The Cat Who Went Bananas

I have read every book Lilian Jackson Braun ever wrote and enjoyed most of them. Yes the plots were always lame and the endings stupid, but I enjoyed the characters and at least the previous books HAD endings. In my life I imagine I've read thousands of mystery novels. In fact I am a professional writer myself. This was by far the worst I have EVER read and in fact I want my money back from the publisher! How dare the publisher put out a book that is unfinished! The mystery is never resolved! This book violates the basic compact between mystery writer and reader: I will write a book with plot twists and turns and you can try to figure them out and then I will reveal the answers to you. This book simply stops dead, as if the author suddenly got tired of writing it or died or something and then they decided to publish it anyway. I am incensed at the waste of my time and money. Shame on you, author and shame on you publishing house for putting it out! This is the LAST "Cat Who" book I will ever read.

This book, though not as exciting as previous ones, started out interesting, then ended with lots of unanswered questions. What happened? Where's the mystery in this series? My advice to the publishers is to can this series if it can't be comparable to the first 20 or so. I've read the reviews. No one likes this series anymore. It's boring and it is devoid of suspense.

You don't even use Koko's abilities anymore! Who cares if he left banana peels? Other than the title, how is that contributing to solving the case? This one was so predictable! You knew the Hibbard House would burn down at the end! What a waste of the paper they printed this one on!

A slow and leisurely stroll with Qwill and friends through the usual day-to-day doings in Moose County, as seen from Qwill's point of view. Gossipy and laid-back, this is not a spine-tingling murder mystery or thriller. Ms. Braun has eased off on the crime aspect of earlier books and now emphasizes the dynamics and psychology of personal interaction among the long-time, well-loved residents of her imagination. There was no bloody murder, no one obvious victim, no completely answered questions; Ms. Braun's books have never needed to end with a psychopath being lead away in chains in order to be considered a good read. I enjoy an open-ended story that gives me enough information to make up my own mind about who did what to whom and why. When I finished "Bananas" I could picture the author, Cheshire cat grin and all, saying "make of it what you will." And I did.

This book was ungodly boring. Nothing happened. Certianly nothing that warrented 223 pages to discuss. I found the tone of the novel to be similar to reading an Emily Post or Heloise column in the newspaper. Stuffy, old-fashioned, pompus, self-important and rediculous. However, I do believe that this book could be turned into an episode of a not so funny sitcom, as it seemed to have all the plot of an episode of Seinfeld without the humor. If you could imagine Northern Exposure without such an intresting plot, this would fit "The cat who..." sitcom exactly. Unfortunatly, this will be my first and last of "The Cat who" series as I cannot bear to suffer through another page of her useless, plotless, pointless drivel.

The story doesn't flow; the characters no longer jive; the plot is left like road-kill on the shoulder; Even Koko and Yum Yum have taken long cat naps during this latest installation of TCW. What is going on?

First of all let me say "Kudos" to LJB for bringing us at least 20-stories that have been absolutely amazing! After "TCW Sang for the Birds" the stories began getting a bit wonky; and then after book 23 "TCW Smelled a Rat" things just went sour for me. I have read all 27 books now (I even have TCW cookbook!) and I have to say that it might be time to bring the saga of TCW to a happy ending...

The Cat Who Series has been delighting readers for many years, but perhaps it has outlived its welcome at this point. In the latest installment, Quill's K Foundation is bankrolling a new bookstore which will be run by his lady love, Polly, the former librarian of Pickax. All of the usual characters are in the book, along with Alden Wade, a smooth operator who has just moved to town. He charms the locals and ends up marrying one of the wealthiest women in town under suspicious circumstances. His stepson appears briefly in the book, but makes a hasty exit before he does much to impact the story. Alden seems to be a lethal husband as two of his wives die, but there is no resolution in the book, just a lot of questions written in Quill's journal at the end. Braun is at her best when she writes of the gentle interactions of Quill and his friends, but the well-constructed mysteries of her early books have been absent for some time.

I cannot be too harsh here - this ghost writer needs a good swift kick in the pants! We have all noticed a decline in writing quality over the last couple of books (has anyone else noticed they have actually lifted whole paragraphs out of previous books & plonked them down in the new ones?), but I think they must have hired a brand new ghost writer for this book - one who hasn't read the whole series.

My only real criticism of LJB herself used to be that too many people died in that little town. It just wasn't feasible! However what it was, was entertaining, full of character development, humour & suspense! LJB obviously loved & understood cats and could communicate this to any audience (even those dastardly dog-lovers). Koko was brazen & defiant & brave; Yum Yum was a mischievous little thieving vixen. In this book, Koko is lurking around stealing banana skins! Since when does Koko lurk? And where was Yum Yum in this whole book?

Now for Qwill. LJB told us he was handsome but vain; wealthy but ambivalent; a lovely guy but an incorrigible stickybeak. She affectionately made fun of him & made him into a real person whom we all liked too. In this book, he had NO character flaws which ironically made him seem like a pompous fool.

So the questions this book raises are: Who wants to read about some middle-aged fuddy-duddy wandering around his social clubs talking to the same boring people & trying to chat up other women cos his long-term companion has finally gotten herself a life outside of him? Who wants to read about Siamese-shaped robots eating take-out & looking out windows & playing with fruit? Has this ghost writer ever actually met a real cat, let alone a Siamese? Whatever happened to Homer Tibbitt & does his silent disappearance bear the only remaining resemblance to LJB herself? And most importantly, what the heck did bananas have to do with the story-line anyway (especially since the bad guy plot was telegraphed at about, oh say, chapter one)???

Very, very poor effort and sadly this is the last of my beloved 'Cat Who...' books I can bear to read. I just felt dirty.

Like the other reviewers, I am a "Cat Who..." fan. But also like them, I found the Banana Cat has really slipped. Who cares? This latest is an example of formula writing written only for the formula--not to add anying to the world of entertainment, intellect, feeling, or art. It's a disappointment of the highest order, and LJB should be encouraged to let the series die in peace, with whatever little dignity may be left.

After reading "TCW Talked Turkey", this one is actually a slight improvement, in areas, at least. However, there are still continuity errors (both within the book's storylines & in relation to previous books) and odd tacked-on bits in the chapters. However, those are pretty minor issues compared to what's REALLY wrong with this book... Examples: Are we supposed to hate Polly now? I mean, I never liked her before, but now I'm starting to wonder if we're supposed to want her to be the next murder victim. Qwill and she had an odd relationship to begin with, but now I really don't get it. And what happens to the potential rival for Qwill's affection? She gets married to someone else and then promptly DIES. And of the several mysteries in the story? Qwill does NO sleuthing, ignores Koko (who wasn't really helping much anyway) and the book ends abruptly with no explanations about deaths and disappearances. The things I loved about the TCW series are mere ghosts now... Koko & Yum Yum are all but ignored, the numerous characters are all written the same now (I challenge anyone to discern one from another!), and the cool sleuthing is replaced by yet more examples of Qwill throwing money and influence around like a mob boss. Qwill is the PERFECT model of a Roman Patron dispensing noblesse oblige to his lowly underlings. He used to be a funny guy, nice, witty, good at solving a mystery... now he's a jerk, and Polly needs to GO. I hope the next TCW has Qwill & Polly murdered and someone else adopts Koko and Yum Yum. PLEASE FIRE THE GHOSTWRITER!!!

The whole book just meandered from the get-go, never going anywhere. One could surmise early who would be killed and who the killer would be, but the murder was certainly an afterthought.

I'm also tired of Qwill's relationship with the boring Polly. And the great number of times he mentions his mustache.

A great disappointment!

-- Pat

It is autumn again in Pickax. Polly is staying busy getting the new bookstore opened. She and Qwill hardly have time for each other.

Qwill decides to write a book about the Hibbard House for Violet Hibbard. Her house is very historical and was built many years ago by her great grandfather. Violet is a professor of English and Qwill invites her to dinner.

Mystery follows mystery as Qwill and the cats move to town to prepare for winter.

I liked this edition of "The Cat Who.." series. It made you think at the end. You don't want to miss this one.

The author is one of my favorites until these last few books. This latest one, "The Cat Who Went Bananas", left much to be desired. The story was thin, the cats involvement was minimal, and Mr. Q was pretty wishy-washy with Polly. All in all I didn't care for this one very much. Ms. Braun's earlier books were more vibrant, delightful twists of tale, and cute interaction of cats, townspeople, and Mr. Q. This time it was just plain ol' dull. Sorry, but this book was a major disappointment.

Like other reviewers I found this story lacking it's usual charm. The characters are stuck in time and are not developing. Writing a series is tough for that reason. The stories need to be interesting and the characters need to grow and change as real people do. The last few books in this series have been disappointing.

After saying that, I do enjoy and look for to each new addition. A new reader to the series probably would not enjoy these books if they start reading the later books.

I borrowed the CD version from the library and have been "listening" to it every night. I am the world's worst insomniac, but all I can say is, "WOW!" This audio book puts all my sleep and relaxation CD'S to shame! Such a boring tale--I barely heard any of it. I even tried listening to it when I was wide awake and sitting up, but it was still mind-numbing.

On the other hand, I do look forward to reading one of Lilian Jackson Braun's HIGHLY RATED "Cat who..." books. I've always loved seeing them on display at Hastings, with the bright colors and clever graphics, but despite the "eye candy", they are not all so sweet. I'm glad to know that there are some great stories among Braun's "Cat Who..." books. Isn't that what makes the store reviews so helpful? (click "yes")

I'm highly suspicious, as has been mentioned in previous posts, that LBJ is even writing these anymore. They seem to get worse and worse. The Cat Who Went Bananas is the first book by LBJ that I haven't finished. It's also the last book by her that I'll read. Gone is the magicical interaction between Qwill, Koko and Yumm Yumm. I feel duped. Does anyone know if LBJ is even around anymore? Has anyone seen word of her doing book signings? I realize she is 89 this year (IF she's still around) but the pic on her books hasn't changed since the 60's. Something is up here folks, and I think we are being mislead by the publisher.

Hmmm, me thinks Ms. Braun is no longer writing these stories. When Lawrence Sanders died his Archy McNally books continued under the care of Vincent Lardo. Mr. Lardo actually retained all the charm of Sander's great character. This "Cat Who" book feels like a distant relation to the real thing. Why?

1) The intro to 400 miles N. of everywhere is thin

2) Polly does NOT wear a hat to dinner in every previous book as indicated in this book

3) The cats are described in ways Qwill would abhor.

4) Ms. Braun carefully guarded which state Pickax is in.. I always wondered Upper Peninsula of MI? Wisconsin? And in this book Lyle Compton goes to St. Paul for school district related meetings which tells us that Pickax is in Minnesota.

5) The mystery itself is left unsolved. We can assume we know who was the killer and imagine his motive, but this book feels like it is missing a chapter to wrap things up.

Also, Polly is even more of a drag in this book than previously. I was so hoping Qwill would drop her, as indicated by his interest in Violet.

I'm glad I borrowed this one from the library. Like a small fish, I threw it back.

Obviously, Braun has struck gold with her cat series; this is her 27th cat book. It is the first of the 27 that I have read, and the last. Nothing every happens, which is too bad because it is peopled with very interesting characters and a fabulous setting. There are also teasers of impending malfeasance, but they come to naught. Thankfully, it only took a day to read.

Thank goodness for small mercies...I didn't PAY for this book, it is only 4 discs long and I do enjoy listening to the narrator, George Guidall. I am on the last disc now, but not soon enough. I still can't bring myself to care about this boring tale.

Glad to have read the other reviews; obviously I am not alone in my boredom. The real mystery is how this series ever got to be so extensive. Obviously I missed all the good reads that went before.

You know you're listening to a real snoozer when the drivers behind you are laying on their horns at every light...

I read most of the reviews concerning this book, and all of the ones I read voiced the same sentiments as I felt. I too think it is time to end the Cat Who series, before it hits rock bottom. Perhaps it already has. I have felt for some time that Mrs. Braun must have a ghost writer, and one who is not truly a "cat person." There is not the "feeling" about the cats that came out in her earlier books. They were "real" in the beginning, now they are just "props."

I read most of the reviews concerning this book, and all of the ones I read voiced the same sentiments as I felt. I too think it is time to end the Cat Who series, before it hits rock bottom. Perhaps it already has. I have felt for some time that Mrs. Braun must have a ghost writer, and one who is not truly a "cat person." There is not the "feeling" about the cats that came out in her earlier books. They were "real" in the beginning, now they are just "props."

I was looking forward to reading the latest in the series. I struggled to get get past the first few pages. The other books were engaging and perfect for an easy read during rainy or cold days when one wants just simply to be entertained. I suspect the author just 'spit out' the formula and added exclamation points after every other sentence. Nothing about the writing seemed like the author was even interested in writing this story, so I couldn't get engaged in it. Hopefully, she'll be more interested in writing the next one, or simply retire the poor fellow in Moose County.

I agree with Anne Melvin's review. The book drove us to a cliff and then just pushed us off without telling us why. Unfortunately, this has been happening for the last 2 or 3 books, but this is the worst case so far. It feels as though the author is too exhausted to finish the book, so she just ends it prematurely. I have read and will continue to read all of the books in this collection because I adore the characters and am attached to the series, but I find myself more and more disappointed with each book. I fear that Ms. Braun has been secretly replaced or she is loosing her steam.

The latest book in a cozily written series falls somewhat short of it's predecessors. Entire sections seem to have lost the honest touch of the author's earlier books. And while the books might be entitled "The Cat Who...", the recurring feline presence seems short and brief at best. Finally (and not to give anything away) the ending seems cut short and unrecognizable, as past books have left the reader with a clean sense of conclusion. With so many questions left unanswered, one must ask if the next book is soon forthcoming with explanations and a return to Braun's beloved style and story.

This book begins weaving many plot threads and doesn't finish any of them. Somewhere there are several chapters that tell us the truth about the automobile death, the sniper death, the theft of the rare book, the kidnapping of the child so many years before, the suicide of the the child's mother, and Alden Wade's "courtship" of most of the eligible women in Pickax. I had trouble sleeping when I got to the end of the book. It was too much like real life where there are always questions left unanswered or unanswerable. I don't want that in the mysteries that I read.

I've enjoyed "The Cat Who . . . " books and enjoy seeing what the characters get into next.

I got to the end of this book and turned the page thinking there would be another few pages to tie up loose ends. I shared with a friend how annoyed I was to find that actually WAS the end. She suggested I write the publisher and ask why they forgot to print the ending. :-)

Extrememly disappointed with the final pages of this book.

Very disappointing actually. I've read lots of 'The Cat Who ...' books and this one was quite unlike any of the others. The plot elements did not tie together and people, who seemed mysterious and interesting, disappeared or died. And the banana peel, which could clearly have been used to great comic effect, made a single very brief appearance and was barely mentioned again.

Very poor. I gave it 3 out of 5 because it reads well *but* and this is a big butt ;-) there is no closure to any of the mysteries introduced.

Absolute waste of my time and money reading and buying this book. If I have to put a positive spin on it, I'd say that somewhere a computer programmer has done a decent job getting a computer to write a book almost up to human standards. The ending was lame, lame, and, dare I say? Lame! If I had to guess, the author (or ghostwriter) was making a failed attempt at setting up a sequel of some sort. Either that or she just got bored and stopped writing. (Would that I had the sense to stop reading!)

There is a lot happening in Pickax City, the town that is four hundred miles north of everywhere. Jim Qwilleran, the columnist for the local paper, is covering the opening night production of The Importance of Being Earnest starring newcomer Alden Wade. The lead actor moved from Lockmaster where his wife was murdered by a sniper. Another Lockmaster resident Ronnie Dickson is also in the cast, commuting every day because he loves acting. Jim gives the play a good review.

While Qwill plays with his Siamese cats Kate and Yum-Yum, Koko meows, which means someone has died under suspicious circumstances. Ronnie dies in a car accident with pills and alcohol in his system. Rumors circulate that Alden gave the pills to Ronnie saying everyone in the theatre does it. Qwill decide to keep an eye on him since he married wealthy Mrs. Hibbard two decades older than him who dies shortly thereafter. Quill is on a story about the Hibbards and their valuable home; after listening to Alden's step-son's story, he wonders if the man played a hand in the two deaths.

The title of THE CAT WHO WENT BANANAS refers to the Siamese cats, who steal banana peels and leave them lying around so Alden can trip on it as neither cat likes Alden, especially Yum-Yum. One has to feel sorry for Quill who is deserted by his lady love Polly who is too busy opening her new bookstore to pay much attention to his needs. Lillian Jackson Braun has written another delightful story starring two adorable felines and a hero who wants to know if the two people who died were murdered.

Harriet Klausner

All the characters we love are featured in this book and it's a bit better than the previous "Cat who" novel, but maybe it is time to retire them and begin a new adventure with new characters. It seems there were many juicy directions for this book to explore, but none were actually pursued. Why did Violet get ill so quickly? Why wasn't more explored on "Kenneth/Wesley's? part in the novel, and as for the Wix brothers? what was the real purpose? Was the fire really an accident of nature or arson? hmm. so many questions.

And as for the Polly/ Qwill question, it seemed to me the relationship, so vitual to all other novels, was overlooked and added as a mere passing note.

There are some really good thoughts in this book, i wish more had been explored.

One final note, Ko ko and Yum Yum were hardly featured through-out. a shame since the novels became famous for them!