DNF. No apparent plot after 70 pages so I gave up. I think this guy is getting paid by the word. Or his editor fell asleep and let the whole thing get out into the world when about a third of it would have made a better book. The narrative voice is strong but really dull, like someone who won't stop talking to you on the bus.

This book was a lot bigger than my usual reads, so I did challenge myself. However, being stubborn about reading as many Australian authors as possible, (although I realize he was born in South Africa, he proclaims himself as Australian), I decided to give it a go and I loved it! (Except for one small part at the end that I made the decision to refuse to believe)
The character of Billy was one of those that was totally brought to life for me. Part of me believes that there was a real Billy out there.
This story was also a very good introduction of understanding the true nature of alcoholism and the beginning of practicing the 12 steps, including some metaphors in the story of Mathew Flinders and Trim.
Will definitely look to read more of this author!

I love Bryce Courtenay's books. He's an awesome story teller and sucks you right into the story. This one, about the plight of the homeless, becomes more and more relevant.

Bryce Courtenay’s books are always a delight and Matthew Flinders' Cat is no exception. A heartwarming story of a homeless man and a homeless boy brought together by Trim, Matthew Flinders' cat.

You would be mistaken for thinking this is the story of Trim, Matthew Flinders cat. It isn't!!

It is a very moving, gut-wrenching story of addiction and crime and the bravery of an alcoholic who walked away from his family, his career as a barrister to assist a young boy on the edge of becoming a street kid.

The story is set in the few years before the Sydney Olympic Games, when the government was trying to move the homeless and drug and alcohol addicts out of the city.

Courtenay has written another masterpiece. Having said that, this book is definitely not for everyone. There are a lot of triggers in these pages, so please beware.

In Australia, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Bryce Courtenay is a new author for me. I learned about him from the Audiobook Discussion Group on Goodreads. Courtenay was born in South Africa and moved to Australia after an education in London. He worked in advertising there and then began publishing novels when he was in his fifties; his first book, The Power of One, was published in 1989.

I listened to Matthew Flinders’ Cat which was published in 2002. It is obvious that Courtenay is a gifted storyteller. However, I did not always enjoy the book. It is a heart warming story about Billy, a lawyer, turned homeless alcoholic, who meets Ryan, a ten year old street boy. Matthew Flinders was an eighteenth century explorer who helped map Australia’s coast. He did have a cat named Trim.

The audiobook was excellently narrated by Humphrey Bower.

I look forward to reading or listening to more books by Bryce Courtenay.

*** THE FOLLOWING COMMENTS CONTAIN SPOILERS ***

There are three storylines in this book. One is the story of Billy and Ryan, the second is the account of an alcoholic recovery process and the third is an adventure tale about Flinders and Trim. I enjoyed the story of Billy and Ryan’s relationship the most and became a tad restless when long sections left their story. All the details about the alcoholic recovery process seemed overly detailed and somewhat preachy. They were either based on personal experience or detailed research. The cat tale just didn’t appeal, but it is one that many children would enjoy – although children will not be reading or listening to this book.

Rating: 3+*

Realistic portrayal of alcoholism and recovery--not too many artistic licenses taken. The stories about the cat provide a break from the grimness of the subject matter. First book I've read by this author. I listened to the audio version of the book, which I enjoyed.

i read this at the urging of my then best friend because it was her favourite book. i slogged through it and i still have flashbacks of how much i hated it. so. no.

Real slow to start with. It took me a while to get into, but by the time I hit the 50% mark, I struggled to put it down. There’s so much happening though and so many sub-plots that it can be a bit difficult to follow, especially if you’re not used to such books or to Courtenay’s writing style.

Despite the title, this is primarily the story of Billy O’Shannessy - once a prominent lawyer, now an alcoholic derelict sleeping rough - and Ryan, an 11 year old boy who Billy recognises as having a bright mind and showing great potential, but who is cared for by a grandmother in the last stages of cancer and a mother who is an “exotic dancer” and a heroin addict.

Through listening to this book, I found out more than I ever needed to know about alcoholism, homelessness, drug addiction and paedophilia, but it definitely gave me an empathy for the way people in these various groups live their lives (not for the men involved in paedophilia rings - who knew there were groups that preyed on young boys? Or am I just an innocent who never realised this?! - but for the poor boys caught up in this trap). Despite his alcoholism, I felt a connection to Billy - although he lived as a derelict, he didn’t abandon his good manners, and was always pleasant and polite as he dealt with people.

Billy meets Ryan near the State Library of NSW, where a bronze statue of Trim, Matthew Flinders’ cat, rests on a window sill. I can’t remember how it came about, but Billy starts to tell Ryan the story of Trim Flinders each time they meet (and do I admit my ignorance of the life of Matthew Flinders’ cat at this point?? Is this meant to be common knowledge? I’m sure I was never taught it at school…) and both Billy and Ryan come to identify with Trim in one way or another. Billy's fictional account of Trim's adventures made for a welcome respite from the stories of life on the streets of Kings Cross - and Ryan seemed to view these times as a bit of escapism as well.

But Billy has his own demons to fight, and Ryan is placed in a very difficult position and it is easy to see how people can get caught in situations which they never intended, perhaps through no fault of their own.

This is my first Bryce Courtenay, and while I’m sorry that he is no longer alive to write more wonderful books like this, and I am also sorry that it has taken me this long before I read one of his books, I’m also glad that I still have so many more of his works to read!

Read 60 pages and put this down. Was really disappointed by the over use of stereotype. I'm Australian- but was repelled against the language of 'Aussie ocker'. I have read Bryce Courtney before (jessica and I remember loving it), I don't recall the language being so bad in that one. Perhaps I have gotten soft over time. Either way, I'm happy to skip this book and Bryce Courtney.

Of all the Bryce Courtenay books I've read, this one was my least favourite. The main story was engaging and as good as any other I've read by Courtenay, but the story from the cat's point of view, interspersed in the main story didn't do it for me.