The Cat’s Table
by Michael Ondaatje
The Cat's Table by Michael Ondaatje holds a well received rating of 3.59 out of 5, based on 16.6K reader ratings. First published in 2011. The book spans 269 pages.
About The Cat's Table
A spellbinding story - by turns poignant and electrifying - about the magical, often forbidden, discoveries of childhood and a lifelong journey that begins unexpectedly with a spectacular sea voyage.In the early 1950s, an eleven-year-old boy in Colombo boards a ship bound for England. At mealtimes he is seated at the "cat's table" - as far from the Captain's Table as can be - with a ragtag group of "insignificant" adults and two other boys, Cassius and Ramadhin. As the ship makes its way across the Indian Ocean, through the Suez Canal, into the Mediterranean, the boys tumble from one adventure to another, bursting all over the place like freed mercury. But there are other diversions as well: one man talks with them about jazz and women, another opens the door to the world of literature. The narrator's elusive, beautiful cousin Emily becomes his confidante, allowing him to see himself "with a distant eye" for the first time, and to feel the first stirring of desire. Another Cat's Table denizen, the shadowy Miss Lasqueti, is perhaps more than what she seems. And very late every night, the boys spy on a shackled prisoner, his crime and his fate a galvanizing mystery that will haunt them forever.As the narrative moves between the decks and holds of the ship and the boy's adult years, it tells a spellbinding story - by turns poignant and electrifying - about the magical, often forbidden, discoveries of childhood and a lifelong journey that begins unexpectedly with a spectacular sea voyage.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Michael Ondaatje |
| Published | 2011 |
| Pages | 269 |
| Genres | Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Travel, Mystery & Thriller |
| Average Rating | 3.59 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 16,631 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is The Cat's Table?
The Cat's Table is categorized as Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Travel. Its primary genre classification is Mystery & Thriller.
Is The Cat's Table worth reading?
Based on 16.6K reader ratings, The Cat's Table has an average score of 3.59 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received."
How many pages is The Cat's Table?
The Cat's Table has 269 pages.
Who wrote The Cat's Table?
The Cat's Table was written by Michael Ondaatje. It was first published in 2011.
What is the ISBN for The Cat's Table?
The ISBN-13 for The Cat's Table is 9780224093610.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
