Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats
The inspiration for the iconic musical Cats, T. S. Eliot's classic and delightful collection of poetry about cats, with whimsical illustrations by Edward Gorey.
These lovable cat poems were written by T. S. Eliot for his godchildren and continue to delight children and adults alike. This collection is a curious and artful homage to felines young and old, merry and fierce, small and unmistakably round. Also includes Edward Gorey's charming pen and ink illustrations.
These lovable cat poems were written by T. S. Eliot for his godchildren and continue to delight children and adults alike. This collection is a curious and artful homage to felines young and old, merry and fierce, small and unmistakably round. Also includes Edward Gorey's charming pen and ink illustrations.
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Community Reviews
I definitely read this with an English accent! Lol
Fun read with cats!
Could be a good storytime book, some of the poems.
Fun read with cats!
Could be a good storytime book, some of the poems.
My first and only encounter with T.S. Eliot previously was [b:The Waste Land and Other Poems|400412|The Waste Land and Other Poems|T.S. Eliot|https:i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1372992691l/400412._SY75_.jpg|15306654]. I rated it two stars because I simply did not understand it, couldn't connect to it, couldn't really care about it. I thought I'd give this a whirl because one thing I do understand and care about is cats.
I love cats. I gush about cats. I wear cat shirts. I have a monthly subscription to the CatLadyBox. I'm not allowed to go to the Humane Society because I would likely come home with all the cats, which would likely cause my older cat to maul me in my sleep.
Now THIS is my kind of T.S. Eliot.
Readable and silly. Each poem a ridiculous little story of a different cat. Perfectly pegged characteristics and personalities of cats. The best cat names I've ever laid eyes upon.
Note to self: next cat WILL be named Asparagus, Gus for short.
Gus is the Cat at the Theatre Door.
His name, as I ought to have told you before,
Is really Asparagus. That's such a fuss
To pronounce, that we usually call him just Gus.
His coat's very shabby, he's thin as a rake,
And he suffers from palsy that makes his paw shake.
Yet he was, in his youth, quite the smartest of Cats-
But no longer a terror to mice and rats.
For he isn't the Cat that he was in his prime;
Though his name was quite famous, he says, in its time.
Honorable mention to Edward Gorey for the purrfect (you know I simply couldn't resist) illustrations accompanying each poem.
Almost makes me want to re-read [b:The Waste Land and Other Poems|400412|The Waste Land and Other Poems|T.S. Eliot|https:i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1372992691l/400412._SY75_.jpg|15306654] to see if I was wrong. Almost.
4 Stars
I love cats. I gush about cats. I wear cat shirts. I have a monthly subscription to the CatLadyBox. I'm not allowed to go to the Humane Society because I would likely come home with all the cats, which would likely cause my older cat to maul me in my sleep.
Now THIS is my kind of T.S. Eliot.
Readable and silly. Each poem a ridiculous little story of a different cat. Perfectly pegged characteristics and personalities of cats. The best cat names I've ever laid eyes upon.
Note to self: next cat WILL be named Asparagus, Gus for short.
Gus is the Cat at the Theatre Door.
His name, as I ought to have told you before,
Is really Asparagus. That's such a fuss
To pronounce, that we usually call him just Gus.
His coat's very shabby, he's thin as a rake,
And he suffers from palsy that makes his paw shake.
Yet he was, in his youth, quite the smartest of Cats-
But no longer a terror to mice and rats.
For he isn't the Cat that he was in his prime;
Though his name was quite famous, he says, in its time.
Honorable mention to Edward Gorey for the purrfect (you know I simply couldn't resist) illustrations accompanying each poem.
Almost makes me want to re-read [b:The Waste Land and Other Poems|400412|The Waste Land and Other Poems|T.S. Eliot|https:i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1372992691l/400412._SY75_.jpg|15306654] to see if I was wrong. Almost.
4 Stars
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