The Fur Person

I fell in love with this story years ago so when my daughter's family got a new kitty, I bought my oldest granddaughter her own copy. I love the cat's point of view writing!

This is the kind of "Children's Story" that will delight adults as much as, if not more than, it delights children. A biography of a stray cat who became a pet, with, undoubtedly, some background from before he came into the lives of the author and her housemate that is undoubtedly created from the author's imagination but which seems utterly plausible, told, largely, from the cat's perspective.

In this short charming story of the life of one Tom Jones, a cat named after the literary figure by the same name because both were foundlings, the prolific May Sarton is writing at her best. In sparse but eloquent prose, she lets the reader inside the head and heart of this special feline-- based on her own cat of course-- and simultaneously lets you into her big heart as well. The story ultimately is about a cat, who after a life in the streets, decides to settle down and, by trial and error, finally selects a home and his "housekeepers," certainly an appropriate word since anyone who knows anything about cats knows that at best they are housemates and never owned by anyone. "A Gentleman Cat is never hasty when choosing a housekeeper." These housekeepers are identified by Tom as "Brusque Voice," (May Sarton) and "Gentle Voice," (her companion Judy Matlack) and if it is not a relationship made in heaven, it certainly is not a marriage made in hell. Tom wants to abandon his life as a Cat About Town and become a Cat of Peace as well as a Gentleman Cat. A very bright cat, Tom does yoga and composes songs. He also has The Ten Commandments of the Gentleman Cat that he lives by; and in the end, adds an Eleventh Commandment as well which gives this charming story its ultimate meaning.Ms. Sarton's journals are filled with references to her animals. She obviously was wise when it came to understanding them and manages to avoid, unlike so many writers about cats, the cutesy-- a word one would never use to describe anything about this writer anyway--but tells a moving story without being sentimental. This is quite simply as good a story as you will find about a quasi-fictional cat. In her introduction to this new edition, Ms. Sarton says that she was gratified when a nine-year-old child wrote her to tell her that this is the best book the youngster had ever read. You can read it in one sitting with your own cat in your lap. Or better still, why not read it aloud to a child.An added treat to this edition is the lush watercolor illustrations of Jared Taylor Williams.

I read this book when I was young and fell in love with it instantly! I then found it again recently, tattered and old and looked for it on Kindle. I'm glad I did! Now I can preserve the book and read one of my favorite books again and again! I even read it to my 5 and 6 year olds, who enjoyed it as well as bedtime stories. We own cats so I guess we're predisposed. But, in all, it's a gem of a book and I highly recommend it!!

I have read this book again & again. I just love it. May Sarton was such a brilliant, insightful writer. I have read her entire works and not one disappointed.

Anyone who loves cats will appreciate this book, young or old alike. May Sarton is one of my favorite writers and I hadn't read this before, so I thought I'd order it for a friend's bday. When it arrived and I saw that it was a quick read I scanned it and found myself thoroughly enjoying it. After a tumultuous 2020, the joy of reading something simple and peaceful was just what the doctor ordered. I imagine it would be really fun to read to children but there weren't any around so I read it to my inner child. ;-)

A coworker told me about this book almost 40 years ago. I can't believe I took so long to get around to reading it. As a life-long cat lover who has been with my life partner for 50 years, the story was particularly relevant to us. Based on our understanding of our own feline friends (we currently serve three), Ms. Sarton definitely understood cats. I don't want to give anything away other than to say this is a must read for any cat parent. And it has a happy ending!

I have a granddaughter cat that I treasure and respect. May Sarton clearly does both and I too have tried to purr! Perhaps, this precious relationship helps us to appreciate our own Cat Parts? Do read it❤️

A short and sweet tale of The Fur Person and his adopted human 'housekeepers'. Incredibly touching and very funny. I particularly enjoy his 'yoga poses' and sense of etiquette. Wonderful observations of cat behaviour and their attachment to humans. This book really helped to put a smile back on my face after losing my own fur person recently as it reminded me so much of all the little quirks and signs of adoration that cats demonstrate. A really lovely uplifting little book.

If you even like cats, this is THE BOOK! Laughter is still the best medicine and this book is filled with delight. I've had to replace my own copy and have given this countless times as a gift to other cat lovers.

This is such a lovely and cute little book written from a cat’s perspective. Really enjoyed the read. Wasn’t sure if it would work as a kindle book but it was ok.

Das Buch hat mir sehr gut gefallen. Da ich in einem Appartementshaus wohne und keine Katze habe (will keine einsperren) tröste ich mich Bücher über Katzen. Das Englisch ist auch leicht zu lesen.

un libro perfetto per chiunque ami i gatti, rispettandone la dignità e senza volerli trasformare in pupazzetti o giocattoli; divertente e tenero, e scritto in modo delizioso... penso che lo regalerò (in edizione inglese) a una vecchia amica per Natale... così, visto che in questo momento della sua vita non può avere gatti, potrà divertirsi a leggerlo