GREAT WRITERS & THE CATS WHO OWNED THEM

 GREAT WRITERS & THE CATS WHO OWNED THEM

Reviewed By  Grasshopper2       October 15, 2025

 

Author  Suzannah Fullerton

Distributor:      New South Books
ISBN:                 9781851246540
Publisher:         Bodleian Library
Release Date:   15 October 2025  

Website:    https://newsouthbooks.com.au/books/great-writers-the-cats-who-owned-them/ 

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Who could resist such a wonderful title as Great Writers and the Cats Who Owned Them! The author suggests that cats and writers have bonded together for comfort, companionship, inspiration and possibly warmth, for many generations. She has also included fun features showing cats in libraries, bookshops and hotels. Some of the authors mentioned here are Horace Walpole, Alexander Dumas, Charles Dickens, Mark Twain and Doris Lessing.

Great Writers and the Cats Who Owned Them begins with a story set in the ninth century when an Irish Monk neglected his work of writing Holy Words and instead wrote a poem to his beloved white cat. Susannah then goes on to describe the qualities which make cats such special animals. She notes that they are soft, provide an alarm clock for feeding, and are intelligent and inscrutable, but wrapped in a soft package. “Dame Edith Sitwell prized the fact that her cats never said anything foolish.”

Some of the extraordinary facts we learn about the relationships in this book begin with Dr Johnson’s cat. He fed “Hodge” with oysters!

In the 1760’s a small book was published in London. It was titled “The life and adventures of a cat.” The author, William Guthrie wrote about a male cat named Tom. To this day male cats are known as Tom Cats. The Tom and Jerry cartoons were said to have been inspired from this story. Mark Twain was quoted as saying,” If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat.”

Daffy the third was with Lucy Montgomery as she wrote the story, “Ann of Green Gables.” She had always been a lonely child, growing up in a strict home with cats her constant companions. Cats seemed to bring Lucy peace and tranquillity and a sense of connectedness that was essential for her wellbeing.

There are so many fascinating stories in this book, but also historical references showing how cats were not always well treated. They were often burned with their “witch” owners. Today, cats have a place in many homes and thankfully their treatment is usually wonderful.

Literature, Non Fiction