Customer Reviews

The Catswold Portal

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Like many others writing this review, I read this book a long time ago, before I was in my teens even, and I love this book. A decade later I still like to reread this book from time to time. Not only do I get pleausre from the feeling one gets from revisiting a childhood favorite, but it really is set in a wonderfully imaginative world, with a unique fantasy plot and setting. It's an incredibly easy read, which kind of adds to the charm, and I would almost consider it young adult, if not for the adult situations and language. It's probably the only reason I'm rating it 4/5. It's such a unique story with lovely characters, but it's not necessarily the most complex writing I've seen or the deepest development. However, as an avid sci-fi/fantasy reader I would say that Murphy gives other writers I've read a run for their money, especially this being a genre that she isnt recognized for, if recognized at all. Imagine my dismay after reading this book so long ago to find that no, there are no further books to let us explore these characters or world more, but that she doesnt even write fantasy.....she writes about cats. Still, I will always love this book.

I'm glad to see that in the reprint the cover art has been fixed. While the painting on the first edition is well executed it has NOTHING to do with the story. The new cover art is closer to correct, though I would have loved to see the little calico standing in front of the ornately carved blue door rather than inside the tool shed. I guess the door would have been quite difficult to do justice.

I also have to admit that once I was about 1/3 through this book, I realized and remembered that I had read this book when it had first come out (but had forgotten much of the plot). I can recall reading it for the first time in a salon on State Street as a freshman at UCSB. I remember thinking it would be cool to have a calico cat (I now do). And I remember being annoyed by the cover art.

One piece that confused me about the story is the timing of the events. Only until the last chapter and the epilogue is the story given a timeline of 1957 being the "present" but the way San Francisco and Marin are described, pieces of the story feel like they should be taking place either now (late 1990s when the book was written or 2000s if the present was meant to be the near future). Other events make the book seem like it should be taking place in the 1920s or 1930s. I think the biggest sticking point is the mention of an earthquake being strong enough to kill some characters in the back story. San Francisco is known for two big quakes: 1906 and 1989. Of course it turns out that the earthquake in question is completely fictional but I think it would have been better if the timeline could have been wrapped around an actual quake or the city in qusetion moved to a place not so known for two quakes. In other words, I found the odd details distracting at times that I just wanted the plot to take where it wanted to go.

The author though excels at two pieces of this book: her understanding of cats and her ability to describe paintings. It helps that she is an accompished artist in her own right. When she was describing Braden's series of portraits fo Melissa I could see them so clearly! When she was describing the little calico cat, I felt as if she were in the room with me.

This is the best book I have ever read. Murphy's descriptions allow the reader to have vivid pictures of the characters and the places. I can picture Melissa's multi-colored hair and feel her pain when she is captured as a little cat. Even though Alice is never in the book, I fell Braden's and Melissa's sorrow about her death. Murphy develops Braden's love for Melissa as a person and as a cat. By the time I finish reading the book, I have grown very attached to Melissa, just as Braden grows attached to the little cat I would reccommend this book to people who like fantasy and romance.

Many Joe Grey books hint at the world portrayed in the Catswold Portal - this provides excellent background information and is an entertaining novel in its own right.

While I DID enjoy this book, I felt kind of cheated by the end. There were so many side plots that just went nowhere and had no conclussion. It felt like the author was trying hard to just finish the story and so the plot felt very rushed. The ending is just begging for a sequel, just to sort out all the loose ends.

One of the best science-fiction/fantasy stories I have ever read. Murphy is an expert on cats and their behaviour, and makes the story compelling and hypnotic. Her descriptions of Melissa's (the main character) world are both enchanting and original.
Having the upper-world meet the Catswold through one of the portals available to both was a wonderful stroke of genius. I would thoroughly recommend this book to any fantasy/romance enthusiast.

Catswold Portal is a wonderful book for both fantasy lovers and cat lovers alike. The main character is a female named Melissa with the power to change into a cat. As the story progresses, Melissa must work to face her fears, find her loves, and live her dreams. Everything imaginable is included in this fantastical fantacy: love, betrayal, humor, fear, passion, revenge, loyalty, trust, deseption, friendship, and the ever-present impossible dream - to find yourself.

Murphy does a nice job of telling a very intriguing story with a very imaginative history of cats. However, if you're a serious fantasy reader in the likes of Piers Anthony, Terry Brooks, Robert Jordan, and David Eddings, this book may not be for you. Murphy's previous work as a children's author definitely shows at times during the book with short, choppy chapters along with trying too hard to write for an adult audience by incorporating sex and a couple curse words into the mix. That being said, she did a great job in adjusting to a new audience, and I'm sure she will do much better in her future works.

I found this book to be exceptionally original. As a reader of SciFi Fantasy for over 25 years I can say that this one is a keeper.. ( I have just finished it for a 3rd time) The only problem I have is finding out if there are anymore books about the Catswold and the Netherworld, if not Ms Murphy should sit down and start writing them. So many of her books are also out of print. I can only say I will be heading for the library.

I really enjoyed this book. I've always been a huge fantasy lover. This book is right up there on my list of favorites. I do think it would have been absolutly perfect if there hadn't been such strong discriptions of sex. Other than that, this book is terrific!!!!My favorite character is Melissa because of her gentleness, strong willed heart, and her bravery when facing the evil Queen Siddone. I give this book two thumbs up!!!!