This delightful and historically rich novel is a fictionalized account inspired by the true story of the Titanic. The narrative is told from the perspective of an orphaned boy named Johnny Trott, who works as a bellboy at the magnificent Savoy Hotel in London in 1912. Johnny’s life is forever changed when he befriends a remarkable cat named Kaspar, who belongs to an opera singer, the Countess Kandinsky. When the Countess tragically dies, Kaspar is left alone, and Johnny takes on the role of his devoted caretaker. However, Johnny and Kaspar soon embark on a journey that leads them to the docks and aboard the luxurious, ill-fated ship, the Titanic. The novel recounts their extraordinary experience during the sinking, highlighting the chaos and heroism of that night from the unique vantage point of a young boy. The story beautifully captures the deep bond between Johnny and the cat, as Kaspar becomes a symbol of comfort and survival. Morpurgo weaves historical detail with a tender, personal tale, celebrating the power of friendship, loyalty, and the resilience of life in the face of disaster, making it a memorable and uplifting story set against one of history's most tragic events.
