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Able Seacat Simon: The Wartime Hero of the High Seas
Inspired by a true story, this is the fictional reimagining of 'Able Seacat' Simon's adventures and heroics in dangerous wartime seas.Simon is discovered in the Hong Kong docks in 1948 and smuggled on board the H.M.S Amethyst by a British sailor who takes pity on the malnourished kitten. The young cat quickly acclimates to his new water-borne home, establishing himself as the chief rat-catcher in residence while also winning the hearts of the entire crew.Then the Amethyst is ordered to sail up the Yangtze to take over the guarding of the British Embassy, and tragedy strikes as the ship comes under fire from Communist guns. Many of the crew are killed and Simon is among those who are seriously wounded. Luckily, with the help of the ship's doctor, the brave cat makes a full recovery and is soon spending time with the injured men in the sick bay, purring and keeping their spirits up. News of Simon's heroism spreads and he becomes famous world-wide - but it is still a long journey back to England for both the crew and the plucky little cat known as 'Able Seacat Simon'…
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 14, 2016
10 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
Lynne Barrett-Lee
38 books49 followersLynne Barrett-Lee
Born in London, I began my writing career as a teenager, when I was ‘discovered’ by a London-based literary agent, Annie Hallam, via a fan letter I sent to an actor who was her friend. Though life and love took precedence and I didn’t actually achieve publication then, I returned to my first love in 1994, as a mother of three, newly transplanted to Cardiff. My first paid-for piece of writing was a short article about being a mature primary school teacher training student, published in the Times Education Supplement. My world changed that day; I have yet to work as a primary school teacher.
I have been a full time author since the mid 1990s. My latest novel, a psychological mystery/thriller, called CAN YOU SEE ME?, probably constitutes one of my proudest achievements as a writer, since it’s a return to the genre I started writing in as a teenager - dark, edgy, ‘underbelly’ fiction, where nothing is as it seems.
I haven’t always been dark though. I also have eight romantic comedy novels and over a hundred published short stories to my name, most of the latter (which is how I learned my craft) appearing in UK Women’s magazines. I have also published two ebook guides to writing fiction, based on the short courses for adults I have taught for Cardiff University since 2009.
I also write a weekly column for the Western Mail Weekend magazine; something I have done since June 2006, with only a week off per year for good behaviour.
I began ghostwriting in 2007 and have since ghosted 26* full-length memoirs, most of which have been UK Sunday Times bestsellers. My titles include Giant George; life with the world’s biggest dog, and The Girl With No Name; the incredible true story of a girl raised by monkeys, which has now been published in 27 countries and is also the subject of a National Geographic documentary. It also led to me being asked to give a TedEx talk – about what it’s like to be a ghostwriter - possibly the proudest, and definitely the most terrifying day of my professional life.
Recent publications include On Duty For The Queen, for former UK Royal Press Secretary Dickie Arbiter, and the heartbreaking story of the Rebecca Aylward murder, Bye Mam, I Love You, which has garnered over 700 five star reviews. I am also the co-writer of the Julie Shaw series of gritty Bradford-based crime memoirs, the first of which, Our Vinnie, went straight into the bestseller lists. The fifth title, Bad Blood, published in October 2016, charted at number one in the UK in its first week.
My most recent ghosted work (and probably my personal favourite) is Fabulous Finn, the story of a now famous police dog, who was stabbed, almost fatally, when on duty with his handler Dave Wardell. Finn (now retired) has gone on to win multiple prestigious awards for his bravery, including a PDSA Gold Medal (the civilian version of the Dicken Medal – see Able Seacat Simon, below) and, most recently, the 2019 Crufts ‘Friends For Life’ award. Finn is also the RPD behind the campaign for Finn’s Law, to strengthen current legislation to protect service animals. It has just passed its third reading in the commons.
(Modesty usually forbids me from shamelessly plugging books I’ve ghosted, but I always make an exception for Finn. It’s a remarkable, heartbreaking, uplifting story, and I’m honoured beyond belief to have been the one to help tell it. )
CAN YOU SEE ME? is published by Thomas and Mercer, and is out on 01.01.20
For more information about me and my work, please visit
www.lynnebarrett-lee.com
Full list of published full-length works
*As well as the titles listed below, I am also the ghostwriter of a series of fostering memoirs (the author name is pseudonymous for confidentiality reasons) for one of the UK’s leading publishers. The first was published in 2011, and the nineteenth title will be published in May 2020.
Psychological thrillers
Can You See Me? (Thomas and Mercer
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 7, 2016
A story about a wartime hero cat seen through the eyes of the cat!
In the Author’s note she states that she hopes that this book ‘has enough verisimilitude to capture the moment but sufficient innocence that a small, skinny, black and white kitten feels very much the narrator of the story’.
She has definitely succeeded – this story is fiction but it is based on a famous naval incident the difference being the book is ‘written’ by the kitten/cat Able Seacat Simon.
Simon is an orphaned kitten, scavenging for food on the Hong Kong docks in 1948 when he is found by a British sailor and smuggled onto the ‘Amethyst’ where he has to quickly find his sealegs and learn to contain the rat population. He is so successful that he is promoted by the Captain to Able Seacat!
All is going well in Simon’s new world until the Amethyst is ordered to sail up the Yangtse river to guard the British Embassy. Whilst they are at anchor they are fired upon by the communists, killing many of the sailors and injuring Simon. He describes his slow recovery whilst the ship is held hostage until they finally escape and begin the long trip back to England where Simon has become a hero and been awarded a medal.
The ending is sad but happy at the same time and this was a very enjoyable read. The author does a very good job of writing this from Simon’s point of view and is obviously a cat lover as she gets into how I imagine a cat would see the world. I am a cat (and dog) person but I think this book would appeal to anyone, I would recommend it.
Dexter
Breakaway Reviewers were given a copy of the book to review
In the Author’s note she states that she hopes that this book ‘has enough verisimilitude to capture the moment but sufficient innocence that a small, skinny, black and white kitten feels very much the narrator of the story’.
She has definitely succeeded – this story is fiction but it is based on a famous naval incident the difference being the book is ‘written’ by the kitten/cat Able Seacat Simon.
Simon is an orphaned kitten, scavenging for food on the Hong Kong docks in 1948 when he is found by a British sailor and smuggled onto the ‘Amethyst’ where he has to quickly find his sealegs and learn to contain the rat population. He is so successful that he is promoted by the Captain to Able Seacat!
All is going well in Simon’s new world until the Amethyst is ordered to sail up the Yangtse river to guard the British Embassy. Whilst they are at anchor they are fired upon by the communists, killing many of the sailors and injuring Simon. He describes his slow recovery whilst the ship is held hostage until they finally escape and begin the long trip back to England where Simon has become a hero and been awarded a medal.
The ending is sad but happy at the same time and this was a very enjoyable read. The author does a very good job of writing this from Simon’s point of view and is obviously a cat lover as she gets into how I imagine a cat would see the world. I am a cat (and dog) person but I think this book would appeal to anyone, I would recommend it.
Dexter
Breakaway Reviewers were given a copy of the book to review
January 8, 2016
True story of a cat found and smuggled on board HMS Amethyst, all through the eyes of the very cat himself.
If you’ve ever thought what a cat might think and do then this is the book for you. How can you be sure that it likes the name you’ve chosen for it? I’d be careful if I were you as they have a strong opinion on the subject if Simon is anything to go by. Cats keep sailors safe he is told and so as he starts to live life more comfortably on the ship, his confidence grows and he speaks of joining the crew which I found hilarious!
This cat has some attitude and then some! It’s a lovely true story and very inventive to tell I thought the eyes of the cat! Life is all about order and routines he says. The day he describes as his first kill, and the day she meets Peggy the dog…..
This is such a charming read with a serious back story that it really has to be read to be believed and appreciated. The story of the Yangtse river incident is heartbreaking and even more poignant from the eyes of a cat. Oh and the ending! No spoilers here but it’s emotional.
Lynne Barrett Lee evokes the war and the fate of the Amethyst in a way I’ve not seen before and it was a joy yet a heartbreaking one at that to read.
If you’ve ever thought what a cat might think and do then this is the book for you. How can you be sure that it likes the name you’ve chosen for it? I’d be careful if I were you as they have a strong opinion on the subject if Simon is anything to go by. Cats keep sailors safe he is told and so as he starts to live life more comfortably on the ship, his confidence grows and he speaks of joining the crew which I found hilarious!
This cat has some attitude and then some! It’s a lovely true story and very inventive to tell I thought the eyes of the cat! Life is all about order and routines he says. The day he describes as his first kill, and the day she meets Peggy the dog…..
This is such a charming read with a serious back story that it really has to be read to be believed and appreciated. The story of the Yangtse river incident is heartbreaking and even more poignant from the eyes of a cat. Oh and the ending! No spoilers here but it’s emotional.
Lynne Barrett Lee evokes the war and the fate of the Amethyst in a way I’ve not seen before and it was a joy yet a heartbreaking one at that to read.
March 19, 2016
I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars! Charmingly written from the point of view of the cat himself, Able Seacat Simon tells the story of the only cat to have ever been awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal (often unofficially referred to as the animal Victoria Cross).
I had read some historical articles regarding the infamous Yangtse Incident involving HMS Amethyst in 1949 so I knew the background but I had not heard of the story of Simon. Rescued by a sailor in Hong Kong and taken aboard Amethyst, the cat is swiftly adopted by captain and crew alike. He decides that the best thing that he can do to 'pay his way' is to tackle the rats that were becoming bigger (in all senses of the word) pests. His efforts are admired by the crew and he really becomes part of the crew.
However, all is to change when Amethyst sets sail for Nanking. Making her way down the Yangtse River, she is fired upon by Mao Tse Tung's communist forces. The ship, and particularly the Captain's cabin where the now Able Seacat Simon is sleeping, is hit. Several of the crew are killed and seriously injured. Simon also suffers serious injuries from shrapnel and the fire that has broken out onboard. Thanks to the efforts of the crew, Simon amazingly pulls through but it is during his recuperation that another side to him becomes evident. Having been a very solitary cat, simon now finds himself as a confidant to the crew with many of the injured being 'nursed' through the cuddles that Simon gave them. Once he is able, Simon also returns to his rat catching ways even to the extent of getting rid of a giant that the crew had nicknamed Mao.
After 101 days, Amethyst finally manages to break out and rejoins the rest of the Royal Navy Fleet. It is at this point that the announcement is made that Simon is to be awarded the Dickin Medal and in lieu of the medal itself, which would be awarded once the ship arrived back in England, simon is given a ribbon. The huge celebrations that greet the ship on arrival in Hong Kong are nothing compared to what they receive after the three month journey back to Plymouth. The downside is that Simon finds out that he will be leaving the ship for something called 'quarantine' and that would mean not seeing his shipmates.
Although the book states that it is a novel and merely inspired by a true story, having since read the historic background to both the incident and Able Seacat Simon, my feeling is that this is merely down to the fact that it is written in the first person from the point of view of the central character. There may be some artistic licence in the way that we read of Simon's experiences but the book loses nothing for that. In fact I feel that it gains a lot.
Cat lovers will love this book but BE WARNED, I was in floods of tears at the end.
A charming, funny, inspiring but also sad story of a very brave little hero.
I had read some historical articles regarding the infamous Yangtse Incident involving HMS Amethyst in 1949 so I knew the background but I had not heard of the story of Simon. Rescued by a sailor in Hong Kong and taken aboard Amethyst, the cat is swiftly adopted by captain and crew alike. He decides that the best thing that he can do to 'pay his way' is to tackle the rats that were becoming bigger (in all senses of the word) pests. His efforts are admired by the crew and he really becomes part of the crew.
However, all is to change when Amethyst sets sail for Nanking. Making her way down the Yangtse River, she is fired upon by Mao Tse Tung's communist forces. The ship, and particularly the Captain's cabin where the now Able Seacat Simon is sleeping, is hit. Several of the crew are killed and seriously injured. Simon also suffers serious injuries from shrapnel and the fire that has broken out onboard. Thanks to the efforts of the crew, Simon amazingly pulls through but it is during his recuperation that another side to him becomes evident. Having been a very solitary cat, simon now finds himself as a confidant to the crew with many of the injured being 'nursed' through the cuddles that Simon gave them. Once he is able, Simon also returns to his rat catching ways even to the extent of getting rid of a giant that the crew had nicknamed Mao.
After 101 days, Amethyst finally manages to break out and rejoins the rest of the Royal Navy Fleet. It is at this point that the announcement is made that Simon is to be awarded the Dickin Medal and in lieu of the medal itself, which would be awarded once the ship arrived back in England, simon is given a ribbon. The huge celebrations that greet the ship on arrival in Hong Kong are nothing compared to what they receive after the three month journey back to Plymouth. The downside is that Simon finds out that he will be leaving the ship for something called 'quarantine' and that would mean not seeing his shipmates.
Although the book states that it is a novel and merely inspired by a true story, having since read the historic background to both the incident and Able Seacat Simon, my feeling is that this is merely down to the fact that it is written in the first person from the point of view of the central character. There may be some artistic licence in the way that we read of Simon's experiences but the book loses nothing for that. In fact I feel that it gains a lot.
Cat lovers will love this book but BE WARNED, I was in floods of tears at the end.
A charming, funny, inspiring but also sad story of a very brave little hero.
February 25, 2016
Inspired by a true story, "Able SeaCat Simon" tells the story of a black and white stray cat who is sneaked aboard HMS Amethyst in 1948 whilst she was docked in Hong Kong.
Thinking that he was destined just to be a normal ships cat, Simon has no idea that being on board HMS Amethyst will lead to more adventures than any cat normally experiences even with their nine lives!
When HMS Amethyst travels up the Yangtse River, the ship and her crew (and cat) are taken hostage by communist Chinese soldiers on the river bank. It is upto Simon go keep the moral of the ship up under the most trying of circumstances.
Simon went on to be awarded the Dickin Medal which is a decorated awarded to the bravest animals who have helped their human companions in times of war - a true tribute to the bravery of a little black cat.
A lovely, charming book which also proved very interesting for me because before reading this book I had no knowledge of this incident or Simon's role in it. A must read for both cat lovers and non cat lovers alike. It is simply written (it is written from the point of view of Simon) but this only adds to its charm. This book is purrfect for those who enjoyed Molly's Cat Cafe, Solomons Tail, A Street cat called Bob.
Thinking that he was destined just to be a normal ships cat, Simon has no idea that being on board HMS Amethyst will lead to more adventures than any cat normally experiences even with their nine lives!
When HMS Amethyst travels up the Yangtse River, the ship and her crew (and cat) are taken hostage by communist Chinese soldiers on the river bank. It is upto Simon go keep the moral of the ship up under the most trying of circumstances.
Simon went on to be awarded the Dickin Medal which is a decorated awarded to the bravest animals who have helped their human companions in times of war - a true tribute to the bravery of a little black cat.
A lovely, charming book which also proved very interesting for me because before reading this book I had no knowledge of this incident or Simon's role in it. A must read for both cat lovers and non cat lovers alike. It is simply written (it is written from the point of view of Simon) but this only adds to its charm. This book is purrfect for those who enjoyed Molly's Cat Cafe, Solomons Tail, A Street cat called Bob.
February 23, 2016
One of the most gripping stories I've read in a while. Based on a true story, this book manages to be hilarious in parts and heartbreaking in others. Off to google more about this amazing kitty!
March 16, 2017
Excellent. Very well written. Really enjoyed it.
May 7, 2021
Slightly long-winded and over-verbose version of events during the Yangtse Incident told from the point of view of Simon, the ship's cat aboard HMS Amethyst. On the one hand, this is an educational book, detailing historical facts in an interesting, accessible way that most readers will find appealing. On the other hand, it occasionally seems rather ridiculous in some ways that a cat should understand so much of the goings-on beyond the ship, while all the strokes, purrs, encounters with Peggy the dog and the rat-catching drama slightly undermine the worthiness of the historical aspects of the book. All told, this was still an enjoyable read that i would recommend to cat/animal lovers if perhaps not military historians. I also found it rather different to any other book I've read, including A Streetcat Named Bob, so if you liked that, you may well enjoy this for variety too. 4/5
November 15, 2020
A beautifully written book based on the true story of HMS Amethyst and a black and white cat called Simon aka Blackie. Written through the eyes of Simon and tells of his adventures and heroics as the ship is ordered to sail up the Yangtse to guard the British Embassy.
I would recommend this book highly such a beautiful adapt of this famous cat who became a national hero to the people of Britain and beyond. Simon along with guardsman Peggy the ships dog where decorated for bravery more so Simon who suffered severe injuries and being a cat the first to be decorated with the Dickins Medal the animals Victoria Cross.
I would recommend this book highly such a beautiful adapt of this famous cat who became a national hero to the people of Britain and beyond. Simon along with guardsman Peggy the ships dog where decorated for bravery more so Simon who suffered severe injuries and being a cat the first to be decorated with the Dickins Medal the animals Victoria Cross.
November 7, 2017
Charming heroic and tragic story told from the point of view of a cat. It was wonderful. Thinking of my own cats the entire time I read it, I believe Ms. Barrett-Lee perfectly captured the mind of a cat. It is fiction only in the narrative of telling the story from Able Seacat Simon's perspective. It is a true story about an incident I surprisingly never heard of despite studying Asian history. Proves that there are always new things to learn no matter how old you are or how much you think you know. Able Seacat Simon remains to this day the only cat to ever receive the Dickin Award.
February 24, 2018
I have never heard of the Yangtse Incident (1949) until very recently. "Able Seacat Simon" was the only book at my local library that had information about the Yangtse Incident. The Royal Navy ship HMS Amethyst was trapped on the Yangtse River and came under heavy fire.
This is a great read, told from the cat's point of view (because he was on the HMS Amethyst the entire time). Simon was badly wounded in the incident (many sailors died) and was later awarded the Dickin Medal for gallantry under fire.
This is a great read, told from the cat's point of view (because he was on the HMS Amethyst the entire time). Simon was badly wounded in the incident (many sailors died) and was later awarded the Dickin Medal for gallantry under fire.
December 10, 2018
Was really looking forward to reading this book. When I opened it and found it to be written in firs-person format, I wasn't so sure on how much I would like it, but found myself completely immersed in the tale. I was disappointed by the author's use of swearing in the sailor's vocabulary, even though I am sure they said all that and more. (And I do appreciate that vulgarity was not used.) All in all, though, a good read and captivating story. Finished this in two cozy evenings curled up with my cat.
abandoned
December 30, 2021I can’t rate or review this book because I dnf. It wasn’t that I didn’t like it, it just reminded me too much of Moby Dick, not that there’s a whale but the whole seafaring thing. The story is told from Simon the cat’s pov, and it wasn’t cheesy. It works. My problem was that the diction didn’t flow, so it was hard for me to grasp what was happening. After a while, it became just words words words. At least Simon’s speech is much clearer than Ishmael’s.
January 26, 2019
Reading about a significant historical event from the perspective of a cat is certainly a bit unusual. However, it was really interesting to read about Simon and his crew's experiences based on the facts that Lynne researched to write the book. I wonder how many other seacats helped their crews in times of need as Simon did?
Spoiler:
The ending was so sad and bittersweet
Spoiler:
The ending was so sad and bittersweet
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2022
Able seacat simon
I liked that the story as written with the cat's point of view and experience. It was so well written, and the historical facts shows that the human author did her homework. I would recommend this story to anyone. My husband asked me about the story and he is going to read it too.
I liked that the story as written with the cat's point of view and experience. It was so well written, and the historical facts shows that the human author did her homework. I would recommend this story to anyone. My husband asked me about the story and he is going to read it too.
January 25, 2017
I loved this book. A sweet easy read. Going to share with my husband who will enjoy both the cat and the British navy.
February 23, 2017
beautiful and moving book, a must read for all cat lovers, Simon sets an example for the new generations on how to live a worthwhile life and how to cope with adversity.
October 25, 2018
I read this book for my wife in the winter evenings last year, while she sat knitting.
We were in tears at the end.
We were in tears at the end.
October 27, 2018
Wonderful true story told from by Simon the Able Seacat. I knew nothing about these true events. Very enjoyable and moving. Highly recommended.
November 2, 2018
Review about the Able seacat Simon
Because it good story it was a true and brilliant and I recommend to everyone who love true stories. 😥
Because it good story it was a true and brilliant and I recommend to everyone who love true stories. 😥
September 24, 2019
Such a cute book. I was pre-reading the book to read with my nephew. It is age appropriate for young kids. Well written and brings to life Able Seacat Simon. Sweet book for a nice quick read
December 20, 2021
I would give this book 4 and a half stars, dropping half a star due to the need for proofreading, which was quite badly needed. But the story of the cat on board the Amethyst, and the experiences he had, was really wonderful. I had vaguely heard of the incident at the heart of the book, but had no idea of what had really happened. Very highly recommended.
December 27, 2021
I was so sad this story ended!
Telling a story from the viewpoint of a cat was so plausible I never thought twice about it. So good, I didn't want it to end...
Telling a story from the viewpoint of a cat was so plausible I never thought twice about it. So good, I didn't want it to end...
May 3, 2023
An interesting piece of history through the eyes of the cat that witnessed it. If you love cats, you'll love this book 😻🐱.
March 6, 2017
Enjoyed this cat story. It's told from the perspective of the cat's POV. That usually isn't my interest, but it seemed to work for this novel. I prefer often more realistic cat thinking like "Where's my food?" or "This is a nice place to sit in the sun." The cat POV gave the main kitty character, Simon, very humanistic qualities, like thinking about his mother and being told how to survive a cat life as a kitten. It was all very sweet and worked, and there was quite a lot of thinking about his duty on the ship, chasing the rats. And of course, relating to his human friends in almost humanistic thoughts, but it was a nice way to tell the story of this awesome kitty. He was basically doing what most cats would do, but somehow survived an attack by the Chinese communists, and then got back to chasing the rats on the ship. That, in itself, gave hope to the men trapped by the communist stand-still event that happened as a result. So, he was a hero to the humans around him. It was a good way to show this cat's story and the whole ordeal all the men aboard the Amethyst. Lee does a brilliant job showing the struggle of the sailors and their hero cat during the ordeal, and it gives you a sense you are there with them living through it.
If you love a good cat story, it's a good story to read. If you love cat stories told from the cat's POV, it would also be for you. This could also be read by children as long as they know there are some sad parts, and there is some war casualties, but done tastefully without super horror. It will be sad, but having attacks and deaths as a result is part of war, and can be explained to them before hand if needed.
If you love a good cat story, it's a good story to read. If you love cat stories told from the cat's POV, it would also be for you. This could also be read by children as long as they know there are some sad parts, and there is some war casualties, but done tastefully without super horror. It will be sad, but having attacks and deaths as a result is part of war, and can be explained to them before hand if needed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2016
My wife and I are animal lovers and happened upon this book while walking through a bookstore. My wife picked it up and read the premise of the book and handed it to me saying that I would love it. Put simply, she was right.
I was hooked the minute I picked it up and started to read it. It is told from Able Seacat Simon’s point of view which made reading this book quite interesting. The author took obvious liberties by humanizing the cat but I found that I really liked where she went with it.
Simon actually inspires the crew by showing determination, strength, intelligence and a strong sense of duty when he returns to “active duty” after being injured during an attack on the Amethyst. He also becomes a compassionate confidant to many sailors on the ship which definitely helped with morale while going through some not so pleasant circumstances. I would continue but I don’t want to spoil it.
I highly recommend this book if you love animals and enjoy learning about history.
I was hooked the minute I picked it up and started to read it. It is told from Able Seacat Simon’s point of view which made reading this book quite interesting. The author took obvious liberties by humanizing the cat but I found that I really liked where she went with it.
Simon actually inspires the crew by showing determination, strength, intelligence and a strong sense of duty when he returns to “active duty” after being injured during an attack on the Amethyst. He also becomes a compassionate confidant to many sailors on the ship which definitely helped with morale while going through some not so pleasant circumstances. I would continue but I don’t want to spoil it.
I highly recommend this book if you love animals and enjoy learning about history.
May 21, 2016
I have a model of Able Seaman Simon that tells his story on his bottom, so I jumped at the chance to read this fictionalised account of his life to get to know him better.
The tale is told from the eyes of Simon and we see from his point of view, life at sea on board a Royal Navy vessel, as well as the horror, tragedy and bravery of the HMS Amethyst in the Yangtze River in 1949.
Simon was obviously a much cherished ship's cat, who earned his keep catching monster rats! I challenge any animal lover to read this and not have their heartstrings tugged. It is a bittersweet story, but uplifting at the same time.
I particularly loved Simon's idea that cats' souls go to live among the stars and watch down on their loved ones. 4.5 stars
The tale is told from the eyes of Simon and we see from his point of view, life at sea on board a Royal Navy vessel, as well as the horror, tragedy and bravery of the HMS Amethyst in the Yangtze River in 1949.
Simon was obviously a much cherished ship's cat, who earned his keep catching monster rats! I challenge any animal lover to read this and not have their heartstrings tugged. It is a bittersweet story, but uplifting at the same time.
I particularly loved Simon's idea that cats' souls go to live among the stars and watch down on their loved ones. 4.5 stars
August 6, 2016
Always afraid to read this kind of thing in case of a sad ending (thought) I was safe this time. Not sure about cat's being written as though they are human but good story of courage, determination and fortitude. Well known a cat can help to comfort and reduce stress simply by being such a wonderful creature. I had heard about the Yangtse Incident but had no idea when or why it took place so that was an education in itself.
January 5, 2019
I loved this book and especially enjoyed the story told from a cats point of view. I never knew the story of HMS Amethyst until I read this...... what a wonderful connection this cat had with his human companions and how useful he was to them catching vermin on ship. Simon was a brave loyal cat who deserved his medals and place in feline history. Such a shame the Royal Navy stopped allowing ships cats in the 1970's.......... the ending although sad was so beautifully written xxx
December 2, 2015
This is the wonderful fictional account of a malnuourished kitten found in Hong Kong by a British sailor who smuggles him aboard his ship.
His adventures on board as rat catcher and sick bay visitor are heartwarming and sometimes tear jerking.
A great read!
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher Simon and Schuster U.K. via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.
His adventures on board as rat catcher and sick bay visitor are heartwarming and sometimes tear jerking.
A great read!
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher Simon and Schuster U.K. via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.
March 1, 2016
As an animal lover, this book was right up my street. Simon starts out as a kitten barely scraping by in Hong Kong, and ends a young cat with a purpose, and a following.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews