The Cat’s Table, by Michael Ondaatje, is a novel about a young boy’s journey to Ceylon in the 1950s on a ship, the Oronsay, and the people he meets along the way. It is an adventure told from the perspective of 11-year-old Michael, who is travelling with his mother and cousin to start a new life in England. He befriends two other boys, Ramadhin and Cassius, who are both Ceylonese. The three boys form a tight-knit group aboard the ship and take part in various activities such as banned late night escapades and a mysterious game of Dungeons and Dragons.
The Cat’s Table tells a story of transformation, of two worlds colliding, and of friendship and loyalty. Michael's shared experiences on board the Oronsay introduce him to both the wonders and horrors of life in a very different place, allowing him to develop a newfound insight into a different culture and its people. His journey on the ship is essential in creating within him an understanding of loyalty and the strength of friendship… traits that will stay with him for a lifetime.
The novel is truly about the different characters that Michael meets on the ship and the brief encounters he has with them. Ondaatje presents each of the people aboard the Oronsay with such detail, from the unforgettable Emily de Saram to the mysterious and silent Mr. Mazappa. Each individual he meets and gets to know leaves a lasting impression on him, thus deepening his connection and knowledge of the world around him and of the different cultures he is exposed to.
One of the defining aspects of The Cat’s Table is its ability to mix the imaginative moments of adventure with the reality of life. Through the innocent escapades and late night games the boys partake in, balancing out the oppressive realities of colonialism and discrimination they witness, Ondaatje shows what it is to be a young boy on the cusp of adulthood, facing amazing new experiences that change his outlook on life forever.
The Cat’s Table is a captivating tale of self-discovery, of courage and friendship, and of survival in the face of adversity. Ondaatje’s characters inhabit the pages of The Cat’s Table and leave us with a lasting reminder of the power of stories and the strength of human connection even at the most challenging of times.
