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Norton the Cat #1
The Cat Who Went to Paris
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • When the world is your oyster, you need a cat to enjoy it with you.
“An entertaining romp that leaves no doubt that Mr. Gethers and his cat have a most remarkable relationship.”—Kiki Olson, The New York Times Book Review
At one time in his life, Peter Gethers, publisher, screenwriter, and author, was a confirmed loner and cat hater. All that changed when a Scottish Fold kitten named Norton entered his life.
Peter opened his heart to Norton and soon they were inseparable. Together they rode the ferry to Fire Island, traversed the subways of Manhattan, traveled on the Concorde to Paris, dated beautiful women, and even dined in the world’s finest restaurants. Norton knows how to impress simply by being himself—an amusing and intelligent companion who understands silence, enjoys the thrill of the chase, and gladly accepts the devotion of man and womankind. He also teaches his fallible owner how to live, love, and be a compassionate human being.
The Cat Who Went to Paris proves that sometimes all it takes is paws and personality to change a life.
“An entertaining romp that leaves no doubt that Mr. Gethers and his cat have a most remarkable relationship.”—Kiki Olson, The New York Times Book Review
At one time in his life, Peter Gethers, publisher, screenwriter, and author, was a confirmed loner and cat hater. All that changed when a Scottish Fold kitten named Norton entered his life.
Peter opened his heart to Norton and soon they were inseparable. Together they rode the ferry to Fire Island, traversed the subways of Manhattan, traveled on the Concorde to Paris, dated beautiful women, and even dined in the world’s finest restaurants. Norton knows how to impress simply by being himself—an amusing and intelligent companion who understands silence, enjoys the thrill of the chase, and gladly accepts the devotion of man and womankind. He also teaches his fallible owner how to live, love, and be a compassionate human being.
The Cat Who Went to Paris proves that sometimes all it takes is paws and personality to change a life.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 269 reviews
November 9, 2014
“The Cat Who Went to Paris” is the 1st book of a trilogy. I have read all 3 books, recently finishing the last one.
What can I say? I loved all 3 books, each in its own way. This trilogy is not only a story about a remarkable cat. It is more than that. It is a humorous memoir, which will make you laugh (and sometimes cry). It is also a very entertaining travelogue, telling about interesting places with great food and wine, places the average person rarely gets to visit and usually just dreams about. First and foremost, however, this trilogy is a love story, no not between a man and a woman, but between a man and his cat. It is a love story so big that Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” has trouble to compete with it.
“The Cat Who Went to Paris” tells about how the author, a young bachelor, who shied away from any commitment, for whom the word “love” was, more or less, equivalent with the word “sex”, and who clearly disliked cats, came to be the dedicated and loving owner of a cat, or rather the dedicated and loving human, owned by a cat. The tiny handful of a kitten his, then, girlfriend presented him with was a love at first sight and raised all fatherly instincts that had been sleeping in the depth of the author’s soul.
As much as I loved this book, it, at times, made my hair stand up straight. Only a man (or should I say a bachelor without female supervision :-)) could get the idea to leave his cat by a hotel swimming pool while teaching a workshop, or let his cat out of a hotel room window to venture over the roofs of Paris. And only a man would feed his cat (not solely, yet on a regular basis), whatever he himself is eating, be it gourmet food including such things as champagne sauce, be it ordinary pizza, or be it chocolate ice cream. Men!
I had only intended to read one light read (in between historical non-fiction, which I mainly read), yet after finishing “The Cat Who Went to Paris”, I just had to read book 2, even though I was afraid that the sequel might be disappointing, as sequels quite often are. Surprisingly, I found book 2, “A Cat Abroad”, even more enticing than book 1, a bit less cat and more travelogue through the south of France, northern Italy, Sicily, and some of Spain. Anyone interested in historic places and different cultures (including their food and wine) will enjoy this book, no matter whether or not he or she is a particular cat lover. (However, I’ll bet that most readers will, by this time, have fallen in love with Norton, the very special cat.) And during book 2, my hair stood up straight only every once in a while, as I had, meanwhile, come to trust Norton not to get lost where just about every other cat would have. I did, however, continue to worry about Norton’s diet.
By the time I had read book 2, I definitely wanted to learn how the author and his cat would cope back home in the U.S., after having lived for a year in a remote village of southern France from where the author and his “family” (= his significant other and his even more significant cat) ventured out to Italy and Spain. And of course, by this time, I also wanted to accompany Norton, the cat, during his last years. Thus, I wanted to read book 3 of the trilogy, “The Cat Who’ll Live Forever”. And so will, most likely, want any other reader of books 1 and 2 because by this time, there will hardly be anyone left who has not yet fallen in love with Norton, the wonderful cat who seemed to combine all good characteristics of cats with good characteristics of dogs.
If you have never shared your life with a cat, don't expect all cats to be as intelligent as Norton. Of all the 50+ cats I have adopted over the years, almost all were enjoyable, many were special, and two were as outstanding and intelligent as Norton, but in a different way.
Btw, this trilogy would make a wonderful gift for any cat lover (or cat lover to be).
What can I say? I loved all 3 books, each in its own way. This trilogy is not only a story about a remarkable cat. It is more than that. It is a humorous memoir, which will make you laugh (and sometimes cry). It is also a very entertaining travelogue, telling about interesting places with great food and wine, places the average person rarely gets to visit and usually just dreams about. First and foremost, however, this trilogy is a love story, no not between a man and a woman, but between a man and his cat. It is a love story so big that Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” has trouble to compete with it.
“The Cat Who Went to Paris” tells about how the author, a young bachelor, who shied away from any commitment, for whom the word “love” was, more or less, equivalent with the word “sex”, and who clearly disliked cats, came to be the dedicated and loving owner of a cat, or rather the dedicated and loving human, owned by a cat. The tiny handful of a kitten his, then, girlfriend presented him with was a love at first sight and raised all fatherly instincts that had been sleeping in the depth of the author’s soul.
As much as I loved this book, it, at times, made my hair stand up straight. Only a man (or should I say a bachelor without female supervision :-)) could get the idea to leave his cat by a hotel swimming pool while teaching a workshop, or let his cat out of a hotel room window to venture over the roofs of Paris. And only a man would feed his cat (not solely, yet on a regular basis), whatever he himself is eating, be it gourmet food including such things as champagne sauce, be it ordinary pizza, or be it chocolate ice cream. Men!
I had only intended to read one light read (in between historical non-fiction, which I mainly read), yet after finishing “The Cat Who Went to Paris”, I just had to read book 2, even though I was afraid that the sequel might be disappointing, as sequels quite often are. Surprisingly, I found book 2, “A Cat Abroad”, even more enticing than book 1, a bit less cat and more travelogue through the south of France, northern Italy, Sicily, and some of Spain. Anyone interested in historic places and different cultures (including their food and wine) will enjoy this book, no matter whether or not he or she is a particular cat lover. (However, I’ll bet that most readers will, by this time, have fallen in love with Norton, the very special cat.) And during book 2, my hair stood up straight only every once in a while, as I had, meanwhile, come to trust Norton not to get lost where just about every other cat would have. I did, however, continue to worry about Norton’s diet.
By the time I had read book 2, I definitely wanted to learn how the author and his cat would cope back home in the U.S., after having lived for a year in a remote village of southern France from where the author and his “family” (= his significant other and his even more significant cat) ventured out to Italy and Spain. And of course, by this time, I also wanted to accompany Norton, the cat, during his last years. Thus, I wanted to read book 3 of the trilogy, “The Cat Who’ll Live Forever”. And so will, most likely, want any other reader of books 1 and 2 because by this time, there will hardly be anyone left who has not yet fallen in love with Norton, the wonderful cat who seemed to combine all good characteristics of cats with good characteristics of dogs.
If you have never shared your life with a cat, don't expect all cats to be as intelligent as Norton. Of all the 50+ cats I have adopted over the years, almost all were enjoyable, many were special, and two were as outstanding and intelligent as Norton, but in a different way.
Btw, this trilogy would make a wonderful gift for any cat lover (or cat lover to be).
July 16, 2021
I read this out loud to Ms. Kitty Fantastico throughout her first night and early morning of motherhood. She cried if my voice stopped. Her dependence on me is not just food, but an emotional attachment. I am glad that goes both ways.
I love this book. It is very Ms. Kitty: past, present, and future. She will come to Paris.
I want to send this to Thom for Lucius. Every cat-lover who believes their cat is especially special should read this and relate.
Five stars, a recommendation to anyone who has ever loved a pet.
~~copied from my Book Lust Journal, written March '07~~
I love this book. It is very Ms. Kitty: past, present, and future. She will come to Paris.
I want to send this to Thom for Lucius. Every cat-lover who believes their cat is especially special should read this and relate.
Five stars, a recommendation to anyone who has ever loved a pet.
~~copied from my Book Lust Journal, written March '07~~
January 5, 2015
This book is about the Scottish fold Norton and his owner Peter. At first Peter hated cats, but after getting Norton as a present, he can't help but turning his hate for cats into love. Norton and Peter travel from place to place together and Peter describes this in his book. So it is not all about what Norton does, but more about Peter and Norton's life together. The book full of heartwarming, funny and endearing moments that will certainly keep the reader riveted from page one to the very last page.
Even though you cannot classify this as "high-brow literature", I really enjoyed it and this is not just because of the fact that it is about a cat. Gethers put a lot of humour in his book and I often laughed out loud due to his witty remarks. He has a lovely writing style that keeps the tone of the novel light, which makes it very suitable for light, in-between (and happy) reading.
Even though you cannot classify this as "high-brow literature", I really enjoyed it and this is not just because of the fact that it is about a cat. Gethers put a lot of humour in his book and I often laughed out loud due to his witty remarks. He has a lovely writing style that keeps the tone of the novel light, which makes it very suitable for light, in-between (and happy) reading.
September 27, 2009
I borrowed this book from my grandma so often when I was young that she eventually told me to just keep it. Looking back, it's funny that I connected so strongly with The Cat Who Went to Paris, considering I have nothing in common with the author, no experiences like he describes, and couldn't understand a good 85% of the pop culture references Gethers is extremely fond of making (because I wasn't even born for some of them). Yet I loved this book all the same, because of Norton. This cat who has the ability to soften the hearts of even the crankiest cat-hater -- like the author himself, at the beginning of the book -- could win me over even while I was wondering what the hell Gethers was talking about.
This book is funny. Gethers self-deprecatingly describes his reluctance to own a cat and his mistakes (and eventual joys) in cat-ownership. My impression has always been that Gethers would not have been quite so bowled over if Norton had not been quite such a remarkable cat. Intelligent and extremely self-possessed, Norton flies across the country and around the world with ease (the scene in which Gethers first takes Norton on a plane, inciting the wrath of a certain flight attendant, is hilarious); goes on off-leash walks with his owner; eats in restaurants (mostly in France, where they appreciate the human-animal bond more than they worry about health codes, apparently); and basically accompanies Gethers anywhere he needs to go, carried in a shoulder bag like today's trendiest Chihuahuas. It's a great read, full of humor and heart, and I enjoy it just as much today as when I was a kid, scouring Grandma's bookshelves for something new.
This book is funny. Gethers self-deprecatingly describes his reluctance to own a cat and his mistakes (and eventual joys) in cat-ownership. My impression has always been that Gethers would not have been quite so bowled over if Norton had not been quite such a remarkable cat. Intelligent and extremely self-possessed, Norton flies across the country and around the world with ease (the scene in which Gethers first takes Norton on a plane, inciting the wrath of a certain flight attendant, is hilarious); goes on off-leash walks with his owner; eats in restaurants (mostly in France, where they appreciate the human-animal bond more than they worry about health codes, apparently); and basically accompanies Gethers anywhere he needs to go, carried in a shoulder bag like today's trendiest Chihuahuas. It's a great read, full of humor and heart, and I enjoy it just as much today as when I was a kid, scouring Grandma's bookshelves for something new.
October 7, 2013
A charming and funny story about Norton, a Scottish Fold kitten who wins the heart of a cat-hating screenwriter. The cat not only goes to Paris, but goes everywhere with his now-adoring human, and has many adventures. Recommended for cat lovers.
February 29, 2008
First of all, you don't have to be a cat lover to enjoy this book. In fact, it's more like a traveller's journey. I enjoy the author's journey to France, because he seems to live the kind of life that I would like to have.. take a hiatus from your hometown for months or even a year and live in foreign country.. of course you'll still be working.. because as a writer, you can practically live anywhere in the world, right? Also, he tells a lot about culinary (my #2 biggest passion in the world).. so reading this book gives me similar feeling as reading Frances Mayers, it feels like going on a journey with them =).
August 14, 2011
I love all the Norton books but especially this first one. I was lucky enough to "meet" Norton at a local bookstore during one of the author's early tours. Norton was exceptionally calm and cute. Truly a cool cat. It's been twenty years since I read this book. I don't know how dated it is now, but my husband and I can still raise a smile just by saying, "lousy hunting today" or "I thought the predators got you". In the course of the story Gethers mentions a study of the feline mind that theorizes our cats think we are out hunting for their food when we leave home each day. True enough in a way. When we return empty-handed we are lousy hunters. If we are late returning the cats begin to worry that predators got us and we won't be coming back. Makes perfect sense from the feline perspective!
April 30, 2019
You have to be made completely of stone not to be touched by the story of an animal finding true happiness with its owner, and if the animal happens to be a cat or kitten then the game has been upped in my opinion.
Peter is a self-described cat hater. He doesn't do cats. Cat's aren't for him. Until his then girlfriend bring home a kitten.... a tiny kitten with folded over ears, an adorable lust for life, and a heartbreaking need for love. Meet Norton. The new love of Peter's life.
Peter and Norton go everywhere, and I mean everywhere together. They go to his holiday home, they go on the beach, they go for walks around New York (Norton is initially placed in Peter's shirt pocket, but soon is happy enough to walk next to him down the street... like a trusty dog.) They even go on boats and on the plane, much to the happiness of the airline staff. There is nowhere that Norton won't go with Peter. Even to his hotel room when he's working. He trusts Peter completely, and when Peter and his girlfriend finally part ways, Peter needs Norton more than ever, to show him how to live again.
Just a wonderful, totally emotional story written with warmth and tenderness. I cannot wait to read the next in the trilogy if i can stop crying long enough.
Peter is a self-described cat hater. He doesn't do cats. Cat's aren't for him. Until his then girlfriend bring home a kitten.... a tiny kitten with folded over ears, an adorable lust for life, and a heartbreaking need for love. Meet Norton. The new love of Peter's life.
Peter and Norton go everywhere, and I mean everywhere together. They go to his holiday home, they go on the beach, they go for walks around New York (Norton is initially placed in Peter's shirt pocket, but soon is happy enough to walk next to him down the street... like a trusty dog.) They even go on boats and on the plane, much to the happiness of the airline staff. There is nowhere that Norton won't go with Peter. Even to his hotel room when he's working. He trusts Peter completely, and when Peter and his girlfriend finally part ways, Peter needs Norton more than ever, to show him how to live again.
Just a wonderful, totally emotional story written with warmth and tenderness. I cannot wait to read the next in the trilogy if i can stop crying long enough.
May 24, 2018
Norton is a special little cat with ears that fold forward. He is a Scottish Fold, with large green eyes and a firm short body.
The author received Norton as a gift from a girlfriend.
An unusual cat walking behind his owner, staying close and never running away.
He went everywhere his owner went, travel by air across the US and the best trip was to Paris in First Class. The Parisians loved him. In a resteruant they even brought him a chair so he could dine at the table.
A wonderful companion, sensing the needs of his owner and was very comforting to the owners father during his illness.
I'm glad the author took the time to write about his special friend.
I wish other authors did the same.
The author received Norton as a gift from a girlfriend.
An unusual cat walking behind his owner, staying close and never running away.
He went everywhere his owner went, travel by air across the US and the best trip was to Paris in First Class. The Parisians loved him. In a resteruant they even brought him a chair so he could dine at the table.
A wonderful companion, sensing the needs of his owner and was very comforting to the owners father during his illness.
I'm glad the author took the time to write about his special friend.
I wish other authors did the same.
January 8, 2017
Cute, but I didn't feel it. My family had cats growing up, but it turns out that I didn't have hay fever year round but was mildly allergic, so I can only wish I had a cat now. Anyway, point is, I never knew a cat anything like Norton and can't imagine what he's really like... Gethers didn't really make him come alive for us, imo. Pictures would have helped. But I think I need to go to youtube soon and get my Maru fix.
May 9, 2022
Slatka knjižica koja je polu memoar, polu ljubavno pismo mačku Nortonu. Druga polovina je bila znatno bolja. (Kada se autor odvažio da podeli sebe i kada smo manje dobijali rečenice "Norton je jeo. Pa je spavao. Pa je skočio na prozor.")
Ovo je i svojevrsni pogled u svet kakav ne postoji više (volela bih da je autor izbegao opisivanje svojih saradnji sa Polanskim), ali uzimam to sve sa rezervom i kao jedan "književni suvenir".
Ovo je i svojevrsni pogled u svet kakav ne postoji više (volela bih da je autor izbegao opisivanje svojih saradnji sa Polanskim), ali uzimam to sve sa rezervom i kao jedan "književni suvenir".
August 26, 2010
My cat is very happy I read this book. Not because I read it aloud to her (she wouldn't sit still long enough for that), but because it made me pause and just grab and snuggle her. A lot.
Mind you, my cat is nowhere NEAR as cool as Norton, so mostly I just seethed with jealousy while reading.
What a wonderful book. Such a great book for any and all cat lovers, and maybe those who don't know that they love them yet.
I see that there's another Norton book, and from what I can tell, it's the story of his life and death. I will not be reading that. I can't handle the idea of Norton not being around. As far as I know, he's going to be the only cat to live to be 100.
Mind you, my cat is nowhere NEAR as cool as Norton, so mostly I just seethed with jealousy while reading.
What a wonderful book. Such a great book for any and all cat lovers, and maybe those who don't know that they love them yet.
I see that there's another Norton book, and from what I can tell, it's the story of his life and death. I will not be reading that. I can't handle the idea of Norton not being around. As far as I know, he's going to be the only cat to live to be 100.
July 11, 2008
This was a wonderfully fun book about a man who takes his cat with him everywhere, including Paris. The stories are cute, funny and amazing. I wonder how much of the stories are creative license. Can a cat really be that well-behaved? Never-the-less, I found the stories very enjoyable and would recommend the book to any cat lover.
August 21, 2007
I adored this book about Norton, the little Scottish Fold. So well written and charming.
June 12, 2011
This is such a sweet, funny and heartwarming story. It is a wonderful tribute to a truly fascinating cat and it made me want to adopt a Scottish Fold. The story is a bit dated as it was published twenty years ago, but it brought back fond memories of my past. It made me a bit sad to think that this terrific feline must have passed on by now, but I'm very glad that I was able to learn a little of his story.
I found this book at the USO at Dulles and thought it was an appropriate book to read as I love cats and I was headed to Paris. It was a quick read and I found myself laughing and crying throughout the tale.
interesting quotes:
(from a list of irrevocably true items): "...4. Life is basically a sad thing, with an even sadder ending, so anything that brightens up a moment along the way is okay. Especially if it's funny...
6. Friendship must be earned. It is too important to fritter away on someone who doesn't want it, won't reciprocate it, or isn't worthy of it. As near as I can tell, people don't have all that much inherent value, but friends sure do." (p. 5)
"...the most important thing any of us can do is to live in a world where love is a greater priority than pain." (p. 184)
I found this book at the USO at Dulles and thought it was an appropriate book to read as I love cats and I was headed to Paris. It was a quick read and I found myself laughing and crying throughout the tale.
interesting quotes:
(from a list of irrevocably true items): "...4. Life is basically a sad thing, with an even sadder ending, so anything that brightens up a moment along the way is okay. Especially if it's funny...
6. Friendship must be earned. It is too important to fritter away on someone who doesn't want it, won't reciprocate it, or isn't worthy of it. As near as I can tell, people don't have all that much inherent value, but friends sure do." (p. 5)
"...the most important thing any of us can do is to live in a world where love is a greater priority than pain." (p. 184)
July 10, 2011
What a cute book, I loved it!
I needed something light and quick to read this weekend, and this was just the ticket. I loved reading about how unique and lovable Norton is, and how he truly changed the author's life. I found myself smiling and giggling many times throughout the story, and I laughed especially hard when I read this passage about the Pounce treats:
"In between his morning and late-night snacks, Norton seems to spend an awful lot of time attempting to tunnel his way through my kitchen cabinet, trying to get to the Pounce on his own. Judging by the scratch marks on the pine, he's just about ready to give the Count of Monte Cristo a run for his money. I expect a major breakthrough in another few months, when he should either reach the cans of Pounce or the apartment on the other side of the hall."
heehee :)
Norton is such a sweetie. Although I know what a Scottish Fold looks like, I've never seen one in real life -- I may have to seek one out now :)
I needed something light and quick to read this weekend, and this was just the ticket. I loved reading about how unique and lovable Norton is, and how he truly changed the author's life. I found myself smiling and giggling many times throughout the story, and I laughed especially hard when I read this passage about the Pounce treats:
"In between his morning and late-night snacks, Norton seems to spend an awful lot of time attempting to tunnel his way through my kitchen cabinet, trying to get to the Pounce on his own. Judging by the scratch marks on the pine, he's just about ready to give the Count of Monte Cristo a run for his money. I expect a major breakthrough in another few months, when he should either reach the cans of Pounce or the apartment on the other side of the hall."
heehee :)
Norton is such a sweetie. Although I know what a Scottish Fold looks like, I've never seen one in real life -- I may have to seek one out now :)
November 15, 2022
An adorable story of a man who went from hating cats to one who took his cat, Norton, literally everywhere with him. On the subway, the ferry to Fire Island, the airplane to San Diego, hotels and markets. Norton would walk along side Peter - no lease or harness - meow for Peter's attention and basically have fun in "that" area until Peter returned and off they would go back home. People would frantically search and call for the 'obviously' lost cat and be stunned when Peter would call, a little gray head would pop up - in the same spot where he disappeared - and off they would go.
And in the few places that Norton couldn't attend, there was a plethora of friends and family who would step up to have this small Scottish Fold cat stay with them - sometimes for far longer than Peter was going to be away.
Seriously, this cute story can be read quickly with a wistful smile at the devotion between the two and perhaps a bit of compassion as well.
2022-246
And in the few places that Norton couldn't attend, there was a plethora of friends and family who would step up to have this small Scottish Fold cat stay with them - sometimes for far longer than Peter was going to be away.
Seriously, this cute story can be read quickly with a wistful smile at the devotion between the two and perhaps a bit of compassion as well.
2022-246
August 11, 2012
It's not great literature - but it is a great story. I've always loved this book - this is probably the third time I've read it. It's just so sweet! Grouchy man who hates cats proceeds to fall in love with a tiny little Scottish Fold, and travel everywhere he goes with him. (true story.) My favorite bit in the book is when this dynamic duo is flying to Paris and I quote "We were flying first class...and we were both treated in a first-class manner all the way down the line. When I got served champagne and caviar, Norton got a little dish of smoked salmon with a cup of milk."
The thought of this going on in an airplane makes me smile from ear to ear every single time I think of it.
Darling book - worth the read if you're a cat fan.
The thought of this going on in an airplane makes me smile from ear to ear every single time I think of it.
Darling book - worth the read if you're a cat fan.
May 22, 2009
LOVE this book. I LOOOOOOOOOOVED Norton... still do ;)
Made me want a cat but I know that not all cats are like Norton and so I abandoned that idea and stuck with dogs.
You don't have to love cats to enjoy this book. Peter Gethers has a great writing style that will keep you engaged. There are plenty of giggles and laughs in this book too and the travel stories are fun. I won't put this in the humor section at Borders but to me the book was quit entertaining.
Made me want a cat but I know that not all cats are like Norton and so I abandoned that idea and stuck with dogs.
You don't have to love cats to enjoy this book. Peter Gethers has a great writing style that will keep you engaged. There are plenty of giggles and laughs in this book too and the travel stories are fun. I won't put this in the humor section at Borders but to me the book was quit entertaining.
January 30, 2023
Peter, a man who declares that he hates cats, meets his match in a tiny little Scottish Fold named Norton. Norton wiggles his way into every aspect of Peter’s life including traveling all over the world with him. He stays in hotels, meets famous people, and gets to wander all over Paris via the rooftops. Peter initially frets but discovers how trustworthy Norton is. And after many years interesting bachelor years Norton helps Peter find the perfect woman for them both. Can’t wait to start the next one in the series.
October 31, 2014
The Cat Who Went to Paris is an excellent memoir written by the great Peter Gethers. If you are an animal lover of any sorts you will be very fond of this book. Peter is a man who is set in his ways about what he wants in life. This all changes when he meets Norton. Peter hated cats until he saw his soon to be new best friend. Peter soon realizes that he can't continue the same routines day after day, and he pursues all his new dreams. He flies to different parts of the world, gets his own place, and falls in love. The book is a real page turner, wondering what mischief Norton is going to get into next. As much as this book focus's on Peter, Norton is just as important. Norton makes friends with other cats, and ends up seeming to fall in love with another cat, that he tragically gets torn away from. I would recommend this book to any animal lover regardless of age. The book amplifies real friendship, while showing the struggles of housing a pet. The message in this book is don't be afraid to take chances, and don't be afraid to try new things.
July 20, 2017
I loved getting to know Norton! The book was well written and humorous, and of course, Norton was the start. The author gets into details about his life as well, but he presents it mostly with Norton in mind (which women he dates does Norton like? How do his dates adapt to sleeping arrangements with Norton? he buys a house that Norton will like...etc.).
Norton is a charmer and I would have loved to have met him. I had to get past my yelling "no" at the author, when he did things like leave Norton outside, trusting he would be ok. I would trust Norton for sure; I would definitely not trust some of the people out there, who have no compunctions about using cats for sadistic purposes. This was written in 1991, so perhaps the perspective was different then. Regardless, my feelings about outdoor cats did not alter my enjoyment of this wonderful book and getting to know Norton and his Dad through the pages.
Norton is a charmer and I would have loved to have met him. I had to get past my yelling "no" at the author, when he did things like leave Norton outside, trusting he would be ok. I would trust Norton for sure; I would definitely not trust some of the people out there, who have no compunctions about using cats for sadistic purposes. This was written in 1991, so perhaps the perspective was different then. Regardless, my feelings about outdoor cats did not alter my enjoyment of this wonderful book and getting to know Norton and his Dad through the pages.
July 8, 2009
A very short book that tells the story of Norton, the Scottish Fold kitten that Peter Gether's girlfriend Cindy bought for him - despite the fact that he 'hates cats'.
It takes Norton around 15 minutes to make Peter fall in love with him - their relationship lasts far longer than Peter's relationship with Cindy - and the reader falls for Norton immediately too.
Norton is no ordinary cat, he accompanies Peter on walks into town, he sits at the table whilst he is eating out - he travels in aeroplanes and even goes skiing!
A very simply told story - with little emotion but quite a bit of humour. Peter Gethers is not the best writer, and sometimes I felt as though I'd like to know a little more about the whole relationship, rather than just about Norton's escapades.
In all though, a quick and warming read that I enjoyed.
It takes Norton around 15 minutes to make Peter fall in love with him - their relationship lasts far longer than Peter's relationship with Cindy - and the reader falls for Norton immediately too.
Norton is no ordinary cat, he accompanies Peter on walks into town, he sits at the table whilst he is eating out - he travels in aeroplanes and even goes skiing!
A very simply told story - with little emotion but quite a bit of humour. Peter Gethers is not the best writer, and sometimes I felt as though I'd like to know a little more about the whole relationship, rather than just about Norton's escapades.
In all though, a quick and warming read that I enjoyed.
August 8, 2012
"The Cat Who Went to Paris" is a fantastic animal memoir. I loved it! Peter Gethers has a friendly and funny writing style, and some of his anecdotes had me laughing out loud to the point where I had to put the book down and enjoy a good giggle. Other than that, I didn't want to put this book down. This book is not your average animal memoir because it is well-paced, not repetitive, not overly sappy/meaningful, and Norton genuinely seems to be a special character of his own. A couple pages near the end approached the usual sappiness seen in animal memoirs these days, but these pages were actually like an epiphany to me, and I appreciated the author's insight that the human experience remains common, despite our best efforts to convince ourselves that we're anything but.
May 22, 2010
Self-aggrandizing, sexist, scriptwriter bore of a man brags about neglecting and generally mistreating his cat (forgetting his litterbox and food, leaving him alone in strange places, letting him walk on rooftops in strange cities, not calling the vet when he's sick) and uses his cat as an excuse to brag about his boring media life and all of the models and "trashy, leggy" blondes who are SO attracted to him.
Only reason this gets two stars is that Norton is pretty loveable, even when his owner is a complete dickhead.
Only reason this gets two stars is that Norton is pretty loveable, even when his owner is a complete dickhead.
March 21, 2018
3+ A fun bit of entertainment with an unintended bonus of reminders what life used to be like in the 1990s---before terrorists made travel such a hassle and when people just seemed more laid back in general about things like having an animal with you in public.
On the other hand, I do feel the author, much as he ADORED Norton the cat, was irresponsible in some of the freedoms he gave him, like letting him out his hotel window in Paris to wander over the rooftops, and, even worse, going off to an appointment and deliberately letting him stay outside!
On the other hand, I do feel the author, much as he ADORED Norton the cat, was irresponsible in some of the freedoms he gave him, like letting him out his hotel window in Paris to wander over the rooftops, and, even worse, going off to an appointment and deliberately letting him stay outside!
December 30, 2023
Norton, even though he speaks not a single word, can express so many aspects of his personality and desires of his heart, and that makes for such an interesting story. I must have a Scottish Fold now. The way the narrator, Peter Gethers, can read the thoughts of Norton is hysterical. I often imagine that I can understand what a dog or cat is thinking. I can see in their faces differing expressions that just speak. I surely can relate to how Mr. Gethers reacted to Norton the Cat. This was such a friendly and delightful read.
March 7, 2015
This book is adorable! I wish my cat was like Norton, he's so charismatic :D I didn't realise England was the only country with quarantine though or at least the only one with such strict rules (although I can imagine Australia would be pretty strict too, I dunno if it's something to do with being islands much smaller than everywhere else, I mean the UK is tiny XD).
Overall ignoring the rambling, would totally recommend this book :D
Overall ignoring the rambling, would totally recommend this book :D
September 1, 2014
This is a cute little book. I had no idea these were breeds of cats. They are so sweet, from what the author tells. A very sweet story about a man and the love for his cat. A good read for all cat lovers.
March 16, 2022
Als nog maar de helft waar is van wat hij allemaal over Norton schrijft, dan moet het al een heel bijzonder katje geweest zijn. Hier werd dus mijn “suspension of disbelief” op de proef gesteld om in het schrijversjargon waarmee Gethers vertrouwd is te blijven.
Vergeet trouwens de titel. Tot ver over de helft is Parijs nog steeds een verre stad op het oude continent. Dat maakt het ook niet gemakkelijk om de twee andere delen van de trilogie te kopen (of althans toch te lezen), alhoewel één daarvan “De kat die naar Zuid-Frankrijk ging” als titel heeft. Normaal gezien zou dat voor mij een “must” zijn, maar ik vrees dat hier ook de titel de lading niet zal dekken.
Enfin, ik wilde na al die “zware lectuur” (met “Middlemarch” op kop), vlug “iets lichts” lezen om aan het boek van Fons Mariën te kunnen beginnen en ik moet zeggen: dit boek is zo licht dat ik het soms moest tegen houden of het zou zó opstijgen uit mijn handen. Missie geslaagd dus zeker?
P.S. Het einde tilt het boek boven die “ondraaglijke lichtheid” en daardoor zou het eigenlijk meer sterren moeten krijgen. Maar tegelijk heb je de indruk van: “ja, kerel, nu zie ik wel in waarom je van je pen kunt leven, maar zou je dat talent dan niet liever aan een ander onderwerp uitbesteden?”
Vergeet trouwens de titel. Tot ver over de helft is Parijs nog steeds een verre stad op het oude continent. Dat maakt het ook niet gemakkelijk om de twee andere delen van de trilogie te kopen (of althans toch te lezen), alhoewel één daarvan “De kat die naar Zuid-Frankrijk ging” als titel heeft. Normaal gezien zou dat voor mij een “must” zijn, maar ik vrees dat hier ook de titel de lading niet zal dekken.
Enfin, ik wilde na al die “zware lectuur” (met “Middlemarch” op kop), vlug “iets lichts” lezen om aan het boek van Fons Mariën te kunnen beginnen en ik moet zeggen: dit boek is zo licht dat ik het soms moest tegen houden of het zou zó opstijgen uit mijn handen. Missie geslaagd dus zeker?
P.S. Het einde tilt het boek boven die “ondraaglijke lichtheid” en daardoor zou het eigenlijk meer sterren moeten krijgen. Maar tegelijk heb je de indruk van: “ja, kerel, nu zie ik wel in waarom je van je pen kunt leven, maar zou je dat talent dan niet liever aan een ander onderwerp uitbesteden?”
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