Michael Ondaatje’s delightful coming-of-age novel, The Cat’s Table, takes place in the 1950s aboard an ocean liner, the Oronsay, cruising for twenty-one days from Sri Lanka to England. The main character, eleven year-old Michael, is traveling alone on his way to England to live with his mother. On the ship, Michael’s assigned eating place is “the cat’s table,” seated farthest away from the Captain’s table. His table mates are considered “insignificant” adults, along with two other boys also traveling alone, Cassius and Ramadhin.
As the ship crosses the Indian Ocean, the boys fling themselves from one adventure to another, causing upsets, and relishing in the forbidden. As the story unfolds, the boys are exposed to situations that will make life-long impressions. Lurking in places where they don’t belong, they learn about adult secrets, generosity, and evils.
The different exposures to adult pastimes in some cases impress the boys, and opens their eyes to dark discoveries in others. Among their cherished moments is watching a dangerous, shackled prisoner being allowed fresh air in the dead of night.
At times the story is flash-forwarded twenty years where Michael looks back on the voyage and recognizes the many lessons learned, as he views his fellow travelers with more experienced eyes.
The Cat’s Table is a memorable nel that reads more like a memoir though the author claims it is pure fiction. The author, Michael Ondaatje, took such a journey when he was a boy, so much of the ship-board story rings of authenticity. The descriptions of fellow travelers, the authority of the ship’s crew, and the endless inquisitiveness of the boys as they view an unknown world make this story an elegant, magical journey.
Reviewing interesting books, and enticing readers to join you, is one of those “strengths” you could use at a job interview. Once again I have a “must read” on my list.
Thank you, Judith. You’ll like this book, I’m sure. It’s a very fast read.
Thank you for bringing this to my attention Mary. I love his books so I’m sure this will earn its place on my tbr pile.
Thank you, Andrea. This is the first I’ve read of this author…but not the last!