Matthew Flinder's Cat

By: Bryce Courtenay

Narrated by: Humphrey Bower

Length: 16 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

The story of a drunk, a boy, and a cat. Billy O'Shannessy, once a prominent barrister, is now on the street where he sleeps on a bench outside the State Library. Above him on the window sill rests a bronze statue of Matthew Flinders' cat, Trim. Ryan is a 10-year-old, a near-street kid heading for the usual trouble. The two form an unlikely bond. Through telling Ryan the story of Flinders' circumnavigation of Australia as seen through Trim's eyes, Billy is drawn deeply into Ryan's life and into the Sydney underworld.

©2013 Christine Courtenay (P)2014 Publishing Pty. Ltd

Beautifully read, engaging -but may be distressing

Have you listened to any of Humphrey Bower’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No - but I shall seek him out. Hats off to you Mr. Bower!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES!

Any additional comments?

The story was tightly woven and, quite frankly, stretched my credulity at the coincidences in it a bit much. However, the author made me love the main characters so much I set that aside. In fact, all of the characterisations were rich - even those of minor characters - and the reader was absolutely superb.I loved that it was set in Sydney, a city I've visited many times, and introduced a side of it with which I am thankfully not familiar.

The subject matter is adult and could be very distressing for people dealing with the trauma of sexual abuse as well as very tender-hearted animal lovers. I think there should be a warning of this as it could trigger very deep hurts.

Another good read

I have enjoyed all of Bryce Courtenay's books. This one is no exception. Interesting story and great characters

Loved it

This is my 6th Bryce Courtenay book I've listened to on Audible. As usual there are some difficult themes, this one graphic child sex abuse but it is balanced by humor and human decency. I loved the Matthew Flinders/Trim story. One of the reasons I like Courtenay's books so much is the richly detailed descriptions of life in Australia and Africa since they are places I'll likely never see. Humphrey Bower as narrator is incomparable.

Rushed at the end

Nicely paced by the author most of the way... then it seems like he rushed the finish.

Great Narrator

I really like this narrator which is why I chose this book. I thought the book was decent but I wasnt a big fan of the stories the old man told about the cat. They were way too long and it didnt have anything to do with the story.

Authentic Australia

The story of Billy, Ryan, the characters of Sydney's underbelly, and the city itself ring absolutely true to this Australian, and Humphrey Bower does a wonderful job of bringing the characters to life, with his authentic Australian voices. The story of Trim and Matthew Flinders, gives depth and an historical counterpoint to this tale of despair, courage and redemption in modern Australia.

The Battle of Two Tales

There was a story within a story in this book. The main story about a derelict and a wayward boy is quite good. I liked the way the author develops the characters and allows them to move and grow as we read. The smaller story about Trim the cat was also interesting but at times I felt it really slowed down the main story. I think the story of Trim was important but the author spent way to much time on the minutia of the tale. I got very bored during some of the ocean voyage because it went on and on about things that didn't matter. There was so much of that detail that was not necessary for the main story to move forward. So although I liked the story about Billy, it was at times hard to get through.

Interesting perspective

Not as powerful as the Power of One, but an entertaining perspective of an alcoholic who had it all and what can push someone over the edge and then bring them back.

Excellent

Another Brilliant story from Bryce Courtney. An amazing relationship formed on the streets of Sydney between a derelict drunk and a street wise boy. It all started with a tale about a cat! A must read/download. Beautifully narrated by Humphrey Bower.

A story about a cat?

Another great l book from Bryce Courtenay. Love almost everything Bryce Courtenay wrote and this was not disappointing. Seamlessly weaves the adventure of Captain Flinder and his cat with the recovery of a lawyer living in the streets, and a child being forced into the sex trade. #Australia #addiction #HappyEnding #tagsgiving #sweepstakes