THE TOWN CATS AND OTHER TALES

Eight fanciful, sparkling fairy tales, all demonstrating, in Alexander's words, that cats are "more sensible than the rest of us." They're certainly cleverer here: cat Pescato, masquerading as the mayor, saves the remote town of Valdoro, in Mondragone, from official harassment; another, Margot, fools a tyrannical king into allowing his daughter's love-match; a wise, feline "Master of Revels" rewards a young musician's kindness and fidelity; and the rest variously one-up their human acquaintances by playing to their greed, pride, or vanity. In the last story a cat who has failed at a number of apprenticeships proves himself a "master at being a cat"; those who appreciate that talent—and consider it sufficiently various—will find Alexander too a light-footed master of graceful entertainment.