The Autobiography of Foudini M. Cat [Paperback]

Susan Fromberg Schaeffer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 29, 1998

Grace the Cat is not at all like me, as she is forever bent on mischief. But because I am an older and wiser cat, she looks to me for counsel, and so I have allowed Grace to prevail upon me to set down the story of my life as a housecat in the human world. . . .

As the irrepressible Foudini M. Cat regales us with his adventures, an exciting story unfolds. After his valiant but frail mother leaves him in search for food and never returns, the starving kitten is taken, hissing and spitting, to a frightening room with cages and men in white coats. Facing the specter of eternal sleep, the homeless cat is adopted by a woman he later calls "Warm." ("All cats like to make up strange names for things.")

From here Foudini enchants us with splendid tales of his unlikely but ultimately poignant friendship with Sam the Dog; their trips between Cold House in the city and Mouse House in the country; his mystical experiences with famous felines of the past; his near-death in a raging river that leads to a profound act of sacrifice; and his introduction to a silly young thing named Grace, which evolves into something completely unexpected.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"In the beginning," Foudini M. Cat explains, "I was not a housecat. I was born in a wall." This wise old cat tells his life story for the edification of Grace, a young cat new to the fold. His story includes an explanation of the behavior of his Assigned Persons, whom he calls "Warm" and "Pest"; the tolerance that evolves into love for "his" dog Sam; and charming memories of his orphaned kittenhood. Treated to fine feline philosophy, we learn that Foudini considers cats' reputations for aloofness and vanity completely undeserved: "what we ought to be celebrated for is our ability to exist alone and to dream." In his dreams Foudini visits cats of the rich and famous--Cleopatra and Sigmund Freud--and applies (with sometimes comic, sometime positive results) their advice. All this he tries to impart with generosity and warmth to Grace, who is, alas, "demented with youth." Though easily distracted, far more interested in catnip or naps in pooled sunlight, Grace does manage from time to time to talk back or pay attention.

Susan Fromberg Schaeffer, author of 10 previous novels and a National Book Award nominee, has created an endearing narrative voice--refreshingly unsentimental and completely charming. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

YA?A fast, easy-to-read novel. Foudini, a proud but not pompous feline, narrates his life story for Grace the Cat so that she might learn from his knowledge and experiences. His musings include everything from philosophy and Flying Feathered Feasts to the manipulation of Warm and Pest, their owners. The description of the relationship between Foudini and a dog is particularly touching as he moves from enemy to beloved friend. The story is realistic, correctly portraying the life of a pampered cat. Schaeffer's imagination is further shown as Foudini learns ancient cat wisdom from the ghost cats of Freud and Cleopatra. This novel should be shared with creative writing teachers as it could motivate students to describe their own pets. While not a first purchase, this is a gentle, touching book that's suitable for all pet lovers.?Claudia Moore, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books; 1st Ballantine Books Ed edition (September 29, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0449911454
• ISBN-13: 978-0449911457
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.4 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #677,026 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Love This Book!, January 29, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Autobiography of Foudini M. Cat (Paperback)

This book about a housecat is very deceptive. It's extremely funny and dead-on accurate about the way cats behave. I was convinced that Foudini's thoughts were real thoughts of a real cat. I couldn't put the book down and ended up staying up much too late to finish it and then began again the next morning. I've read some reviews here that say the book is an "easy read," and I suppose it is, but this is a wonderful book about mortality and loss and I found it very comforting. It was the only book I was able to read after my mother died. I hadn't been able to cry until I read FOUDINI, but somehow after reading, this book did the trick. I wouldn't have expected this result myself. I think this is a great book for all animal lovers, maybe the best book about animals I've ever read. I hope more people find their way to this book. It practically purrs itself.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A LOVELY SURPRISE, August 5, 2001

By 

MOVIE MAVEN (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Autobiography of Foudini M. Cat (Hardcover)

Just looking at the title of this book, I rolled my eyes sourly and thought, "why would anyone give me this overly-precious book?" Not wanting to judge a book by its title, I began reading and was immediately hooked. What a lovely surprise: the author takes the viewpoint of a housecat and what life must be for a pet who was orphaned, was found and lived through the ups and downs of his loved-ones' lives.

This is a clever, simple, funny and, ultimately, very moving story of learning to live for today...and, of course, learning to love.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for any cat lover, June 20, 1999

By 

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

This review is from: The Autobiography of Foudini M. Cat (Audio Cassette)

I highly reccommend this book for any cat lover, anywhere. Cats are my absolute favorite animal and I've read lots of books about them but no book (until I read this one) accurately depicted what the cat was actually thinking!! I loved it, because I always wonder what my cats are thinking and Foudini's insight into the human world is both hilarious and charming. David Hyde Pierce is the perfect narrarator--I love and am a huge fan of all of his work, and as someone who's seen lots of his stuff, I think he does an exceptionally great job in this book--illustrating all of Foudini's different emotions and really making you identify with the characters in the book!! He also does a great job with the Freud voice and the voice of Sam the dog. I reccommend this book for anybody looking for something to listen to on a long car ride (if you buy the audiotape) or read at home any time. It's one of my favorite books ever--you don't want to miss it!!!!