2 A.M. at the Cat's Pajamas
Ratings6
Average rating3.7
15
Ratings6
Average rating3.7
"Madeleine Altimari is a smart-mouthed, rebellious nine-year-old who also happens to be an aspiring jazz singer. Still mourning the recent death of her mother, and caring for her grief-stricken father, she doesn't realize that on the eve of Christmas Eve she is about to have the most extraordinary day--and night--of her life. After bravely facing down mean-spirited classmates and rejection at school, Madeleine doggedly searches for Philadelphia's legendary jazz club The Cat's Pajamas, where she's determined to make her on-stage debut. On the same day, her fifth grade teacher Sarina Greene, who's just moved back to Philly after a divorce, is nervously looking forward to a dinner party that will reunite her with an old high school crush, afraid to hope that sparks might fly again. And across town at The Cat's Pajamas, club owner Lorca discovers that his beloved haunt may have to close forever, unless someone can find a way to quickly raise the $30,000 that would save it. As these three lost souls search for love, music and hope on the snow-covered streets of Philadelphia, together they will discover life's endless possibilities over the course of one magical night. A vivacious, charming and moving debut, 2 A.M. at The Cat's Pajamas will capture your heart and have you laughing out loud" --
Reviews with the most likes.
This is a pure, winter comfort read that belies the pain and loss at the heart of the story. Madeleine Altimari is living in a cockroach infested apartment with a father nearly comatose with grief after the death of his wife. Jack Lorca is on the verge of losing his jazz club not to mention the tenuous relationship he has with his son. Sarina Greene is divorced and lonely in a new city. But the language that ushers each of them, inexorably, to the Cat's Pajamas is dazzling and light. Musicians arpeggiate through the park and flurries somersault, reconsider and double back. The writing is sharp and wry and imbued with a sparkling touch.
I think it wanted to be the book equivalent of a jazz blues song, but I find that kind of melody soothing, and this I didn't. Enjoyed the writing, not sure I was meant to enjoy the characters. Felt like the author decided the only way to humanize was to focus on everybody's bad moments, in such quick succession that you're really only left with a vague feeling of disappointment, as the mood turns too late with too little resolved.
[Important minor spoiler: the dog survives.]
⚠️ Child neglect, abuse
