Why read Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats?

Book cover of Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats

Book description

The naming of Cats is a difficult matter,
It isn't just one of your holiday games;
You may think at first I'm as mad as a hatter
When I tell you, a cat must have THREE DIFFERENT NAMES.

So begins one of the best-known poetry collections of all time. The…

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Topics

Cats

Genres

Funny
Poetry

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Why read it?

1 author picked Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Lori Alden Holuta

Author

While watching the movie Logan’s Run, I was delighted to hear T.S. Eliot’s charming poem, “The Naming of Cats,” recited by Peter Ustinov’s character.

I tracked down this book and fell in love with all fourteen cat-centric poems. Some are full of surprises. Others are quite tongue-twisty; those smugly dared me to just try to read them aloud.

My cat listened to my efforts to do so. He seemed fascinated by my struggle to enunciate phrases such as “At prestidigitation, and at legerdemain, he'll defy examination, and deceive you again.”

From Lori's list on The best poetry books for people who like to laugh.