Yes yes, I know I kind of let this thread die, but despite the sheer volume of material i've read, nothing has inspired me to a review. Until now.
Blitzcat by Robert Westall
The unfortunatly named Lord Gort is tired. Since the second world war began her life has been nothing but misery. Far to the east she can sense her person. Though a cat knows little about Hitler or Dunkirk, she knows her human is far away and in danger. So one day she sets off to find him. The story is told from the point of view of Gort, what makes it so enjoyable is she is never humanised by the author, she is always what she is, a cat. Its the way people react to her that makes the book one of the most human stories I have ever read. Its basically a series of small snapshots linked together by Lord Gorts quest to find her person. The characters she meets are very well realised and the book paints a picture of the effect of world war 2 on the average person that is vivid and affecting, without being overly sentimental. Its nice to see the way people who are broken and without hope can renew it with something as simple as a cat, and Lord Gort always arrives on the scene when they need her most. The variety of characters she encounters is good, from small children to soldiers, to berieved widows. In each case they are left better for it without her ever being more than what she is.
This is a poignant book right until the end, some of the images it paints will stay with me for a long time. Its not all happy but its certainly food for thought. Give your cat a big hug afterwards and be thankful.
A flawless novel. 10 out of 10
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