slightly anthropomorphized feline, Maou, was nearly dead when Anne took him from his forest kingdom. Maou became accustomed to the house and Anne, but did not like performing in the circus. The chronicle of Maou--his struggle against a ival one eye, a bout with kidnappers, his friendship with Mina, and love of Anne-- skillfully written in descriptive prose, but it would have been stronger without the dialogue among cats. The close view of a ruthless, untouched wilderness should interest nature enthusiasts.