P. Gallico is the author of both children's and adult books. His works are not only remembered by the readers for their fascinating narrative, but also prompt thoughts about faith, love and kindness. One of these works is the novel by Paul Gallico “Thomasina”, a brief summary of which can be found in this article.
about the author
American novelist Paul Gallico was born in New York in July 1897 in the family of composer Paolo Gallico. After graduating from Columbia University in 1919, he worked as a sports reporter for The Daily News. The American public became known after a fight with boxer D. Dempsey, which he asked for himself and brilliantly described the fight with a heavyweight in the article.
After 4 years, Gallico became one of the best sports columnists. In 1936, he left for Europe and devoted himself to writing. In 1940 he published the novel “The Snow Goose”, which immediately became famous. He wrote more than forty books and as many scripts, many of his works are written in the manner of a folk legend or fairy tale, are widely known and made into films.
The writer died in Monaco in July 1976.
Gallico Books
After a touching and fascinating book about love and war “Snow Goose”, published in 1941, no less famous were published:
- the story of a boy who turned into a kitten, “Jenny,” published in 1950;
- in 1952, the story of a ten-year-old orphan boy “Donkey Miracle” was published;
- in 1954, “Love for the Seven Dolls” was published;
- the story of the friendship of the red-haired girl Mary and the red-haired cat, which Paul Gallico told in the story of Thomasina, was published in 1957;
- in 1960, the novels “Flowers for Mrs. Harris” and “Mrs. Harris Travels to New York” were published.
All the children's books of this writer do not leave their readers indifferent, they teach good, love and understand the world. One of them is a touching story about a cat, Thomasine. In 1991, the film “Mad Lori” based on Paul Gallico’s book “Thomasina” was shot at the Gorky film studio. In the film “Three Lives of Thomasina” screened by Walt Disney, a real cat appeared in the role of Thomasina.
Dr. McDewey
Paul Gallico’s book “Thomasina” begins with a meeting with Andrew Vet. He treats not only cats and dogs, but also livestock. Everyone knew him as an honest, but tough man: he only helped domestic animals, refused to treat the rest and ruthlessly euthanized old animals.
The doctor’s heart has been petrified since the time that his cheerful, red-haired and all-time wife Emma died, having contracted some kind of disease from a parrot. Six years ago, he vowed that there would be no living creature in his house.
A frequent visitor to the veterinary office was Priest Peddy, a friend of the veterinarian. He loved animals so much that he constantly overfeed his dog with sweets. Friends often argued: McDewey claimed that he was not obliged to heal all animals and spend his health on them, the priest contradicted him - “you need to love all living creatures.”
"Thomas"
The seven-year-old daughter of Dr. Mary, who was left without a mother, did not let the cat out of her hands to Thomasina. She took her to school, put her at the table next to her, told her her secrets, although the cat did not really like it. Andrew could not stand the cat and was jealous of her daughter, whom he loved immensely. Thomasina felt this and dirty as she could. But Andrew endured everything. Thomasina was taken into the house as a small kitten and named Thomas. When the kitten grew up, it became clear that this is not a cat. Since then, Thomas has become Thomasina.
Mad Lory
We continue to summarize the story of Paul Gallico “Thomasina” by acquaintance with the forest sorceress. Once, a frog with a broken paw was brought to Dr. MacDewey, but he refused to treat him. Then the boy Georgie took the frog to Mad Lori - a red-haired witch living in the forest. George was afraid to go there, but the pity for the sick frog was stronger, and the boy went for help to her. In the witch's house, George saw a pretty girl, the inhabitants of the forest rushed to her voice. Dogs and cats came here for food. The girl, seeing the frog, agreed to help him.
The trouble with Thomasina
Paul Gallico continues this touching story with a tale of misfortune that befell Thomasin. She sat on Mary's shoulder and, unsuccessfully jumping, hit her head. The girl saw that the cat was barely moving its paws, grabbed it and ran to her father in a hospital, in which she was forbidden to appear. After the death of his wife, the doctor was afraid that his only daughter might also be infected by animals.
At the same time, the priest brought a blind man to the clinic - his guide dog was hit by a car. The dog needed surgery, but the doctor, not believing in a successful outcome, offered to euthanize the animal. The priest insisted that the dog must be saved - these are the eyes of a blind person. Paddy cited God's commandments as evidence.
In many reviews of Paul Gallico’s Thomasina, readers write that the most touching place in the story was when the doctor did the operation on the dog, but euthanized Tomasin’s cat, despite his daughter’s tears and threats of not talking to his father.
Thomasina's funeral
While McDewey was busy with the dog, Mary took Thomasina's still warm body and arranged for her to be buried. The girl’s friends took part in the mourning procession, they buried a cat in the forest and put a sign on the grave: “They brutally killed”. Mad Lori saw all this.
Paddy and McDewey went to the blind man to report that the operation was successful, and learned that the blind man had died. The doctor immediately reproached the priest: while he was saving the “eyes” of the blind man, the Lord took him. Peddy replied that the doctor also euthanized Thomasina and did not even try to help her.
Mary went in mourning clothes and did not talk with her father. He brought her another cat, but the girl got hysterical. Paddy tried to reconcile Mary with her father, but she replied that for her father died.
The authors of some reviews and reviews of Thomasine Paul Gallico frankly resent that the events described in the book are too difficult for the child to perceive. But, as you know, the author was guided by only one thing - how important love is in life. We continue the retelling of this touching story.
Forest inhabitants
Rumors spread around the city, people condemn the McDewey act and are afraid to treat his animals. Soon everyone became aware that a woman lives in the forest, who understands the language of birds and animals, and treats them. The veterinarian has a mysterious competitor. He decided to report to the police that an illiterate witch doctor takes bread from a specialist. But the priest persuaded a friend not to touch her.
Thomasina became the goddess of Bast and ended up in a small house - the temple, where the priestess Mad Mad Lory rules. The animals in the house did not like the new inhabitant. A wounded badger came to Lori, she washed his wounds and wondered how to help the poor fellow. Thomasina prays for his recovery, but then McDewey arrives and the cat, mortally afraid, ran away from home.
The veterinarian did not expect the sorceress to be so young, but he menacingly announced who he was. Lori led him to a wounded badger, and the veterinarian said that the animal should be euthanized. Lori replied that it was not for this that McDewey sent God here, and she believes that the doctor will be able to help the badger. Lori gave the vet the tools, and he did the operation on the animal. Lori brought the doctor to the hospital, where forest residents are waiting for his help.
Thomasina's Revenge
Lori gave the doctor a soft scarf in which he would be warm, even when an icy wind blows. Touched by McDewey, he promised to return tomorrow to visit the badger, and went home. On the way, he meditates on the Lord and His love. At home, McDewey had dinner with his daughter and, laying down to bed, told her about Laurie and the badger. But the daughter’s attitude towards him did not change - she still did not talk to him.
Thomasina, meanwhile, vowed to take revenge on McDewey and on a rainy night she came to the house and began to claw her claws on the window pane in the doctor's room. The veterinarian flinched with fear, in every window and door he saw a cat. Mary called her pet by name and ran out in her pajamas to the street. Soon she became ill and her father turned to Dr. Stratsi for help. He examined the patient and said that she should be protected from unrest. McDewey bitterly regretted euthanizing Thomasina. For consolation, he went to Lori - to treat animals with her.
Dr. Stratsi is sure that a girl needs love to get better. McDewey loves her, but he lacks tenderness. He loves Lori, but she talks to spirits and gnomes. Defective, in a word. He went to the priest for advice. He advised him to get close to the witch in order to better understand her.
As many authors note in their reviews of “Thomasina” by Paul Gallico, it is love that works real miracles, it is a real cure for all living things - women, children, birds, and animals need it. Thanks to the love and life of Dr. McDewey, great changes have occurred, as the author further informs his readers.
Forgiveness
Friends of Mary turned to McDewey for help: the gypsies beat a bear at a performance. Children were asked to report to the police gypsies for animal cruelty. One of the boys ran for help to Lori.
Lori and McDewey met in a gypsy camp. During a fight with gypsies, McDewey suffered, Laurie treated his wounds and kissed the doctor. The dying Mary was waiting for him at home - she does not want to live anymore. The vet ran for help to Lori, but no one opened the door for him. The doctor went home and saw a tablet on the grave of Thomasina on the way. McDewey fell to his knees and began to beg forgiveness from God. Thomasina, seeing the remorse of the doctor, forgave him.
In the evening, Laurie came to McDewey's house, took the girl in her arms and began to sing her a lullaby. Thomasina felt that trouble could happen to Mary, she threw herself at her house with all her legs and, despite the bad weather, sat down under the girl's window. Father, seeing a cat wet from the rain, picked it up and carried it to Mary. She forgave her father.
And Lori, meanwhile, explained to the surprised vet that she had seen Thomasina’s funeral, pulled the cat out of the box and helped her. Lori went to the kitchen, clattered pots and stayed in their house forever.
Reviews and reviews
The story of “Thomasin” by Paul Gallico (photo of the author above) is not just about the friendship of a little girl and a cat. This is not just the love of a seven-year-old child for an animal - the mother Mary, who died six years ago, loved the cat. This affection annoys the father of the child, and he cannot accept that the daughter loves someone else but him.
But the author, a big lover of animals (twenty-three cats and a huge mastiff coexisted in his house at the same time), endowed Thomasin with human observation. The reasoning of the four-legged heroine causes a kind smile. She, like a litmus test, checks people for humanity, tolerance and love. It was Thomasina who helped Dr. McDewey understand her daughter and regain her love and compassion for animals.
It is no accident that the priest is mentioned in this story. Another topic goes through the book - faith. McDewey is a staunch atheist. Their friendship is unusual, and it is not surprising that they often argue. Perhaps it was because of the priest Peddy that this story found Russian readers only in 1995, in the magazine “Family and School”, despite the fact that the author delicately and unobtrusively speaks of faith, not at all hitting the feelings of atheists.
This book needs to be read to children, and even better to discuss with them, because when fairy magic borders on reality, the sensations are twofold. But this story teaches perseverance, kindness and self-confidence.