Jennie
by Paul Gallico
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When Peter, an eight-year-old London boy with neglectful parents and a distant nanny, is transformed into a cat after rescuing a stray, Jennie, from being hit by a car, Jennie takes care of him despite her contempt for humans.Tags
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I really feel so confused about this book. It was recommended to me as someone who loves cats. And it is one of the best tributes to cats and cat lovers, if not the absolute best. I even fact checked some of the information the cats share in the book and as far as I can tell, they're all accurate.
There were two moments in the book when I found myself weeping. Absolutely spoke to me.
But, then, the rest of the book really confused me. The pacing was on and off. One moment I couldn't put it down, then the next, I found myself unable to pick it back up.
I found myself struggling to determine the relationship between Peter and Jennie, and perhaps it was intentionally done. I found several points in the story when the character development was show more questionable.
Overall, I feel like I'll keep thinking about this book and there will be many quotes I'll revisit. But I don't think I'll ever reread it.
I am grateful for my time with it, however. show less
There were two moments in the book when I found myself weeping. Absolutely spoke to me.
But, then, the rest of the book really confused me. The pacing was on and off. One moment I couldn't put it down, then the next, I found myself unable to pick it back up.
I found myself struggling to determine the relationship between Peter and Jennie, and perhaps it was intentionally done. I found several points in the story when the character development was show more questionable.
Overall, I feel like I'll keep thinking about this book and there will be many quotes I'll revisit. But I don't think I'll ever reread it.
I am grateful for my time with it, however. show less
London hasn't been kind to Peter, a lonely boy whose parents are always out at parties, and though Peter would love to have a cat for company, his nanny won't hear of it. One day, as Peter is walking out the door, he sees a truck bearing down on a tabby. Dashing out to save the cat, he is struck by the oncoming truck himself.
Everything is different when Peter comes to: He has fur, whiskers, and claws; he has become a cat himself! But London isn't any kinder to cats than it is to children. Jennie, a savvy stray who takes charge of Peter, knows that all too well. Jennie schools young Peter in the ways of cats, including how to sniff out a nice napping spot, the proper way to dine on mouse, and the single most important tactic a cat can show more learn: "When in doubt, wash." Jennie and Peter will face many challenges--and not all of them are from the dangerous outside world--in their struggle to find a place that is truly home. show less
Everything is different when Peter comes to: He has fur, whiskers, and claws; he has become a cat himself! But London isn't any kinder to cats than it is to children. Jennie, a savvy stray who takes charge of Peter, knows that all too well. Jennie schools young Peter in the ways of cats, including how to sniff out a nice napping spot, the proper way to dine on mouse, and the single most important tactic a cat can show more learn: "When in doubt, wash." Jennie and Peter will face many challenges--and not all of them are from the dangerous outside world--in their struggle to find a place that is truly home. show less
Delightful story about a lonely boy who loves cats and finds himself turned into one. He rushes into the street after a tabby kitten and is hit by a car when the transformation happens. Unceremoniously thrown out of the house, Peter-now-the-cat must find his way in a terrifying new world where everything once familiar is now strange. Luckily he meets a very kind and street-wise female named Jennie who is quite skeptical of his story until she realizes he does not at all behave like a cat, and moreover can read and understand human speech. Jennie takes it upon herself to teach Peter how to survive as a stray and moreover, how to act and think like a cat- all the little skills and rules of conduct for his new life. They have quite a show more number of adventures, including time spent as ship's cats, and become very fond of each other, even though Peter longs for the comforts of his past life while Jennie cannot bring herself to trust human beings. This is a wonderful book I wish I'd encountered as a child but am very glad it stands up to my first reading it as an adult. I don't know which I liked more, the deep story of friendship and trust, or the wonderful details of being feline. The ending feels like a bit of a cop-out, but I dismissed that easily enough. I'd read it again.
It has also been published with the title Jennie.
from the Dogear Diary show less
It has also been published with the title Jennie.
from the Dogear Diary show less
Imagine a boy who becomes a cat, and then, imagine me, a cat, reading about the boy who becomes a cat, and in my mind I'm becoming the boy who has become the cat. Yes, I was there when Peter, the cat, was thrown out into the cold streets of London. I was with him being jostled by the feet of the people hurrying along the sidewalk. The loud noises of the cars in the rain jangled my nerves.
And finally I find a place to get out of the rain and the cold, and who do I run into but that big yellow bully.-Well Peter did anyway-but I was right there with him. Well, I wish I had been right there with him. Together we'd have taught that behemoth a lesson.
Then there I was crawling along with Peter, nursing my wounds, hungry and in pain, and I, show more too, was soothed by Jenny's kind touch.
It was all a bit like I'd had too much catnip. (My apologies to abstainers).
And that was just the beginning of my adventures. Over the next few days I lived months of Peter's life. I learned to wash and hunt (well I already knew how, but Peter didn't). Jenny and I lived aboard a ship, hunting mice for our keep. Twice we thought that we were doomed (I’d say more but I don’t want to spoil it for you), but through it all we looked out for each other.
Any cat would love this book. And if you are one of those special people who truly want to find out what it feels like to be a cat, this is the book to do it. It's like the Black Beauty of cats-not that I've read that book but I've heard a lot about it. If it made you cry, so will the Abandoned.
Also, parents, this is a cautionary tale. If you should have a little boy or a little girl who loves cats, but you have not allowed her to have one. Well, just read this book and I'm sure you'll see the error of your ways.
[SPOILER]
All this is wonderful, but then comes the really scary part towards the end, when Peter becomes a boy again. I guess I knew it had to happen. It is the way these stories go. Someone kisses the frog and he turns back into a prince. The beast turns back into another prince. The 12 wild swans turn back into boys. You know the pattern. But this is different, you know, to turn that way, from cat to human, such a downfall. Oh, ok, perhaps it was okay for him. He started out that way. He missed his parents, and, maybe he would be able to remember something of how noble he had been and to keep a little of Jennie in his heart. But then, I just couldn’t get it out of my head. What if it happened to me? I can feel you shudder. Think of it, school, and then the job. Years and years of the job. It scares me now every time I go to sleep.
Nonetheless, it’s a very good book. Humans especially should read it. And cats too, just not before bed. show less
And finally I find a place to get out of the rain and the cold, and who do I run into but that big yellow bully.-Well Peter did anyway-but I was right there with him. Well, I wish I had been right there with him. Together we'd have taught that behemoth a lesson.
Then there I was crawling along with Peter, nursing my wounds, hungry and in pain, and I, show more too, was soothed by Jenny's kind touch.
It was all a bit like I'd had too much catnip. (My apologies to abstainers).
And that was just the beginning of my adventures. Over the next few days I lived months of Peter's life. I learned to wash and hunt (well I already knew how, but Peter didn't). Jenny and I lived aboard a ship, hunting mice for our keep. Twice we thought that we were doomed (I’d say more but I don’t want to spoil it for you), but through it all we looked out for each other.
Any cat would love this book. And if you are one of those special people who truly want to find out what it feels like to be a cat, this is the book to do it. It's like the Black Beauty of cats-not that I've read that book but I've heard a lot about it. If it made you cry, so will the Abandoned.
Also, parents, this is a cautionary tale. If you should have a little boy or a little girl who loves cats, but you have not allowed her to have one. Well, just read this book and I'm sure you'll see the error of your ways.
[SPOILER]
All this is wonderful, but then comes the really scary part towards the end, when Peter becomes a boy again. I guess I knew it had to happen. It is the way these stories go. Someone kisses the frog and he turns back into a prince. The beast turns back into another prince. The 12 wild swans turn back into boys. You know the pattern. But this is different, you know, to turn that way, from cat to human, such a downfall. Oh, ok, perhaps it was okay for him. He started out that way. He missed his parents, and, maybe he would be able to remember something of how noble he had been and to keep a little of Jennie in his heart. But then, I just couldn’t get it out of my head. What if it happened to me? I can feel you shudder. Think of it, school, and then the job. Years and years of the job. It scares me now every time I go to sleep.
Nonetheless, it’s a very good book. Humans especially should read it. And cats too, just not before bed. show less
This is probably the strangest book I've read this year. I picked it up on a whim (because cat and limited options) and I ended up having a surprisingly good time for most of it (although the ending confuses me...). I will say that Peter definitely doesn't feel like an eight year old though... At first kind of but then he suddenly gets very mature and things get weird but overall, it was a fun read! I did enjoy Peter learning how to be a cat. Gallico definitely did a surprisingly good job at getting into a cat's mind
If you want to enjoy reading this book, please only read up until chapter 23. If you want to ruin your enjoyment of the book, read until the end.
From chapter 23 onwards truly just throws away fucking everything. I don't understand what the fuck Gallico was thinking bro. Up until then, every "rule" of cat life was somewhat rooted in reality; rooted in cat behaviour. But then he just goes completely off the rails and makes me hate both Peter and Jennie, as well as just being completely confused. He ruins the characters and the ending makes the entire book annoying and pointless.
Up until Chapter blank: 85/100
From chapter blank to the end: 12/100
I left a sticky note for the next person who may read this book (if there ever is one). I show more really do hope that they heed my warning. show less
From chapter 23 onwards truly just throws away fucking everything. I don't understand what the fuck Gallico was thinking bro. Up until then, every "rule" of cat life was somewhat rooted in reality; rooted in cat behaviour. But then he just goes completely off the rails and makes me hate both Peter and Jennie, as well as just being completely confused. He ruins the characters and the ending makes the entire book annoying and pointless.
Up until Chapter blank: 85/100
From chapter blank to the end: 12/100
I left a sticky note for the next person who may read this book (if there ever is one). I show more really do hope that they heed my warning. show less
Started reading this book, which I'd liked as a child, to my daughter Rumer during pregnancy (after Watership Down). After a long hiatus, read the last few chapters to her in person during the last few hours of her life (aged three months). A fittingly heart-rending story, really sad; somewhat racist in places.
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Series
Belongs to Publisher Series
Work Relationships
Is contained in
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Jennie
- Original title
- Jennie
- Alternate titles
- The Abandoned
- Original publication date
- 1950
- People/Characters
- Jennie Baldrin; Peter Brown
- Important places
- London, England, UK; Glasgow, Scotland, UK
- Epigraph
- POUSSIE, POUSSIE, BAUDRONS
"Poussie, poussie, baudrons,
Whaur hae ye been?"
"I've been tae London,
Tae see the queen."
"Poussie, poussie, baudrons,
Whit gat ye there?"
"I gat a guid fat mousiki... (show all)e,
Rinnin' up a stair!"
"Poussie, poussie, baudrons,
Whit did ye dae wi' it?"
"I pit it in ma meal-poke,
Tae eat tae ma breid."
OLD SCOTTISH NURSERY RHYME - First words
- Peter guessed that he must have been hurt in the accident though he could not remember very much from the time he had left the safety of Scotch nanny's side and run out across the street to get to the garden in the square, wh... (show all)ere the tabby striped kitten was warming herself by the railing and washing in the early spring sunshine.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)And he smiled up at all the people crowded around his bed.
- Disambiguation notice
- Has been published under two different titles: "Jennie" and "The Abandoned"
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- Reviews
- 25
- Rating
- (4.16)
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- 6 — Dutch, English, German, Hebrew, Japanese, Russian
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- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
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