The Cat’s Table – June CC Book Club Selection

Parent Cafe
61

<p>I just finished. I started the book on time but found that reading amidst constant interruption didn’t work with this particular book. The household calmed and I restarted the book. I have skimmed the comments and truthfully the comments deserve so much more than a quick read-through. I want to take more time reading them.</p>

<p>Some initial thoughts re posts 18-30:</p>

<p>I think characters have back stories not shared with the reader … or perhaps good characters do. Complexity makes a character real. Is Dumbledore gay? I don’t honestly know … but he knows and whether he chooses to share it within the confines of the story remains his business. See I view him as more than he appears on the page. In The Cat’s Table I knew well before the boys that the tailor was the unknown policeman. As Michael hid in the lifeboat, pondering the voice he’d never heard before, I knew it to be the tailor. Do I therefore know more about Michael than he himself does … no, but in this case, my removal from Michael’s experience allows a perspective that he can’t have while crouched in the lifeboat listening. </p>

<p>NJTM and BUandBC82: re posts 21 and 23 … a simply put “yes” … and I also liked the book more after a certain point. The book has its own rhythm, which I ended up liking very much. </p>

<p>peachblossom: re post 25 … I think the father … the convict … has no real love for his daughter. He uses her … no more, no less … a sociopath who views the girl as his means of escape. I’d like to think she makes it to shore and don’t really care if he does. I’m comfortable with Michael’s later imaginings.</p>

<p>I haven’t looked through all the posts yet, but has anyone commented on the dog motif (?). Is that the correct literary term, English majors … Mary? Two dogs (different in time and location) bring down Sir Hector … and the one that bites his throat just disappears as does the show dog later in the story. The Captain has another black mark (possibly job-threatening) with the loss of the show dog. Miss Lasqueti’s life takes a decided turn as the result of a dog and that one on a tapestry. Other references to dogs occur throughout the book. Any words of wisdom to share here?</p>

62

<p>I think that there are so many symbols and recurring, yes, motifs, that in some way they become red herrings. I think Ondaajte shows us that if we look at any experience we can find recurrences that seem to have significance but don’t necessarily really have significance. Of course, the individual dogs and incidents do, but that doesn’t mean following the dogs as a motif necessarily does, yet he forces us to, if that makes any sense.</p>

<p>It’s a natural thing for a reader to notice, but we maybe led down the wrong alley – sort of like the difference between the tapestry and its underside.</p>

<p>We do see the little dog who bit Sir Hector again but only for a bit.</p>

<p>For me, the technique in the book is ingenious. The author offers a barrage of so many details, which at first felt overwhelming to me, perhaps as they felt to Michael. And then when the central incident of the book is revealed to us, it is so late in the book and so much has already been offered to us, we get to see that even the most shocking and affecting of events lives woven into (like a tapestry?) the rhythm of everyday life which is filled with more impressions that we can ever record or make sense of.</p>

<p>For example, here in NY everyone remembers exactly where they were and what the sky looked like on 9/11, yet these recollections live within an entire life filled with impressions and memories.</p>

<p>Ramadhin’s sad death lives as a smaller, more muted focus (there are figures in math made from dual foci, but I can’t remember the name for it), and this event doesn’t seem to grow directly out of the events on the ship, yet they don’t surprise us either.</p>

<p>For me it’s the genius of the book that he could both craft a book around the incident yet not structure the book around it. I know that’s a confusing statement, but it makes sense to me.</p>

<p>The dogs, the water, all the motifs in the book are the same – integral to the book yet not reducible to structural devises because the book wants to remain faithful to something bigger, to avoid allegory (again, moving past the Italian tapestry which is probably an allegory involving a dog.)</p>

63

<p>Welcome Ignatius! Kudos on your busy May/ June and reading the book.
Mythmom, I do agree with you about some of the recurring motifs may not be significant, but I just reread some chapters and realized how often dogs appeared, so just confirming Ignatius’s observation.
What does this mean ? Probably, Onjaatje is a dog lover himself.</p>

<p>For you dog lovers-
As “the storm” approached pge 89-“in the house, a few bodies are asleep, and near them the hound, her ears tormented, shaking, as if her heart is about to collapse or be flung out. i have seen herface in the half-light of such storms…” “A few times every summer this happens. I expect and so prepare for the arrival of the thunder with this dog, this sweet hunter.” </p>

<p>When Michael, has that intimate moment with Emily
page 114 “There was no doglike embrace or tussle or familiar smell”</p>

<p>And, finally this almost erotic description of Invernio and the weimaraner "Inverio struggled to get on top of the animal an growled into the creature’s ear. Then he started kissing the dog, which responded like a woman who loved the kisser but did not want to be kissed, They rolled over each other several times. ** It took only a second to recognize the affection. Both of them were clearly besotted with each other. They bared their teeth. They laughed and barked…** </p>

<p>A bit disturbing, I thought.</p>

<p>If I hadn’t just finished rereading these chapters I would not have noticed the dog fixation,
but had to respond, to Ignatius’s comment.</p>

64

<p>DOGS!</p>

<p>One thing that occurs to me about dogs is that they are an aspect of the natural world that people can partially control, and partially not control.</p>

<p>On ship, the three boys themselves were a bit like puppies running wild…partially under society’s control and partially almost feral.</p>

<p>If Sir Hector had died from the recurrence of a disease (something else in the natural world that people have only limited powers over), that would have been much less vivid than his dying from the recurrence of a dog bite.</p>

<p>The opinions of people on the ship about the disappearance of the weimaraner express the control/lack of control dichotomy also:</p>

<p>pp. 205 - 206:</p>

<p>"…the O’Neal Weimaraner was believed to have jumped overboard and swum ashore around the time we left the harbor at Port Said." (lack of control)</p>

<p>"…Mr Hastie hinted that the Weimaraner had been stashed away somewhere by Invernio, since it was clear he was besotted with the creature and did not seem too upset at its disappearance." (control)</p>

<p>Port Said was a real turning point in the story. After that, not only were both dogs gone, but the boys were also somewhat less wild, and we started seeing things more through the adult Michael’s eyes.</p>

65

<p>Best review I’ve read of this book.
[On</a> a Mystery Voyage with Michael Ondaatje by Claire Messud | The New York Review of Books](<a href=“On a Mystery Voyage with Michael Ondaatje | Claire Messud | The New York Review of Books”>On a Mystery Voyage with Michael Ondaatje | Claire Messud | The New York Review of Books)</p>

<p>

</p>

66

<p>That review nails it, SJCM. Wow.</p>

67

<p>I love all your observations. I am sorry if I seemed to be dismissive of the dog inquiry. I didn’t mean it that way. I meant that the book has so many ideas and motifs that each is like a thread in the tapestry, very important, but best understood as part of the entire design. But that is just the way I see it.</p>

<p>As for Emily being the center, I agree, but she is a rather absent center which gives the book its sadness. Michael and Emily don’t come together. (I just noticed that they are the only ones with everyday Western names.) She’s like Johanna in Dylan’s famous song.</p>

68

<p>mythmom, “red herrings” is exactly how Michael Ondaatje himself described (in the Roberts interview) what you called the “barrage of so many details” in the novel. He creates a mix of fact and fiction, the believable and the unbelievable, and each reader pulls something different from that mix. </p>

<p>The way certain aspects of The Cat’s Table resonate differently with each of us reminds me of a quote from Ann Patchett (from our State of Wonder thread): “I believe literature takes place between the writer and the reader. You bring your imagination, they bring theirs, and together you make a book. It’s a kind of literary chemistry, and what’s great about this is that the book is going to be different for everyone who reads it.”</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>Great observation – and how’s this for a quote to back up your point: “A boy of eleven, like any experienced dog, can read the gestures of those around him, can see the power in a relationship drift back and forth.” (p. 170)</p>

69

<p>Re the excellent New York Review of Books article posted by SJCM: </p>

<p>While mythmom was humming “Visions of Johanna,” my brain was being infiltrated by a few lines from Arthur O’Shaughnessy’s Ode. Snippets of that old poem kept creeping into my brain while reading The Cat’s Table with its rich cast of characters on a ship where, Ondaatje writes, “the deck shone because of a cloudless moon.” (p. 14). I was reminded of the poem again when I read this sentence in the NY review: “…the boys find a home among others accustomed to not belonging: Mr. Mazappa, the musician, aka Sunny Meadows, who reveres Sidney Bechet; Mr. Nevil, the ‘retired ship dismantler,’ who reassures young Mynah that the boat will not simply fall apart; Larry Daniels, who tends his extensive and effective garden in the hold, and who is smitten by Mynah’s beautiful young cousin, Emily; the silent tailor Mr. Gunesekera, ‘drifting like a ghost among us,’ with a scarf covering the scar on his throat.”</p>

<p>Ode</p>

<p>We are the music makers,
And we are the dreamers of dreams,
Wandering by lone sea-breakers,
And sitting by desolate streams;—
World-losers and world-forsakers,
On whom the pale moon gleams:
Yet we are the movers and shakers
Of the world for ever, it seems.</p>

70

<p>Mary, thanks so much for the ode. </p>

<p>Reading your post made me connect something obvious in my brain. Dogs? How about the title of the book – CAT’S Table. Drawing our attention to dogs draws it away from the obvious cat associations. Is the truth more like a cat? Enigmatic, subtle and unpredictable?</p>

<p>I’m sure we all also thought of cat’s cradle – a game in which the string reorganizes each itself into a different shape each time we move our hands, like the “truth” or “theme” of the novel. It’s Proteus – protean, like water.</p>

<p>And forgive me; I know I’m contrary. Always have been, and probably alienate a few folks, though I don’t mean to.</p>

<p>I found all your observations more interesting than the New York Review of Books review. For me it was descriptive, yes, and thorough and interesting in its descriptions, but I think Mary, ignatius, the New Jersey moms, peachblossom, BUandBC82 and anyone else I’m missing from earlier pages to have deeper observations and conclusions than the review.</p>

<p>That’s just me.</p>

71

<p>mythmom, you’re not contrary at all; you’re delightful—and very astute! Your comment:</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>Now look at Michael’s story from p. 40:</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>!</p>

72

<p>^I thought the anecdote about Cassius saying “cat” was so interesting, because actually the correct term was the one that rather shocked the boys when Mazappa used it in a song!</p>

<p>Cassius was not only being mischievous, he was demonstrating both a worldliness and an innocence at the same time.</p>

73

<p>Regarding the title- I hate this title.
From a blog about the book: [The</a> Cat’s Table, by Michael Ondaatje - Bookgaga](<a href=“http://bookgaga.posterous.com/the-cats-table-by-michael-ondaatje]The”>http://bookgaga.posterous.com/the-cats-table-by-michael-ondaatje)</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>I don’t know if this is true ? Just responding because I disliked the title that much.</p>

74

<p>^ Do you mean you disliked it as the title of the book, or you disliked it as a way of referring to that dining table because it’s demeaning?</p>

75

<p>Michael Ondaatje explains in the novel that this what he means by the title. As I said, no more kindle books for discussion – to hard to find relevant material, so I can’t provide the quote, but it is almost verbatim the same as what NJTM has quoted.</p>

<p>I think the title shows itself to be quite ironic because the boys are at the center of all the major action on the ship, especially through Michael’s association with Emily.</p>

<p>I think it is part of their lack of supervision; even in the matter of their dining table they are exiled from the adults (though of course there are some adults at their table) and in their own world.</p>

<p>It reminds me of family gatherings at my grandparents where we children had to sit alone at our own table. We did like it.</p>

<p>And in this case, the seating is NOT accurate since the secret policeman, a major player, is at their table, so perhaps they were being watched over a bit anyway.</p>

<p>As you all have pointed out, dogs make quite an appearance in the book but not cats. So there are no “actual” cats, who I can’t imagine sitting at a table anyway.</p>

<p>And the more favored passengers, like Sir Hector, don’t fare too well.</p>

<p>One thing I think we must note is that even though Michael presents the voyage as fraught with danger, they are only in danger from their own hijinks, and all three boys survive the voyage. The trauma would not have been lessened had they sat at another table.</p>

<p>If Emily is the unofficial mascot of the table, is she the eponymous cat?</p>

<p>Since Cassius gives this answer, as Mary quoted, as a lie, is this the liars table or does the slight remove of the table from the main action give the boys the greater view, like the higher lookout perch on a sailboat?</p>

<p>One question I have is why does Miss Lasqueti send Michael her letter for Emily so many years later? How can it save her then?</p>

<p>And why do Michael and Cassius make so little attempt to contact each other. Michael does go to see the art show and sign the register, but neither encounters the other again although they have so much in common – successful careers in the arts.</p>

<p>A cat has nine lives in popular idiom so perhaps this refers to the boys ability to survive their own adventures, like the night in the storm.</p>

76

<p>Oops - mythmom just posted. I’m having trouble keeping up with the posts this morning. Quick glance and I particulary like the “nine lives” reference. </p>

<p>I liked the title. I understand it meant “lowly” but the boys turned it into “sitting in the catbird seat.”</p>

<p>Dogs first captured my attention with the curse on Sir Hector. Sir Hector’s bout with rabies becomes more than just his ill luck to those who hear the tale. Then another little dog finishes off Sir Hector. The boys experience guilt … and the sense they caused the death. The incident with the second dog made me step away from the story a bit: I needed a moment to suspend disbelief but I moved on.</p>

<p>Now to Verdura with Dog:

</p>

<p>Miss Lasqueti’s tale of attempted annihilation follows (attempted being the key word). The violence that follows the boy’s brushing of the tapestry dog jarred me out of the story … it seems unlikely. Not so much the father’s anger - for a valuable piece of artwork, a prized possession, if you will - nor the boy’s upset or even Miss Lasqueti’s own anger. But beyond that the author lost me somewhat. I can’t see the young Miss Lasquetti striking out with scissors in hand or ignoring the fact they ended up in her abdomen. Really? Connecting the incident with Verdura with Dog seems literary overkill.</p>

<p>None of the rest of The Cat’s Table struck me as anything but believable (yes, even the convict) and often beautifully written. I felt that I traveled on that boat and vicariously met others. I liked tales introduced and then left unfinished for us to ponder, i.e., Mr. Mazappa. I think the discussion so far captures so much of what I felt when I read the book. I don’t agree though with “magical realism” used in connection with the book. Other than the incident with the second dog and Sir Hector, the tale stays grounded in realism … not gritty, and, yes, magical as seen through the boys’ eyes but not magical realism, really. I checked one of my library sources to see how the book is listed and find it describes perfectly what I felt as I read:</p>

<p>Genre:
Literary fiction
Coming-of-age stories
Canadian fiction</p>

<p>Storyline:
Character-driven
Intricately plotted </p>

<p>Pace:
Relaxed pace </p>

<p>Tone:
Moving
Nostalgic
Reflective</p>

<p>Writing Style:
Stylistically complex
Lyrical
Descriptive</p>

<p>A couple other thoughts as I ponder discussion posts:</p>

<p>sylvan: re post 35 - “Yes”</p>

<p>mythmom: A resounding welcome. You’ve added much insight to the discussion and at no point seemed dismissive or contrary. I love that people bring different viewpoints to the discussion.</p>

<p>NJTM: I liked your boys as puppies reference.</p>

77

<p>What I meant as contrary was not thinking the NYRB review particularly insightful. I, do, however think you all are!!!</p>

78

<p>I didn’t like the title either, SJCM. I thought it sounded coy and didn’t indicate the lyrical, reflective nature of the book.</p>

<p>Re the reason that Lasqueti sent the letter to Emily so late: I think it was just mostly a plot device to give Michael access to the letter.</p>

<p>Re Michael and Cassius never seeing each other again: They were very different. Cassius was much wilder and more iconoclastic. Michael was somewhat intimidated by him, both at school and later when Cassius became notorious as an adult artist. If it had not been for the special intimacy of the voyage, they might never have become friends.</p>

<p>Cassius and Massi were considered to be alike. By marrying Massi, Michael was extending his association with that type of person.</p>

<p>At some point, people said that Cassius and Massi would have been suited to each other. If Michael had renewed his connection with Cassius in England before marrying Massi, would he still have married Massi? Would Cassius perhaps have married Massi?</p>

79

<p>You guys have been busy since I last posted! Great comments!</p>

<p>I just wrote a long response and lost it on my ipad. This ipad is new and I’m a rookie. I can’t rewrite it all. I’ll comment on the dog theme.</p>

<p>While I was reading the book, I wrote a note that said, “Dog Theme?” It was a reminder to myself to explore the topic further. I think you guys have already done it for me, so thanks. Going with the Cat/Dog comments, and knowing it is typically dogs that chase cats, I can’t help but wonder if the characters at the “Cats Table” are being chased by their past?</p>

80

<p>

The Cats are being “dogged” by their past? </p>

<p>I can’t believe you made me do that. :)</p>