended by any adult, he has a rare respite within the confines of the massive cruise ship from the ordinary constraints and rules imposed upon children. Thanks in large part to their proximity, he befriends two other boys traveling under the same circumstances and the three find themselves exploring the great ship as well as the curious and enigmatic adults around them. At times I found the prose lolling me to sleep as I imagine Michael, Cassius, and Ramadhin must have felt during their afternoon naps nestled in the belly of the ship. The story unfolds slowly and proves to have been a seminal time in their young lives, the tendrils of memory of which resurface in their adult lives. Not a page turner.
A charming if somewhat perambulatory stroll through an eleven year old boy's coming of age during a 21 day cruise from Sri Lanka to England. Virtually unattended by any adult, he has a rare respite within the confines of the massive cruise ship from the ordinary constraints and rules imposed upon children. Thanks in large part to their proximity, he befriends two other boys traveling under the same circumstances and the three find themselves exploring the great ship as well as the curious and enigmatic adults around them. At times I found the prose lolling me to sleep as I imagine Michael, Cassius, and Ramadhin must have felt during their afternoon naps nestled in the belly of the ship. The story unfolds slowly and proves to have been a seminal time in their young lives, the tendrils of memory of which resurface in their adult lives. Not a page turner.
What a great book. Full of interesting characters and a bit of mystery thrown in. Loved it!
Finishing a book and feeling compelled to turn to the first page again to reread it is not something I do a lot but [b:The Cat's Table|11076177|The Cat's Table|Michael Ondaatje|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327934764s/11076177.jpg|15238056] is just such a book. The writing is quietly beautiful and the description of the long vanished world of a 1950's trip on an ocean liner is perfect. The reread offers extra insights into that world and underlines the complexity of Ondaatje's story telling. There are many hints of the events to come but they remain quite subtle, not at all menacing. In fact the dramatic events which enfold are always secondary to the descriptions of the passengers and the slices of their lives which we are offered so compellingly. In any case, Ondaatje doesn't really bother too much with tying up the loose ends of the plot - he leaves some things to our imagination.
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
SIGH!
A lot of people are going to hate me for this rating! I love quiet, contemplative novels. In fact, some of my favourite works of contemporary fiction are of this very nature - [b:The Sea|3656|The Sea|John Banville|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1165030165s/3656.jpg|987554], [b:Homer & Langley|7304408|Homer & Langley|E.L. Doctorow|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1276475323s/7304408.jpg|6510464] & [b:Out Stealing Horses|398323|Out Stealing Horses|Per Petterson|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1317791439s/398323.jpg|3321103], as great examples. The Cat's Table just doesn't hold a candle to these books. I really wasn't engaged with the story or the characters. There was a hopeful moment of interesting reading at the very end of the story but it was, I suppose, too little, too late.
I am sorry Mr. Ondaatje.
A lot of people are going to hate me for this rating! I love quiet, contemplative novels. In fact, some of my favourite works of contemporary fiction are of this very nature - [b:The Sea|3656|The Sea|John Banville|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1165030165s/3656.jpg|987554], [b:Homer & Langley|7304408|Homer & Langley|E.L. Doctorow|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1276475323s/7304408.jpg|6510464] & [b:Out Stealing Horses|398323|Out Stealing Horses|Per Petterson|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1317791439s/398323.jpg|3321103], as great examples. The Cat's Table just doesn't hold a candle to these books. I really wasn't engaged with the story or the characters. There was a hopeful moment of interesting reading at the very end of the story but it was, I suppose, too little, too late.
I am sorry Mr. Ondaatje.
Beautiful childhood reminiscence of a 3 week voyage from Sri Lanka to England. Told thru the eyes of an 11 year old boy and the adult he became, the novel is lyrical, sweet and exciting.
Loved it. It was like flipping through a photo album and having the photos described for you.
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes