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

beautiful but slow story

The language is so beautiful, the scenes on the ship come to life so vividly. The chronology is sometimes difficult, but certainly an enjoyable listen.

Rambling after a charming beginning

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Yes but not real strongly - it the least well done of several books I've read by author

Has The Cat's Table turned you off from other books in this genre?

No

What about Michael Ondaatje’s performance did you like?

Engaging way of reading

Was The Cat's Table worth the listening time?

On a scale of one to ten I would give it a six

Mesmerizing

I never wanted it to end. Romantic, captivating, lyrical, haunting. One of the best books I've ever read or heard.

A NICE TALE

The story about the young boy who is being sent off to England on his own is done well with the insight of a child his age. Although there is no climatic crisis the tale moves along, also quite well. The variety of characters the boy encounters at the cat's table and elsewhere on the ship are introduced in a way that makes it easy to know and remember them from the first encounters. I have always thought the narrator could make or break an audiobook. This narrator was as good as one gets.

love the book, just not the audio version

Would you listen to The Cat's Table again? Why?

No

Who was your favorite character and why?

Michael

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

Someone that is a professional audio book reader. I usually love listening to the author read, especially autobiographies like Bossypants and Kitchen Confidential. But Michael is impossible to understand. I listen to audiobooks on my long commute on the highway, and I had to turn it up to deafening loud to even sort of understand what he was saying. In addition, to his accent being difficult to understand, he would trail off and speak more quietly at the end of every sentence. Insufferable.

If you could rename The Cat's Table, what would you call it?

keep the title

Any additional comments?

Loved the characters, and thought the story was worth a read.

Disappointing !! phony

The reading by the author monotonous,boring,falsely nostalgic pseudo romantic.
A bit better than Divisadero, but that is not saying much.
Astrid Rusquellas

I tried and could not finish

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

A person who is not into character development, a person who likes a stagnant or missing plot, and someone who is patient enough to listen to ten minutes of description and one minute of dialogue.

What was most disappointing about Michael Ondaatje’s story?

The snails pace. Slow can be good in a story if there is an element which entertains the reader. This was lacking any magical element.

Which scene was your favorite?

I can't say there is Ny scene that is my favorite.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Frustration- it had some potential but it fizzles badly.

boring, self centered author

Story is really slow, author is long winded. i was at least hoping for some historical insights, not
much of that eirher. could not finish even with long commute to work. not worth the time or money.

I couldn't get into this Book - The Cat's Table

I am really writing this review to myself, so that later, at a differnt time in my life, I may decide to try to listen again.