The Fur Person

What a treat to learn the story of Tom Jones, the Fur Person, formerly known as Cat About Town, and his search for a place to go home to. Told from the Gentleman Cat's perspective, we learn some of the rules of life as a Cat About Town, and as a Gentleman Cat who has chosen to grace certain humans (Gentle Voice and Brusque Voice) with his presence. Of course we readers will understand the somewhat puzzling transition from Terrible Jones the street fighter, to Glorious Jones who would rather keep his shirt clean and indulge in the occasional snort of catnip (it had something to do with that terrifying trip to "the hospital", but beyond that...) Whimsical, yet insightful, if you know cats yourself. Beautifully illustrated, too.

Cute, and a loving portrait of a dear pet with an imagined history, but all cats and dogs and many other non-humans are persons with or without having to have a relationship with one of our sorry lot, so the last paragraphs tanked the book for me. The added bit in this 1978 edition about Nabokov was splendid.

Like many of the books I've recently reviewed, I picked this book at The Book Thing based off the fact it looked and sounded silly rather than any real understanding of what it contained.

The title, the cover, and even the little blurb on the front and back of this book really don't do it much justice.

Rather than being something questionable, this book turned out to be a rather charming romp through the life of a cat. The prose was generally pretty, and the story incredibly sweet. I think the bulk of it would be lost on someone who's never owned a cat or has no love for them, but for someone who grew up with a little tuxedo kitty it was a nice reminder of my cat and the time I've spent with him.

This is a very quick read, but ultimately a show more decent one. I'll be passing it on to my mother, and I've a feeling she'll be passing it on to a few of her nieces who foster kittens. It definitely deserves a place among the annals of cat literature - which I now understand truly exists.

I appreciate the fact that this book encourages people to view things from their pet's perspective rather than treating them like a plush toy. show less

The Fur Person is a short novella by poet/authoress May Sarton who tells about the stray cat that found it’s way into her home and her heart. Considering himself a Cat About Town, he has lived a fairly carefree life but he decides it is time to become a Gentleman Cat and find a home. He is most particular over his requirements but believes he has found the perfect home with the two ladies that take him in. Of course it wouldn’t be a May Sarton book without some poems, and our Gentleman Cat offers up some excellent rhymes.

Renamed Tom Jones he goes through a few stages where he is Terrible Jones, the fighter, then, after being fixed he becomes Gentle Cat, Cat of Peace, Glorious Jones and, finally Fur Person. This is an author who show more obviously knows and understands cats and above all, allows Tom Jones to maintain his dignity. The story is simple and charming being based on the life of Sarton’s cat, but avoids crossing over into become too sweet. The book has some lovely illustrations by David Canright and was originally published in 1957. It has withstood the test of time and will be greatly appreciated by those of us who have had the pleasure of having a cat in their life. show less

The Fur Person is a book that I think any cat lover will cherish. I reread it every couple of years and can always see so much of my cats in Tom Jones (even though my cats are girls). We follow Tom Jones on his journey from a Cat About Town to his discovery of a loving family, and his evolution with his new family, Brusque Voice (May Sarton) and Gentle Voice (Judy Matlack), from Gentleman Cat into a Fur Person. I would imagine that May Sarton took some literary freedom in relating Tom's early years before he became part of her and Judy's family, but his time with them is based on his true adventures. It's a charming little story that any cat lover can relate to.

The Fur Person is a book that I think any cat lover will cherish. I reread it every couple of years and can always see so much of my cats in Tom Jones (even though my cats are girls). We follow Tom Jones on his journey from a Cat About Town to his discovery of a loving family, and his evolution with his new family, Brusque Voice (May Sarton) and Gentle Voice (Judy Matlack), from Gentleman Cat into a Fur Person. I would imagine that May Sarton took some literary freedom in relating Tom's early years before he became part of her and Judy's family, but his time with them is based on his true adventures. It's a charming little story that any cat lover can relate to.

The Fur Person is a book that I think any cat lover will cherish. I reread it every couple of years and can always see so much of my cats in Tom Jones (even though my cats are girls). We follow Tom Jones on his journey from a Cat About Town to his discovery of a loving family, and his evolution with his new family, Brusque Voice (May Sarton) and Gentle Voice (Judy Matlack), from Gentleman Cat into a Fur Person. I would imagine that May Sarton took some literary freedom in relating Tom's early years before he became part of her and Judy's family, but his time with them is based on his true adventures. It's a charming little story that any cat lover can relate to.