Lucy Maud and the Cavendish Cat

Anne of Green Gables has always been one of my very favorite books, and its creator, L.M. Montgomery, one of my favorite authors. I've read her entire body of work - novels and short stories - multiple times, and even started a Kindred Spirits discussion group on another site, in order to meet other devotees and share our mutual obsession interest. Despite all of this, I'd not heard of this sweet little picture-book, which tells the story of Lucy Maud and her beloved cat Daffy, until a friend brought it to my attention (thank you, Gundula!). How fortunate that she did, as Lucy Maud and the Cavendish Cat is a poignant, engaging (and true!) tale, one with appeal for both cat lovers and Montgomery fans.

I loved Daffy, the little gray kitten show more that Lucy Maud brings home to Cavendish, and who grows into a beautiful feline companion. I like to think that he was keeping the great author company, as she composed one of my all-time favorite stories. I was terribly sad when he was left behind (poor Daffy!), and felt for him during his traumatic surprise journey, but the happy ending brought tears to my eyes. (yes, I've a weakness for sentimental cat stories, so sue me!) The story itself is true to life, being scrupulously based upon Montgomery's own journals. The illustrations are from Janet Wilson - whose work I have enjoyed in titles such as Solomon's Tree and At Grandpa's Sugar Bush - have a lovely impressionistic quality to them. All in all, a most satisfying book, both as an animal story that can stand on its own, and as a tale about one of Canada's outstanding authors. Highly recommended! show less

A lovely, sweet story about Lucy Maud Montgomery's cat Daffy, Lucy Maud and the Cavendish Cat really tugs at your heartstrings. Gleaned mostly from the many references to Daffy that appear in L.M. Montgomery's journals, Lynn Manuel's engaging and evocative text shows how Daffy becomes Maud's companion, her intimate friend, how she often reads to her cat from the manuscript of the novel she is writing (the future Anne of Green Gables). However, upon the death of Maud's grandmother, her house becomes the property of Maud's uncle and both Maud and Daffy are forced to move to a place called Park Corner, to stay with relatives who are strangers to Daffy.

I have to admit that I both cried and was somewhat angry at the fact that upon her show more marriage, Maud seemingly abandons Daffy at Park Corner. Oh, I know that she could not have taken a cat along on her wedding tour, but being suddenly alone and frightened in a strange, unfamiliar hayloft did make me very sad for poor Daffy. And while I am heart-glad that Maud sends for Daffy as soon as she has settled in Ontario with her new husband, I do wish that she had gone to P.E.I. herself to retrieve her cat. Daffy's long and solitary journey from P.E.I. to Ontario (in a large wooden box) is described as being frightening to the extreme for him (he has no idea what is happening and thinks he has fallen into a deep dark well). The end of the story, with little grey Daffy once again in Maud's arms in his new home in Ontario is sweet and satisfying, but my heart did ache for him alone in a strange hayloft, and I could understand and feel his pain, fear and confusion on his solitary trip from P.E.I. to Ontario.

Janet Wilson's lush full-page illustrations are an absolute treat for the eyes. Reminiscent of impressionism, they capture not only the beauty of P.E.I., but also the facial expressions and mannerisms of both Daffy and the people around him (like Maud and Grandmother MacNeill for example). The evocative pictures do not only complement and mirror Lynn Manuel's narrative, they are lovely in and of themselves and would not be out of place in an art gallery. And although obviously not as colourful and descriptive as the full-page paintings (pictures), the sepia coloured vignettes that appear with the text proper, the narrative are also lovely, adding both humour and poigancy to the story. Highly recommended to and for fans of L.M, Montgomery both young and old (and actually anyone who enjoys sweet and poignant animal stories). show less

This picture book is more for adults who love L. M. Montgomery's books than for children reading Anne of Green Gables or the other books. The story is pieced together from some of the writings in the author's journals, but it doesn't flow well. The illustrations are mediocre as far as picture books are concerned. I really liked a few of them, but there were others that left much to be desired.