All Paris Guide

This book is a delight, regardless of one's feelings about cats, although cat lovers will take particular pleasure in Peter Gethers' transformation from avowed lifelong cat hater to, er, pussy-whipped cat partner for life. Gethers' writing sings, with lots of comedy and literary references as he uses his relationship with his Scottish Fold, Norton, as a wonderful excuse to make observations on the social habits of New Yorker, Parisians, Californians and others, and on the power of cute, furry creatures as chick bait. An easy but intelligent read, this is a great book for anyone appreciates cats or skillful writing.

On Monday, September 10, 2001, I was idly perusing a current issue of "People" magazine when a vision of surpassing splendor met my grateful retinas: a little gray feline with a precious, round face, huge, limpid eyes that seemed to mirror a soul of similar perfection; and the cutest, folded ears I had ever seen (on either human or cat). This ray of loveliness was, I soon learned, Norton Gethers, whose final adventures were soon to be published in "The Cat Who'll Live Fovever," the third in author Peter Gethers's trilogy of Norton-ology. I sprinted to my local bookstore to purchase this wonderful book, and I also picked up a copy of "The Cat Who Went to Paris," the book that introduced the discerning literary public to the world's cutest cat. And what a delight this book has been: quite simply, I have fallen in love with Norton - hopelessly, happily and blissfully smitten with the little gray wunderkind. Employing a witty, at times self-deprecating, and always engaging writing style, Gethers draws us in to the tale of a six-week-old Scottish Fold kitten who, in early 1983, burrowed his way into the author's heart with a most disarming skill and flair. Gethers, up to this point an inveterate cat-hater, was quickly transformed by his furry little friend: throughout his 16 years on this earth, Norton taught his loyal caregiver (and his many friends) countless lessons and enhanced more than a few lives. (If you don't believe me, I dare you to read this book and the two books that followed it. "A Cat Abroad" and "The Cat Who'll Live Forever" do noble service to Norton - and to the author himself.) I have been a lifelong cat-lover, and I naively believed I knew everything there was to know about felines, about pet loss and grief and mourning. But Norton has thrown me for a loop. I owned one cat named Natasha who died in 1987, and she was quite similar to Norton in her physical beauty, super-sweet temperament, silky-soft fur and a startling skill at causing everyone within pawing distance to fall in love with her. However, Norton was in a class by himself. Like Natasha before him, Norton was a sublime, perfect creation. Alone of the entire feline race, however, Norton possessed uncanny emotional and mental acuities that I, for one, have never observed in any cat. How enhanting it is for the reader to thumb through this book and learn about Norton's first meeting with Peter Gethers, the poignant and charming manner in which Norton converted and stole the heart of Gethers's late father, and the skill and cunning with which Norton guided Gethers's romantic relationships. I can't say it enough: Norton was nonpareil. All three Norton tomes are still available, and now there's a marvelous calendar titled "Norton's Journey." This Connoisseur of Cats strongly advises all Norton fans to purchase this book. It does not disappoint; rather, it stirs the heart, comforts the soul and staggers the senses. In these turbulent times, Norton is a rare gift indeed.

i have never re read a book so much! it makes me laugh out loud almost every page. if you like cats this is a must read! sequel is very gud too...but beware of third....i bought an advance copy off ebay...last half i cried BUCKETS. very sad but touching.