A Cat Abroad

Peter Gethers chronicles his adventures living in Provence, France with Norton, his Scottish Fold cat, as they navigate life in a small foreign village. The memoir captures their daily encounters with local characters, regional customs, and the challenges of adapting to a new culture while maintaining their close human-feline bond. Norton, already accustomed to city life and travel from their previous experiences, embraces his role as an ambassador between cultures. The narrative follows their explorations of Mediterranean destinations, restaurant discoveries, and the gradual process of becoming part of village life in the French countryside. Their journey takes them through markets, historic sites, and interactions with both locals and fellow travelers who are drawn to Norton's unique personality. This second installment in Gethers' trilogy examines themes of friendship across species, the universal language of connection, and how displacement can lead to deeper understanding of both self and surroundings.

Readers describe this as a light, enjoyable travel memoir featuring Norton the Scottish Fold cat exploring France and Italy with his owner. Many note it's less engaging than the first book in the series but still entertaining. Readers appreciated: - Details about European culture and food - Norton's personality and adventures - The bond between cat and owner - Humor and casual writing style Common criticisms: - Too much focus on food and restaurants - Less cat content than expected - Some found the author self-absorbed - Pacing drags in places "Norton steals the show whenever he appears" notes one Amazon reviewer, while another mentions "too many lengthy descriptions of meals and not enough cat." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,900+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (130+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.7/5 (90+ ratings) A Cat Abroad receives fewer reviews and lower ratings than its predecessor The Cat Who Went to Paris.

Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes Following a writer's relocation to rural Italy, this memoir parallels the cultural immersion and village life adaptation found in Gethers' experience.

Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck A road trip across America with a poodle companion captures the same human-animal travel dynamic present in Norton's adventures.

A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle This account of an English couple's integration into French village life mirrors the cultural observations and local character encounters of Gethers' narrative.

The Good Year by Ferenc Máté Set in Tuscany, this relocation memoir presents the same themes of cultural adaptation and community integration found in Norton's French adventures.

Homer's Odyssey by Gwen Cooper The story of a blind cat's journey through life with his human companion reflects the deep cross-species bonds and travel experiences central to Gethers' narrative.

🌟 Scottish Fold cats, like Norton, are known for their distinctive folded ears - a genetic trait first discovered in a Scottish barn cat in 1961. 🌟 A Cat Abroad is part of Peter Gethers' bestselling Norton trilogy, which includes The Cat Who Went to Paris and The Cat Who'll Live Forever. 🌟 The book is set in Provence, France, a region famous for inspiring artists like Van Gogh and Cézanne with its stunning landscapes and charming villages. 🌟 Peter Gethers is not only a memoirist but also a successful publisher, screenwriter, and playwright who has worked with numerous bestselling authors. 🌟 Norton became such a beloved figure that he received fan mail from readers worldwide and was featured in various media outlets, becoming one of the most famous literary cats of the 1990s.