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Tailchaser's Song Mass Market Paperback – December 1, 2000

4.6 out of 5 stars 738

The debut novel from master storyteller Tad Williams, Tailchaser's Song has surprised and enchanted readers for decades

"A fantasy of epic proportions in the vein of
Watership Down." —San Diego Union

Meet Fritti Tailchaser, a ginger tom cat of rare courage and curiosity, a born survivor in a world of heroes and villains, of powerful feline gods and whiskery legends about those strange furless, erect creatures called M’an.

Join Tailchaser on his magical quest to rescue his catfriend Hushpad—a quest that will take him all the way to cat hell and beyond...

The Amazon Book Review
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Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A fantasy of epic proportions in the vein of Watership Down." —San Diego Union

"Williams' understanding of the nuances of feline behavior and psychology, as well as his riveting storytelling and memorable characters, make the book
a classic of its genre." —Cat Fancy Magazine

"Williams' fantasy, in the tradition of
Watership Down, captures the nuances and delights of feline behavior in a story that should appeal to both fantasy and cat lovers. Fantasy lovers will lose their hearts to Tailchaser and his companions." —Library Journal

"A wonderfully exciting quest fantasy....
Fantasy fans are sure to be enthralled by this remarkable book." —Booklist

"
More than just an absorbing adventure, more than just a fanciful tale of cat lore.... Fritti faces challenges—responsibility, loyalty, and loss—that are universal. His is the story of growing up, or accepting change, or coming of age." —Seventeen

"Creating
as fully realized a habitat as that of Watership Down and other imaginative animal communities, California radio personality Williams's first novel should engage the fancy of cat lovers." —Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Tad Williams has held more jobs than any sane person should admit to—singing in a band, selling shoes, managing a financial institution, throwing newspapers, and designing military manuals, to name just a few. He also hosted a syndicated radio show for ten years, worked in theater and television production, taught both grade-school and college classes, and worked in multimedia for a major computer firm. He is cofounder of an interactive television company, and is currently writing comic books and film and television scripts as well. Tad and his family live in London and the San Francisco Bay Area. You can find Tad Williams at tadwilliams.com. 

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0886779537
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ DAW; Reissue edition (December 1, 2000)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780886779535
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0886779535
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 860L
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.1 x 1 x 6.9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 738

About the author

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Tad Williams
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Tad Williams is a California-based fantasy superstar. His genre-creating (and genre-busting) books have sold tens of millions worldwide. His works include the worlds of Otherland, Shadowmarch, and Osten Ard—including the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, and The Last King of Osten Ard series—as well as standalone novels Tailchaser’s Song and The War of the Flowers, plus the Bobby Dollar urban fantasies. His considerable output of epic fantasy, science fiction, urban fantasy, comics, and more have strongly influenced a generation of writers. Tad and his family live in the Santa Cruz mountains in a suitably strange and beautiful house. Visit him online at tadwilliams.com. @tadwilliams @mrstad https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTadWilliams/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
738 global ratings
Amo este libro
5 Stars
Amo este libro
Este libro lo leí hace unos meses, y se convirtió en uno de mis favoritos. Mi serie favorita es Warrior Cats así que me llamó mucho la atención leerlo y fue una muy buena desición. Me compré primero la versión de bolsillo pero honestamente no la recomiendo, no lo he abierto más de 5 veces tal vez y las hojas ya se están cayendo. Decidí comprarme mejor la version de tapa dura, y creo que es la mejor versión que hay, llegó en excelentes condiciones y sólo tuve que limpiar un poco y quitar unos stickers. 10/10.
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Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2024
I discovered this novel years ago in college. One of the most heartwarming and wise cat tales ever! easy read and I was taken on a wonderful journey! highly reccommend for anyone 10 or older.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2013
This is but one of a few books I've read multiple times - 5 to be exact. (Robert Heinlein's "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" and "Time for the Stars" being the other two.)

Essentially, this novel is akin to the Lord of the Rings meets Watership Down. And arguably better than both. There is a rich heritage in this book. Mythos, lore, noble characters, and well our beloved fine furried friends. If you are a cat lover and have not read this book, you are in sin. I'm sure of it. Some furry deity shall surely agree.

That said, there is a downside. This book is so beloved by me, that although I've bought a few other books by the author, I can never bring myself to read them. You see, I'm afraid to ruin such a perfect image I have of the author. Maybe it's just that I do not think anyone can write a more enjoyable book. Regardless, I am sorry Tad, someday I might read another work of yours. But I wager I'll just re-read Tailchaser's Song for the 6th or 7th time instead.

CAUTION: DO NOT LOAN THIS BOOK OUT TO GIRLS. The three I did, never came back. This one was in fact bought for a lady friend. And I just flat out decided to buy her a copy rather than loan her mine, knowing I'd never see it again.
12 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2019
I read this to my children decades ago, and we all loved it. So I bought a copy for my adult son to read to his own children (There's a story behind why I bought it for him and not his 3 siblings; but I'll leave it at that).
Children need to old enough to focus on a story with plots. And the story can be a little dark at times; so I'd gauge a child's ability to handle some things that could be considered scary. My youngest was 5 when I read it to her and her siblings, and she did fine. But some children might have trouble with understanding that there will be a happy ending while things seem so sad and dark.

As for adults... go for it! It's deep enough to be interesting to an adult mind. And it's whimsical enough to keep it engaging.
13 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2022
When I started this I thought it would be for very young people. But it is an epic adventure of a cat, with lots of fantasy, danger, trekking through strange and wondrous worlds, and exciting adventure. It is a very strange book, but I enjoyed it very very much.
4 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2023
The book is just like new!
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2022
Este libro lo leí hace unos meses, y se convirtió en uno de mis favoritos. Mi serie favorita es Warrior Cats así que me llamó mucho la atención leerlo y fue una muy buena desición. Me compré primero la versión de bolsillo pero honestamente no la recomiendo, no lo he abierto más de 5 veces tal vez y las hojas ya se están cayendo. Decidí comprarme mejor la version de tapa dura, y creo que es la mejor versión que hay, llegó en excelentes condiciones y sólo tuve que limpiar un poco y quitar unos stickers. 10/10.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Amo este libro
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2022
Este libro lo leí hace unos meses, y se convirtió en uno de mis favoritos. Mi serie favorita es Warrior Cats así que me llamó mucho la atención leerlo y fue una muy buena desición. Me compré primero la versión de bolsillo pero honestamente no la recomiendo, no lo he abierto más de 5 veces tal vez y las hojas ya se están cayendo. Decidí comprarme mejor la version de tapa dura, y creo que es la mejor versión que hay, llegó en excelentes condiciones y sólo tuve que limpiar un poco y quitar unos stickers. 10/10.
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2 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2022
I reread this constantly. It has become one of my comfort books. Tad Williams' is my favorite author & never disappoints. He keeps the reader engaged through his fantastic world- building, unique characters, and twisty plot. You won't be disappointed.
3 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2022
I can’t believe I missed this very special story. Moving, eloquently told, and surprisingly lovely. An excellent book to get lost in while “one eye“ is shining in the dark shadows of a winter night.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Ashley Wilson
5.0 out of 5 stars My All Time Favourite Book
Reviewed in Canada on April 22, 2022
Tailchaser's Song is an amazing book with an incredible storyline. I have read it many times throughout the past 20 years. I received the book fast and it came in perfect condition. Although I bought this book for myself I did first read it at the age of 10 or 11.
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Ashley Wilson
5.0 out of 5 stars My All Time Favourite Book
Reviewed in Canada on April 22, 2022
Tailchaser's Song is an amazing book with an incredible storyline. I have read it many times throughout the past 20 years. I received the book fast and it came in perfect condition. Although I bought this book for myself I did first read it at the age of 10 or 11.
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Tazcat
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 28, 2023
Read it first when I was 8 or 9 years old and read it a few more times over the years and again this year at age 45. It's a beautifully written story and so easy t immerse yourself in the world the author creates. Definitely worth a read at any age.
Laura C.
5.0 out of 5 stars Parfait
Reviewed in France on August 3, 2017
La lectrice est très fan de ce livre, également adoratrice de la guerre des clans ce livre lui plait énormément
Livre en anglais !
3.0 out of 5 stars I read it for the nostalgia
Reviewed in Japan on April 2, 2020
But rereading it only served to highlight some of the issues for me (spoilers ahead), such as:

● Tailchaser’s character did not significantly change throughout the story. He has a generically likeable personality, but nothing really says why he of all the Folk would be The One. He’s just been designated as The One, and characters help him because he’s The One.

● Roofshadow’s character got shafted in the end. Initially she had some Get Up and Go as she dug down into the tunnels to help Tailchaser and Pouncequick, but she later on got shafted as another damsel in distress to be helped by Tailchaser.

● All the named female cats are … uninspiring as characters. Only the male cats do anything “significant”.
One person found this helpful
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Elaine S
4.0 out of 5 stars Engaging feline tail
Reviewed in Australia on June 23, 2017
Adventure, suspense and a few laughs. Tailchaser's character developed as the book progressed. The cats were truer to nature than some of the more cutesy characters in other books.