Jennie

An amazing book about a boy who turned into a cat. The boy's hardships as a cat and his friendship with a cat named Jenni are portrayed wonderfuly.Not only for cat lovers - everyone will like this book. I don't like cats very much yet I adore it.

Many years ago I read many of Paul Gallico's books. I found this book very charming. Quite different from the books I usually read. Here a young boy is transformed into a cat and is thrown out of his home by his nanny who hates cats. He meets up with an older female cat who teaches him the tricks and rules on being a cat. The first rule she teaches him is how to wash. When you don't know what to do, she tells him, wash. The book is a half-century old but is as fresh as today. A good read.

I first read this under the English title 'Jenny' years ago and it remained in my mind - especially "When in doubt, wash" - and I have just reread it. My memory hadn't played ticks on me with the passage of time, and it remains the treasure I remembered from way back. All of Paul Gallico's books are wonderful, and no-one should miss 'The Snow Goose' and 'The Hand of Mary Constable' (sadly, I think out of print!). Also, his Mrs 'Arris series. Gallico has entered the mind of the cat without destroying their integrity, mystery and independent natures - there's nothing Walt Disney about this book - and the way he writes is deceptively simple. You can read this book at face value and enjoy it as a 'nice' story, or appreciate it at a deeper philosophical level which is more rewarding. More than a book about 'cats' for 'cat lovers', this book says a lot about humanity and the lack of it without without preaching. It creeps into your heart and head without any effort at all and, more importantly, without the cloying sentimentality that many writers about animals descend to.Be warned, though! If you don't like cats, you probably will after this!

Paul Gallico is one of the best writers of cat stories ever. He understands them better than anyone I have ever read or known. My mother bought "The Abandoned" for me when I was a child, hospitalized in a Swiss hospital during a Christmas vacation. She read it to me. Then I read it. As the years went by we have given it as gifts over and over again to other cat appreciators. The chapter "When in Doubt Wash" is priceless and almost eerie in its human perception of how a cat's mind works. This story of Jennie the cat is written for people of all ages from children to adult. It is an adventure and a love story. Once you read this you will want to read more by the author and you won't be disappointed. Start with "The Silent Miaow."

I've been reunited with an old friend. I first read this book about forty years ago. At that age I had no use for cats; too independent, you know. My grandmother gave me the book for a birthday present. I read it and Jennie became a very special "person" in my life. I prayed nightly that I would be transformed into cat as was the little boy in the story. Of course, I would know what I was doing and I could help all the abandoned cats in the world. I lost my copy in a family move along with many other childhood favorites, and never replaced it. As a sensible, rational adult, I now adore cats. But, I only help one at a time, (my husband never read the book). I don't remember who said it, "You don't have to like cats, but you do have to admire their attitude." I am so pleased to be able to read it again. It will go on my list of special books to give to readers; young and old, cat lovers and those who don't know they love cats yet.