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Cats' A. B. C
Nichols (1898-1983), a British writer whose reprinted books on gardening and sundry topics have proven popular, shares his wry observations on alphabetized aspects of beloved feline and less well-tolerated human behavior. The book includes a preface by an animal expert and charming illustrations. Originally published as Cats' A.B.C. by Jonathan Cape. Annotation (c) Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
124 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2003
3 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
Beverley Nichols
102 books149 followersJohn Beverley Nichols (born September 9, 1898 in Bower Ashton, Bristol, died September 15, 1983 in Kingston, London), was an English writer, playwright, actor, novelist and composer. He went to school at Marlborough College, and went to Balliol College, Oxford University, and was President of the Oxford Union and editor of Isis.
Between his first novel, Prelude, published in 1920, and Twilight in 1982, he wrote more than 60 books and plays on topics such as travel, politics, religion, cats, novels, mysteries, and children's stories, authoring six novels, five detective mysteries, four children's stories, six plays, and no fewer than six autobiographies.
Nichols is perhaps best remembered as a writer for Woman's Own and for his gardening books, the first of which Down the Garden Path, was illustrated — as were many of his books — by Rex Whistler. This bestseller — which has had 32 editions and has been in print almost continuously since 1932 — was the first of his trilogy about Allways, his Tudor thatched cottage in Glatton, Cambridgeshire. A later trilogy written between 1951 and 1956 documents his travails renovating Merry Hall (Meadowstream), a Georgian manor house in Agates Lane, Ashtead, Surrey, where Nichols lived from 1946 to 1956. These books often feature his gifted but laconic gardener "Oldfield". Nichols's final trilogy is referred to as "The Sudbrook Trilogy" (1963–1969) and concerns his late 18th-century attached cottage at Ham, (near Richmond), Surrey.
Nichols was a prolific author who wrote on a wide range of topics. He ghostwrote Dame Nellie Melba’s "autobiography" Memories and Melodies (1925), and in 1966 he wrote A Case of Human Bondage about the marriage and divorce of William Somerset Maugham and Gwendoline Maud Syrie Barnardo, which was highly critical of Maugham. Father Figure, which appeared in 1972 and in which he described how he had tried to murder his alcoholic and abusive father, caused a great uproar and several people asked for his prosecution. His autobiographies usually feature Arthur R. Gaskin who was Nichols’ manservant from 1924 until Gaskin's death from cirrhosis in 1966. Nichols made one appearance on film - in 1931 he appeared in Glamour, directed by Seymour Hicks and Harry Hughes, playing the part of the Hon. Richard Wells.
Nichols' long-term partner was Cyril Butcher. He died in 1983 from complications after a fall.
Between his first novel, Prelude, published in 1920, and Twilight in 1982, he wrote more than 60 books and plays on topics such as travel, politics, religion, cats, novels, mysteries, and children's stories, authoring six novels, five detective mysteries, four children's stories, six plays, and no fewer than six autobiographies.
Nichols is perhaps best remembered as a writer for Woman's Own and for his gardening books, the first of which Down the Garden Path, was illustrated — as were many of his books — by Rex Whistler. This bestseller — which has had 32 editions and has been in print almost continuously since 1932 — was the first of his trilogy about Allways, his Tudor thatched cottage in Glatton, Cambridgeshire. A later trilogy written between 1951 and 1956 documents his travails renovating Merry Hall (Meadowstream), a Georgian manor house in Agates Lane, Ashtead, Surrey, where Nichols lived from 1946 to 1956. These books often feature his gifted but laconic gardener "Oldfield". Nichols's final trilogy is referred to as "The Sudbrook Trilogy" (1963–1969) and concerns his late 18th-century attached cottage at Ham, (near Richmond), Surrey.
Nichols was a prolific author who wrote on a wide range of topics. He ghostwrote Dame Nellie Melba’s "autobiography" Memories and Melodies (1925), and in 1966 he wrote A Case of Human Bondage about the marriage and divorce of William Somerset Maugham and Gwendoline Maud Syrie Barnardo, which was highly critical of Maugham. Father Figure, which appeared in 1972 and in which he described how he had tried to murder his alcoholic and abusive father, caused a great uproar and several people asked for his prosecution. His autobiographies usually feature Arthur R. Gaskin who was Nichols’ manservant from 1924 until Gaskin's death from cirrhosis in 1966. Nichols made one appearance on film - in 1931 he appeared in Glamour, directed by Seymour Hicks and Harry Hughes, playing the part of the Hon. Richard Wells.
Nichols' long-term partner was Cyril Butcher. He died in 1983 from complications after a fall.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 24, 2018
If you like cat anecdotes and behavioral observations, these are -- well, still not the most interesting. But okay, and decently written. He sometimes has quite good lines. Aside from the cat parts, I didn't really enjoy Nichols voice and found him affected and snobbish. I'm sure my IKEA furniture would prevent us being friends. (It does not appear to cross his mind that some people buy the modern furniture that he finds hideous rather than matched antiques due to financial constraints.)
Likewise, the illustrations were not the best cat drawings ever, but they were nice.
I ceased reading closely and never found out who exactly Gaskin was. My best guess, his servant, but he could have been a very understanding boyfriend or even a less squeamish neighbor who was called on to dispatch mice.
I may still try one of the author's fantasy novels, but I'm not looking as hard for them now.
Likewise, the illustrations were not the best cat drawings ever, but they were nice.
I ceased reading closely and never found out who exactly Gaskin was. My best guess, his servant, but he could have been a very understanding boyfriend or even a less squeamish neighbor who was called on to dispatch mice.
I may still try one of the author's fantasy novels, but I'm not looking as hard for them now.
June 12, 2017
I picked this and its sequel up for cheap several years ago from a secondhand bookstore that was going out of business, but it's taken me until now to attend to it. I read most of the book with one cat beside me and the other cat purring contentedly on my lap while I chuckled and chortled away at Beverley Nichols's astute and loving observations of cats amid his beautifully poetic prose. I have no doubt that Mr Nichols and I would have been firm friends; there's something quite irresistible about a man who loves cats and classical music and gardening.
September 1, 2016
Much too cute for my taste. Only finished this because it was 124 pages.
I suspect that Nichols would now consider me to be a non-F since I was not fond of his book. I consider myself to be an F until the cat in my life tells me otherwise.
I have to come back to this review and say a bit more about my reaction to this book. I try not to let an author's personal life affect how I see his or her writing. I understand that people can be excellent writers and I don't have to agree with their politics or general view of life.
However, sometimes I just can't turn off my reaction to how the author and I differ. There is a popular Young Adult author that I have stopped reading because the author appears anti-glbqt. I always enjoyed the author's novels, but now I am uncomfortable with his stance and the fact he writes for YAs.
With Nichols, I have learned that his non-fiction was at times made up and he took credit for items he did not write. It may have been okay in Nichols' era, but to me, it just seems wrong. Also he does not appear to have been a very kind man. Now I am sure I could be mistaken about all of this, but I have to say that the cute cat book and this author seem like a real mismatch to me. I can't get my head around the combination. And so, I am not intending to read any more by Nichols.
I suspect that Nichols would now consider me to be a non-F since I was not fond of his book. I consider myself to be an F until the cat in my life tells me otherwise.
I have to come back to this review and say a bit more about my reaction to this book. I try not to let an author's personal life affect how I see his or her writing. I understand that people can be excellent writers and I don't have to agree with their politics or general view of life.
However, sometimes I just can't turn off my reaction to how the author and I differ. There is a popular Young Adult author that I have stopped reading because the author appears anti-glbqt. I always enjoyed the author's novels, but now I am uncomfortable with his stance and the fact he writes for YAs.
With Nichols, I have learned that his non-fiction was at times made up and he took credit for items he did not write. It may have been okay in Nichols' era, but to me, it just seems wrong. Also he does not appear to have been a very kind man. Now I am sure I could be mistaken about all of this, but I have to say that the cute cat book and this author seem like a real mismatch to me. I can't get my head around the combination. And so, I am not intending to read any more by Nichols.
September 30, 2008
Re-read. A little dated, more than a little twee but still a sweet paean to the cat in general, Nichols' cats in particular.
December 14, 2017
A book for feline fans. The author's devotion and knowledge comes through - he has spent many an hour studying cats.
June 5, 2018
I love cats and I love Beverley Nichols but this book, which I have struggled to find the will to finish, is almost too cloying and monotonous. An incidental anecdote about feline behaviour is amusing as part of a larger work but it is not enough to sustain a whole book. A repeated metaphor about being non-F (a play on the Mitfords and their non-U classification for those not high enough to reach their social circle) gets very old, very quickly.
The central premise that cats are wonderful is spun out over a strained and artificial ABC format in an attempt to give the book a structure. It is the sort of prose Nichols could churn out in his sleep and I wonder if a pressing need for money caused him to write it.
The central premise that cats are wonderful is spun out over a strained and artificial ABC format in an attempt to give the book a structure. It is the sort of prose Nichols could churn out in his sleep and I wonder if a pressing need for money caused him to write it.
March 3, 2019
What a delightful book! I have 4 cats and this book was a precious gift from a dear friend who also gave me the 2nd Beverley Nichols garden books trilogy. I am so grateful to her for introducing me to this wonderful author.
August 7, 2010
A very funny, insightful book on cats, written and illustrated with plenty of humour and just a bit of sorrow. For all of those who love felines.
For the complete review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/review/Book_B...
For the complete review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/review/Book_B...
February 21, 2008
What a great book! Cat lovers will be nodding their heads in agreement while reading this book. Beverley Nichols' anecdotes about his cats and the cats he has met are hilarious!
August 19, 2017
I adore Beverly! all his books. I have quite a few
do you love cats? then you will love his books about them
do you love cats? then you will love his books about them
January 26, 2014
It's about cats.....how could i give it less than four stars? ;o)
May 29, 2015
Like all things kitty cat? Then you'll love this book. The illustration are beautiful as well.
January 30, 2016
Written in oldfashioned style---delightful!
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June 20, 2017A fun little read, describing all that cats can and will do.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews