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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
I was given this book for a holiday present by AJ several years ago. He hunted down a first edition of the Edward Gorey illustrated version, which just happens to have been printed the same year as I was born. Needless to say, this is one of the books of which I'm very protective.
The book itself is a very sharp deviation from what T.S. Elliot normally writes. Compared with, say, The Wasteland, this book looks as though it was written by an entirely different author. However, that does not make it less enjoyable. It is a bit silly, fun, and the sort of poetry that should be read aloud. It's probably for this reason Andrew Lloyd Webber decided these poems would make good lyrics.
The illustration by [a:Edward Gorey|21578|Edward Gorey|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1200338278p2/21578.jpg] are in the typical line & ink style, but are not nearly as dark or brooding as his typical art either. Sometimes when I look at this, I wonder if maybe him and Elliot had a similar condition where they would suffer from deep depression until exposure to a cat caused them to go bat-shit manic. While they aren't my favorite illustrations by Mr. Gorey, I do enjoy looking at them while I read this book.
Overall, there isn't anything deep or life changing about this book, but it is very rich, enjoyable, and fun. It definitely has a place next to some [a:Dr. Suess], [a:Johnny Gruelle|13013|Johnny Gruelle|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1343032302p2/13013.jpg], etc.
The book itself is a very sharp deviation from what T.S. Elliot normally writes. Compared with, say, The Wasteland, this book looks as though it was written by an entirely different author. However, that does not make it less enjoyable. It is a bit silly, fun, and the sort of poetry that should be read aloud. It's probably for this reason Andrew Lloyd Webber decided these poems would make good lyrics.
The illustration by [a:Edward Gorey|21578|Edward Gorey|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1200338278p2/21578.jpg] are in the typical line & ink style, but are not nearly as dark or brooding as his typical art either. Sometimes when I look at this, I wonder if maybe him and Elliot had a similar condition where they would suffer from deep depression until exposure to a cat caused them to go bat-shit manic. While they aren't my favorite illustrations by Mr. Gorey, I do enjoy looking at them while I read this book.
Overall, there isn't anything deep or life changing about this book, but it is very rich, enjoyable, and fun. It definitely has a place next to some [a:Dr. Suess], [a:Johnny Gruelle|13013|Johnny Gruelle|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1343032302p2/13013.jpg], etc.
Such a fun little read. Each poem is so playfully written so that you can imagine each cat in a distinctly illustrated form.
AUDREY'S ONE-SENTENCE BOOK REVIEWS
who else has the range to write both "The Waste Land" and "Mr. Mistoffelees"
who else has the range to write both "The Waste Land" and "Mr. Mistoffelees"
Very cute poems, though I think the illustrations might've been my favorite part!
Definitely more than one instance of anti-asian racism. What's your deal T.S. Elliot?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
It was cute! Obviously TS Eliot understood cats! Unfortunately he was racist, so there is a racist cat in one of the poems, complete with a racial slur...so... that's unfortunate. Unfortunate racism aside, I enjoyed the poems and had fun reading them. My favorites were Old Deuteronomy and Mister Mistoffelees.
T.S. Eliot creates some fantastical portraits of cats and illustrates their traits well. Edward Gorey's illustrations are phenomenal as well.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
i like how there was a racist cat
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs, Racism
I read this for the 2024 PopSugar challenge category of "a book made into a musical" and this is what Cats was based on.
It's basically a book of poems about cats. I like cats, but not into poetry so I gave it a middle of the road rating.
It's basically a book of poems about cats. I like cats, but not into poetry so I gave it a middle of the road rating.