Jacky Donovan

A telling of the HMS Amethyst's involvement in the Yangtze Incident in 1949 through the eyes of a black and white cat named Simon. Simon has many adventures with his friend Peggy the dog, earning themselves awards for bravery. have your Kleenex handy though.

Simon is very literal, and is often confused by words and sayings that Peggy seems to understand, which was a good representation of the relationship differences between cats and dogs and humans, I thought. Seriously though, have your tissues handy at the end. I just want to go home, hug my own black and white cat Fergus, and cry and cry for everyone lost during any conflict ever.

Sometimes it's that simplistic telling of a story from the point of view that doesn't really understand why it's happening that carries a punch.

Includes actual photos of Simon, Peggy and the sailors on the ship.… (altro)

Simon, "Able Seacat," really existed. He served aboard the HMS Amethyst during the Yangtze Incident in 1949 during the Chinese Civil War. Because of Simon's actions he was awarded the PDSA's Dickin Medal (the "Animal Victoria Cross"). This book gets across the story, makes you care about the cat, and has footnotes to document the facts. Simon is an interesting character, raising morale of the crew and killing the rats that were infesting the ship.

The only downside was the overly cute language the author had Simon use. Early in the book it had me wrinkling my nose and questioning if I wanted to continue. Still, by the end of the book, my answer was that Simon was Simon and if that is how he talked, it was just fine.

Obviously, Simon is dead by now. Cat lovers, have tissue at the ready.… (altro)