Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats

By T. S. Eliot

A lighter side of the great poet and the inspiration for the hit Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Cats and the 2019 film of the same name directed by Tom Hooper.
 
Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats will be a delightful surprise for any readers familiar with poem’s like The Waste Land and Prufrock. Eliot playfully weaves his way through 13 vignettes about cats, starting with some observations on the importance of cats’ names, before diving into the lives of individual felines. Cat burglars, magicians, thieves, and troublemakers populate the colourful cast of this wonderful book.
 
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• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Jan 5, 2016
• ISBN: 9781551999203

T. S. Eliot

T.S. Eliot (1888-1965) was a British poet of American descent. Born in St. Louis, Missouri to a prominent family from Boston, Eliot was raised in a religious and intellectual household. Childhood ailments left Eliot isolated for much of his youth, encouraging his interest in literature. At the age of ten, he entered a preparatory school where he studied Latin, Ancient Greek, French, and German. During this time, he also began writing poetry. From 1906 to 1909, he studied at Harvard University, earning a Master of Arts in English literature and introducing himself to the poetry of the French Symbolists. Over the next several years, he studied Indian philosophy and Sanskrit at the Harvard Graduate School before attending Oxford on a scholarship to Merton College. Tiring of academic life, however, he abandoned his studies and moved to London, where he met the poet Ezra Pound. With Pound’s encouragement and editing, Eliot published such poems as “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” (1915) and “The Waste Land” (1922), works that earned him a reputation as one of the twentieth century’s leading poets and a major figure in literary Modernism. Living in England with his wife Vivienne—from whom he would separate in 1932—Eliot worked as a prominent publisher for Faber and Faber, working with such poets as W.H. Auden and Ted Hughes. He converted to Anglicanism in 1927, an event that inspired his poem “Ash-Wednesday” (1930) and led to the composition of his masterpiece Four Quartets (1943). Eliot was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1948.

Reviews for Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats

[ca8bookwyrm · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very cute, and any fan of the musical "Cats" needs to read this. I enjoyed most of the poems a lot. There were some parts of some of them, though, that didn't age as well. Those had -- regardless of what the original intent was -- racist tones that kept me from enjoying them. Still, overall this is a really cute book of poems. Chances are, even if you don't know the musical based off this work, you have heard some references to it without realizing it.

[empress8411 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Whimsical and silly, deep and delightful - Elliot's poems about cats are just purrfect! Enjoyable by all ages, but I think kids would fine particular amusement in these jaunty rhymes.

[jcarroll12 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I've always wanted to read the work that inspired Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical. I enjoyed the various personalities of the cats, and I think Eliot's writing and rhyme scheme are easier to follow in an illustrated poem such as this one in contrast with "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" which my students study. This could be a great work to supplement our study of that poem and/or introduce Eliot in a more enjoyable, more tangible way. Any animal lover can appreciate cats' interesting tendencies!

[nmhale_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Eliot's collection of fanciful cat poems were dedicated to his god children, but can be appreciated by all children and adults. The fifteen poems are a paean to the mystique of the feline class. The first one is about the three names of a cat: their public name, the unique name that their family calls them and that can belong to only one cat, and the final secret name that only the cat knows. The initial poem is a great preface to the book, setting up the idea of multiple levels to a cat's identity, their inner nature, and their humanesque qualities. The following poems detail the adventures of specific cats, according to their second, individualized, names. For example, the Rum Tum Tugger is a curious cat who always does the contrary of what everyone else wants. Jellicle cats may nap during the day, but only to save energy for their dance by moonlight. Mr. Mistoffelees is magic, and Growltiger was the terror of the seas before his ambush and destruction.Each poem has its own structure, with varying rhyme schemes, beats, and stanza lengths. Yet they all have a strong lyrical pull that demands to be read aloud. Eliot uses masterful language to create accessible and endearing poems. Part of the fun in the book is discovering the thinly veiled human characters that lurk behind these colorful cats; while the references are clear, Eliot always brings in those unique cat touches to remind us that, after all, these are cats with essential feline natures. Even without drawing parallels between cats and people, the poems are quite delightful. Aside from the touch of racism - which is disappointing, and unacceptable, though I am not surprised considering the time period when his poems were composed - each poem is a light-hearted treat. I don't read enough poetry, and my analytic skills in that genre are quite unformed. Nonetheless, I do enjoy reading it. I can see that this collection of smaller poems is lighter fare than Eliot's other work, and that it still conveys a writer skilled in his craft. This book is a soft introduction to an acclaimed poet, and a nice way to while away an afternoon.

[fuzzi_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Delightful read! I appreciated all the poetry devoted to Practical Cats. ;)

[brleach · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What a delightful little book! These poems are meant to be read aloud, so I read them to my cat, and she seemed to enjoy them. I learned several new words - terpsichorean, prestidigitation, legerdemain. I got this book from my grandmother's library after she passed away, and it reminded me of her. I remember when she told me she discovered the word "prestidigitation," probably from this very book. There's a bit of casual 1930s-style racism in a couple of the poems, so I deduct one star.

[flamingrosedrakon · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was one of those interesting yard sale finds when I was in high school that talked to my reading heart and never let it go. Whether I had read of T.S. Eliot's works before coming upon this book I don't remember but whenever I hear his name this is what I start thinking about. Where to start on the praises of this book? First of all the majority of the poems are rhyming with an almost musical quality to it. To keep the reading flowing the wording is easy to understand and follow along. Furthermore for the cat-lover and to those who know a cat T.S. Eliot has done a wonderful job in capturing their essence. His characters are strong, individualistic and with zany quirks all too real to a home of a cat(s) while his poem "The Ad-dressing of Cats" reminds the reader this was one person who knew his cats.

[sullywriter_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Nice edition but I prefer the one with the Gorey illustrations.

[smiler69 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What's there not to like? It's poetry about cats with names such as Rumpleteazer, Deutoronomy and Skimbleshanks, with wonderful illustrations by Edward Gorey. I was enjoying it enough, but then started reading aloud to my little menagerie and our combined enjoyment was tenfold. Now I'm wondering if I should rename my own cats. 'Mimi' and 'Ezra' just seem so ordinary and are missing a few syllables besides... But how could I forget? Mr. Eliot has already provided the answer:"The Naming of Cats is a difficult matter,It isn't just one of your holiday games;You may think at first I'm as mad as a hatterWhen I tell you, a cat must have THREE DIFFERENT NAMES."

[shirezu · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

When looking through lists of poetry books trying to decide which to read for my book challenge I knew I couldn't pass this one. Cats the Musical, and this book, are my wifes' favourite and she named my cat after Mr Mistoffelees.

It was an amusing little book with fun, kitty stories though was a touch racist in parts. After reading certain poems I watched YouTube clips of the Cats version and found they never quite fit what I had in my head. The tempo of the poems in the book is quite fast which obviously wouldn't always work in a musical.

I will now sit down with my wife and watch the whole musical to see how it all connects. A quick, entertaining read.

[meditationesmartini · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Prominent modernist decided to get cuddly and prove that he's a good sort after all and can enjoy a good feed and a plum pudding, what, and appreciate an furry old rum tum tugger and a chumbly wumbly in his jumbly bumbly dumbly. And cats everywhere pay the price.

[amilofinn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

My dad bought me this book for my tenth birthday. This was sometime before Andrew Lloyd Webber brought out the musical 'Cats' which is based on it. I found it fun and absorbing. I was least keen on the trouble-making cats. The cats I like best are the old, mysterious ones, the old gumbie cat, who sleeps all day and performs good deeds at night, old Deuteronomy, Mr Mistoffeles and Gus, the theatre cat.

[drbubbles_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Strangely enough, I thought it read like a Dr. Seuss book.

[bohemima · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The expressive, creative use of language overcomes the slightly tedious thump-thump rhythms of these poems by an author who clearly knows and loves cats. A pleasant surprise from an author usually considered formidable.

[kdebros · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful rhymes, very imaginative and fun to read. Also fun to imagine the cats described.

[391_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love the illustrations! They are perfect and adorable!

[lauraejensen · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Intricate drawings by Edward Gorey enhance the simple silly poems that are more fun read aloud then not. Highlights are "Gus the theater cat" and "The Pekes and Pollicles." Would be great as a unit on poetry, illustrations, or as a comparison to the musical, would be fun to use as skits, read aloud.

[sturlington_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a cute book, but as a dog lover, it is Edward Gorey's illustrations that make it worthwhile for me. The poems are fast and singsong in tempo, probably best for reading aloud. There are a few surprising (to me) racist references, particularly disparaging the Chinese, which dates the book a bit. Something very different from the author of The Waste Land.

[leslie398 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I have always been a bit afraid of T.S. Eliot, thinking of him as a serious and somewhat gloomy poet. What a surprise this cheerful and light book of poems was!! And Edward Gorey's illustrations were equally wonderful.

[la12hernandez · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Yes, I did buy this because of the play Cats. And it is a fun read.

[lehack · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The basis for the broadway show "Cats". Being a cat lover, I recognized some of my own felines in the poems. Humor, but at times sad. Cats definitely have personalities of their own.

[inkwell_summer07 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this book an awful lot. It's quite a different side of Eliot than one is used to and I must say I liked this side very much. I even read it to my eight year old brother and he loved it too. The Broadway hit Cats! stole its inspiration from this book I believe, but any similarities end there. I personally disliked the Broadway show. This book does not try to offer any deep cat philosophy. It's just pure fun. And pure T. S. Eliot, of course.

[mjiko_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Block out any uncomfortable images of an overrated and overpriced Broadway musical, and revel in Eliot's sublime portraits of practical cats...

[ironicqueery · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I'm not quite sure why someone with the statue of T.S. Eliot would write this quaint little book of verse, but he did. I think it would appeal to cat-enthusiasts only; it's too much cute and too little of verse that provokes serious thought. The illustrations by Edward Gorey also seemed a step down from his usual work.

[debnance_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Unexpectedly simple. Quietly true. And it's all poems. By T. S. Eliot, no less. And all about cats.

[voracious_reader_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

How could one fail to love a book about cats (sort of) that uses the word terpsichorean? As an aside, one of our cats is having a kitty dream and is snorting and twitching beside me. Anything that mentions derivation from the Greek muse of dance and song or prestidigitation and leger domain is cool in my book. It's a very sweet book, and, while I'm aware that many well-educated linguists would not call it good poetry, I can't help but like it. The best illustrations accompany Growltiger's Last Stand, Rum Tum Tiger and Macavity. While reading the book one of our cat sat beside me alternating through dreaming, chewing on my pencil, sitting on my book, and making look at me noises, while flicking me with her tail. So needy. T.S. Eliot perfectly captures the eidos of the Cat.

[rebarelishesreading · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot is the most charming little book of poetry I've ever read. Roni directed me to it when we were in Adams Avenue Books for which I am VERY grateful. I read the poems aloud to my husband, which added to the pleasure because they are better when read aloud and because the pleasure was shared. Besides the charming poems, the book also is filled with charming drawings. Such a win-win. Here's a stanza from one of my favorites: "Skimbleshanks: the Railway Cat". If you read it aloud you will discover that it has the rhythm of an old steam train leaving the station. You may say that by and large it is Skimble who's in chargeOf the Sleeping Car Express.From the driver to the guards to the bagmen playing cardsHe will supervise them all, more or less.Down the corridor he paces and examines all the facesOf the travellers in the First and in the Third.He establishes control by a regular patrolAnd he'd know at once if anything occurred.He will watch you without winking and he sees what you are thinkingAnd it's certain that he doesn't approveOf hilarity and riot, so the folk are very quietWhen Skimble is about and on the move.

[sebastianhagelstein · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was surprised that the poems are very similar to the songs in the musical Cats. The poems are funny and the illustrations are good and match the poems.

[punxsygal · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Old Possums's Book of Practical Cats, T.S. Eliot. 4 stars. Years ago I saw the musical "Cats", but did not know it was based upon some of the poems from this book. At the time I did not appreciate it very much. However, I picked this book up for our reading challenge and began. The first poem, The Naming of Cats, was quite good and I kept reading, but really felt things were a little flat. Then I got to Of the Awful Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles--being a dog lover it gave me a chuckle. But somewhere in the middle of the book, I decided to read a poem out loud to myself and that is when the magic took over. The reading out loud seem to bring out the music of the poems. Apparently, poems just aren't to be read like novels.

[deltaqueen50 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T. E. Eliot is a collection of whimsical nonsense poems that are humorous and roll off the tongue with fun rhymes and light phonetics that beg to be read aloud. Written in 1934-35 as presents for his godchildren this collection broadly appeals to both children and adults alike. Of course, we are all aware that in 1981 Andrew Lloyd-Webber, who had grown up with the book, adapted the poems into the popular stage musical “Cats”.This is a delightful collection of 15 poems most of which describe a distinct feline personality. From the cat who can never be pleased, the thieving cat, the older wise cat etc. Each cat who graces the pages here has a creative name which helps to define their personality. This small book was a delightful way to spend some time and is enhanced by the captivating sketches of Edward Gorey. Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats is a heart-warming classic that deserves it’s 5 star rating.