The Cat’s Table by Michael Ondaatje

“The Cat’s Table” is a novel written by Michael Ondaatje, published in 2011. The story is semi-autobiographical, drawing on Ondaatje’s own experiences of traveling by ship from Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) to England as a young boy.

The novel follows the journey of an 11-year-old boy named Michael, who travels on the Oronsay from Colombo to England in the early 1950s. Michael, along with two other boys, Ramadhin and Cassius, is assigned to the “cat’s table,” the least prestigious dining table on the ship. The three boys embark on a series of adventures and encounters with other passengers, including a mysterious prisoner, a reclusive pianist, and a captivating woman named Emily.

As the voyage progresses, Michael and his friends become involved in a web of secrets, intrigues, and unexpected events that will have a lasting impact on their lives. Through Michael’s reminiscences as an adult looking back on his childhood journey, Ondaatje explores themes of friendship, innocence, identity, and the passage of time.

“The Cat’s Table” is praised for its evocative prose, richly drawn characters, and atmospheric storytelling. It captures the sense of adventure and discovery of childhood, while also reflecting on the complexities of memory and the transformative power of experience.