While
Chinese Whiskers can be appealing to both cat lovers and readers interested in
Chinese socioeconomics and politics, I really feel it mostly appeals to feline
fans. Two cats, the main characters, each speak to us in their point of view
about their lives and experiences closely preceding the 2008 Beijing summer
Olympic Games. Soyabean and Tofu begin life under drastically different
circumstances, but come together when adopted by a foreign family living in
China. Tofu begins life as a stray cat that lives in a dumpster. Soyabean’s
life begins living with a grandmother who adores cats, but wishes to adopt him,
her newest kitten, out. Once they come together they become caught up in
exposing a poisoning scheme, and seeing that those responsible are brought to
justice.
The tale
touches upon the unfairness of the class structure in China. Tofu is rounded up
to be euthanized when a disease believed to be caused by cats sweeps Beijing.
When she is able to escape, she becomes acquainted with several poor workers
who are hungry and making little money building the Olympic villages. Tofu
relates to this man and wishes there was something she could do to stop injustice
dealt to the poor by the hands of the extremely wealthy. Tofu and Soyabean both
take down two rich, conniving men who threaten the lives of millions of cats in
China; therefore, bringing hope to the impoverished people who constantly are
brought down by rich companies and manufacturers.
Although
the cats spend most of the book dealing with these problems, I still think it
appeals more to cat lovers. Being someone who loves cats, it was a little hard
to think too seriously about the story because it was told through the eyes of
cats. Other bits cat lovers will enjoy is that the cats’ intense interest in
the poisoning scheme involves cat food, and that there are cat gangs that roam
the streets. Who couldn’t smile at a “devious” gang of cats whose main worries
revolve around food? I recommend this book to anyone looking for a tale of an
unlikely hero.
Interested in Chinese Whiskers? Call (856) 794-4244 ext. 4243 to put it on hold.
Kelly’s Book Review
