reviews
Nov 13, 2007
Paul
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Little did I know when a friend (thanks, Kendall!) loaned me this book, that I already was aware of some of the author's work. Paul Gallico was a well-known sports writer in the 1920s and 1930s, working for the New York Daily News. His sportswriting career took off when he asked to spar with Jack Dempsey (and wrote the account of how it felt to be knocked out by him!). He also wrote about catching Dizzy Dean's fastball and golfing with Bobby Jones. He retired from sports writing after selling a
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Apr 03, 2009
W.B.
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It might be kiddie lit, but I'm a sucker for a book in which cats teach each other craft and use terms like "paw work" and "improvement in the waggle." It's like watching a poetry workshop but much more fun. Not for the mice or rats, I suppose. But for the reader. And he knows more about cats than Desmond Morris. Because some things Desmond couldn't explain in CAT WATCHING do get explained here. So there, IN YOUR FACE, DESMOND! Your kids might like this book.
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Jul 24, 2010
Jill
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This book's title in the UK is "Jennie". It's a delightful tale about a little boy who sort of becomes a cat and is taught how to behave like one by a wandering feline. This is one book I've re-read and might do so again. I lent it to a Brit friend and he did have one negative comment: "Come, come, now, Mr Gallico -- since when has Glasgow been the capital of Scotland and Edinburgh 'Provincial'? Otherwise he loved the book. One memorable piece of advice about Cat behaviour --
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Oct 05, 2010
Bayandur
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'Been crying since the third chapter - just one of the most touching nevels I've read. Paul Gallico, being a great cat-lover, has described their habits and behavior so well (except that part of cleaning under the chin:)) that I would feel like being a cat if I wasn't one already:)
Not your average children's book - easy to understand, it is not primitive, and being so saturated with sincere emotion...
Amazing how Gallico shows the world with the eyes of an eight-year boy who turns into More...
Not your average children's book - easy to understand, it is not primitive, and being so saturated with sincere emotion...
Amazing how Gallico shows the world with the eyes of an eight-year boy who turns into More...
Jan 23, 2011
Yellowoasis
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I first read this book about 35 years ago. It was recommended by my cat-mad friend. I was not the least interested in cats, but I fell completely in love with this story. I cried my eyes out at the end. A few years later, when I was a teenager, I re-read it. I made the mistake of reading the final chapter on the bus home from my holiday job. I thought, "I'm practically an adult, I won't cry this time". But I did, in front of everyone on the bus, to my supreme embarrassment and shame. I
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Sep 10, 2007
Kyle
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Cute cat story. Little Peter gets hit by a car and wakes up having turned into a cat. He meets Jennie who shows him how to be a cat on the London streets (when in doubt, wash). They go to Glasgow on a ship together. Eventually it turns out that like The Wizard of Oz, it was all a dream while he was unconscious. It was a great story.
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Jan 17, 2011
Mia
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Mar 10, 2011
Deanna
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There are some stand-out books from my childhood -- you know the ones. You can still remember the plot, the characters are like your best friends or your heroes, even though you're nearly 60. Okay, so maybe you aren't as obsessed with storytelling as I am, and you don't have these experiences. You can stop reading now, because this is one of those books, and you won't understand.
I didn't own this book -- I borrowed it from the library when I was seven or eight years old. Looking More...
I didn't own this book -- I borrowed it from the library when I was seven or eight years old. Looking More...
Oct 07, 2011
Tuck
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very nice story of a little boy who turns into a cat, gets kicked out of his home, goes to the docks in london, meets Jennie, a street-wise kitty, works passage to Glasgow on a ship, goes back to london, and i'm not telling what happens then. one very interesting thing is how mature and well written this young persons novel is compared to the drek written today for young people. no wonder.....
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Jul 24, 2010
Jc
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This was one of the first books I borrowed from the library (Verona Public Library, NJ) that wasn't from the children's section. The great Paul Gallico, a British author and cat lover Ranks right up there with one of my favorite childhood Disney films -- Thomasina starring Hayley Mills -- the story for Thomasina also being penned by P.Gallico. The Abandoned (original British title, "Jennie") is the story of a young boy who one day wakes up as an alley cat -- thrown out of his home h
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Sep 13, 2011
Pat
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You don't have to be a child, or a cat lover to love this book. A cat named Jennie teaches a little boy turned into a cat how to be a cat and survive in a dangerous world. It is a wonderful story, and gives great insights into little tricks cats use to communicate and so much more. I loved this book as a child, and I still love it as an adult.
Jan 07, 2011
Patton
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It's one of those rare books that I find myself thinking back to even now, years later. It's a hard book to find, but my mother, who had read it decades previously, hunted it down for me to read when a conversation we had made her think of it. Definitely recommend it if animal books are your thing, and even if they aren't, this one's worth a shot.
Mar 04, 2011
Ellin
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This is one of those treasured books that I always come back to. With it's style reminiscent of another time, a beautifully sad story with adventures and all manner of excitement but most of all CATS. Paul Gallico is a master of writing these creatures, his love for them is so evident and I love this book always.
May 25, 2011
D.E.
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Incredible haunting book. First read it as a preteen and it stuck with me. Reread it a couple of years ago. Don't want to give any spoilers, but this is as unusual a story as you'll encounter. Very good for those who love stories about children and animals. But I don't consider it a kids' story at all; it is so much more complex and intricate a story.
Jul 24, 2010
Kathleen
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This book seems to be very closely related (if not a retelling) of Gallico's book Jennie, which I noticed is also listed here. It's a strange and charming "flight of fancy" story that takes a little boy from his safe and boring life in Cavendish Mews and dumps him into the rough and tumble life of a stray cat in London. Peter would have died but for the help of another stray named Jennie Baldrin, who teaches him how to defend himself, hunt, and behave according to the intricate proto
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Apr 22, 2009
Minnie
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I read this book many many years ago but to this day I still remember insights gained from it, such as "when in doubt, wash' and the "leg of lamb" position of washing. Gallico captured "Catness" perfectly, as any cat lover will attest.
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Jul 24, 2010
Karen
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If you like cats, you'll love this book. If you don't like cats, you'll love this book. Seriously, it's such a great story I can't imagine anyone not being absolutely enchanted. And I REALLY can't believe it's out of print. If you see a copy in a used bookstore, snap it up.
Peter is a young boy in post World War II London who desperately wants a cat. Then, after he is injured in an accident, he wakes up to discover he has BECOME a hat. Thanks to a warmhearted stray named Jennie, he le More...
Peter is a young boy in post World War II London who desperately wants a cat. Then, after he is injured in an accident, he wakes up to discover he has BECOME a hat. Thanks to a warmhearted stray named Jennie, he le More...
Jul 01, 2011
Carolyn
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A small boy has an accident, and wakes up to discover he's a large white tom cat. Magical, it totally captivated me the first time I read it.
Jan 16, 2012
Pam
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How have I missed reading this one? Delightful story, of friendship, love and of course cats. The writing is high caliber, the story imaginative and well thought out. Apparently called Jennie in England and The Abandoned in US, I was fortunate to receive a copy from a childhood dear friend. Loved it!
Feb 14, 2012
Gordon
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Not quite as good as Thomasina, but if you like cats you're bound to like this book - even if you're a grown-up. :)
Oct 21, 2009
Erssie
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This was actually read to us as kids, and I loved it but could never find it. Have just ordered a 2nd hand copy of it whooopeee.
Mar 16, 2010
Jennie
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Would you believe I was named after this book. My mum read it to us as kids when I was small :)
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Jul 24, 2010
Christina
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I really loved this book. . .but I can not give it 5 stars. This will be my second Gallico book, the first being Thomasina (which I LOVED and recommend to anyone who liked The Abandoned/Jennie). The ending of this book left me a tad unsatisfied and a bit heartbroken. I would have loved to have known what became of Jennie and/or if Peter ever tried to find her. Other than that it was a great story and I think very few authors can actually make you believe you are truly getting a peek into the min
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Jul 24, 2010
Greg
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Bored one day as a child, my mother recommended that I read this book. Wisely, she didn't tell me what it was about, or I might never have opened it. Instead, she simply gave me the book, and I began to read. What a terrific flight of fancy! In short, a boy who yearsn for a pet cat, bit is not permitted one, suffers an accident, and wakes up to find himself in a cat's body. His adventures that follow are engrossing, entertaining, and even from time to time, thrilling. Very satisfying ending also
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