Who Would Like This Book:
Step aboard a 1950s ocean liner through the eyes of an 11-year-old boy and dive into a world of mischief, mystery, and poignant coming-of-age moments. The writing is lush, poetic, and full of subtle humor. Fans of literary fiction, nostalgic childhood adventures, and multilayered character studies will love the quirky cast around the 'cat's table' and Ondaatje’s gentle insights into how fleeting encounters change us over a lifetime. If you enjoy reflective stories with beautifully drawn settings and lingering mysteries, this one’s a treat.
Who May Not Like This Book:
If you crave fast-paced plots or concrete resolutions, this book might test your patience. Its meandering, episodic structure and ambiguous storytelling can feel slow or disconnected, especially if you prefer your mysteries neatly wrapped up. Some found the reflective tone distancing, making it tough to connect emotionally, and if bouncing between timelines isn’t your thing, the narrative jumps might be jarring. Readers looking for a strong, driving plot or action may be left wanting more.
About:
In "The Cat's Table" by Michael Ondaatje, readers are taken on a journey aboard a ship from Ceylon to England in the early 1950s. The story follows an 11-year-old boy named Michael who befriends two other boys while seated at the Cat's Table, the least prestigious table on the ship. As the boys embark on adventures and form connections with the eclectic adults onboard, the voyage becomes a pivotal moment in their lives, shaping their futures. The narrative seamlessly weaves between past and present, exploring themes of growing up, friendship, and the impact of childhood experiences on adulthood.
The book is praised for its elegant writing style, intricate character development, and the way it delves into the complexities of memory and coming of age. Ondaatje's storytelling skillfully captures the essence of a sea voyage, painting vivid imagery of the ship and its passengers, while also exploring deeper themes of friendship, loss, and personal growth. Through a mix of adventure, introspection, and mystery, the novel offers a poignant reflection on the lasting effects of childhood experiences and the connections that shape our lives.
Genres:
Tropes/Plot Devices:
Topics:
Notes:
From The Publisher:
From the acclaimed author of The English Patient comes a stunningly beautiful novel about a boy's life-changing journey from Ceylon to England in the 1950s.
What had there been before such a ship in my life? A dugout canoe on a river journey? A launch in Trincomalee harbour? There were always fishing boats on our horizon. But I could never imagine the grandeur of this castle that was to cross the sea.
In the early 1950s, an eleven-year-old boy boards a huge liner in Colombo bound for England. At mealtimes he is seated at the lowly 'cat's table' , as far from the Captain's table as can be, with a ragtag group of adults and two other boys, Cassius and Ramadhin. As the ship crosses the Indian Ocean the boys tumble from one adventure to another, and at night they spy on a shackled prisoner, his crime and fate a mystery that will haunt them forever...
Ratings (2)
Loved It (2) |
Reader Stats (7):
Read It (2) | |
Want To Read (3) | |
Not Interested (2) |
What can you read after
The Cat's Table?
About the Author:
Michael Ondaatje is the author of several novels, as well as a memoir, a nonfiction book on film, and several books of poetry. Among his many Canadian and international recognitions, his novel The English Patient won the 1992 Man Booker Prize, was adapted into a multi-award winning Oscar movie, and was awarded the Golden Man Booker Prize in 2018; Anil's Ghost won the Giller Prize, the Irish Times International Fiction Prize, and the Prix Médicis; and Warlight was longlisted for the 2018 Man Booker Prize. Born in Sri Lanka, Michael Ondaatje lives in Toronto.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.
