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0220111011

Written by Michael Ondaatje.

The novel charts the 21 day sea voyage of three young boys from Ceylon. It is the early 1950s and the narrator, Michael, looks back on his eleven year old self as he was launched into the adult world. His destination is London and a reunion with his mother, who he has not seen for some 3 or 4 years. In the meantime a chance to remain connected with the familiar is eagerly welcomed.

Abridged by Jill Waters
Read by Sam Dastor

Produced by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4.

1950s Colombo: 11-year-old Michael embarks on a life-changing voyage to London.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

0320111012

Written by Michael Ondaatje.

The Cat's Table follows the course of a 21 day voyage from Colombo to Tilbury on a luxury passenger ship called the Oronsay.

On board the ship that is taking them all to London, our narrator - Michael, and his two new friends Ramadhin and Cassius, continue to explore the adult world around them.

Abridged by Jill Waters
Read by Sam Dastor

Produced by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4.

Michael and his two new friends Ramadhin and Cassius continue to explore the adult world.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

0420111013

The Cat's Table by Michael Ondaatje charts the 21 day sea voyage of three 11 yr old boys from Ceylon. It is the early 1950s and they are insatiable in their curiosity about the adults around them, particularly when they learn of the reason why the wealthy Sir Hector de Silva is travelling on the same ship.

Abridged by Jill Waters
Read by Sam Dastor

Produced by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4.

The boys learn why the wealthy Sir Hector de Silva is travelling on the same ship.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

0520111014

Written by Michael Ondaatje.

The Cat's Table follows the course of a 21 day voyage from Colombo to Tilbury on a luxury passenger ship called the Oronsay.

The ship arrives at the port of Aden and the three boys manage to persuade Mr Daniels to be the 'responsible adult' supervising them on shore.

Abridged by Jill Waters
Read by Sam Dastor

Produced by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4.

The boys manage to persuade Mr Daniels to be the 'responsible adult' supervising them.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

0620111017

Written by Michael Ondaatje.

The Cat's Table follows the course of a 21 day voyage from Colombo to Tilbury on a luxury passenger ship called the Oronsay.

The Oronsay arrives at the Suez Canal: a vivid moment of dream like transition which ripples out into their future lives in England.

Abridged by Jill Waters
Read by Sam Dastor

Produced by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4.

The Oronsay arrives at the Suez Canal, a vivid moment of dreamlike transition.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

0720111018

Written by Michael Ondaatje.

The Cat's Table follows the course of a 21 day voyage from Colombo to Tilbury on a luxury passenger ship called the Oronsay.

Relationships past and present fracture and shift. Michael reflects on his brief marriage to Ramdhin's sister and continues to look back at the voyage which launched him upon the shores of the adult world.

Abridged by Jill Waters
Read by Sam Dastor

Produced by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4.

Michael reflects on his brief marriage to Ramdhin's sister.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

0820111019

Written by Michael Ondaatje.

The Cat's Table follows the course of a 21 day voyage from Colombo to Tilbury on a luxury passenger ship called the Oronsay.

The history of the silent girl, Asuntha, has profound implications for the other passengers on the Oronsay. Veiled connections and mysterious promises are made.

Abridged by Jill Waters
Read by Sam Dastor

Produced by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4.

The history of the silent girl has profound implications for the other passengers.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

0920111020

Written by Michael Ondaatje.

The Cat's Table follows the course of a 21 day voyage from Colombo to Tilbury on a luxury passenger ship called the Oronsay.

Michael's enduring connection with Emily prompts recollections of events in the Mediterranean, as the ship nears England.

Abridged by Jill Waters
Read by Sam Dastor

Produced by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4.

Michael's connection with Emily prompts recollections of events in the Mediterranean.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

1020111021

Written by Michael Ondaatje.

The Cat's Table follows the course of a 21 day voyage from Colombo to Tilbury on a luxury passenger ship called the Oronsay.

Asuntha and her father were last seen as they leapt over the side of the ship into the sea. But Michael has never fully understood his cousin's role in those final dramatic days; years later they meet and he is able to ask her what happened.

Abridged by Jill Waters
Read by Sam Dastor

Produced by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4.

Asuntha and her father were last seen as they leapt over the side of the ship into the sea

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

BAB0120111010

Written by Michael Ondaatje.

The Cat's Table follows the course of a 21 day voyage from Colombo to Tilbury on a luxury passenger ship called the Oronsay.

It is the early nineteen-fifties and the eleven year old Michael whose parents' turbulent marriage has resulted in his mother living in England for the past three or four years, is being sent to join her in London. He becomes friends with two other young boys - Cassius and Ramadhin who are also seated at the table, dubbed the Cat's Table by one of their fellow diners, which is the lowliest of the low, the other end of the scale from The Captain's Table. For the next three weeks these children have the run of the boat, they are invisible to authority, literally and emotionally feral. They feel their way amongst the adult world, observing and being baffled by the overheard conversations and secret glances. It is a journey towards an understanding of maturity, a journey which forges friendships and lays the foundations of love as well as of betrayal.

Among their fellow passengers are the exuberant travelling pianist Mr Mazappa; a botanist transporting a miraculously exotic garden of powerful and dangerous plants all growing in the hold of the ship; the enigmatic Ms Lasqueti and her prize pigeons; a troupe of acrobatic performers with remarkable powers of discernment and the mysterious and terrifying prisoner whose nightly exercise is observed by the breathless boys. The lives of all those on board become entwined in a compelling narrative whose events have an impact which ripples out into the future and the world of adulthood.

Abridged by Jill Waters
Read by Sam Dastor

Produced by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4.

1950s Colombo: 11-year-old Michael embarks on a life-changing voyage to London.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature