Catch Us If You Can by Catherine MacPhail

by Cathy MacPhail

Rory and Granda have looked after one another ever since Rory's dad walked out. These days it's Rory who has to look after the old man, and both of them dread being split up. But when he's told his grandad needs to go into a home and that he will be fostered, Rory is galvanised into setting out on the run with Granda. But where are they going, and where can they hide when their faces are plastered all over the newspapers and TV?

Paperback

First published April 29, 2004

About the author

Catherine MacPhail

Reviews

[Yin Chien · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a (must-read) literature component for Form 5 students. Actually, I was quite excited to read this book, because it sounds special - a grandfather and his grandson on the run. I think the cover portrays the story quite well and it's really eye-catching.

In this story, Rory and his granda live together blissfully, even though sometimes there are troubles because of granda's worsening Alzheimer condition. Granda is a quirky, loveable character who is quite funny at times, while Rory is a matured teenager who loves his granda dearly and takes care of his granda's basic needs.

After a fire started out at their home one day, the two are forced to live separately from each other - granda in the old folks' home and Rory in foster care. As Rory sensed his granda's desolation and depression and his own unwillingness to leave him alone, he decided to run away with his granda.

This short story is like a cup of cooling tea in the afternoon. It's refreshing, original, heartwarming and hilarious. You won't regret reading it.

[Natshane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is actually a book that I have to read for school, so yeah, I was sort of forced to read it, but thank goodness it's funny!

The characters Granda and Rory reminds me of a close knit family I once read about (somehow I couldn't remember) and I'm impressed by the way Rory sacrificed and thought of just to 'elope' (Hahaha, just kidding) with granda (I laughed when he don't remember his name)...Overall, a goodread, a happy ending, and most importantly interesting! But truth to be told, I was sort of bored with some parts of the book (maybe because its a school read) but it did made me laugh or feel like crying for a second. LOL

[Lolliepop · Rating 4 out of 5]

good, good, good

[Najwa | naj.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

initially i read this for literature. i never like what the teacher asked me to read for literature and my first impression to the book was, "this must be that boring old stories of boring old people".

but i read it anyway because it was for school and i need to do a report on it so yeah.

and guess what? it was unexpectedly good, i couldnt put it down, such a page turner and i finished it in like 6 hours or so.

lesson learned ; dont underestimate school books. they can be fun to read, like this one!

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, it all started when my English teacher held up a copy of this particular book in class in November last year... Her words were something along the line of "buy this book. If not, you can't do your literature study next year..."

So what did I did? Buy it off from a book store? Nope! I bought it from a senior who graduated! xD

Honestly, I hadn't really thought it'd be as interesting as I thought... Yea, my expectations then were real low...

But, for anyone who isn't 'forced' to read this book, I'd say, GO AHEAD AND READ THE DAMN THING! Honestly, it's pretty good... xD

Extra note: Somehow, when my teacher was discussing the book, somewhere around when Rory and Granda just met Rab , we had actually talked about Jack The Ripper... xD

[Fariq Sazuki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and sad at the same time! I remember crying reading this

[Joanne Hong · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay. Not too thrilling as I expected it to be. Rory was a wonderfully sassy character, and so was Granda.

The problem that I had with the book was how bloody ignorant both Rory and Granda were. It was obvious from the start that there was something wrong with Granda, yet what do they both do? THEY RUN AWAY. I know, I know, orphanages and old folks' home can be pretty scary, but just THINK for a second as to WHY all of this happened in the first place.

Dude, if your Granda is incapable of running away AS YOU'VE STATED SO MANY TIMES AND NOT TO MENTION, IS OBVIOUSLY VERY VERY SICK, THEN THE LAST THING YOU SHOULD DO IS HELP HIM ESCAPE THE PLACE WHERE HE WAS SUPPOSED TO GET TREATMENT FROM. And Granda, you are one selfish idiot. You said you'd rather die in freedom, but what about poor Rory? If you die early, he's GOING TO GO BACK TO THAT FREAKING ORPHANAGE, AND THIS TIME HE'LL BE ALL ALONE WITHOUT A RELATIVE TO VISIT OR TALK TO. GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER, PEOPLE.

I was promised betrayal, yet the only "betrayal" I got was so anticlimatic that I actually had to stop myself from rolling my eyes all the way to the back of my head when I found out about it. The adventure parts were so boring that if it weren't for the fact that I was to do a presentation on it tomorrow in detail, I probably would've chosen to skim through it just to save myself the extra minutes.

Also, I don't know if it has something to do with my copy of the book or if it really was like that in the original version but I found a few grammar mistakes throughout the book which kind of irked me. They made it quite hard to understand what the author actually wanted to interpret. Not only that but because the setting is in England, there were a lot of British terms and slang that I didn't get, making it a confusing read.

... /sighs/ I'd rather read the horror that is "romeo and juliette" than have to suffer through this book once more. Rory and Granda's sassiness just weren't enough to redeem this book.

EDIT: 04|11|2015

After re-reading this book for my finals the day before, I've decided to change my rating from 2 stars to 3 stars just for the writing style of the book (me not being able to understand its Britishness is my fault entirely).

Doesn't change the fact that I was still frustrated over the characters' actions though. Esp Granda's.

[Zee · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is obviously something I had to read for school.
The book was okay I suppose. Granda was amusing but God, I hate MacPhail for sort of trolling with us about Granda's death.
I was expecting that Rory would help that crazy girl with whatever her problem was during the time he spent in that children's home (forgive my bad memory) but he did not. The girl was sort of just there, y'know? But I guess she acted as a motivation for Rory to run away with Granda. Still disappointed that it didn't happen though, I would kill to know what her problem was.
All in all it was a meh read, but I think it's a rather simple book for form 5s to read, given that examiners expect us to write very good things for our continuous writing essays.

[Suraya Nordin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story makes me laugh and cry at the same time. I consider this book is good because it could play with my feeling just like that. Granda's character was always make people laugh! The way he treated his grandson was a little bit rude but that's their style by the way. They both cared for each other. The saddest part is when I taught granda was dead but luckily he won't. I hate Rory's father but in the end I realise, everybody makes mistakes. So did he. But to forgive and forget is what we call life.

[Myrea07 · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay.. Wasn't funny to me, I thought the jokes were dry. I didn't like Granda and I didn't like Rory either. I thought he made an unintelligent and ignorant decision to run away with his ill Granda. He should have known better that Granda should be taken care of in the hospital instead.

The ending was also not satisfying for me, we only get to see Jeff for like two seconds! 2 stars, just because I know it's really difficult to write a book and because I liked some of the side characters that Rory and Granda met during their Great Escape..

[Maira · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm supposed to be reading it for school. And yes, I am not disappointed. In fact, it's not bad at all.
The book is about a grandfather and a grandson. The grandfather, Granda, is very old and the grandson, Rory, is the only one he can count on. So, something happens and eventually, Granda and Rory is going to be separated from each other. They opposed the idea. So, Rory and Granda escape together and they met different kinds of people that they wasn't aware existed in this world.

[Amir Aiman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a really good book. At first I didn't really quite like it so much because the main Granda character is so dumb. But the writer managed to get me hooked with Granda and Rory. The character development was quite fast and how Rory progresses during his run with his Granda was interesting to read. The way even supporting characters managed to leave an impact on how Rory and Granda progress to their final destination is epic. Overall it really is a good and quite short book

[Ernie Amira · Rating 4 out of 5]

for frank , dearest madam asked us to read this as it is the literature component for the SPM's victim . and i was forced to do so :P somehow , this novel is quite interesting . and hilarious indeed . to be honest , i would never spend my time reading this kind of english novel . just in case , i realize i cant answer the SPM if i dont read this T_T

*psst , ignore the english-pecah :p

[Alya Atiera · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.9 stars

I finished this book in like one day aha. I thought my teacher wanted to revise about it in class and yes, I didn't even read it yet. Not even a page. So I picked it up after my teacher told the class to read it because she wanted to discuss about it the next day.

It's a good story I guess with a very good moral values.

And oh, Granda is funny!

[Aween · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full of adventure. Plus the Rory and Granda's bonding is so strong that makes me wanna cry, i'm touched ! Couldn't believe that an ordinary boy would do something extraordinary just to make sure his Granda would be just fine and they stay together.

p/s : okay, I misss my Atuk hehe.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming and entertaining, Catch Us If You Can's cliffhanger chapter endings hook the reader in and Rory and Granda's likability and hilarity fills you up with bubbles. The book does slightly make it childish and unrealistic at the end but CUIYC still charms.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had to read this for Form 5 literature. I'm glad I did though because this book is hilarious!! It's such a short and fun read but at the same time the relationship of Rory and his Granda touched my heart..

[Jiaxin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

I love granda and also the best son ever, Rory!

[Arieana rie · Rating 3 out of 5]

it's about Rory's journey after he run away with his grandfather. A good story for student Form 5.

[Camelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8 / 5

[CekMoNSter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story. A teen with his Granda running away from those who tried to part them.

[Lleyton]

Nice !

[Elsa Pendragon]

great