Book Review: The Autobiography of Foudini M. Cat

Author: Susan Fromberg Schaffer
Title: The Autobiography of Foudini M. Cat
Genre: Fiction, Animal story
Pages: 176
First Published: September 1997
Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

"As the irrepressible Foudini M. Cat regales us with his adventures, an exciting story unfolds. After his valiant but frail mother leaves him in search for food and never returns, the starving kitten is taken, hissing and spitting, to a frightening room with cages and men in white coats. Facing the specter of eternal sleep, the homeless cat is adopted by a woman he later calls "Warm." ("All cats like to make up strange names for things.")

From here Foudini enchants us with splendid tales of his unlikely but ultimately poignant friendship with Sam the Dog; their trips between Cold House in the city and Mouse House in the country; his mystical experiences with famous felines of the past; his near-death in a raging river that leads to a profound act of sacrifice; and his introduction to a silly young thing named Grace, which evolves into something completely unexpected."

Stumbled upon this randomly at the library and I seen that Susan Fromberg Schaeffer (author of one of my favorites 'Snow Fox') was the author! ANNNNNNNNNNND it's in the POV of a cat. C'mon? Did you really think I could resist this? haha

Oooooh this was such a great read. It is short and simple and sweet, but there are so much you get out of this. So many life lessons and so much cuteness. I simply love Mr. Foudini! It really made me miss having a cat (since mine passed a year ago) and really made me rethink all that I know about cats. Its a new perspective and made me appreciate the cat breed (and dog breed) even more. 

I also loved Sam the Dog; he was such a loyal dog to not only the owners but to Foudini even though at the beginning the cat wanted nothing to do with him. It's sad what happened to him, but the author added a little something that made me smile up a storm and made me hopefully for my late dog. I shall not say for it would be giving away a lot of spoilers. Just trust me....it was fantastically done. 

This really made me fall in love with Ms Schaeffer's writing all over again. It's been SUCH a long time since I read 'Snow Fox', I really should re-read it. Maybe when it's my turn for the book club again to pick a book, I may make them read this one. ^.^ It's kind of a hard one to find, so I'm not quite sure. :/ But yes, I really want to re-read it and read more of her books. 

In the end, I adored this book. It was so cute, small, and simple, BUT it was written wonderfully. Foudini will make you re-think all you know about cats. I would recommend this book for someone who likes fiction novels and for those looking for something a little different in their to-read shelf. I shall stamp this book with 5 stars. ^.^

Favorite Character(s): Foudini, Warm, Sam the Dog, and Freud's Cat

Not-so Favorite Character(s): Grace (>_> she was annoying)

Book Review: The Snow Fox

Author: Susan Fromberg Schaeffer
Title: The Snow Fox
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, War
Pages: 438
First Published: 2004
Where I Got It: Library


"Is one's fate created by the people one is lucky or unlucky enough to love? The Snow Fox raises this question as it brings to life three people who existed almost one thousand years ago in Japan. One of them is Lord Norimasa, whose highest love is to reunify his country and restore peace. The second is a member of his court, Lady Utsu, one of the supreme poetic geniuses of her time. She is also a woman renowned as the country's most beautiful woman, as famous for her cruelty as for her beauty and artistry. The third is Matsuhito, a samurai who apprentices himself to Lord Norimasa, and who, in time, becomes a legendary warrior.
When Matsuhito and Lady Utsu fall hopelessly in love, the lives of these three are forever changed. Separated by the warfare ravaging Japan, Matsuhito and Lady Utsu do no meet again until both of them have aged so greatly that they no longer recognize each other, their ecstatic and long-delayed reunion is shadowed by the caprices and cruelty of time, the transience of all living things, or what the Japanese call mono no aware."

This book was the first historical novel I read that was set in medieval Japan. I've read some contemporary set books set in Japan, but this was defiantly a first for me. At first I was a little unsure if I liked this book or not. However, I avoided judging until I read the last page and was done. I then let my mind think and work out what I just read. It was an amazing love story and one that will always stay with me. At first I was irritated with how the author wrote the story. She jumped to different points in time without warning. I would find myself absolutely confused and frustrated with the characters.


However, once I got to book two, I was absolutely in love with this book! I even loved how foreboding the book was, it warns you and give you so many clues to what's about to happen and how the book will end. You want to enjoy these and believe that everything will be okay. I wanted so badly for every character to find they're happy ending, but as we all know that that never happens. I will admit that I fell for Matsuhito. He's sort of the Japanese version of William Marshal from 'The Greatest Knight' by Elizabeth Chadwick. He's such a great guy! He's so loyal and perfect. (Spoiler coming) I was devastated that he died at the end, but it was romantic because he couldn't live without Lady Utsu and his son. (Spoiler done).
I hated how the author skipped around and how she plotted out the story. I would've preferred it running in a straight line, but I know she did it purposely. I loved the story and all the characters, even Lord Norimasa's psychotic wife. I loved how she used the foxes as the symbolism of the entire book. All-in-all, I found this a great story and if you love history like me, you'll enjoy this book. It shows you life of three historical figures in medieval Japan. It shows you a completely unique and misunderstood world. I do recommend that you give this book a shot. Out of 5 stars, I will grant this book 5 stars. It was 4.8, but since I don't do decimals I rounded up.






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<3 Carole Rae