Max and the Cats
by Moacyr Scliar, Eloah F. Giacomelli | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 0452284538 Global Overview for this book
ISBN: 0452284538 Global Overview for this book
39 journalers for this copy...
I read this book a month ago and bookcrossed it to Lizzy-stardust - unfortunately her cats ate/disappeared the original copy! [note as of 10 May 2005 the other copy has reappeared] She graciously got me a new copy to send out as a RABCK (the original has been RABCKed several times already).
So consider this an extension of this book Max and the Cats - BCID xxx-1426083, with a new number in case the old copy shows up (which it has)
I was going to send this out as an RABCK, but I haven't heard back from the person I PMed. Hence, I am going to make this my first ever bookray. Check back here for a list of future recipients. :-) The bookray will be international, but of course if you only want to ship to someone in your country or continent, I can accomodate that too.
Bookray List:
The forum article about this book is here.
who will be next! :-) We are always short of bookcrossers in the Southeast pacific/Oz/NZ/Japan/China/India etc so please contact me if you are from there and are interested. :-)
Non-responding or skipped bookray participants: please contact me to update me on whether you still wish to participate - PMs don't seem to be getting through
Where Max and the Cats has travelled so far!!
create your own visited countries map
So consider this an extension of this book Max and the Cats - BCID xxx-1426083, with a new number in case the old copy shows up (which it has)
I was going to send this out as an RABCK, but I haven't heard back from the person I PMed. Hence, I am going to make this my first ever bookray. Check back here for a list of future recipients. :-) The bookray will be international, but of course if you only want to ship to someone in your country or continent, I can accomodate that too.
Bookray List:
- blaisezabini12 Cluj-napoca, Romania
- asterw Greece
- deadendmind Pendeli, Greece
- MollyGrue USA
- fizzfred USA
- garnetfairy USA
- sqdancer Canada
- cantreadenuff Woodbine, Maryland, USA
- Catsalive Rooty Hill, NSW, Australia
- Goodthinkingmax Sydney, Oz
- Cathyinoz Warrandyte, Victoria, Oz
- Cackleberry and Jawin Brisbane, Australia
- bookworm-BNE Brisbane, Oz
- Aleonblue Brisbane, Oz.
- Sherlockfan Wellington, NZ
- Boreal Dunedin, NZ
- Jehanine Manchester, UK
- KarenBC Reid Lake, BC, Canada
- Angelfirestar Verdon, Nebraska, USA, shipping US only
- Satnam Wilton, New Hampshire,USA, shipping?
- Glade1 McLeansville, NC, US, prefers shipping in US.
- Mustytomes Chicago, USA, shipping anywhere
- Genielady Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, US, will ship anywhere
- juliebarreto Kamuela, Hawaii, USA, will ship overseas.
- Ber-untung Singapore. Will ship internationally.
- Cat207 Newcastle, New South Wales Australia. Will ship international.
- Nice -cup-of-tea Zurich, Switzerland, will ship anywhere.
- Marko167 Basel, Switzerland
- Panzeranzi Göteborg, Västra Götalands län, Sweden
- Stormon Storfors, Värmlands län, Sweden
- Alvhyttan Nora, Örebro län, Sweden
- Brandane60 Bourdeaux, France, will ship international, prefers in France
- platypussj Colchester, UK, willing to ship anywhere
- Hughganought special guest reader: the amazing Hugh a BC newbie, Aylesbury, UK.
- Veganknitter another special guest reader, veganknitter is a good friend from the Manchester bookcrossing group!
- Catflap London, Cambridgeshire(?) ok shipping overseas. <-- en route here! :-)
- anyone in the US, Caribbean or Canada interested?
- blackteiwaz Costa Rica, willing to ship anywhere
- Celeritas2 Christchurch, NZ, will ship NZ/Oz
- VeganMedusa Dobson, New Zealand. Prefers to ship within Pacific but anywhere if necessary
- Please PM jmcbeth if the list is completed so she can do some recruiting...
The forum article about this book is here.
Non-responding or skipped bookray participants: please contact me to update me on whether you still wish to participate - PMs don't seem to be getting through
- Atkinson Seoul, Korea. You are still welcome Atkinson, if you are interested let me know.
- Hellie UK, will ship anywhere
- JeSuisBelle Phillippines, will ship anywhere (preferably near or in Asia) [this user is on the deadbeat bookcrossers list, until they get off that list through demonstrated good behaviour, they will not be on this bookray again]
Where Max and the Cats has travelled so far!!
create your own visited countries map
Finally here! Thank you jmcbeth for sending it to Romania. Can't wait to read it as Life of Pi was one of the best books read in 2004.
Will start reading it after I finish "The secret life of bees" (another ray:))
20 may 05: started reading the book today. Will add some more comments in the evening:) (now I am at a laboratory)
!!!!!!!!SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!!
20 may 05 (evening): It was a fast read and I can see why people say that Life of Pi has "borrowed" a part from this book.
I was really sorry for Max at the end of the book - the way in which paranoia took over his life. I liked the historical background, the way in which we are reminded that not all the Germans were Nazis and that you shouldn't discriminate against people.
I would have enjoyed the book even more if a bigger part of it had been devoted to the shipwreck and the time that Max spent with the jaguar:)
21 may 05: asterw has pmed the address and I am going to put the book in the mail box at the beginning of the next week (monday or tuesday)
26 may: only today did I manage to send the book. Hope it gets soon in Athens. Enjoy!
Will start reading it after I finish "The secret life of bees" (another ray:))
20 may 05: started reading the book today. Will add some more comments in the evening:) (now I am at a laboratory)
!!!!!!!!SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!!
20 may 05 (evening): It was a fast read and I can see why people say that Life of Pi has "borrowed" a part from this book.
I was really sorry for Max at the end of the book - the way in which paranoia took over his life. I liked the historical background, the way in which we are reminded that not all the Germans were Nazis and that you shouldn't discriminate against people.
I would have enjoyed the book even more if a bigger part of it had been devoted to the shipwreck and the time that Max spent with the jaguar:)
21 may 05: asterw has pmed the address and I am going to put the book in the mail box at the beginning of the next week (monday or tuesday)
26 may: only today did I manage to send the book. Hope it gets soon in Athens. Enjoy!
I received the book by mail today, thank you blaisezabini12!
I'll be finishing "Life of Pi" today and start "Max and the cats" tomorrow the latest. (I hope I don't suffer from "overdose"!)
As soon as I finish reading it, I'll pass it on to deadendmind.
1 June 05: I read it within a day. A small book which covers the story of Max, a German whose life changes several times because of the Nazis. A part of the book does remind Life of Pi. I quite enjoyed reading the book.
Thank you jmcbeth for organizing the bookray!
I'll give it to deadendmind next time we meet (don't you worry, I'm sure it won't be too late ;o) )
I'll be finishing "Life of Pi" today and start "Max and the cats" tomorrow the latest. (I hope I don't suffer from "overdose"!)
As soon as I finish reading it, I'll pass it on to deadendmind.
1 June 05: I read it within a day. A small book which covers the story of Max, a German whose life changes several times because of the Nazis. A part of the book does remind Life of Pi. I quite enjoyed reading the book.
Thank you jmcbeth for organizing the bookray!
I'll give it to deadendmind next time we meet (don't you worry, I'm sure it won't be too late ;o) )
June 13th:I just met asterw and she gave it to me. The ray continues. I will start reading it ASAP. Thanks jmcbeth, thanks asterw!!!
June 15th: I just finished it! A very bittersweet little book, with an extremely interesting lead character.
The similarities with Life of Pi are apparent in the chapter The Jaguar in the Dinghy.
It was also very interesting because I know nothing about how Brazil was in the 30s.
Will PM MollyGrue for her address right away!
June 21st: Sent the book out today. It took me some time because I was a bit busy last week, but now the book is on its way to find MollyGrue!
The ray continues...
June 15th: I just finished it! A very bittersweet little book, with an extremely interesting lead character.
The similarities with Life of Pi are apparent in the chapter The Jaguar in the Dinghy.
It was also very interesting because I know nothing about how Brazil was in the 30s.
Will PM MollyGrue for her address right away!
June 21st: Sent the book out today. It took me some time because I was a bit busy last week, but now the book is on its way to find MollyGrue!
The ray continues...
I do have a few other rings ahead of this one, but I should get to this fairly soon. Thanks!
Good book about a man's life obsession with cats. Yes, the story does somewhat provide a leaping-off point for Life of Pi, but I liked the last chapter best.
Reserved for the next reader.
Reserved for the next reader.
Journal Entry 7 by MollyGrue at In The Mail in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, July 2, 2005
Released 18 yrs ago (7/2/2005 UTC) at In The Mail in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Sent to Fizzfred. Happy reading!
DC# 03022940000169565820
Sent to Fizzfred. Happy reading!
DC# 03022940000169565820
This came in the mail today. I should have it finished very soon. In fact, I'll PM garnetfairy for an address now. :)
Ooopse, I sent this to garnetfairy sometime last week. I just noticed that I never journaled it. Sorry about that! Anyway, this was an interesting little book. It is more like 3 short stories though. I could not tell where he was going to go with the story, which is good. I thought it was very interesting to see how Martel took off from the second chapter and wrote Life of Pi. I felt like I was witnessing the birth of an idea. :) Thank you so much for sharing, jmcbeth.
Thank you so much!
This was waiting for me when I got home from visiting ancientmoth for the week.
This was waiting for me when I got home from visiting ancientmoth for the week.
Interesting little book. I look forward to reading Life of Pi since this was said to be the inspiration for it. I liked all the feline imagery. I had no idea it had anything to do with Nazis so that was a surprise to me. I liked it. It said a lot in a small space. Thank you for making the bookray available.
Will mail as soon as I get sqdancer's address. Have PMed for it.
Will mail as soon as I get sqdancer's address. Have PMed for it.
It's here! Looks like an interesting little book.
Oops! I mailed this out on Thursday, sorry for the delayed journal entry. Very nice little book. I really enjoyed it.
It's here! Unfortunately, I have another bookray ahead of it that arrived earlier in the week, not to mention the book I'm just about to finish. This one looks so good and short...I might just let it butt up in line without telling anyone...shhhh...
First of all, thanks to jmcbeth for starting this ray! I would never have known about this excellent book if not for Bookcrossing; clearly I missed the press about Yann Martel & plagiarism. I agree with those who think Martel took the idea and greatly expanded upon it, as these are very different style books. I'm glad I read Life of Pi first, as I would have likely been disappointed the other way around. Also, I have been reading long and/or difficult books lately, so it was thoroughly refreshing to knock this off in one evening! There is quite a bit packed into 115 pages, excellent story telling, and the feline imagery is excellent, if as a dog-lover I may say so. The three chapters have different cats in them, which are metaphors for our fears at different stages of life. Here's a quote from the first chapter, speaking of a stuffed Bengal tiger in his father's fur shop:
"The eyes, although made of glass, were perfect. In a certain slant of light, they would glint with a fierce brightness, a brightness that Max had never seen in the eyes of the tigers in the zoo, but then, those animals were old, resigned to captivity."
Have PM'd Hellie for mailing address...
(and yes, I did sneak this one in ahead of another book!)
"The eyes, although made of glass, were perfect. In a certain slant of light, they would glint with a fierce brightness, a brightness that Max had never seen in the eyes of the tigers in the zoo, but then, those animals were old, resigned to captivity."
Have PM'd Hellie for mailing address...
(and yes, I did sneak this one in ahead of another book!)
mailed today to OZ...Rooty Hill sounds so exotic!
Journal Entry 17 by 
catsalive
from Rooty Hill, New South Wales Australia on Monday, October 10, 2005
catsalive from Rooty Hill, New South Wales Australia on Monday, October 10, 2005
Received today. It's only a baby book. Looking forward to reading it but it's onto Mt TBR for the time being. Thanks, cantreadenuff. I can promise you there is nothing exotic about Rooty Hill, but the name is certainly different.
Journal Entry 18 by catsalive from Rooty Hill, New South Wales Australia on Tuesday, October 25, 2005
catsalive from Rooty Hill, New South Wales Australia on Tuesday, October 25, 2005
What a strange little book. It reads like a study guide. I was disappointed not to see more cats. I guess it's an allegory for many things but I'm glad Max won through in the end, even if it feels incomplete. Max may have been paranoid but I'm sure he was correct about Hilde's husband.
I will have to read "The Life of Pi" now, just to compare.
Off to goodthinkingmax next. Posted 27/10/5.
I will have to read "The Life of Pi" now, just to compare.
Off to goodthinkingmax next. Posted 27/10/5.
Journal Entry 19 by goodthinkingmax from Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia on Thursday, October 27, 2005
Received today. Thanks catsalive. I just posted another bookring off to Rooty Hill this morning. I am going to have to pop over to Rooty Hill RSL Club sometime and check out the latest exotic features of the suburb!
I read Life of Pi just a few weeks ago and the similarity is apparent from the back cover. I will read Max sometime during the next week.
I read Life of Pi just a few weeks ago and the similarity is apparent from the back cover. I will read Max sometime during the next week.
A quick read with a really interesting historical backdrop and plot, yet somehow I felt dissatisfied with it. Once read, I didn't think about it again. This might sound harsh but the feline theme seemed a bit pointless and my appreciation of the book would have been similar with or without the cats.
Off to cathyin oz as soon as I have her details. Thanks jmcbeth for starting this ray.
Off to cathyin oz as soon as I have her details. Thanks jmcbeth for starting this ray.
Journal Entry 21 by goodthinkingmax from Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia on Monday, November 7, 2005
Oops I forgot to log in and now the journal entry above says "anonymousfinder"...it's me.
Arrived here safe and sound. I'm already 2/3 of the way through it. Interesting to see the parallels between it and Life of Pi. Thanks for passing this on goodthinkingmax.
Well, I think if I were Scliar I would have been sore with Martel too. The jaguar in the dingy is a unique idea. While Martel certainly focussed on this cat-in-the-boat situation, his underlying theme was quite different to Scliar's book (which is how he got away with it, I'm assuming).
This book has an oddly removed feeling about it -- distance between the character and the reader which is not usual in modern literature. This did not alienate me from the main character, I'm just wondering if it was due to translation or if the author meant it to feel like that.
Thanks for the chance to read this book, its one I'll be thinking over for a few days.
I have cackleberry's addy and will post on Monday.
This book has an oddly removed feeling about it -- distance between the character and the reader which is not usual in modern literature. This did not alienate me from the main character, I'm just wondering if it was due to translation or if the author meant it to feel like that.
Thanks for the chance to read this book, its one I'll be thinking over for a few days.
I have cackleberry's addy and will post on Monday.
Posted to cackleberry up in Queensland today -- 17/11/05
Hope you enjoy it!
Hope you enjoy it!
This book appeared on top of the pile on my bedside table yesterday. I had several choices: leave it, and the pile would collapse and possibly pin me to the floor never to be found again; take it off the pile and add it to those that have fallen over time under the bed, but there's not much room there what with the books, the dust bunnies and Merlin, the huge Monstercat; or put aside the three other half finished books on the top of the pile and read it. I chose what seemed to be the safest path and read it - it is a relatively small book and was quite easy to get through.Looking for a strong tale of adventure, courage and imagination? Then give this one a miss.
It actually starts out as an interesting concept: a young German man, Max, is learning things about himself, his beliefs and so on. It is the 1930s and Max is forced to flee Germany because of a glancing involvement with a mean Nazi. (He was having an affair with Mrs Nazi and they got caught out.) He travels on a ship headed for Brazil, along with some seedy characters and a hold-full of zoo animals. The ship is scuttled by the captain and the zoo owner for the insurance. Max is stranded in a lifeboat with a few supplies and a jaguar.
The thesis of the jaguar and the boy alone in a lifeboat has so much potential. However, the author fails to connect and make the characters or the book interesting and engaging to me.
I felt the same way about Life of Pi, the Booker Prize winner by Yann Martel. Martel admitted that he took the general premise (kid in boat with exotic cat) for his book from Max and the Cats. Despite all the hype about that, I would include it without question in my ‘Ten Worst Books of All Time’ list.
Perhaps I'm not as "deep" as some others who have read these books and experienced a life changing epiphany.
I could not suspend disbelief enough to feel at all involved with Max and the Cats. How did the cat survive the sinking in a box that sank minutes after it was opened? How would either Max or the cat survive without water? What happened to the cat – was it real or an allegory of some sort?
Um... lest I sound too disparaging let me say that – unlike Life of Pi - I did enjoy reading Max and the Cats ... it is well written... just, ultimately, what am I left with in terms of meaning? I don't know, and I'm not sure there is anything here to know.
Chook scanned the third chapter cover art so, to avoid domestic disharmony, I've added it in. I quite liked the drawings actually.
Journal Entry 26 by cackleberry at Sherwood Post Office in -- Controlled Releases --, Queensland Australia on Sunday, November 27, 2005
Released 18 yrs ago (11/27/2005 UTC) at Sherwood Post Office in -- Controlled Releases --, Queensland Australia
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Picked up from the Post Office this morning, a ray of sunshine in a morning otherwise clouded by car problems. Thanks for sharing, there is only one bookring ahead of this one so should be on it's way fairly soon.
And thank you cackles for the lovely bookmark :) :) it's a bit like that ;)
And thank you cackles for the lovely bookmark :) :) it's a bit like that ;)
What a lovely book! I did not hear about the controversy and have not (yet) read Life of Pi so will refrain from that debate, but I thouroughly enjoy reading this. Very good distraction from my overburdened brain that is going 100mph with packing/moving todo lists!
If I can still find it after the move ;) I will bring it along for aleonblue on Sunday.
If I can still find it after the move ;) I will bring it along for aleonblue on Sunday.
Picked up this book from Bookworm-BNE at the Brisbane BookCrossers' Christmas get-together. Look forward to this book which is travelling far and wide on a bookring.
Decided that as this looked like a quick read, it would jump to the head of the TBR pile. I read it in a couple of hours last night, and enjoyed the unusual story and storytelling style. The imagery of the different felines was interesting and the story of Max's life escaping and then confronting the Nazi element from his homeland was well told. The siutation that he found himself in once he settled in Brazil, having to confront enemies from the war who also resettled there, is probably one experienced by many people of that time. I really enjoy reading different writing styles than that which I usually read, and this certainly fitted the bill.
I noticed in the blurb on the author that he has written 62 books (at the time that this book was published), so I'll have to keep a look out for more of his books, particularly if they give more of an insight into the Brazilian people and culture.
Thanks to jmcbeth for sharing this book, which I probably would never have come across otherwise.
I'll post this off the New Zealand as soon as I get an address, and the book can continue on its journey around the world.
I noticed in the blurb on the author that he has written 62 books (at the time that this book was published), so I'll have to keep a look out for more of his books, particularly if they give more of an insight into the Brazilian people and culture.
Thanks to jmcbeth for sharing this book, which I probably would never have come across otherwise.
I'll post this off the New Zealand as soon as I get an address, and the book can continue on its journey around the world.
Journal Entry 31 by Sherlockfan from Upper Hutt, Wellington Province New Zealand on Friday, January 6, 2006
The book arrived in the post this week - first book received this way this year.
Just as soon as I finish a psycho-type whodunnit by Francis Fyfield I'll get right onto this one. Then I'll go back and read the journal entries. Wonderful to get a book with so many journal items.
Then I'll send it to Boreal when I am sending her others for the BCNZ convention coming up shortly - won't get this mixed up though.
Just as soon as I finish a psycho-type whodunnit by Francis Fyfield I'll get right onto this one. Then I'll go back and read the journal entries. Wonderful to get a book with so many journal items.
Then I'll send it to Boreal when I am sending her others for the BCNZ convention coming up shortly - won't get this mixed up though.
Journal Entry 32 by Sherlockfan from Upper Hutt, Wellington Province New Zealand on Monday, January 9, 2006
I quite enjoyed this book while reading it but don't find it specially memorable, whereas "Life of Pi" still lingers with me many months later. I'd not heard of the Yan Martel plagiarism controversy and found that interesting but can see why the accusations came to nought. Yann's story had much more depth to it IMO.
Posting off to Boreal today, 10th January.
Posting off to Boreal today, 10th January.
Arrived today, thanks Sherlockfan -looking forward to meeting you at the convention BTW!!!
I had completely forgotten about this ring, but I will get it read as time allows.
Ohh, I have just realized, I will be able to use this for the 5 countries, 5 continents challenge also, as the author is from Brazil.
I had completely forgotten about this ring, but I will get it read as time allows.
Ohh, I have just realized, I will be able to use this for the 5 countries, 5 continents challenge also, as the author is from Brazil.
I read this quickly last night and this morning so I could pass it onto another Dunedin bookcrosser tomorrow, before it(the book) makes a guest appearance at our convention.
I enjoyed the book in a way but found the language strangely stilted, probably the result of the translation,it would have been much better in its original form I am quite sure. I loved the Life of Pi, it is one of my all time favourites, but other than the large cat in the lifeboat, don't see any other similarities between the books.
I enjoyed the book in a way but found the language strangely stilted, probably the result of the translation,it would have been much better in its original form I am quite sure. I loved the Life of Pi, it is one of my all time favourites, but other than the large cat in the lifeboat, don't see any other similarities between the books.
At the request of jmcbeth, Max recently attended the NZ bookcrossing convention. I must confess that being an organiser I was busy and tended to forget him but following are a few photos of Max at the convention.This first photo shows all the participants on the steps of Dunedin's St Pauls Cathedral just before we began our release walk.
In Dunedin's Octagon there is a statue of Robbie Burns -Dunedin being New Zealands most Scottish city. Dunedin is actually gaelic for Edinburgh and we share many of the same street names.Anyway here is Max at the feet of Robbie. A book was later released into the Robbies hand.
We stopped at Dunedin's historic railway station midway through our release walk to give people time to have a coffee and visit the nearby Farmers Market. Here is Max with Sherlockfan and Awhina waiting in the sun.
I forgot to take any photos on Saturday night but we had a fascinating talk from writer Weijun Collins whose book Desert Rose tells of how she survived exile in China's Gobi Desert amongst other things. Her talk was followed by dinner and a quiz evening where each team donned fancy headgear -we were witches, bunnies, butterflies etc, it was great fun even if the butterflies didn't win!On Sunday our farewell brunch was held in a converted church called St Lees. Here is Max with Meganh and her husband Leith in the background.
Hope you have enjoyed the mini visit to our convention.
I have Jehanine's address and will post it to her this afternoon.
Journal Entry 39 by jehanine from Manchester, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on Saturday, March 4, 2006
Thanks Boreal, I'm so excited! The book arrived this morning, and my cat Wittgenstein immediately sat on it and started purring, which is a good sign. As soon as I finish 'Henry and June' I will read this and post it on. Incidentally I've also picked up a copy of 'Survive the Savage Sea' from a charity shop - it's the other book that Life of Pi borrows from - in fact some passages are copied out verbatim. Anyone interested in this? If so I can pass it to JMcBeth and she can send it down the line. Boundless love to all bookcrossers!
Journal Entry 40 by jehanine from Manchester, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on Wednesday, March 8, 2006
I loved this, partly for its deceptively simple style and also its philosophy - in a world of existentialist problems, where a jaguar in a boat is no more unreal than the Nazis, one must face one's felines and make peace with them.
But then I'm a little biased, partly because I despised Life of Pi so much. This is partly because passages were copied verbatim from one of my childhood favourites, 'Survive the Savage Sea', and also because I thought the ethos - that one has a choice between religious sentimentality or Darwinian brutalism - was infantile and limiting. Yes Martel expanded, but really badly!!! But enough about Life of Poo. Max stands on its own, and I hope that time will do it justice over its more famous and facile rival. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this - it's off to Canada next.
But then I'm a little biased, partly because I despised Life of Pi so much. This is partly because passages were copied verbatim from one of my childhood favourites, 'Survive the Savage Sea', and also because I thought the ethos - that one has a choice between religious sentimentality or Darwinian brutalism - was infantile and limiting. Yes Martel expanded, but really badly!!! But enough about Life of Poo. Max stands on its own, and I hope that time will do it justice over its more famous and facile rival. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this - it's off to Canada next.
What a nice surprise to find this book in my mailbox when I arrived home from work this evening. And a terrific bookmark from jehanine too! Looks like it will be a fast read.
...finished reading it and will mail it on to Angelfirestar early this week.
I'm not sure what I thought of this book. It seemed choppy, jumping so fast to the next happening that it didn't seem to expand enough on any of the happenings. Still I'm glad I read it.
...finished reading it and will mail it on to Angelfirestar early this week.
I'm not sure what I thought of this book. It seemed choppy, jumping so fast to the next happening that it didn't seem to expand enough on any of the happenings. Still I'm glad I read it.
TBR will get to it as soon as possible
Fast read. Only took a couple hours out of my day. I think I liked Life of Pi better though. Sorry for the delay. It has been mailed just had to wait to get back home from China.
Journal Entry 44 by AngelfireStar at Via Mail in -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings, Nebraska USA on Monday, June 12, 2006
Released 17 yrs ago (6/12/2006 UTC) at Via Mail in -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings, Nebraska USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Not sure when this was sent but it has been sent to Satnam. Sorry again for the delay.
Not sure when this was sent but it has been sent to Satnam. Sorry again for the delay.
This came today. I have several other bookrings, but this shouldn't take long.
I'm sorry, but I didn't like this book. I thought it was very bizarre, and I was glad it didn't take long to read. With all of the great reviews it has received, it makes me think of Modern Art. Someone throws paint at a canvas, and some people see a masterpiece and others see a drop cloth. I have heard good things about Life of Pi, which I bought, so I hope that is better.
I am mailing this to Glade1 today.
I am mailing this to Glade1 today.
Received in the mail today. It's behind a number of other ring books but I'll move as quickly as I can...
Sadly, even though this was the original story and Life of Pi the derivation, I enjoyed Life of Pi much more than this one. Perhaps I shouldn't even make comparisons because they certainly are not the same story, although one can see many ideas from it in Martel's work. This one kept me interested, but I really didn't care for the character of Max and wanted to smack him near the end when it seemed he had lost all reason! And actually the cats didn't really figure as prominently as I had expected. I assume there were three "cats" intended in the title: the tiger in his father's store, the jaguar in the boat, and the creature who attacks at the end (which is never definitively identified but is assumed to be a cat). But they don't really seem to represent anything, unless it is just fear, or have any true feline qualities. Maybe I just wasn't tuned in to the symbolism.
I'm glad I read this, though, as it was interesting to see how one author can take the ideas of another and move in a different direction. Were there problems with accusations of plagiarism in this case?
I have PMed jmcbeth for advice because this poor little book has fallen into pieces and I'm not sure how best to try to repair it. I have also PMed the next person for an address so I can move the book along as soon as it is repaired. Thanks, jmcbeth, for sharing it. I would never have even known it existed if not for Bookcrossing!
I'm glad I read this, though, as it was interesting to see how one author can take the ideas of another and move in a different direction. Were there problems with accusations of plagiarism in this case?
I have PMed jmcbeth for advice because this poor little book has fallen into pieces and I'm not sure how best to try to repair it. I have also PMed the next person for an address so I can move the book along as soon as it is repaired. Thanks, jmcbeth, for sharing it. I would never have even known it existed if not for Bookcrossing!
I patched this up the best I could with tape and mailed it off to mustytomes today via first class mail. Hope it survives a little longer!
Woo hoo! Came back from running errands and found this little surprise in my mailbox. I'm looking forward to reading it - hope I enjoy it as much as I did Life of Pi.
And you did a great patch-up job glade1, it looks like it'll hold together for a little while longer.
And you did a great patch-up job glade1, it looks like it'll hold together for a little while longer.
Finished it already, between watching a Sox game (they won!) and running errands. Yes, its really that quick of a read.
After reading Max I feel like I have a greater insight into Pi - and I can see where the allegations of plagiarism came from. The plot of the shipwreck portion of Max - most of which is in the second chapter, "The Jaguar in the Dinghy" - is eerily similar to Pi. However, as I understand it Yann Martel never denied that he idea-mined Max, so its technically not plagiarism. Thus its more germane to discuss whether Pi is derivative of Max, and I don't think it is. It explores some similar ideas, but with completely different characters and twists. Particularly, Martel explores concepts of religion and truth that Scliar doesn't touch upon - but Scliar of course explores sanity and facism which Martel studiously ignores.
Something I'd like to point out in the chapter titles in Max - which may or may not be deliberate: While the "Jaguar in the Dinghy" and the "Onca on the Hilltop" may not be the same specific creature, jaguars and oncas are the same animal. Panthera onca is the scientific name for jaguar. If this was done deliberately by Scliar, it certainly raises questions concerning the interconnectedness of starvation, madness, and facism.
Max is on his way to Genielady ~ Dropped in the mail 08/13/06.
After reading Max I feel like I have a greater insight into Pi - and I can see where the allegations of plagiarism came from. The plot of the shipwreck portion of Max - most of which is in the second chapter, "The Jaguar in the Dinghy" - is eerily similar to Pi. However, as I understand it Yann Martel never denied that he idea-mined Max, so its technically not plagiarism. Thus its more germane to discuss whether Pi is derivative of Max, and I don't think it is. It explores some similar ideas, but with completely different characters and twists. Particularly, Martel explores concepts of religion and truth that Scliar doesn't touch upon - but Scliar of course explores sanity and facism which Martel studiously ignores.
Something I'd like to point out in the chapter titles in Max - which may or may not be deliberate: While the "Jaguar in the Dinghy" and the "Onca on the Hilltop" may not be the same specific creature, jaguars and oncas are the same animal. Panthera onca is the scientific name for jaguar. If this was done deliberately by Scliar, it certainly raises questions concerning the interconnectedness of starvation, madness, and facism.
Max is on his way to Genielady ~ Dropped in the mail 08/13/06.
Wow! I just read all the journal entries. This little book has really travelled. I will patch it up a bit more before I read it, so it can travel even farther. I haven't yet read Life of Pi, but I sure am interested now.
I really enjoyed this book and now it will be travelling to Hawaii.
Journal Entry 54 by Genielady at for a bookring in to a fellow bookcrosser, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, September 23, 2006
Released 17 yrs ago (9/23/2006 UTC) at for a bookring in to a fellow bookcrosser, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases
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Off to Hawaii - enjoy!
Off to Hawaii - enjoy!
It arrived today! Thanks!
9/30/06 - Very quick and enjoyable read. There were elements of "The Life of Pi" scenario, but hardly enough for a plagiarism lawsuit. The Nazi theme was very distinct and made the book unique and different. I liked the opaque style of the narrative - mostly description, with very little inner thought development of the oddball main character. Max is an example of someone who lives there life without really choosing to do so; life is something that just happened to him, without conscious choice or introspection.
This is off to Singapore; Atkinson asked to be skipped.
9/30/06 - Very quick and enjoyable read. There were elements of "The Life of Pi" scenario, but hardly enough for a plagiarism lawsuit. The Nazi theme was very distinct and made the book unique and different. I liked the opaque style of the narrative - mostly description, with very little inner thought development of the oddball main character. Max is an example of someone who lives there life without really choosing to do so; life is something that just happened to him, without conscious choice or introspection.
This is off to Singapore; Atkinson asked to be skipped.
Received the book in the post a few days ago. Since I've got a bit trans-Pacific flight tomorrow I will finish it off and move it along.
CAUGHT IN SINGAPORE SINGAPORE
CAUGHT IN SINGAPORE SINGAPORE
A fast, but somewhat enjoyable read. Scliar could have taken any chapter and developed it into a seperate book fairly easy. OK, it's off to CAT207 in NSW.
Arrived in today's mail. Thanks Ber-untung. And thank you jmcbeth for including me in this long-travelling BookRay.
A very quick read. I wasn't too impressed and it certainly doesn't make me want to search out 'Life of Pi' to make comparisons.
On to nice-cup-of-tea in Switzerland.
On to nice-cup-of-tea in Switzerland.
Just received this weekend - thanks cat207 - will read and pass on asap
Wow! Max and his cats are certainly well-travelled!
I loved this book, I thought it was beautifully written and I found the mix of fantasy / reality worked really well together. The small details were just perfect - ie the way that Max cuts his hand on glass set against the backdrop of the Nazis coming to power really predicted / heightened "Kristallnacht".
THanks for sharing, I have pmed marko67 and will post asap
I loved this book, I thought it was beautifully written and I found the mix of fantasy / reality worked really well together. The small details were just perfect - ie the way that Max cuts his hand on glass set against the backdrop of the Nazis coming to power really predicted / heightened "Kristallnacht".
THanks for sharing, I have pmed marko67 and will post asap
received today. Will read and pass along soon.
What an odd little book! Very easy and quick read (a two bather for me).
I found the book quite strange, the style was very much like that of a fairy tale, a ‘Once upon a time’ at the beginning or a ‘They lived happily ever after’ to wrap it up wouldn’t have broken with any of the style. I wondered for a while whether this was in fact a children’s book but some of the adventures of the protagonist would definitely not be the kind that would appear in a kid’s story.
It would be impossible to not see the similarity between this story and Yann Martel’s Life of Pi, but anyone wanting a similar tale will be disappointed. There was none of the insight and deeper thought in this short tale and whilst Martel may have read this tale before he certainly took the idea and ran with it to create his masterpiece.
I found the book quite strange, the style was very much like that of a fairy tale, a ‘Once upon a time’ at the beginning or a ‘They lived happily ever after’ to wrap it up wouldn’t have broken with any of the style. I wondered for a while whether this was in fact a children’s book but some of the adventures of the protagonist would definitely not be the kind that would appear in a kid’s story.
It would be impossible to not see the similarity between this story and Yann Martel’s Life of Pi, but anyone wanting a similar tale will be disappointed. There was none of the insight and deeper thought in this short tale and whilst Martel may have read this tale before he certainly took the idea and ran with it to create his masterpiece.
Journal Entry 64 by marko167 at BookRing in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Monday, January 22, 2007
Released 17 yrs ago (1/22/2007 UTC) at BookRing in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
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Off it flies to Sweden.
Off it flies to Sweden.
I recieved the book today! I'll read it as soon as possible. Thank you for adding me to the list, jmcbeth and Marko167 for sending Max to me!
I loved Life of Pi and I can see how Yann Martell has been inspired - but the two novels are completely different from each other. I'm glad I had the opportunity to read this book that has traveled more than Max and his cats...
I loved Life of Pi and I can see how Yann Martell has been inspired - but the two novels are completely different from each other. I'm glad I had the opportunity to read this book that has traveled more than Max and his cats...
The book has safely arrived and I will read it as soon as possible.
A nice story which I enjoyed very much. Thank you for sharing!
I got this book tonight when I visited stormon. Thanks stormon for everything, it was nice! :)
Looking forward to read this little book, but it has to wait because I have several bookring books here now (it will be read and sent on to the next participant within a month).
Looking forward to read this little book, but it has to wait because I have several bookring books here now (it will be read and sent on to the next participant within a month).
I liked this book a lot. Even if it's thin and easy to read, it contained a lot, a lot of double meanings. For me this book is about Nazism and about the people that tried to escape. First the tiger is in the wardrobe, then the angst is with the escaper over the see and after a while the feeling is that the cat is still hunting.
I think the quote in the beginning of the book say a lot:
“Me, afraid? The tiger fears no one… The invisible tiger. My soul.”
Francisco Macias Ngueme, Deposed dictator of Equatorial Guinea
Of course I can see the similarities of this book and “Life of Pi”. If Yann Matel took the idea to his book from this book, he definitely made a different book out of the idea. “Life of Pi” is a wonderful book in its way, but I think I like this book even a bit more, because it said so much to me about trying to escape things, in not too many words.
Thanks a lot to jmcbeth for sending this book out on a bookray, I am really glad I got to read it!
I don’t’ think I had found it if it hadn’t been for BookCrossing.
I got brandane60's address and will mail this book today, 4th of March.
The book is a bit worn and taped, but I think it can be read by many more.
I think the quote in the beginning of the book say a lot:
“Me, afraid? The tiger fears no one… The invisible tiger. My soul.”
Francisco Macias Ngueme, Deposed dictator of Equatorial Guinea
Of course I can see the similarities of this book and “Life of Pi”. If Yann Matel took the idea to his book from this book, he definitely made a different book out of the idea. “Life of Pi” is a wonderful book in its way, but I think I like this book even a bit more, because it said so much to me about trying to escape things, in not too many words.
Thanks a lot to jmcbeth for sending this book out on a bookray, I am really glad I got to read it!
I don’t’ think I had found it if it hadn’t been for BookCrossing.
I got brandane60's address and will mail this book today, 4th of March.
The book is a bit worn and taped, but I think it can be read by many more.
I read the book over the weekend, enjoyed it, but thought the ending very abrupt.I'll send it on tomorrow.
My goodness this book's travelled. Received today and is next on my list after the book I'm currently reading so I should be ready to pass it on it a week or so.
What a marvellous collection of journal entries - I can't wait to sink my teeth into this!
What a marvellous collection of journal entries - I can't wait to sink my teeth into this!
I agree with some previous journallers in that this book did seem incomplete and that reading it in its original language may have given some deeper insights into metaphor and allegory; I do find that short reads often leave me wanting a little more, either story or explanation. Having said that I did enjoy it and I'm glad I read it. I am left wondering what the author was driving at.
As for Life of Pi - Max & The Cats does seem to have been a source of inspiration but the stories as a whole are quite different and I was affected by each book in a totally different way.
I hope to get this book moving by the end of the week.
As for Life of Pi - Max & The Cats does seem to have been a source of inspiration but the stories as a whole are quite different and I was affected by each book in a totally different way.
I hope to get this book moving by the end of the week.
Sent out yesterday, to special guest hugh! Welcome to Bookcrossing - I hope you enjoy the book :0)
Thanks for the welcome platypussj!
Joyce McBeth *suggested* I read this book after I mentioned how much I liked Life of Pi: apart from the obvious, this is a quite different read. Enjoyable, but all too brief. I would have enjoyed still it more if Moacyr Sciliar brought out another theme from within the story. There are important coincidences in Max's life, if I heard this tale presented as documentary I would wonder if he was paranoid, perhaps even psychotic. I feel something was missed by not exploring this doubt in the readers mind, as to whether the events are a fiction of the author making, or the character.
Lurking in the pages of this satisfying tale is an intense meaty psychological novel, fit for a Freudian jaguar!
Joyce McBeth *suggested* I read this book after I mentioned how much I liked Life of Pi: apart from the obvious, this is a quite different read. Enjoyable, but all too brief. I would have enjoyed still it more if Moacyr Sciliar brought out another theme from within the story. There are important coincidences in Max's life, if I heard this tale presented as documentary I would wonder if he was paranoid, perhaps even psychotic. I feel something was missed by not exploring this doubt in the readers mind, as to whether the events are a fiction of the author making, or the character.
Lurking in the pages of this satisfying tale is an intense meaty psychological novel, fit for a Freudian jaguar!
Journal Entry 75 by veganknitter from Bolton, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on Monday, May 21, 2007
Received from Hugh this morning, along with a lovely handcrafted bookmark.
Thank you jmcbeth and hughganought - I'm looking forward to reading this.
Thank you jmcbeth and hughganought - I'm looking forward to reading this.
Journal Entry 76 by veganknitter from Bolton, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on Tuesday, June 12, 2007
A highly enjoyable and quick read which does however, resonate in your memory once read.
I put off reading this for a bit because of the alleged similarity to The Life of Pi; a book I hate with a vengence.
Of course it was much better than that dreadful tome, particularly as it actually has a point (anti fascism), doesn't have the bloated and boring narrative of the Booker Prizewinner and isn't pumped up full of it's own importance.
And it cannot be doubted that Yann Martel nicked his central premise from The Jaguar in the Dinghy chapter.
Thanks for the chance to discover this neglected gem, jmcbeth!
Off to the next person in the ray now, Catflap.
I put off reading this for a bit because of the alleged similarity to The Life of Pi; a book I hate with a vengence.
Of course it was much better than that dreadful tome, particularly as it actually has a point (anti fascism), doesn't have the bloated and boring narrative of the Booker Prizewinner and isn't pumped up full of it's own importance.
And it cannot be doubted that Yann Martel nicked his central premise from The Jaguar in the Dinghy chapter.
Thanks for the chance to discover this neglected gem, jmcbeth!
Off to the next person in the ray now, Catflap.
Journal Entry 77 by veganknitter at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Monday, June 18, 2007
Released 16 yrs ago (6/19/2007 UTC) at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases
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Sending to catflap - next in relay
Sending to catflap - next in relay
Journal Entry 78 by catflap from -- Somewhere in London 🤷♀️ , Greater London United Kingdom on Monday, July 16, 2007
It appears that my computer had an attack of the repeating email event.
Sorry to all those who had multiple copies, i have no idea why.
I would just like to say that this loverly book was posted on to singapore last thursday (27/7/07) before i moved house. i wish it a safe and happy journey.
Sorry to all those who had multiple copies, i have no idea why.
I would just like to say that this loverly book was posted on to singapore last thursday (27/7/07) before i moved house. i wish it a safe and happy journey.
Journal Entry 79 by catflap from -- Somewhere in London 🤷♀️ , Greater London United Kingdom on Monday, July 16, 2007
I recieved this book a couple of weeks ago and due to packing to move only just got to log it today.
a good book which i unusually managed to read in one sitting at the first night of this years proms (in the albert hall in the gallery) so either the book was really good or the music not that gripping. Husband said he enjoyed the music so it must have bben a good book.
This book has been well read in is travels and is now starting to show the miles will parcel it up with the love and care it needs. pming the next on the list, which as US and Canada are not in the list will be blackteiwaz. thank you jmcbeth for this wonderful book.
a good book which i unusually managed to read in one sitting at the first night of this years proms (in the albert hall in the gallery) so either the book was really good or the music not that gripping. Husband said he enjoyed the music so it must have bben a good book.
This book has been well read in is travels and is now starting to show the miles will parcel it up with the love and care it needs. pming the next on the list, which as US and Canada are not in the list will be blackteiwaz. thank you jmcbeth for this wonderful book.
