THE CAT WHO’LL LIVE FOREVER

Famed feline Norton, the Scottish Fold, who enchanted readers in The Cat Who Went to Paris (1991) and A Cat Abroad (1993), makes his final appearance here, in a highly engaging collection of anecdotes, which Gethers weaves into a heart-wrenching tale of love and loss.

In a witty style reminiscent of William Styron, Gethers amuses with memories about traveling throughout the US and Europe with his famous, inseparable companion. During these journeys, Norton indulged in superb cuisine, charmed haughty concierges, and was accosted by throngs of fawning fans. Back in their weekend retreat in Sag Harbor, Long Island, Norton and Gethers mingled with the Hamptons elite, which included actor Anthony Hopkins, who invited the author to a private party on the condition that Norton would also attend. Gethers also escorted Norton to the home of an intimidating investor, known as the “Nightmare on Wall Street,” who ignored Gethers as she rolled around on the floor with Norton. These humorous accounts of the author being upstaged by his cat stand on their own, but Gethers goes on to add a mournful drama. Soon after man and cat moved into their dream apartment in Greenwich Village, tragedy struck: Norton was diagnosed with cancer. Suddenly, Gethers becomes a sobbing hysteric, as the fury creature with whom he shares a bond of unconditional love succumbs to illness. Although Gethers confesses to living selfishly—he has always refused to clutter his life with a wife and children—Norton’s illness transformed Gethers into a self-sacrificial caretaker who sought renowned veterinarians, gave Norton daily injections of saline solutions, and cooked natural home-remedy dinners.

A good balance of laugh-out-loud and tear-jerking recollections: Gethers makes Norton immortal, delivering an affecting narrative that belongs on the bookshelf of all cat-fanciers.