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3rd out of 666 books
—
280 voters
Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats
T. S. Eliot's playful cat poems have delighted readers and cat lovers around the world ever since they were first published in 1939. They were originally composed for his godchildren, with Eliot posing as Old Possum himself, and later inspired the legendary musical Cats.
Hardcover, Illustrated Edition, 56 pages
Published
August 30th 1982
by Harcourt Brace & Company
(first published 1939)
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To My New Feline Friend
I know an Abyssinian
her name in French is Silicate
The rest of this review is in my book If Research Were Romance and Other Implausible Conjectures
18 likes · like · see review
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Q: How do you know you are going insane?
A: You write a collection of inane poems about cats and their (["secret"]) gibberish cat names and about how they do a lot of nonsensical cat...stuff; then you proceed to anonymously mail all your friends and acquaintances these poems.
Q: How do you know the world has gone insane?
A: Of all your works of poetry, criticism, and theater, none of which were at all able to help prevent WWII from happening, it is this little collection of poems that you wrote in...more
A: You write a collection of inane poems about cats and their (["secret"]) gibberish cat names and about how they do a lot of nonsensical cat...stuff; then you proceed to anonymously mail all your friends and acquaintances these poems.
Q: How do you know the world has gone insane?
A: Of all your works of poetry, criticism, and theater, none of which were at all able to help prevent WWII from happening, it is this little collection of poems that you wrote in...more
29 likes · like · see review
Apr 04, 2013
Nathan "N.R." Gaddis
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Cats
Recommended to Nathan "N.R." by:
Cats
[Just like a BUMbersticker:]
Like this Review if you like cats but hate Cats (and can tell the dIFFérance).
the ReVue:
Like this Review if you like cats but hate Cats (and can tell the dIFFérance).
the ReVue:
T.S. Elliot poetry about cats.
Edward Gorey drawings about cats.
Cats doing what cats do.
A winning trilogy of characters, that.
4 likes · like · see review
If you saw and enjoyed the wonderful musical, Cats, you will love this book, which was first published in 1939. Not long ago joined our granddaughter at a performance of Cats and I remembered that I wanted to read this one. Let me share some of the wonderful phrases that found their way into musical. "Jellicle Cats come out to-night Jellicle Cats come one and all: The Jellicle Moon is shining bright - Jellicles come to the Jellicle Ball. " Or, "I have a Gumbie Cat in mind, her name is Jennyanydo...more
1 like · like · see review
Aug 23, 2007
hypothermya
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Lovers of fun poetry, E. Gorey collectors, Andrew Lloyd Webber afficienados
Shelves:
literature,
poetry
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...more
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...more
1 like · like · see review
Jan 12, 2013
Kim
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2013-literary-exploration-challenge,
childrens,
classic,
humour,
poetry,
male-author,
1930s
When looking through lists of poetry books trying to decide which to read for my book challenge I knew I couldn't pass this one. Cats the Musical, and this book, are my wifes' favourite and she named my cat after Mr Mistoffelees.
It was an amusing little book with fun, kitty stories though was a touch racist in parts. After reading certain poems I watched YouTube clips of the Cats version and found they never quite fit what I had in my head. The tempo of the poems in the book is quite fast which...more
It was an amusing little book with fun, kitty stories though was a touch racist in parts. After reading certain poems I watched YouTube clips of the Cats version and found they never quite fit what I had in my head. The tempo of the poems in the book is quite fast which...more
This is a whimsical book full of adventure and fun
With cats playing and sleeping and those who even run
I think it was the best book ever, but
I laughed so hard I almost busted a gut!
Nothing is better, not even in the slightest
Read it again? I sure mightest!
With the magic Mr. Mistoffelees, so quiet and sly
Quite the mysterious guy.
Or
* Macavity, Macavity, there’s no one like Macavity
He’s broken human law, he defies the law of gravity*
I recommend this book to you all,
Though the stories are quite tal...more
With cats playing and sleeping and those who even run
I think it was the best book ever, but
I laughed so hard I almost busted a gut!
Nothing is better, not even in the slightest
Read it again? I sure mightest!
With the magic Mr. Mistoffelees, so quiet and sly
Quite the mysterious guy.
Or
* Macavity, Macavity, there’s no one like Macavity
He’s broken human law, he defies the law of gravity*
I recommend this book to you all,
Though the stories are quite tal...more
1 like · like · see review
Little-known fact, this book of children's poetry by T.S. Eliot was the inspiration for the cringe-worthy Broadway musical, "Cats." Many of the poems are the lyrics, verbatim, for the show. But if you, like so many others, are revulsed or terrified by the thought of those cavorting, feline freaks on stage, well, just try and put it out of your mind. These are fun poems for kids, and would make great bedtime reading! Unless you are a dog family, in which case you should probably go with "Clifford...more
3 likes · like · see review
This was fun and quick to read. There really isn't a bad poem in the lot. Recommended for anybody but especially those of you who like cats. This is probably the only book I've read by a virulent anti-Semite (and enjoyed--for the record the book is not anti-Semitic at all). Speaking of which, you'll have to ignore the occasional racial slur: it comes with the territory.
“With Cats, some say, one rule is true:
Don’t speak till you are spoken to.
Myself, I do not hold with that —
I say, you should ad-...more
“With Cats, some say, one rule is true:
Don’t speak till you are spoken to.
Myself, I do not hold with that —
I say, you should ad-...more
Do you want one of the best Friday nights ever? Sit down with some of your best friends---who also enjoy literature, plays, and drama---and watch the hit broadway musical Cats. For me and my buddy, we enjoyed the plot, the depth of the story telling, and the amazing costumes of the musical as much as we enjoyed having a chuckle at the over the top characters, giddy renderings of heartfelt musical monologues, and overall hokeyness of the drama. But all of that was just the tip of the iceberg, bec...more
So, I'm really more of a dog guy, and I don't know if that's the reason or if it was the horribly ridiculous musical or what, but despite considering T.S. Eliot as one of my favorite poets during my college days and despite owning a copy of this book for at least fifteen years, I'd never read these poems until today. I'm curious what motivated Eliot to write these funny and clever little ditties for kitties--the writer feels more like Edward Lear than the elusive, erudite author of "The Hollow M...more
"But I tell you, a cat needs a name that's particular,
A name that's peculiar, and more dignified,
Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular,
Or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride?"
I have to admit that it was an embarrassingly short time ago when I realised that the poems written by T.S Eliot provided the lyrics for the musical Cats.
Don’t get me wrong, I knew that the musical was based on these poems (I’m not completely culturally challenged, I’ll have you know), but I had no idea...more
A name that's peculiar, and more dignified,
Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular,
Or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride?"
I have to admit that it was an embarrassingly short time ago when I realised that the poems written by T.S Eliot provided the lyrics for the musical Cats.
Don’t get me wrong, I knew that the musical was based on these poems (I’m not completely culturally challenged, I’ll have you know), but I had no idea...more
I'm unpacking all my books from the move and have decided A) Eliot will be allowed on my office bookshelf because I think he'd be perfectly at home there and B) I should really reread his stuff, since it has been a while. (Do you hear that?? REREAD!!)
Yes, the Broadway musical Cats is based on the Book of Practical Cats, but I don't feel like they're one and the same --- the musical has taken on a life of its own and much of the charm of Eliot's original poetry has been lost. His metre is absolut...more
Yes, the Broadway musical Cats is based on the Book of Practical Cats, but I don't feel like they're one and the same --- the musical has taken on a life of its own and much of the charm of Eliot's original poetry has been lost. His metre is absolut...more
Ephemeral things tend, by their very nature, to be lost to posterity. Something that wasn't meant to survive usually doesn't. In many cases, this is perfectly fine but far too often good stuff is lost too.
But if someone gains a reputation, then sometimes the more ephemermal stuff comes along with it. After all, it will generally be regarded as being a part of the "canon", no matter how trivial.
Old Possum is a great example of this. There is nothing in here that will change your view of the world...more
But if someone gains a reputation, then sometimes the more ephemermal stuff comes along with it. After all, it will generally be regarded as being a part of the "canon", no matter how trivial.
Old Possum is a great example of this. There is nothing in here that will change your view of the world...more
Probably everyone knows well Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical version of Cats, self included, and for some time I've been thinking I should read the source material by T.S. Eliot (a copy of which conveniently rests on my wife's bookshelf). After reading something so lengthy and deep as Tolkien, it was nice to read something much lighter. Before I get into the inevitable comparisons that come with being so familiar with the musical, here are my thoughts on the book itself.
This slight volume of poetr...more
This slight volume of poetr...more
هذا الكتاب لايقرأ فقط ..!!
بالنسبة لمحبي المسرحيات الغنائية خصوصا وبالأخص من شاهد واستمتع بالسحر الفائق الإنسجام والروعة للمسرحية الغنائية في نسختها التلفزيونية CATS,
سيجدون بالتأكيد المتعة الجذلة عند قراءة هذا الكتاب لإليوت..
فمع كل جزئية نقرأها في وصف إحدى القطط تستحضر مخيلتنا الجزئية الخاصة بها في الفيلم مجسدة فتتمازج المتعة الشعرية والبصرية والحسية في آن ..
لذلك فتقييمي العالي دافعه أني أحببت ولازلت أحب المسرحية جدا ..!!
بالنسبة لمحبي المسرحيات الغنائية خصوصا وبالأخص من شاهد واستمتع بالسحر الفائق الإنسجام والروعة للمسرحية الغنائية في نسختها التلفزيونية CATS,
سيجدون بالتأكيد المتعة الجذلة عند قراءة هذا الكتاب لإليوت..
فمع كل جزئية نقرأها في وصف إحدى القطط تستحضر مخيلتنا الجزئية الخاصة بها في الفيلم مجسدة فتتمازج المتعة الشعرية والبصرية والحسية في آن ..
لذلك فتقييمي العالي دافعه أني أحببت ولازلت أحب المسرحية جدا ..!!
It's hard to believe that this is the same guy who wrote The Wasteland, but I guess when you're writing for your godchildren, it's good to be more cheerful and even surprisingly silly. My favorites are Song of the Jellicles (which I once knew by heart) and The Naming of Cats. I tried a couple of years ago to read this to my son, who was then 5, but though he adores cats, he doesn't think much of poetry. He's a boy who likes a plot. He did use Jellicle as the the name for a stuffed cat though. I...more
"Macavity: The Mystery Cat" was my very favorite poem when I was a very young child... when I found this in a bookstore this morning and realized that baby Sarah's favorite poem was written by adultolescent Sarah's favorite poet, I may or may not have squealed in glee and started hopping up and down in public...
This collection, like all great children's literature, respects the minds of tiny humans: there is both gravity and profound silliness in Eliot's translation of the grownup world into th...more
This collection, like all great children's literature, respects the minds of tiny humans: there is both gravity and profound silliness in Eliot's translation of the grownup world into th...more
Axel Scheffler’s illustrations perfectly complement T.S. Eliot’s poems. His paintings are colorful, and show the personalities of the clever, unique, misbehaving cats.
One poem I like is “The Old Gumbie Cat,” which accurately describes my cat, who sits and naps all day to save energy for troublemaking at night.
Part of the original:
I have a Gumbie Cat in mind, her name is Jennyanydots;
Her coat is of the tabby kind, with tiger stripes and leopard spots.
All day she sits upon the stair or on the step...more
One poem I like is “The Old Gumbie Cat,” which accurately describes my cat, who sits and naps all day to save energy for troublemaking at night.
Part of the original:
I have a Gumbie Cat in mind, her name is Jennyanydots;
Her coat is of the tabby kind, with tiger stripes and leopard spots.
All day she sits upon the stair or on the step...more
Purrrr-fect!
It is more rhyming than poetry, kind of an early Dr. Suess or Shel Silverstein; funny rhymes that people can laugh about. And it is about cats, what could be better? I was charmed by the use of language, the creative rhyming and the cats themselves.
From "The Old Gumbie Cat"
But when the day's hustle and bustle is done,
Then the Gumbie Cat's work is but hardly begun
And when all the family's in bed and asleep,
She slips down the stairs to the basement to creep.
She is deeply concerned w...more
It is more rhyming than poetry, kind of an early Dr. Suess or Shel Silverstein; funny rhymes that people can laugh about. And it is about cats, what could be better? I was charmed by the use of language, the creative rhyming and the cats themselves.
From "The Old Gumbie Cat"
But when the day's hustle and bustle is done,
Then the Gumbie Cat's work is but hardly begun
And when all the family's in bed and asleep,
She slips down the stairs to the basement to creep.
She is deeply concerned w...more
This whimsical collection of poems, written by T.S. Eliot for his nieces and nephews, was the source material and inspiration for the musical “Cats.” I have not seen the musical, so luckily was not compelled to compare the two. If you know cats, the felines described in the poems will seem familiar. They have typically feline characteristics, plus a few human eccentricities, which makes this collection entertaining for both children and adults. “Practical Cats” is most delightful when read aloud...more
I have three younger siblings and we grew up watching the musical Cats. We knew all the songs and attempted to do the dance moves too. I remember we used to get trouble for jumping off the sofa too. When I found out that Cats was based off of poems, I really wanted to read them. I asked for the book for Christmas one year and I read them all that day. The poems are beautifully written and actually tell stories, whereas some poems are just descriptions. I have no idea how T.S, Eliot came up with...more
Scared of T.S.Eliot and his fearsome rep as the most difficult, if not impossible, poet to comprehend? Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats is most definitely for you. If these cats have not crossed your path, or made you break suddenly, or drive around them - they are, after all, far more important than you and I - then I urge you to give them a little of your time. Even reading them at relaxed pace of one cat a day it'll take under a fortnight.
And they are indeed a revelation to people who ima...more
And they are indeed a revelation to people who ima...more
I must confess, I believe this was my first T.S. Eliot book and I am impressed. The poems of this book were fun, witty and creative. Each of the cats have such engaging characters and interesting names like Macavity or Mungojerie. Though slightly exaggerated the personalities of the cats are very believable as I am sure many people have met cats that act like the ones described in this book.
Also I have been a big fan of Andrew Lloyd Weber's "Cats" and had no idea how literal that show was based...more
Also I have been a big fan of Andrew Lloyd Weber's "Cats" and had no idea how literal that show was based...more
I love T.S. Elliot and have been reading some of the cats poems with my Year 4 Class of 8-9 year olds who love them. These poems are amongst a rare set of gems that children fall in love with and of which you, as an adult, never tire. They each contain their own stories, beautifully crafted characters and exquisite language which never goes out of date. "The Rum Tum Tugger" ought to be on the primary school curriculum. By the way, just because I have been referring to kids, do not be fooled. The...more
I loved this book long before I knew about _Cats_, or that T. S. Eliot was a serious poet, or even what half the words in the poems meant. The rhythm is so strong and the subjects so silly that I couldn't help but like it. Edward Gorey's illustrations are also delightful and fit the writing perfectly. Someday, if I'm very lucky, I will have the honor of living with a Jellico or Gumbie cat. One caveat, this book was first published in 1934 and Eliot's and a couple of the poems have xenophobic ten...more
Reading this book of poems made me realize that I know these cats somehow. It dawned on me that I knew all their names, but didn't know why. I certainly had some character cats when I was growing up but none like these. Then the light bulb came on! The Broadway play is based on this book! (Not that I've seen it, but I know the names of the cat characters for some reason).
Anyways, T.S. Eliot has the cat character down to a tee. Like he states,
That Cats are much like you and me
And other people...more
Anyways, T.S. Eliot has the cat character down to a tee. Like he states,
That Cats are much like you and me
And other people...more
This book was on my Recommendations book shelf, I think because I'm a huge fan of Edward Gorey, not a crazy cat lady. Unfortunately for me, my library didn't have the edition that Gorey illustrated. So, I read this one. Actually, the illustrations were the only thing I enjoyed about the book. I felt like Eliot was trying too hard to be clever with the names and none of them worked for me. Cap'n Wussenfuss, now that would've been a good name but he didn't come up with that name, I did. They have...more
Who other than T.S. Eliot would be capable of telling us about cats through their own eyes so well? This was so witty and enchanting. The names of the cats, their characters, their stories, were all just amazingly wonderful. The poetry? Do I even need to comment on the perfection that Eliot never fails to bestow upon us?
This was a magical journey that left me with a giant grin and a cat-like mischief for the rest of the day. I wish CATS were still playing; I had no idea that this book was the ba...more
This was a magical journey that left me with a giant grin and a cat-like mischief for the rest of the day. I wish CATS were still playing; I had no idea that this book was the ba...more
I have never had a high opinion of T.S. Eliot. The poems I was forced to read in school may have been wonderful achievements stylistically but they left me cold. The knowledge that he was anti-Semitic and also his treatment of his first wife turned me off as well. But reading this slim volume made me think he must have had some redeeming qualities, for the poems are pure fun, full of whimsy and delight. (And yes, this is the collection that the musical "Cats" was loosely based on, but you will e...more
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| 1001 Children's B...: June 2012: Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats | 2 | 24 | Sep 23, 2012 09:14pm | |
| Was T.S. Eliot a racist? | 10 | 40 | Jul 08, 2012 02:02pm |
Thomas Stearns Eliot was a poet, dramatist and literary critic. He received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1948 "for his outstanding, pioneer contribution to present-day poetry." He wrote the poems The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, The Waste Land, The Hollow Men, Ash Wednesday, and Four Quartets; the plays Murder in the Cathedral and The Cocktail Party; and the essay Tradition and the Individ...more
More about T.S. Eliot...
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“The name that no human research can discover--
But THE CAT HIMSELF KNOWS, and will never confess.
When you notice a cat in profound meditation,
The reason, I tell you, is always the same:
His mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation
Of the thought, of the thought, of the thought of his name:
His ineffable effable
Effanineffable
Deep and inscrutable singular Name.”
—
11 people liked it
But THE CAT HIMSELF KNOWS, and will never confess.
When you notice a cat in profound meditation,
The reason, I tell you, is always the same:
His mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation
Of the thought, of the thought, of the thought of his name:
His ineffable effable
Effanineffable
Deep and inscrutable singular Name.”
“With Cats, some say, one rule is true:
Don’t speak till you are spoken to.
Myself, I do not hold with that —
I say, you should ad-dress a Cat.
But always keep in mind that he
Resents familiarity.
I bow, and taking off my hat,
Ad-dress him in this form: O Cat!
But if he is the Cat next door,
Whom I have often met before
(He comes to see me in my flat)
I greet him with an oopsa Cat!
I think I've heard them call him James —
But we've not got so far as names.”
—
10 people liked it
More quotes…
Don’t speak till you are spoken to.
Myself, I do not hold with that —
I say, you should ad-dress a Cat.
But always keep in mind that he
Resents familiarity.
I bow, and taking off my hat,
Ad-dress him in this form: O Cat!
But if he is the Cat next door,
Whom I have often met before
(He comes to see me in my flat)
I greet him with an oopsa Cat!
I think I've heard them call him James —
But we've not got so far as names.”
