Stray
First edition cover
AuthorA. N. Wilson
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
GenreNovel
PublisherWalker Books
Publication date
30 April 1987
Media typePrint (Hardback & Paperback)
Pages176 pp (paperback edition)
ISBN0-7445-0801-0 (paperback edition)
OCLC17265064
823/.914 Fic 20
LC ClassPR6073.I439 S77 1987
Preceded byTabitha 

Stray is a novel by A. N. Wilson. It is a precursor to his picture book The Tabitha Stories, as it follows the life of Tabitha's father. The book was published in Great Britain in 1987, by Walker Books and was re-published in the United States by Orchard Books in 1989. Stray is dedicated to "A.L.R," who "reserved his kindest comments for a cat."

Plot summary

A cat named "Pufftail" (he says that he truly has no name) tells his life story to his daughter Tabitha and his grandson. He tells of his life on the streets, in a pet shop, at a convent, with a kind grandmother, and with the cruel "June and Jim," among others and says that he has three tragic parts in his life.

In chronological order, the most important events of Pufftail's life are:

  1. Being born
  2. Separated from his mum with his brother
  3. Being taken to a pet shop
  4. Being taken in by Grandma Harris, until she dies
  5. Being taken in by June and Jim Harbottle
  6. The death of his brother
  7. Being taken in by a convent of nuns
  8. Joining the gang called "The Commune"
  9. Being used to test a shampoo
  10. Meeting his "wife"
  11. The birth of his children
  12. The death of his "wife"
  13. Meeting his daughter, Tabitha
  14. The birth of his grandchildren


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