Thomasina: The Cat Who Thought She Was a God

This is a favorite story from my childhood, my children's childhoods, and now I have a granddaughter who loves it too! Disney made it into a movie that was good, but reading Paul Gallico's original story is so much better! Highly recommended for ANY animal or book lover!

I love cats and dogs, always have. So after 40 years of loving them, I've read almost everything by everyone about them. I'd seen Disney's Thomasina as a child, so when I saw the book for sale used I grabbed it. I am enthralled by its beauty, depth and charm. The story wound its way around my heart and never let go. I also recommend THE UGLY DACHSUND - a funny out-of-print story about dogs and TAILCHASER'S SONG, a watership-down type story, but wonderful. And two of my all-time favorites, THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY and WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS. Nothing I've read in the last 15 years, no fiction at least, can touch these beloved stories. If you enjoy non-fiction and enjoyed Thomasina, read THE DOG WHO RESCUES CATS about an adoreable little mutt Ginny who finds and rescues injured and needy stray cats. It will melt your heart.

I first encountered "Thomasina, The Cat Who Thought She Was God" in the library of my parochial grade-school, almost 40 years ago. I imagine the deacons were utterly unaware of what a "subversive", shamanic book they were providing their 2nd-grade student! Perhaps they were lulled by the innocuous Disney film version. Certainly they could not suppose that Paul Gallico would write "merely" a simple cat-story? For it is the combined power of Christianity and Paganism, interwoven with the ancient Egyptian cat-magick of Bubastis, which saves the souls of all the characters of this story. Set in rural Scotland in the early 50's, this is the tale of hard-hearted widowed veterinarian Andrew McDhui, his little daughter, and her beloved cat Thomasina. Resentful of his daughter's affection for her pet, he callously orders Thomasina destroyed. When his child falls ill from grief, it takes all the love of the village bairns, the Protestant vicar, the feared and misunderstood Red Witch of the Glen -- and the interference of the Divine Feline, Bast Herself -- to bring about a miracle and restore McDhui's faith in God. This is an inspired story about the many Paths which can be taken to that faith, and the varied and equally-legitimate aspects of God/dess. Bast has walked beside me since I first met Her through "Thomasina". Even now, as I reread the book every few years, I find it an emotionally-draining but spiritually-uplifting experience. And yes, it is also a good cat-story.

I don't like all Paul Gallico's work, but this one is charming and beautifully written. Tomasina gives as a true cat's view of hunans and the world, and is loveable for all her conceit. Everyone who loves a cat will recognise her.

This book was the most touching story I had ever read. I actually felt deep sorrow and almost cried when Thomasina was going to be destroyed. This is a great book. It may be long, and slow reading, but I recommend it to any one who likes cats, and exciting page-turning stories!