The Cat's Table

By: Michael Ondaatje

Narrated by: Michael Ondaatje

Length: 7 hrs

Publisher's summary

In the early 1950s, an 11-year-old boy in Colombo boards a ship bound for England. At mealtimes he is seated at the “cat’s table” - as far from the Captain’s Table as can be - with a ragtag group of “insignificant” adults and two other boys, Cassius and Ramadhin. As the ship makes its way across the Indian Ocean, through the Suez Canal, into the Mediterranean, the boys tumble from one adventure to another, bursting all over the place like freed mercury. But there are other diversions as well: One man talks with them about jazz and women, another opens the door to the world of literature. The narrator’s elusive, beautiful cousin Emily becomes his confidante, allowing him to see himself “with a distant eye” for the first time, and to feel the first stirring of desire. Another Cat’s Table denizen, the shadowy Miss Lasqueti, is perhaps more than what she seems. And very late every night, the boys spy on a shackled prisoner, his crime and his fate a galvanizing mystery that will haunt them forever.

As the narrative moves between the decks and holds of the ship and the boy’s adult years, it tells a spellbinding story - by turns poignant and electrifying - about the magical, often forbidden, discoveries of childhood and a lifelong journey that begins unexpectedly with a spectacular sea voyage.

©2011 Michael Ondaatje (P)2011 Random House Audio

Cat's Table

There is a good reason why this book has won accolades. Listen to it and find out for yourself. Listening to Michael Ondaatje reading this wonderful book is mesmerizing, and as deep as the ocean.

No raving master piece review here

I've read many reviews of The Cat's Table and they are almost all extremely enthusiastic appraisals of the complex, enigmatic, eloquent, elegant, evocative, ethereal and literary word-craftsmanship of Michael Ondaatje's new novel. Well, I have to say that it is definitely well crafted but the author seems to me the wrong choice to narrate his own creation. The book had the potential to be a exciting journey of life but ended up being a complete drag to get through. At many times it feels like the author tried to be a word-magician instead of having a book that immerses you in its story line. I have no doubt that it is very different if you read it yourself, but as an audio book it was a little boring and non engaging.

Horrible monotone narrator

If you could sum up The Cat's Table in three words, what would they be?

Narrator is dreadful

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Michael Ondaatje?

Anybody else. I loved the book, but had to put it down, because it was so straining to hear and understand Michael Ondaatge's voice. It was extremely monotone and he finishes all his sentences with a fade out. I have stopped listening to a few audible books because the books were bad, but I have never stopped listening because of the narration. But, it was simply too much to overcome.

Sometimes authors shouldn't read their books

What did you like best about The Cat's Table? What did you like least?

I love Ondaatje's characters and he develops a good story. I wish I could have enjoyed it more and would have with a better reader.

Would you recommend The Cat's Table to your friends? Why or why not?

I may read the book and then decide.

What didn’t you like about Michael Ondaatje’s performance?

I have heard MO in person and he is a compelling speaker. As a reader he is difficult to follow -- far too soft and rather flat in his presentation. Such a shame.

Was The Cat's Table worth the listening time?

No - it was hard to follow because of the poor presentation.

A matter of individual taste?

this book more than some may depend on personal taste. It was well done from a technical standpoint I tend to like plot more than character development but if you’re into character development this may be just for you.

A very compelling story

What did you love best about The Cat's Table?

The characters are haunting and the story is very intriguing. It was interesting to hear the words and tones of the author's reading. As all book listeners know, the reader makes all the difference in the world and hearing Ondaatje's voice added to the book for me.

What does Michael Ondaatje bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Credibility and a more melancholy tone than I think I would have read myself..

Any additional comments?

The story is very interesting and informative of a specific time in history. A sweet story, it's also sad; the characters have very complicated lives.

Superb - But Not For All Readers or All Situations

This audiobook is very different from most in how it is presented. Picture sitting in the library room of an old, grand manor at night, curled up on a sofa by a crackling fire, while a distinguished man in an armchair quietly reads to you from some leather-bound volume in his lap. That is the feel and quality of this recording, with both the benefits and drawbacks that come with it.

The soft, rich voice of the author is both lyrical and melodious - and that remains a constant of the production. His voice lulls you into a nearly hypnotic state where you can end up just listening to the sound of him speaking, and miss what is actually being SAID. What this meant for me was that the book took more concentration than I normally need, because there were no audio cues of any event taking place. Accounts of a quiet afternoon tea are read with the exact same tone and cadence as the description of a dramatic, terrifying storm at sea, or the occurrence of an attempted murder. Blink, and you'll miss it.

To me, the story was beautiful and honest. It took far more time than usual to learn about and care for the cast of characters (and through this to appreciate the story in it's entirety); but in real life, we don't really know someone's full value when we meet them. People are nuanced, complicated, and cautious; and it takes time, care, and effort to fully understand and appreciate them. We reveal ourselves slowly. I thought this story was a great reminder of this.

In the end, whether you enjoy this book may possibly depend on what your expectations are, and what situation you will be listening to it in. I can't imagine having gotten as much from it, or enjoying it nearly so much if I was listening in the car over a handful of days, as I sometimes do; but listening to it at home, quietly, over the course of 24 hours was a rare and special treat that felt both magical and intimate.

This story will stay with me, and I'm glad to know it.

A Must Read

This is a tender story and a masterful way of learning about other people 's lives. I agree with the reviewer who likened this to the kind of book that you can imagine reading in a beautifully appointed library. I can't remember enjoying a book so deeply.

Good story but Author has a low voice.

The story and characters are interesting. The authors voice is so low when reading it is difficult to hear sometimes.

Brilliantly read and conceived.

This is a poetic performance that deserves the slow, measured delivery that Michael Ondaatje gives the written material. The story evolves in a mesmerizing, understated evolution. I've listened to it twice and will look forward to hearing it again.