The Cat and Mrs. Cary

by Doris Gates

Mrs. Cary takes in a talking cat and a convalescing nephew who help find a hidden treasure in the attic and appreciate her for the remarkable woman she is. Illustrated by Peggy Bacon.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Mystery, Historical, Cats

216 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1962

About the author

Doris Gates, 1901-1987

A lifelong resident of California, Doris Gates was for many years, she was a librarian for the Fresno County Free Library. However, she is remembered for her many beloved children's books. Of these, the best known and most influential was Blue Willow (1940), selected as a Newbery Honor Book in 1941. Many consider Blue Willow to have been the first realistic, problem novel for children, and it was recognized both for its lasting literary merit and for its expansion of the range of subjects which could be explored in books for children. She died in 1987.

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Several years ago, I decided I'd like to find a copy of this book to read aloud to my son, who at the time was very much enjoying animal stories. I had read it as a child and remembered it being good. As I habitually visit used bookstores whenever I possibly can, I guess I thought a copy would just serendipitously fall in my path, but that didn't happen, and it's shame because now that I've finally revisited it (on my own), I'm sure my almost 15 year-old would have enjoyed it a lot five years ago.

Mrs. Cary (whose first name we are never told) is a self-sufficient middle-aged widow who is astonished when she meets a talking cat (named only "The Cat") whose words only she can understand -- everyone else just hears meowing. She has just moved into a beautiful old house by the sea, and has planned out the rest of her smooth and well-ordered life, uninterrupted by any personal entanglements. The Cat moves in and shakes things up, and Mrs. Cary finds herself inviting a 12 year-old nephew, Brad, who is recovering from a serious illness to convalesce by the sea. A local mystery ensues, a part of the book which I hadn't remembered from childhood, and which interested me just as little this time around. What I did like was the amusingly tart dialog between the two title characters, and Brad's delight at being an audience to what sounds to him like his aunt brilliantly improvising a one-sided conversation in response to The Cat's meows. And I liked the gradual unfolding of the relationship between Mrs. Cary and Brad, and between The Cat and both of them, all of which I found very endearing. Because of course it turns out that Mrs. Cary hadn't realized that she was actually lonely before they came.

I can kind of understand why this book fell into obscurity. The mystery plot felt perfunctory to me, and it seems a little odd to me now that a children's book should mostly be told from the point of a middle-aged woman, although I didn't mind that at the time. None-the-less, it's one I was glad to rediscover, and I suppose being a middle-aged woman myself on this reading didn't hurt.

[Sarah TheAromaofBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure why, but I have a real fondness for this book. It's one I used to check out of the library when I was a kid, and then eventually bought the discard at the library booksale. It's a really fun children's book, so the plot is somewhat simplified, but there is still enough of a mystery to keep things moving. It's kind of interesting to have a children's book be mostly about an adult (Mrs. Cary, whose first name we never actually learn!), and I love the way that Mrs. Cary finds out The Cat can talk, and then just goes with it, like has literally no problem accepting this! I also like that even though The Cat can talk, he is still 100% obnoxious cat.

All in all, while this story isn't one that's full of crazy twists and turns, it's still a fun and entertaining story with some gentle lessons about family and togetherness along the way.

[Sydney Groth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in fourth grade so I decided to read it again as an adult. Cute, short, silly, and there is a small mystery! Satisfying ending.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by an old friend. While it is a children's book, I appreciated the fact that it does not talk down to the reader. The dealings between characters (including The Cat, believe it or not) are true to life. In addition, for a book that happens during a 'lazy summer vacation' it has a lot going on. Now I will see if my young niece would like to read it. If she has the time, I am sure she will enjoy it, too.
By the way, the cat on the cover of this book looks a lot more sinister than I would say is the case. The book I had came with a different, simpler picture on the cover, in which the cat was a pile of fur sleeping on the floor. Don't let this picture scare you away.

[Jim Gatteys]

This is one of the first books I ever remember reading. Just thought I'd see if I could find it on goodreads and what do you know. I can't remember much about the books but for the talking cat. I have always wanted one of those. I think the world would be a better place if our pets could converse with us.

[Paula Newbanks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gotta love the old books, actual plot, characters and a finish that you can believe!!! :-)

[Kathy G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a delightful book I read when a child. I bought an old copy and every once in awhile, I read it again. It's a mystery book, though it's more than that. It would appeal to a pre-teen child. But, it was written in the 60's. Mrs. Cary is a sweet elderly lady who has just moved into a cottage in a town by the sea. Well, there's a mystery around the house and this Tom cat who calls himself THE Tom, starts talking to Mrs. Cary. In fact, only Mrs. Cary can hear him. I love the old language in the book that children today might not get---- like "He will sally forth." You don't hear words like this anymore! A delightful, sweet, fun book.

[Nancy Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

A children's book (now would probably be considered in the Tween category of the library) about a talking cat, known as simply The Cat, and a woman who is adopted by the cat in exchange for food and shelter as opposed to eating her goldfish out of her pond. Added into the mix are smugglers and her nephew Brad, makes a story worth reading.

[White-paw · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an okay book. Personally I found stuck in one place, and it wasn't superbly interesting. I picked it up because it had a cat in it. End of story. Also, does anyone know how to provide a photo for the book, because I found one.

[Partridge Public]

Gates, Doris

[Katharine Ott · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Cat and Mrs Cary" - written by Doris Gates and published in 1962 by Viking Children's Books. A nice, old-fashioned children's novel.

[Phyllis 'Miller' Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this one in the 6th grade and was totally enthralled with it. I have recently purchased the book and plan to read it again for old times sake.

[Tiamat_the_red]

I read this many years ago, I'm pretty sure. I enjoyed it as a kid, but I haven't read it in ages.

[Darlene (Dar) Wyckoff]

Loved it!