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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
Very good but why are the cats the psychic ones? Dogs are man's best friends...
I've mostly read Andre Norton's Witch World books but the few science fiction books I've read by her so far have been enjoyable as well. This story, which was first published in the 1960s, has social and environmental commentary woven throughout. Sadly, the ongoing concept that someone who is "homeless" or poor is somehow inferior to those who are well off financially is still in the mainstream consciousness as well as the mindset that humans should be rulers above all other creatures no matter how intelligent they are found to be. I also admit to especially liking any story where a human can commune in some fashion with animals and treats them as equals rather than subordinates like the main character of this story. It is an exploration of how much you're willing to sacrifice your own ethics and honor in order to succeed and whether man is capable of ever seeing themselves as *part* of a whole environment rather than its master.
Troy Horan was born on the planet of Norden where he and his family were herd riders living sustainably off the land. Unfortunately war among the plants and different organizations cause his people to be removed and their home being converted to a war station. As a result he is essentially "homeless" and demoted to a "Dippleman" whom nobody else has any respect since in order to have status you must at least have a permanent job. He refuses to buy his way in to the illegal Thieves Guild and continues to report to the day job area hoping for permanent work eventually. Due to his Norden background and experience with animals he is hired for a week by an importer of rare animals by the name of Kyger. However, Troy finds he is able to connect to the minds of the Terran animals and learns that they are in danger and being forced to do things against their will.
He also meets the Clans men who live in the only "Wilds" of this planet. A people that strive to live off the lands and conserve it even if it means they have to label their planet as a recreational one to preserve what is left. While he feels a little more trusting towards the ranger he met, Rerne, as a Dippleman he doesn't know if he can trust anyone. His employer is using the animals and he's not sure what the Clans want either. He just wants to be free from the strict rules much like the animals he is able to contact mentally. However, when his employer turns up dead the animals are next on the extermination list. Troy acts in the hopes that doing so he frees them all but at some point he'll have to make a decision. Which is more important the bond he's made with the animals or becoming a recognized part of human society?
Troy Horan was born on the planet of Norden where he and his family were herd riders living sustainably off the land. Unfortunately war among the plants and different organizations cause his people to be removed and their home being converted to a war station. As a result he is essentially "homeless" and demoted to a "Dippleman" whom nobody else has any respect since in order to have status you must at least have a permanent job. He refuses to buy his way in to the illegal Thieves Guild and continues to report to the day job area hoping for permanent work eventually. Due to his Norden background and experience with animals he is hired for a week by an importer of rare animals by the name of Kyger. However, Troy finds he is able to connect to the minds of the Terran animals and learns that they are in danger and being forced to do things against their will.
He also meets the Clans men who live in the only "Wilds" of this planet. A people that strive to live off the lands and conserve it even if it means they have to label their planet as a recreational one to preserve what is left. While he feels a little more trusting towards the ranger he met, Rerne, as a Dippleman he doesn't know if he can trust anyone. His employer is using the animals and he's not sure what the Clans want either. He just wants to be free from the strict rules much like the animals he is able to contact mentally. However, when his employer turns up dead the animals are next on the extermination list. Troy acts in the hopes that doing so he frees them all but at some point he'll have to make a decision. Which is more important the bond he's made with the animals or becoming a recognized part of human society?
My first Andre Norton and what a fun and interesting world to drop into. Cats, foxes, and a crab? Oh my! Love the book more after the halfway point.
Childhood Val might have loved this.
Adult Val felt like it was very basic, no intricacy. Things just happen, no deeper explanation. It was also a bit dry.
Adult Val felt like it was very basic, no intricacy. Things just happen, no deeper explanation. It was also a bit dry.
The plot was interesting, but this was way too long. How do you drag a 150 page book? Idk but Andre did. I loved the parts with the animals, the interactions were cute and sometimes funny but the style of this book was not for me. Just so much random information that didn’t really need to be said was said. There was also no dimension with the characters, and it was written too formally? Despite that, I felt like the plot didn’t need that approach.
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I understand from the time it was written this was amazing. However, there are several problems including how the character doesn't truly have a personality. While the worldbuilding and plot were info-dumpy, there were some parts to enjoy.
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Solid Norton scifi novel with, essentially, uplifted animals . And a hero who has to decide what he wants from life very very quickly.
There are these books that have a great idea but a lousy execution, and this happens to be the case with Catseye. Before you move on and skip this book, saying okay, this is not for me then, wait. While the narration is clunky and confusing, giving too little information about the surroundings and the history, the emotional connection between Troy Horan and his animal friends are beautiful. They together teach a lesson about freedom, respect, and don't judge a book by the cover philosophy. So, I think that itself makes the book worthy of giving it a chance to speak to you. Okay, the narration is a big part of an enjoyable reading experience, and this wasn't one of those. Only at the end, when Andre Norton makes her last appeal to the reader's nature, for the message, everything comes together and makes better sense. But I guess that is like life for you. Things seem to make sense only when we have been told the whole story, and then with some, it is too late.
But back to the topic of freedom, control, and animal intelligence. The book plays well with layers, reminding the reader that losing freedom affects not only the animals and their suppressed talents but also humans; the poor and the neglected. And the reader can take both of those things away from the book, with the understanding of how controlling information is a way to keep others in their place. That an open society, which cares about its inhabitants (human and animal), wants everyone to be as educated as to the next fellow. That when we share and respect others, we create something more than a dominance system where we exploit strangers and friends for personal gain. One can dream of such openness for both the crows, the rats, the koalas, the cows and chickens, and for humans. Such things are not a fool's dream, I think. They are possible if enough books, movies, poetry, music, other forms of art show what life can be and is.
So, I'm wishing that I read this as a teenager as now the message is preaching to the choir. Then again, it is always reaffirming to learn that others show the same compassion to those at the mercy of others. (So pretty much everyone. Those who have money and power don't understand that we are in the same (sinking) boat.) Anyway, this is a beautiful book about friendship, love for animals, and praise for their intelligence, but also about freedom and respect.
Thank you for reading! Have a great day and hug a cat/rat/bat/human/whoever you wish.
But back to the topic of freedom, control, and animal intelligence. The book plays well with layers, reminding the reader that losing freedom affects not only the animals and their suppressed talents but also humans; the poor and the neglected. And the reader can take both of those things away from the book, with the understanding of how controlling information is a way to keep others in their place. That an open society, which cares about its inhabitants (human and animal), wants everyone to be as educated as to the next fellow. That when we share and respect others, we create something more than a dominance system where we exploit strangers and friends for personal gain. One can dream of such openness for both the crows, the rats, the koalas, the cows and chickens, and for humans. Such things are not a fool's dream, I think. They are possible if enough books, movies, poetry, music, other forms of art show what life can be and is.
So, I'm wishing that I read this as a teenager as now the message is preaching to the choir. Then again, it is always reaffirming to learn that others show the same compassion to those at the mercy of others. (So pretty much everyone. Those who have money and power don't understand that we are in the same (sinking) boat.) Anyway, this is a beautiful book about friendship, love for animals, and praise for their intelligence, but also about freedom and respect.
Thank you for reading! Have a great day and hug a cat/rat/bat/human/whoever you wish.