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Algonquin Cat
SIGNED BY ILLUSTRATOR & AUTHOR Humorous black ink illustrations, Upper level Elementary reading level.
136 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 1980
1 person is currently reading
71 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 14, 2009
It’s astounding that I’d never heard of this book until my Goodreads friend Elizabeth told me and some other Goodreads members about it.
It’s a gorgeous and charming book.
It’s exquisitely, beautifully written.
The illustrations are special. They’re expressive, detailed, accurate, and sophisticated.
It’s a wonderful book about Hamlet, a cat living in the Algonquin Hotel, a hotel that caters to writers, actors, and other members of the artistic crowd. How cool is that! Hamlet is portrayed so well. When not being pampered by the hotel’s humans, Hamlet spends a lot of time dreaming (yes, cats sleep so much for a reason!) and his dreams are mesmerizing. The story is terrific, and includes a few solved mysteries, thanks to Hamlet, a very special cat.
This book should do at least as much for the Algonquin as Eloise does for the Plaza.
This book is reminiscent of other books such as May Sarton's The Fur Person and the Eloise books, either because of stories told from the point of view of cats or stories with a hotel setting.
Other members have listed this book as a childhood favorite but this book defies all age barriers for who can enjoy it. Perhaps this could be considered not a children’s book but a book for all humans to enjoy. Because of all the literary references, adults might get more out of it than young children.
I was enchanted. I loved the character of Hamlet. I also enjoyed Paul, one of the human characters.
I was so intrigued that as soon as I started reading, I looked up the Algonquin Hotel, and this is what I found at Wikipedia:
“The hotel has a tradition of keeping a cat that has the run of the hotel. The practice dates to the 1930s, when Frank Case took in a stray. Hotel lore says actor John Barrymore suggested the cat needed a theatrical name, so he was called Hamlet. Decades later, whenever the hotel has a male he carries on the name; females are named Matilda.”
It’s a gorgeous and charming book.
It’s exquisitely, beautifully written.
The illustrations are special. They’re expressive, detailed, accurate, and sophisticated.
It’s a wonderful book about Hamlet, a cat living in the Algonquin Hotel, a hotel that caters to writers, actors, and other members of the artistic crowd. How cool is that! Hamlet is portrayed so well. When not being pampered by the hotel’s humans, Hamlet spends a lot of time dreaming (yes, cats sleep so much for a reason!) and his dreams are mesmerizing. The story is terrific, and includes a few solved mysteries, thanks to Hamlet, a very special cat.
This book should do at least as much for the Algonquin as Eloise does for the Plaza.
This book is reminiscent of other books such as May Sarton's The Fur Person and the Eloise books, either because of stories told from the point of view of cats or stories with a hotel setting.
Other members have listed this book as a childhood favorite but this book defies all age barriers for who can enjoy it. Perhaps this could be considered not a children’s book but a book for all humans to enjoy. Because of all the literary references, adults might get more out of it than young children.
I was enchanted. I loved the character of Hamlet. I also enjoyed Paul, one of the human characters.
I was so intrigued that as soon as I started reading, I looked up the Algonquin Hotel, and this is what I found at Wikipedia:
“The hotel has a tradition of keeping a cat that has the run of the hotel. The practice dates to the 1930s, when Frank Case took in a stray. Hotel lore says actor John Barrymore suggested the cat needed a theatrical name, so he was called Hamlet. Decades later, whenever the hotel has a male he carries on the name; females are named Matilda.”
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November 4, 2009"One of my favorite children's books of all time - I even named my cats after this book![return][return]I love the internal life of Hamlet and the other cats, the way they can communicate through dreams, even to cats in other times and places - and the illustrations of the dreamscapes (and real places) are gorgeous. And the visualizations of the human characters as cats (or dogs). I especially liked the way Hamlet disguises his helpfulness so the people won't figure out how smart he is and put him to work.[return][return]It is, of course, a book for an older child, perhaps 9-10. As a book set in a New York hotel, it might appeal to kids who liked Eloise when they were younger."
July 29, 2013
Great writing on "cat language" and custom is what makes this charming, adorable book a keeper. Sweet illustrations and plenty of 50-cent words make this a cut above the average children's book. I would have loved this at age 8-10 or so, and it's a great find for kids who love cats, or who have an interest in writing or acting. The book's a bit dated (mostly in terms of language), but not in any way that detracts from the delightful story. A great depiction of a classic New York hotel and its visitors, very genteel and classic in tone (both the hotel and the book!). Will make you want to sit on a plush sofa and sip a cognac or a glass of champagne with a purring cat by your side.
February 16, 2024
This is a cute idea and I've met several of the cats who have lived in the Algonquin. The pictures are charming and Hamlet is a smart cat, but the humans are mostly caricatures. Hamlet spends much of his time in dreams and later behaves in an uncatlike way, making people happy by giving/revealing something that will make their lives better.
April 2, 2019
A fun follow-up to visiting the Hotel Algonquin. Hilary Knight's illustrations are charming.
July 9, 2020
An interesting take on the dreamlife of cats that was overshadowed by dreams that led nowhere (with regard to furthering the story) and too many New York celebrities and their unengaging problems.
April 16, 2024
Huh. That was weird.
October 23, 2009
I got this book primarily for the Hilary Knight illustrations (he's one of my all-time favorites!). The story, however, is entertaining -- a good read/mystery and is a gentle introduction to the eccentric, flamboyant and fascinating folks who made up the legendary Algonquin Circle (of which, incidently, Hilary Knight was a member...).
April 8, 2015
This was a cute book about The Algonquin cat, Hamlet. It was written in 1980 and is very dated. It is categorized as Juvenille, but I don't think it is really a child's book. It is a cute book for an adult to read, although I found it a little boring. I wish someone would write a newer version with the current cat, Matilda.
September 18, 2014
A very charming and delightful book, but not as significant/powerful as other reviews suggested it was. Maybe because this is something I never read as a child? I still enjoyed it and an grateful for its central message.
Want to read
October 14, 2009My copy arrived and the illustrations are just about the cutest things I've ever seen--plus, this kitty totally reminds me of our spunky princess-of-the-universe calico, so that helps! ;->
October 2, 2009
What cats are really doing when they sleep all the time. Charming story of Hamlet, a cat who lives in the famous Algonquin hotel.
August 22, 2011
not what I expected. traded it in for credit at Bookman's. hopefully someone else enjoys it.
December 27, 2010
fun and easy to read--cute little book
March 14, 2017
Cute idea, lousy execution. The whole thing is both overwrought and confusing, as all the human characters rather run together.
December 30, 2014
Boring and long-winded.
February 28, 2016
Youthful fun book. I'm glad I read it for the second time.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews