The Abandoned [Hardcover]

Paul Gallico (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Alfred A Knopf; Later Printing edition (January 1, 1970)
• ASIN: B001OTGWXA
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One boy's adventures as a cat, December 30, 2004

By 

Chadwick H. Saxelid "Bookworm" (Concord, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Abandoned (Paperback)

Young Peter Brown adores cats, but no one else in his family does. He is constantly trying to adopt cats, but his Nanny just tosses them out. While on a walk Peter's eye is caught by yet another cat, a beautiful striped kitten. He runs off to catch it, and steps right into the path of an oncoming truck. As he lies in bed Peter finds himself changing into an actual cat, and his Nanny promptly tosses him out of the house. Now a stray in an alien world, the terrified Peter runs through London. When he seeks shelter he has a near fatal run in with Dempsey, a mean tom cat. Then Peter is rescued by the lovely Jennie Baldrin, a people hating stray who is, nonetheless, quite taken with Peter. As Jennie teaches Peter how to think and act like a cat, a friendship develops between them that slowly grows into something far deeper and important. This is a wonderful fantasy that will delight cat lovers of all ages. Recommended.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Abandoned and I are reunited after forty years., August 30, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Abandoned (Paperback)

I've been reunited with an old friend. I first read this book about forty years ago. At that age I had no use for cats; too independent, you know. My grandmother gave me the book for a birthday present. I read it and Jennie became a very special "person" in my life. I prayed nightly that I would be transformed into cat as was the little boy in the story. Of course, I would know what I was doing and I could help all the abandoned cats in the world. I lost my copy in a family move along with many other childhood favorites, and never replaced it. As a sensible, rational adult, I now adore cats. But, I only help one at a time, (my husband never read the book). I don't remember who said it, "You don't have to like cats, but you do have to admire their attitude." I am so pleased to be able to read it again. It will go on my list of special books to give to readers; young and old, cat lovers and those who don't know they love cats yet.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My all-time favorite cat book., July 2, 1999

By 

Stephanie Bath ([e-mail]) (Alice Springs, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Abandoned (Paperback)

Paul Gallico is one of the best writers of cat stories ever. He understands them better than anyone I have ever read or known. My mother bought "The Abandoned" for me when I was a child, hospitalized in a Swiss hospital during a Christmas vacation. She read it to me. Then I read it. As the years went by we have given it as gifts over and over again to other cat appreciators. The chapter "When in Doubt Wash" is priceless and almost eerie in its human perception of how a cat's mind works. This story of Jennie the cat is written for people of all ages from children to adult. It is an adventure and a love story. Once you read this you will want to read more by the author and you won't be disappointed. Start with "The Silent Miaow."