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A review by zefrog
Jennie by Paul Gallico
adventurous
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
When I picked up this book, I expecting a cute, slightly sentimental story about cats. Well, it is about cats (if only drug-induced, imaginary ones), but Jennie (also known as The Abandoned, apparently) is in fact a children's adventure story, albeit a slightly odd, and not all that eventful one.
For its intended readership (I'd say a little older than the age of the hero (8) and above), the plot of the book is probably reasonably thrilling. The supposedly feline characters are overly anthropomorphised, there is danger and fights (but nothing really gruesome, even if death makes several, often violent, appearances), and a mostly cute story of undying friendship (or is all that pleasurable, and slightly inappropriate, licking a metaphor for sex?).
At that level Jennie is a well written and fairly entertaining book, if a little unusual at times. However, there is a moralistic edge to Gallico's story, which makes the book rather problematic. Under the guise of amusing his young readers, the author clearly sets out to impart what could now be seen as old-fashioned, moral guidance on how to behave "properly." One is almost tempted to add "like a man" but the book is, I think, aimed at children of all genders.
Beyond what can sometimes feel like a not-completely-accurate user's manual for the aspiring cat owner (cats most certainly do not eat cereals or vegetables for nourishment, and neither do they enjoy the smell of geranium. In fact, in my experience, they are repulsed by it), lurk the imperative tenets of the patriarchy.
While Jennie the eponymous cat can be seen for most of the book as strong female character, she sometimes finds herself reverting to the traditional gender role of the submissive, loving wife, gratefully accepting the protection of her chivalrous male lord and master.
"Jennie gave a great sigh and pressed close to Peter for a moment. 'Oh dear,' she said, 'it's SO good to have a male about who knows what to do.'" (p 159)
"And here it was that Jennie turned quite suddenly from protectress to the protected, for she stopped crying and came over and looked at Peter with almost a worshipful expression in her eyes and she said: 'Oh, Peter, I know you are not [afraid of your enemy]. You never were afraid of anything, right from the beginning. I am sure that is what I first liked about you. Oh, it is so good to have someone upon whom one can rely.'" (p 246)
Furthermore, this is a world where the male of the species only has to "speak for" a female for that female to become his, and where the males will fight each other to the death for the possession of the females. This is presented not only as perfectly normal but as honourable and desirable behaviour for the male hero to espouse. And, presumably, for readers to want to embrace and uphold.
In this world, little boys must learn to become strong, "real" men, and, while girls can show some strength and independence of character, they must not completely forget their place in society and remember to ultimately differ to their male betters. In that respect the book, published in 1950, is very much a product of its time and has not aged well. It is possibly time to leave it to the Stepford wives and their impeccably raised and groomed progeny.
For its intended readership (I'd say a little older than the age of the hero (8) and above), the plot of the book is probably reasonably thrilling. The supposedly feline characters are overly anthropomorphised, there is danger and fights (but nothing really gruesome, even if death makes several, often violent, appearances), and a mostly cute story of undying friendship (or is all that pleasurable, and slightly inappropriate, licking a metaphor for sex?).
At that level Jennie is a well written and fairly entertaining book, if a little unusual at times. However, there is a moralistic edge to Gallico's story, which makes the book rather problematic. Under the guise of amusing his young readers, the author clearly sets out to impart what could now be seen as old-fashioned, moral guidance on how to behave "properly." One is almost tempted to add "like a man" but the book is, I think, aimed at children of all genders.
Beyond what can sometimes feel like a not-completely-accurate user's manual for the aspiring cat owner (cats most certainly do not eat cereals or vegetables for nourishment, and neither do they enjoy the smell of geranium. In fact, in my experience, they are repulsed by it), lurk the imperative tenets of the patriarchy.
While Jennie the eponymous cat can be seen for most of the book as strong female character, she sometimes finds herself reverting to the traditional gender role of the submissive, loving wife, gratefully accepting the protection of her chivalrous male lord and master.
"Jennie gave a great sigh and pressed close to Peter for a moment. 'Oh dear,' she said, 'it's SO good to have a male about who knows what to do.'" (p 159)
"And here it was that Jennie turned quite suddenly from protectress to the protected, for she stopped crying and came over and looked at Peter with almost a worshipful expression in her eyes and she said: 'Oh, Peter, I know you are not [afraid of your enemy]. You never were afraid of anything, right from the beginning. I am sure that is what I first liked about you. Oh, it is so good to have someone upon whom one can rely.'" (p 246)
Furthermore, this is a world where the male of the species only has to "speak for" a female for that female to become his, and where the males will fight each other to the death for the possession of the females. This is presented not only as perfectly normal but as honourable and desirable behaviour for the male hero to espouse. And, presumably, for readers to want to embrace and uphold.
In this world, little boys must learn to become strong, "real" men, and, while girls can show some strength and independence of character, they must not completely forget their place in society and remember to ultimately differ to their male betters. In that respect the book, published in 1950, is very much a product of its time and has not aged well. It is possibly time to leave it to the Stepford wives and their impeccably raised and groomed progeny.