Stray (novel)

infobox Book |
name = Stray
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption = First edition cover
author = A. N. Wilson
cover_artist =
country = United Kingdom
language = English
series =
genre = Novel
publisher = Walker Books
release_date = 30 April 1987
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback)
pages = 176 pp (paperback edition)
isbn = ISBN 0-7445-0801-0 (paperback edition)
preceded_by = Tabitha
followed_by =

"Stray" is a novel by A. N. Wilson. It is a follow-up to his picture book "The Tabitha Storys", 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.

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

# Being born
# Being taken to a pet shop
# Being taken in by Grandma Harris, until she dies
# Being taken in by June and Jim Harbottle
# The death of his brother
# Being taken in by a convent of nuns
# Joining the gang called "The Commune"
# Being used to test a shampoo
# Meeting his "wife"
# The birth of his children
# Meeting his daughter, Tabitha
# The birth of his grandchildren