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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
I was drawn to this book because who wouldn't want to be able to escape with the pov of someone who can talk to cats? Troy Horan is put in an awkward position when he inadvertently gets caught up in a pet spy ring and blamed for the owner's death. I was intrigued as Troy and his relationship with the animals grew through adversity and appreciate the message that species should partner rather than dominate. The ending was a little bit predictable but still satisfying.
Kind of odd; I can see why it would have been a classic, and influential, but it doesn't really draw me in. Troy Horan wasn't the most appealing main character, and I (being in an English class right now on imperial adventures and the racist rhetoric they employ) struggled with the characteration of Zul as yellow, cunning, and treacherous.
I really enjoyed this classic SciFi story. The language felt a bit dated in parts (e.g. the use of ‘Gentle Homo’ as an honorific akin to ‘Good Sir’), but nothing that really detracted from the story or made it harder to understand.
I was a little disappointed with the number of questions she leaves unanswered and I felt there was so much more that she could have done with the story, either as a longer, standalone novel (this one is 200 pages) or in subsequent installments. While there are additional novels in the Dipple universe, none of them (I don’t think) continue the story of Troy Horan and his unique abilities.
Still, a fun, entertaining and quick read.
I was a little disappointed with the number of questions she leaves unanswered and I felt there was so much more that she could have done with the story, either as a longer, standalone novel (this one is 200 pages) or in subsequent installments. While there are additional novels in the Dipple universe, none of them (I don’t think) continue the story of Troy Horan and his unique abilities.
Still, a fun, entertaining and quick read.
Maybe I would have rated this one a bit differently, if it hadn't hit the right time for me. I had a huge reading slump when I started to read Catseye, but thanks to it's not-so-complicated plot and fast paced story, I was hooked.
Troy Horan lives in a planet Korwar in the area called Dipple, where all those who are catecorized as subcitizens have to live. One day Troy happens to get a day job from an interplanetary petshop and with a little luck and also his skill with animals, his contract gets continued for a little while longer, which is a huge win for him. At the same time Troy starts to get strange feelings. Inside his head, he hears a voice warning him about danger and he's unsure where the warning comes from. But soon he realizes that it's the Terran animals (a kinkajou, 2 cats and 2 foxes) whose pleas he hears inside his head. Unsure what to do and not to label himself crazy, Troy hides his ability from his employer and secretly starts to investigate things on his own, putting his and the Terran animals lives, in danger.
As said, the book was fast paced and easy to read. The relationship between Troy and the animals was descriped well. There were some smallish plot holes here and there in the story, but it didn't affect my reading. Maybe in different circumstances it would have, but for me this was an entertaining read after a huge reading slump. So 4 stars this time.
Troy Horan lives in a planet Korwar in the area called Dipple, where all those who are catecorized as subcitizens have to live. One day Troy happens to get a day job from an interplanetary petshop and with a little luck and also his skill with animals, his contract gets continued for a little while longer, which is a huge win for him. At the same time Troy starts to get strange feelings. Inside his head, he hears a voice warning him about danger and he's unsure where the warning comes from. But soon he realizes that it's the Terran animals (a kinkajou, 2 cats and 2 foxes) whose pleas he hears inside his head. Unsure what to do and not to label himself crazy, Troy hides his ability from his employer and secretly starts to investigate things on his own, putting his and the Terran animals lives, in danger.
As said, the book was fast paced and easy to read. The relationship between Troy and the animals was descriped well. There were some smallish plot holes here and there in the story, but it didn't affect my reading. Maybe in different circumstances it would have, but for me this was an entertaining read after a huge reading slump. So 4 stars this time.
This is a short SF novel, which is one of those fantasy stories that disguise as SF.
There is a city called Tikil on the planet Korwar. It has its district for unfortunate, named Dipple. There only three ways out of it: legal employment in Tikil, work for the strictly illegal but flourishing and perilous Thieves’ Guild; or he could sign on as contract labor and be shipped off world in deep freeze with no beforehand knowledge of his destination or work. Here lives our protagonist, Troy Horan. He was initially from another planet, but old interstellar war forced his relocation. He is dirt poor and despised by both legal citizens and other Dipplers. A classic young misfit.
He gets a work contract with the seller of exotic creatures, including rare animals from Earth. The work already heavily relies on contraband, but is it the only crime? Troy finds himself bonded with Terran animals and on the run, with many different groups on his tail.
Fast easy yarn without a pretenses of being a groundbreaking SF, initially written as a juvenile or what is today called YA. Colorful in a nostalgic way, like Technicolor Wizard of Oz – you see that the colors are wrong, but it is still a pleasure for the eye.
“Men have used animals as tools,” Troy said slowly, trying to fit into words something he did not wholly understand himself. “Now some men, somewhere, have made better tools, tools so good they can turn and cut the maker. But that is not the fault of the tools—that they are no longer tools but—”
“Perhaps companions?”
There is a city called Tikil on the planet Korwar. It has its district for unfortunate, named Dipple. There only three ways out of it: legal employment in Tikil, work for the strictly illegal but flourishing and perilous Thieves’ Guild; or he could sign on as contract labor and be shipped off world in deep freeze with no beforehand knowledge of his destination or work. Here lives our protagonist, Troy Horan. He was initially from another planet, but old interstellar war forced his relocation. He is dirt poor and despised by both legal citizens and other Dipplers. A classic young misfit.
He gets a work contract with the seller of exotic creatures, including rare animals from Earth. The work already heavily relies on contraband, but is it the only crime? Troy finds himself bonded with Terran animals and on the run, with many different groups on his tail.
Fast easy yarn without a pretenses of being a groundbreaking SF, initially written as a juvenile or what is today called YA. Colorful in a nostalgic way, like Technicolor Wizard of Oz – you see that the colors are wrong, but it is still a pleasure for the eye.
“Men have used animals as tools,” Troy said slowly, trying to fit into words something he did not wholly understand himself. “Now some men, somewhere, have made better tools, tools so good they can turn and cut the maker. But that is not the fault of the tools—that they are no longer tools but—”
“Perhaps companions?”
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.
I really love books like this, with animals and humans being able to talk to each other.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated