Customer Reviews

The Autobiography of Foudini M. Cat

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!!!!

Although this is Foudini's autobiography, which he recounts for his cat, Grace, so that she will know what Life is like, the book is basically a love story about Foudini and his dog Sam. Foudini is rescued from the laundry room of an apartment building when he is still a small kitten. He is eventually adopted by a couple whom he names "Warm" and "Pest" and later befriends their dog Sam (at first Foudini thinks Sam is a wolf who wants to eat him but later they become very close companions). Much of the book details both conversations between Foudini and Sam and their games and adventures together, including the various times when Sam saves Foudini's life. I found parts of the book utterly charming, in particular the section in which Foudini explains why cats like heat so much as well as the section in which Grace tries to teach "Warm" how to speak cattish (I read this outloud to my husband -- it took me nearly ten minutes to read three pages, we were laughing so much). Schaeffer has clearly spent a great deal of time observing her own cats and here creates a universe for them that is richly populated with "dog fairy tales" and dreams in which real and mythological cats appear to Foudini to help him sort out his thoughts and emotions on various matters. The only real problem I had with the book was the ending -- one of those mythological cats that keep coming around should have told Foudini that two to three million homeless cats and kittens are euthanized in the US every year -- more kittens are not the solution to this problem. Still, it's definitely worth reading if you like cats or dogs.

This is a wonderful stoy. It helps to be a cat lover but even if you aren't it's an enjoyable book. It's so funny. Poor Warm she just can't speek cat, poor Foudini he's so embarrased by her attemps. It's also so sad. Foudini is a feral kitten born with no chance until a human takes him in. He remembers his poor mother who took good care of him but one day didn't come back from her search for food. His relationship with Sam is touching and heartbreaking. Grace brings joy and responsibilies to his life. I have five wonderful treasure all of whom someone else considered trash so I saw my furry babies in Foudini. This is a must read.

This is one of those great books that make you behave in a manner you really don't think you should. Towards the end of the book I was nearly sobbing, which is pretty embarrassing to admit. Cat lovers will be amused and moved by the view from the cat's eye, of it's world. We sometimes forget how they might see our actions.

I highly recommend it, to all animal lovers.

Terrific book. Gave it to all of my catlover friends as gifts!
It was a hit with everyone. Buy it. Read it. If you love cats you will love this book.

Foudini the cat, has decided to tell his story to Grace, the new kitten that has come to keep him company. She is sleek, beautiful and very young with much to learn. Foudini goes on to tell of his birth and life in a wall, and of his rescue by his assigned people, "Warm" because of her warm lap, and "Pest" because he is always moving Foudini from his favorite spot on the bed. Foudini also had an assigned dog Sam and the relationship they shared was so memorable it will bring you to tears first of joy and then sadness. I enjoyed this very interesting approach to storytelling tremendously. Each time I read a bit more, I was left with a smile on my face. This is a feel good book. Kelsana 1/11/02

For anyone who loves cats, or animals for that matter, this book is perfect. Be forewarned that you will experience the gamut of emotions though! Schaeffer has the mannerisms and thoughts of cats down cold! It's almost as though she has some mystical power to interpret the language of cats. Once I finished the book, I had to look at my cats differently and wonder, is it true? Foudini's relationship with Sam the dog is one of my favorite aspects of this incredible book.

If you've every been "owned" by a cat you need to read this book. A wonderful, believable up-close and personal look into the lives of our furry friends. You'll never look at your pets the same way again. David Hyde Pierce is perfect as the voice of Foudini M. Cat.