The Cat Who'll Live Forever

July 16, 2001
Fans of Gethers's two previous chronicles of life with his cat, Norton (The Cat Who Went to Paris
and A Cat Abroad), will be delighted by this third installment. Here, Gethers (who was feline-unfriendly until he received Norton as a present) recounts Norton's physical deterioration (kidney failure, cancer) and eventual death in 1999 at age 16. Having avoided filling the book with homilies about the nature of life and death, Gethers wryly notes that he's produced something "closer to Tuesdays with Norton
than... to Meowing and Nothingness." Devoting more attention to Norton's astonishing international fame than to the cat's "final adventures," he relates Norton's (and, not incidentally, Gethers's) many brushes with greatness: Anthony Hopkins, Roman Polanski and Wolfgang Puck are among his famous fans. Gethers is at his best describing his own mixed feelings about Norton's success; fans at book signings, for instance, regularly talk to the cat and not to him. Readers will also enjoy Gethers's candid assessment of their lives together, such as his admission that he was "too selfish to get a second cat for to socialize with," and that he slaved daily over healthful home-cooked meals for Norton but often got take-out for himself. (On-sale Sept. 9)Forecast:Norton was the first cat to get a
New York Times obit, and
People magazine included him in a "Notable Deaths" feature—along with Stanley Kubrick, Joe DiMaggio and King Hussein. An author tour and inevitable media attention will give this book the proverbial nine lives.

August 3, 2001
Norton, the Scottish Fold cat of The Cat Who Went to Paris (LJ 9/1/91) and A Cat Abroad (LJ 10/1/93), is back. In this last installment of his feline's life story, Gethers again shares humorous stories of the celebrities that Norton has charmed Anthony Hopkins, Marcello Mastrionni, and Wilt Chamberlain delighting readers with his cat's adventures. The tone, however, turns somber when a veterinarian discovers that Norton has kidney problems, and Gethers shamelessly admits his own cowardice during this period. After Norton's health stabilizes, life continues at a less rapid pace until it is discovered that Norton has cancer. The author then realizes how much love he owes his furry companion and cares for him 24 hours a day. This bittersweet story of a cat who teaches his human friend lessons in loving and coping with illness is essential for all public libraries. Eva Lautemann, Georgia Perimeter Coll., Clarkston, GA

Copyright 2001 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2001
Adult/High School-Norton, the urbane yet humble Scottish Fold, became famous as The Cat Who Went to Paris (1992) and continued his adventures in Provence in A Cat Abroad (1994, both Fawcett) but, to the disappointment of his many fans, took early retirement at the age of 10. Gethers now reveals the details of the feline's final years. Here Norton travels less-though he still makes an occasional appearance at Spago, takes the Concorde to Europe, and upstages film stars from Paris to the Hamptons. Though kidney failure and cancer slow him down and ultimately defeat him, he never loses his charm, composure, or talent for making the most of his life. In his old age, Norton makes a farewell tour of all his favorite spots, undergoes medical procedures with dignity, and enjoys the sun on his preferred park bench-inside a most amusing dog run in New York City. Though it's clear that Gethers has a high-powered career, he somehow succeeds in portraying himself simply as a callow fellow blessed with an awesome cat. As Norton's health problems gradually take over both their lives, the author learns how to care for an invalid and, ultimately, to mourn the death of a loved one. Those who knew Norton when he was young will be grateful that Gethers shared this story. Others can find a different perspective here on medicine, aging, friendship, and grief; the value of humor; or just the meaning of life.-Christine C. Menefee, Fairfax County Public Library, VA

Copyright 2001 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2001
When fans last met Norton, the Scottish Fold cat, he was having the wonderful adventures described in " A Cat Abroad "(1993). This memoir of Norton and his "person," writer Gethers, is just as sweet but less happy. Norton experiences kidney problems and then contracts cancer; descriptions of the illnesses and their treatments are provided in sometimes painful detail. The long good-bye for both Gethers and his readers is a tearjerker. Even those who feel no affinity for cats can't help but be touched both by Gether's love and devotion for his pet and Norton's often humanlike reactions to his illness (although Norton seems to have been a better patient than most humans). Double up on the hankies for the scene in which Norton dies. Still, before the worst happens, there are many happy moments to report, and readers will be awed and amazed at this kitty all over again. 'Bye, Norton.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2001, American Library Association.)