The French Cat: Photographs

by Rachael Hale McKenna, Rachael Hale

One of the most successful animal photographers in the world today, Rachael McKenna (née Hale) turns her lens toward France—her newly adopted home—and the charismatic cats that inhabit this picturesque backdrop. The result is The French Cat, a stunning exploration of the country and its felines. Remarkable French landscapes, both urban and rural, are populated with cats brimming with personality—whether languidly strolling in a quaint village or regally perched on the doorstep of an elegant château. Rachael also tells the story of her new life in France with her husband and new baby in tow. This heartwarming narrative—along with engaging quotes from famous French cat lovers and literary greats—accompanies the images, making the eclectic and lushly illustrated record of Rachael’s journey an all-around delight for Francophiles and cat lovers alike.

Praise for The French Cat:
“A gorgeous love letter to her adopted country . . . these are evocative, beautifully composed landscapes and interiors that just happen to feature the small, inquisitive face of un petit chat.”
—Publishers Weekly


 

Genres: Cats, Nonfiction, Photography, Animals, France, Art, Travel

168 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2011

About the author

Animal photographer Rachael McKenna (née Hale).

Also writes as Rachael Hale

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aww it is super relaxing to enter Rachel Hales world of lovely French gardens and homes owned by these beautiful French cats. I loved this style of natural light and settings that makes you want to sell up and travel round France like her.

[Carol, She's so Novel ꧁꧂ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realise McKenna was a Kiwi when I picked this book up at the library - I was drawn to the appealing cover (different to the one showed here)

The pictures are charming & very French looking - some of them don't have cats though, which I think was cheating a bit! ;)

Some wonderful quotations from noted French cat lovers, but McKenna's own prose was a bit banal!

[katayoun Masoodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love cats, like looking at photos, like rachael hale photos and like the french setting, this book was made so that i could give it 5 stars :)

[Michael Kott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was filled with great words and pictures of common cats who rule the villages of France. I will constantly look back at this book.

[Debbie Robson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I loved the quotes just as much as the photos in this lovely little book and that’s saying something as the photographs are beautiful. Not just the cats but where Rachel McKenna has photographed them – on a quiet cobbled street near an ancient vine covered building. By an old door, in a cluttered study and on a ladder in the library of a seventeenth century chateau. The quotes are from French novelists, poets, playwrights, and critics to name a few. My favourite quote and accompanying photo is “The cat is a dilettante in fur.” Theophile Gautier (1811-1872, French poet, novelist, journalist and critic).

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, beautiful book! When I sat down to look at it I expected to just flip through it, but I ended up reading (there weren't too many words, I was basically slowly savouring all the stunning photographs) it all in one sitting. And afterwards a felt very peaceful and calm. That's how I'd describe the photography in this book, peaceful. Must be to do with that French light. And the cats, of course, are all cute and gorgeous.

[Evan Riddell · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first 5 star book, perhaps the cats are a metaphor of some sort for French work ethic but that is lost on me. Furry animals lounging in the sun with black and white filters is a classic for the family, with some friends, enjoyed alone, on the patio or on the chaise; wherever good times are had. Bravo.

This review contains no spoilers..

[Judi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went to Paris over Spring break and discovered this book when I got home. Cats are notoriously hard to photograph, but she has taken the time to get incredible images! It is a treat to leaf through the pages...great for lowering stress!

[Xanthi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautifully presented book with lovely photographs and a few quotes by famous French people thrown into the mix.
I just wish it had more pages to it - more photography, text, quotes.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Careful study and consideration of the images in this book will allow one to cultivate a great appreciation of the use of a shallow depth of field for animal photography. Not only does it draw the eye to the animal, particularly the face, but it has the added benefit of faster shutter speeds, which is great for moving subjects, like twitchy, playful cats! Aside from what you can learn, this is quite simply a beautiful book as well!

[Emily Mcleod · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always believed coffee table books were decorative pieces but I enjoyed this book immensely and am happily proven wrong. The story was simple and elegant, the images were well selected and well shot. The quotes about cats were a charming addition, as was the puss in boots insert. It made my evening, being snug in bed and transported away :)

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book at Shakespeare & Company so that I could get something stamped (because #nerd and #tourist). Not my favorite photography style—looks a little too cheesy greeting card-esque. But, the cats are cute and the quotes about cats from famous French artists were fun. And it’s stamped!

[CharityJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful coffee table book of beautiful cats set against the gorgeous French landscape. One of those books to look through with your feet up and a cup of coffee.

[Kristen EJ Lauderdale · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely journey. There were some pictures in here that spoke to my heart plus glorious pictures of the French countryside and gardens.

[Charity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful photographs of cats in France, accompanied by occasional quotes.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is about french cats. The photos are wonderful. This would be a great coffee table book.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay. Not all of the pictures were related to cats but the cat pictures were cute. I was disappointed, but I'm not sure why. :/

[Joanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully photographed cats in natural surroundings; these being, old homes, gardens, lane ways, window sills, doors of France. A true pleasure for any feline lover.

[Jill Lucht · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures!! Makes me want to go to France to see cats and eat cheese! (This book helped with my mad sprint to finish my 2022 Goodreads challenge. Lots od pictures. Not too many words.

[Sharla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have long been a fan of Rachael Hale's photography -- and a book of her photos featuring cats in the picturesque settings found in France was bound to be very good. And so it was! For me, this book brought back many memories of the time I spent in France, and a cat I saw in Gordes, walking along the top of a fence as if it owned the entire village. Hale captures both the curiosity and the aloofness of cats perfectly ... and somehow the French countryside provides an appropriate backdrop. A lovely book.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love cats and I thoroughly have enjoyed the parts of France I've seen. The images in this book captures the atmosphere of the place through looking at the cats, which all have that wonderful character that any cat lover will recognise immediately. I received this book as a Christmas present, have already read from cover to cover and can quite imagine coming back again and again to "dip into". The photography is simply beautiful.

[Elaine Bearden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adult - but any age could enjoy
Beautiful photography of old French towns and the cats that live in them. Literary quotes throughout - mostly French writers - talking about cats. My favorite - "God made the cat in order that humankind might have the pleasure of caressing the tiger." by Joseph Mery )1797-1866, French author, poet, and playwright. Hale really captures the body language of cats - it would be fabulous for drawing cats.

[Cassidy J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It is one of my all-time favourites (I am talking about novels included). I have read quite a number photography books (featuring mostly animal photography), but none as wonderful as this. I loved everything about it. Everything. The French light that McKenna captures so beautifully, is magical. The cats themselves are so striking and, along with the accompanying stories that McKenna includes, paint vivid personalities. I love this. Absolutely love it.

[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grabbed this book when I saw it on the shelf at my local used book store. I'm not a cat person, so I noticed the beautiful chair first. The photography is absolutely beautiful, the landscapes are gorgeous, and the bonus quotes from literary greats so enjoyable. An absolutely beautiful, beautiful book. The best $5.00 I have ever spent. Oh, and I eventually fell in love with the cats, too.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It’s very relaxing to thumb through the pages. While it’s not quite as good as The French Dog in my opinion, I still enjoy the photographs and content and would encourage others to check it out. If you like this book, you’ll also enjoy The French Dog—both are worth adding to your collection.

[Beroha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chat timide, chat pacha, chat français! Qu'il se roule comiquement sur les pavés ou prenne la pose sur un écritoire ancien dans un château digne d'un prince, le chat français est une petite personne à part entière. Laissez-vous surprendre au détour d'une ruelle par un de ces félins fripons au nom cocasse!

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely gorgeous book! This would make an excellent present for any cat-loving friends. The photography is stunning, the cats gorgeous, and the French settings sublime. Made me want to spirit myself away to France immediately!

[Cait · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It combines two of my favourite things: France, and cats. It is very relaxing just to look at the pictures and I enjoy the quotes and little tidbits the author throws in. This is my favourite coffee table book.

[Cristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soft subtle images and a sweet story with quotes from authors as well as other notables on the furry creatures whom really own us. Makes me want to get lost in the countryside these images were taken in. My favorite is the chateau cat in the library.