Fur Person [Paperback]

May Sarton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1970

A delightful, whimsical tale—one of the most popular books for cat lovers ever written, now newly illustrated.

May Sarton's fictionalized account of her cat Tom Jones's life and adventures prior to making the author's acquaintance begins with a fiercely independent, nameless street cat who follows the ten commandments of the Gentleman Cat—including "A Gentleman Cat allows no constraint of his person, not even loving constraint." But after several years of roaming, Tom has grown tired of his vagabond lifestyle, and he concludes that there might be some appeal after all in giving up the freedom of street life for a loving home. It will take just the right human companion, however, to make his transformation from Cat About Town to genuine Fur Person possible. Sarton's book is one of the most beloved stories ever written about the joys and tribulations inherent in sharing one's life with a cat. This edition, beautifully illustrated with 9 new color watercolors by Jared Williams, will continue to be an enduring favorite. 9 new color watercolors

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

May Sarton (1912-1995) was an acclaimed poet, novelist, and memoirist. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Signet; Reprint edition (March 1, 1970)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451041887
• ISBN-13: 978-0451041883
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)

More About the Author

May Sarton is the pen name of Eleanore Marie Sarton (May 3, 1912 - July 16, 1995), an American poet, novelist, and memoirist. Her parents were science historian George Sarton and his wife, the English artist Mabel Eleanor Elwes. In 1915, her family moved to Boston, Massachusetts. She went to school in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and started theatre lessons in her late teens. In 1945 she met her partner for the next thirteen years, Judy Matlack, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. They separated in 1956, when Sarton's father died and Sarton moved to Nelson, New Hampshire. Honey in the Hive (1988) is about their relationship. Sarton later moved to York, Maine. She died of breast cancer on July 16, 1995. She is buried in Nelson, New Hampshire.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A charming parable for persons of all ages and species., October 5, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Fur Person (Paperback)

Sarton's turn as secretary to her feline auteur yields a fun, moving tale of purrsonal growth. Tom Jones, Cat-About-Town, decides it is time to find a home, and ends up at the Cambridge, MA house of Sarton and her companion. Over time, Jones becomes a Gentleman Cat, and eventually -- when he learns both to give and to receive love -- a Fur Person. Sarton raises the issues of what makes a person, and what makes a family -- and though her story risks cuteness, she ably avoids overdoing it. Cat lovers and kids are not the only folks who will enjoy this parable about the importance of love and the discovery of family in all shapes, sizes, and species.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A delight for cat lovers of all ages, December 19, 2003

By 

Nina M. Osier (Randolph, ME USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Fur Person (Paperback)

The life of the cat who's eventually to be known as "Tom Jones" begins inauspiciously, when his mother disappears and his littermates are picked up by the Animal Rescue League (probably not for adoption by other families, the reader quickly realizes). After spending his first few years as a Cat About Town, the young gentleman sets out to find himself a suitable housekeeper. A nice old maid in whose home he can settle down - that's what Tom has in mind. Instead of one old maid, though, he finds two. And that's not the only way in which his new life as a Cat of Property turns out to be more than he bargained for.

The author based this charming short novel on her own life, and her own cat named (what else?) Tom Jones. It's very suitable for doing as her preface suggests, and reading it aloud to one's children or grandchildren. However, it's also a delight for any cat lover of any age. This is definitely the best book of its kind I've read, and heaven knows I've read plenty of pet stories!

- Reviewed by Nina M. Osier, author of "Tabitha June Is a Shoulder Cat"

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I didn't want this book to end !, April 26, 2000

By 

"iloveprovence" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Fur Person (Paperback)

This sweet little book is a charmer ! I live across the country from my mother, so I read it to her over the phone. Together, we got into the spirit of a homeless, prowling cat who decided it was time to settle down and be a house cat. Tom invites himself into several households before settling in on the humans he decides to take comfort with. The author does a delightful job , I think, of helping the reader fantasize about just WHAT is going on inside these little personalities.