The Autobiography of Foudini M. Cat: A Novel

by Susan Fromberg Schaeffer

"I came into the world like everything else that is born, willy-nilly."  So the wise old housecat Foudini begins the delightful story of his life. It is the tale of his orphaned kittenhood; of how he was rescued, cowering and spitting and hissing, from a damp city basement and lured into the lives of the couple he came to call Warm and Pest ("All cats like to make up strange names for things" ). It is the story of how Warm and Pest became "his  people" ("Human beings must be excellent mousers; they have such patience" ); of how he learned to tolerate and then to love "his"  dog, Sam; and of his adventures at Cold House in the city and Mouse House in the country (he prefers Mouse House, for obvious reasons). With feline equanimity, he tells how he was saved from a racing, swollen river; of how he lost the most unlikely and dearest friend he had; and of how he gained a cat family of his own. And he regales us with news of the ghost cats who visit him in his dreams--the cats of Cleopatra and Freud among them--bringing him their ancient cat wisdom, which Foudini tries, none too successfully at first, to impart to Grace, the sleek and beautiful gray country cat new to the household. As Foudini sees it, Grace is desperately in need of his guidance, but being young and willful, she has other things on her mind . . . Yet even Grace comes to understand that Foudini M. Cat is well worth listening to. Warm and witty--and possessed of a surprisingly sophisticated narrative manner--Foudini is a cat with truly irrepressible, and irresistible, feline flair.

Genres: Fiction, Animals, Cats, Humor, Short Stories, High School, Literary Fiction

178 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 2, 1997

About the author

Susan Fromberg Schaeffer was an American novelist and poet who was a Professor of English at Brooklyn College for more than thirty years. She won numerous national writing awards and contributed book reviews for the New York Times.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Fr...

Reviews

[Amy! · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read in a tiny little book. Schaeffer really captured how cats must think. The story is touching at times and a lot of fun. I'd read it to my cats, but I'm not sure which language to use.

[Chana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heart-warming, amusing and charming book about the life of Foudini M. Cat. Foudini's relationship with the dog is really special but my favorite part is when Freud's cat comes to Foudini in a dream.
It is a lovely book.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! Written from the point of view of the cat, it goes into all the details of life as a housecat, including his rough kittenhood, his friendship with the dog, and how he feels about his humans. I finished this book in a day - I couldn't put it down! The writing is great, and there are so many cute and touching passages.

[Carole Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stumbled upon this randomly at the library and I seen that Susan Fromberg Schaeffer (author of one of my favorites 'Snow Fox') was the author! ANNNNNNNNNNND it's in the POV of a cat. C'mon? Did you really think I could resist this? haha

Oooooh this was such a great read. It is short and simple and sweet, but there are so much you get out of this. So many life lessons and so much cuteness. I simply love Mr. Foudini! It really made me miss having a cat (since mine passed a year ago) and really made me rethink all that I know about cats. Its a new perspective and made me appreciate the cat breed (and dog breed) even more.

I also loved Sam the Dog; he was such a loyal dog to not only the owners but to Foudini even though at the beginning the cat wanted nothing to do with him. It's sad what happened to him, but the author added a little something that made me smile up a storm and made me hopefully for my late dog. I shall not say for it would be giving away a lot of spoilers. Just trust me....it was fantastically done.

This really made me fall in love with Ms Schaeffer's writing all over again. It's been SUCH a long time since I read 'Snow Fox', I really should re-read it. Maybe when it's my turn for the book club again to pick a book, I may make them read this one. ^.^ It's kind of a hard one to find, so I'm not quite sure. :/ But yes, I really want to re-read it and read more of her books.

In the end, I adored this book. It was so cute, small, and simple, BUT it was written wonderfully. Foudini will make you re-think all you know about cats. I would recommend this book for someone who likes fiction novels and for those looking for something a little different in their to-read shelf. I shall stamp this book with 5 stars. ^.^

Favorite Character(s): Foudini, Warm, Sam the Dog, and Freud's Cat
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Grace (>_> she was annoying)

[H. P. Reed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cleverly written from a cat's point of view, aside from a few cat behavior errors, this book is entertaining in the best sense of the word. We are taken from an appalling kittenhood through Foudini's lessons in human love and the pleasures of home life, while never being allowed to forget that a cat is only partially tamed. One of the most touching parts of this "autobiography" is the growth of an abiding friendship between our hero and his dog Sam. Yes, HIS dog. The human caretakers are only painted in as adjuncts to the animals, which is, in all probability, how we are actually regarded by our pets. Yet the author gives them vivid emotional moments which Foudini only partly understands. This book may not be everyone's cup of tea, but if you are the guardian of a cat or cats you will surely enjoy it for it's seemingly accurate portrayal of one of that tribe's thinking.

[Philip Commins]

Very original to write an entire book from the viewpoint of the cat. It's great to see how she becomes friends with the family dog and comes to call him "my dog". You can't help but be moved when the dog dies.

[Mona · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, simple, and utterly adorable tale, told in the voice of Foudini, his dog, and Grace the cat. This book starts out sounding almost like a children's book, but it does have some interesting and unique aspects that make it appealing to adult readers. The charm of this book lies in looking at the world from the perspective of the pets of the household, and reinterpreting the human world their eyes. The bond between the pets and the love the have for each other and their "assigned people" will warm the cockles of the hardest heart.

The unexpected inclusion of the Egyptian dream cats, and the lesson Foudini receives about the birds and the bees from Freud's cat (also visiting in a dream) are part of what made the book more than just a cutesy story. Don't get me wrong, I loved the cutesy story part of the book, too! It's just an interesting twist on what could have turned into a predictable formula.

[Ma-An · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book captures the life of an indoor cat. It gives a sneak peek on what’s going on with an indoor cat’s mind and thought process. I love the aspect of the unconditional friendship between Foudini and Sam, the dog. They remind me of baboy (my bf’s dog) and Foudini reminds me of each of my cat’s personality, depends of Foudini’s mood. If he’s being bitchy, he reminds me of Chloe. If he’s being a glutton, he reminds me of Maeve. If he’s too arrogant to think that he knows the outside world, he reminds me of Ghosty. If he’s judging his hoomans, he reminds me of Sally. If he wants to be left alone and sleeps all day, he reminds me of Milo.

I just wish this is more plot-driven, which is understandable. This is unlike the “Warrior series”. I was a bit disappointed of how his relationship with Grace has turned out.

[Cal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was cute, and I liked the writing style a lot. It felt authentically cattish. The ending was kind of weird and the age of Foudini is kind of hard to make out since he apparently watched a child grow from a baby to adulthood? Fathering Grace's kittens was sorta awkward given that they are radically apart in age, and sure the animal world works like that but still weird feeling for anthropomorphized animals, especially given the difference in maturity between them written throughout the book. Also I don't really like the "let your cats get pregnant/don't bother fixing your cats!" message that might send to a kid. So I'm kind of disappointed because I was otherwise really enjoying it...

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book at least twice before this re-reading. It's been a while since my last re-read and after telling a friend about it, I was inspired to read it again because it's one of my all time favorite books and a book I love to give away. Foudini's tale will make you laugh, cry and look at your pets in new ways. As soon as I read the last word, I wanted to pick it up again so I could savor my favorite bits all over again. The story will warm your heart and soul. Get a copy, read it, give it away and then get another copy and read it again!

[Benedetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un libro davvero adorabile e divertente!

La storia della vita di un gatto, Foudini, raccontata dal suo punto di vista. E' stato divertente vedere il mondo attraverso gli occhi di un gatto.
Mi sono trovata molte volte a sorridere leggendo i pensieri di Foudini, i dialoghi con gli altri animali e aneddoti vari.
Ho amato l'amicizia tra Foudini e Sam il cane.

Curioso, inoltre, il fatto che l'autrice ci faccia conoscere anche i gatti di Cleopatra (almeno credo), la gatta di Biancaneve e quello di Freud!

Chissà se anche il mio gatto vede il mondo come Foudini! :)

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. the cat is the narrator and his view of the world is hilarious. It made me a laugh out loud, a lot. it also has a few sad parts that had my crying. and I mean and hard ugly cry not just a few tears dripping down my face.
I loaned this book out to everyone. So much that I don't have it anymore. However, I will be buying again because it is a keeper. If you are am animal lover you MUST READ.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great little book for anyone who loves cats and dogs - the author is totally convincing writing in the voice of Foudini the cat, and the book is charming (but not overly saccharine), poignant (but not overly heartbreaking), and full of wholly believable insights into the way a cat thinks. A compelling plot, too - I loved it.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, quick read from the point of view of a cat. Born a feral but quickly adopted into a loving home and all the experiences to go along with it. It moves quickly and sometimes dodges back and forth on different parts of the cat's life. Foudini is visited by "ghost" cats who each tell him a story that becomes a lesson he ends up using in his day to day life. Good read for cat lovers!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be clever, poignant, and a utterly charming. I loved the writing and the characters. I originally read it as a kid, and then again recently as a twenty-something. I'd recommend it for any age group.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the reason I tell my cat I'm going to make kitten stew out of her. Read it more than once, like ten times at least.

[loopy_darkling · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨Book Review (No Spoiler)✨

Warning: One major character death of an animal will occur. It is not violent or gory.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5 (Read the ebook borrowed from The Internet Archive)

The Autobiography of Foudini M. Cat, written by himself, of course, is Foudini’s life story. He has permitted the talented author Susan Fromberg to translate and publish his life story from Catish to English to hopefully allow humans to better understand cats. 😉 Though, this tale was originally written for Grace the Cat.

Foudini’s life is an interesting one, beginning as a small kitten hidden within a hole in the wall. His story is a witty, heartwarming tale of Foudini’s life-beginning as a feral cat, transitioning to a housecat- the lessons and relationships he’s made.

The most notable relationship is his strong friendship with his dog Sam, yes he refers to him as his dog, who he disliked at first but then grew to like, then later love. Their friendship to me feels more like a sibling relationship and is reminiscent of the one in Disney’s The Fox and the Hound.

There is never a dull moment in Foudini’s life since he is a foolish kitten through his life, always causing trouble for his Assigned Person (his owner) and for Sam. As he grows older he grows wiser and slightly more sophisticated but he’s still the same old Foudini.

This short story is witty, heartwarming, and entertaining! I loved it from beginning to end. I also love the transitions from the present to the past and the strange dreams Foudini gets from his ancestral cats.

My only complaint is his relationship with Grace the Cat towards the end. I didn’t care too much for it and thought it unnecessary based on their personalities (though it makes sense for cats) and I would have preferred more scenes with Sam and Foudini.

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would rate 3.5 stars. My aunt, a self-proclaimed cat lady, purchased this book and lent it to my Grandmother. My Grandmother sent it home with me, insisting I should read it, it is cute. I probably wouldn't have finished, if not for her excitement.

I brought it with me camping; I figured it would be a good light read, which I could take in a few pages at a time. I ended up starting it back home, and finished it in two sittings.

I found myself only partly-interested in the first half - it was cute, the tone was amusing, and Foudini was developed well as a character (I felt it was a credible portrayal of a cat, though I am obviously not qualified to judge that) but the story was not particularly engrossing in the first 60-80 pages. It was a quick read, I got through the first 90 pages in a sitting so I figured what the heck.

The second half captured more of my interest, and I found myself emotionally invested. I found myself thinking of my various pets, and the excitement and energy that comes with getting new pets, introducing them, and losing them. I felt a resemblance between Foudini, Grace, Sam and my animals, and I found myself trying to reflect on the lives of my pets through their eyes.

It is the kind of story you could share with anyone, though it is obviously meant for animal lovers.

[Queen Clam · Rating 4 out of 5]

November 2017

My dad found this book at a book giveaway. He saw the cover and knew that I loved cats and would love to read it.
I didn't read it for a few years afterwards until 2017.
Foudini is your typical house cat and is not so different from mine.

The one problem I have with this book is the time. I have no idea how old Foudini is.
Here's the timeline.

Found in basement - meets dog - humans have a kid - kid grows up - dog dies - has mate and kittens

One problem I have with this timeline is the humans having a kid and the kid growing up. It baffled me how old Foudini would be if he was one or two years old when the family has a kid. If the child graduated at the age of 17 or 18, then Foudini would be 19-21 years old! Not only that, but he has a mate and kittens soon after. A cat has a life span of 14 years or more. I don't think Foudini would be able to produce kittens at the whopping age of 21.

Besides that, it's a great book which gives a perspective on a house cat's life. I especially like the part where the Golden Cat tells Foudini to bite Grace's neck and see what happens next. We all know what that means.

May Starclan be with you!

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Foudini tells his story to educate your Grace. His mother was a stray, and he was born in a wall. But one day his mother doesn't come home. He was rescued and finds a home with "Warm" and "Pest." They also have a dog named Sam who becomes his best friend.

Sam and Foudini have adventures in their city house and their vacation home in the country. Ghosts of past cats visit Foudini and help him through crises. When Sam dies, Foudini almost gives up, but Grace is brought in to be his new friend. Then they have kittens of their own.

[Marsha Ronquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second time

I read this many years back. I told a friend about it but the library couldn't find for her. So I found one on Amazon and bought it for her. There was a kindle version also so I bought that one for me. I found it just as interesting as the first time u read it. I truly hope my friend enjoys her hardback print version.

[Katharine Kellogg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little book that has some surprisingly emotional bits.

Most of the book has the same vibe as the short videos of cats going “Mother has left the room. Now I shall surely starve.” But it does get a bit deeper into emotional territory talking about the bonds between pets and their owners. Cute, short, funny and enjoyable. Not a bad way to while away two hours.

[Stephanie Berth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Es ist ein schönes Buch und ich habe es immerhin durchgelesen, daher die zwei Sterne. Allerdings finde ich persönlich die Sicht des Kater etwas einfältig, mit dem Titel hatte ich etwas mehr erwartet.

[David Finger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fun and entertaining book, Schaefer captures the heart, spirit and stubbornness of the hero: Foundini M. Cat, in an engrossing tale about an ordinary house cat from humble beginnings who finds a most unlikely home with Warm, Pest, Sam, and Grace.

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can believe that this was written by a cat.
The story of a friendship between Sam the dog and Foudini made me tear up, and all the small things Foudini was writing about his life sounded realistic.
A quick and cute read.
(However, I got bored from time to time)

Japanese title:黒猫フーディーニの生活と意見

[Tanja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Foudini M. Cat is telling the story of his life in this absolutely adorable short autobiography. He talks about his upbringing, his life as a house cat with his friend dog and later kitten Grace. I few times I couldn't help but laugh out loud, other times I teared up. So worth reading!

[meg (the.hidden.colophon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book (it’s is exactly what I imagine my cat’s internal monologue to be).

Foudini is a black (with a small bit of white) cat who tells the story of his life in this book. From giving his people names to his friendship with Sam the dog and finally to his relationship with Grace the cat, Foudini is smart, funny, and obnoxious (in the normal cat way). If you have a cat I seriously can’t recommend this enough.

[LauraG · Rating 2 out of 5]

Idea carina ma ho trovato la storia in sé un po' fiacca. Ben pensate, invece, le descrizioni del comportamento felino.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe more of a 4.5, but so spot on where a lot of cat behavior and (apparent) thinking are concerned, and I love Foudini, Grace and Sam, as well as "Warm" - not sure about "Pest." ;)

[Bibliomama · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this is a very sweet book. I didn’t realize until page 106 that I had read it before when I saw my light pencil marks. So, I hope I will remember next time.