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The Big New Yorker Book
The Big New Yorker Book of Cats
Look what The New Yorker dragged in! It’s the purr-fect gathering of talent celebrating our feline companions.This bountiful collection, beautifully illustrated in full color, features articles, fiction, humor, poems, cartoons, cover art, drafts, and drawings from the magazine’s archives. Among the contributors are Margaret Atwood, T. Coraghessan Boyle, Roald Dahl, Wolcott Gibbs, Robert Graves, Emily Hahn, Ted Hughes, Jamaica Kincaid, Steven Millhauser, Haruki Murakami, Amy Ozols, Robert Pinsky, Jean Rhys, James Thurber, John Updike, Sylvia Townsend Warner, and E. B. White. Including a Foreword by Anthony Lane, this gorgeous keepsake will be a treasured gift for all cat lovers.Praise for The Big New Yorker Book of Cats“The Book of Cats comes a year after The Big New Yorker Book of Dogs—a publishing slight that, though it stings, I’ll forgive, as the latest anthology was worth the wait. . . . Two standout articles feature real-life obsessives of ages past who reveal today’s Caturnet devotees—with their GIFs and Tumblrs and hastily aggregated listicles—for what they truly amateurs. . . . Eat your heart out, Cute Overload.”—The New York Times Book Review “A beautiful hardcover.”—Jenny McCarthy, People “This irresistible anthology of articles, poems, essays, fiction, cartoons, and covers pulled from the New Yorker is a veritable treasure trove for cat lovers. Just dive right in; with stories from the likes of John Updike, Maeve Brennan, Roald Dalhl, and Haruki Murakami interwoven with hilariously wry cartoons, one can’t help but be enthralled. A must-have.”—Modern Cat “A shiny, well-fed tome . . . The anthology embodies the cat’s defining its cluster of opposites, rolled together into a giant hairball of cultural attitudes—something, perhaps, at once uncomfortably and assuringly reflective of our own chronically conflicted selves.”—Brain Pickings “This gorgeous book has earned a permanent spot on my coffee table. It is an absolute joy to read and browse through, and I know it will bring me hours and hours of pleasure for years to come. And it makes a purr-fect gift for the special cat lovers in your life.”—The Conscious Cat “[A] sumptuous volume.”—The Dallas Morning News
671 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2013
116 people are currently reading
937 people want to read
About the author
The New Yorker
503 books221 followersThe New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons, and poetry published by Condé Nast Publications. Starting as a weekly in the mid-1920s, the magazine is now published forty-seven times per year, with five of these issues covering two-week spans.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
November 27, 2022
I got it for humor, so it wasn't what I needed at the time: March 2020
***
20 November 2022
I wanted books to just look at, several weeks back, now. So, of course, contrarian that I am, I ended up reading the other stuff. I didn't love everything, but the nonfction, poetry, and little snippets all seemed to me to hold up better than the fiction, the average of which is brought down by T.C.Boyle, whom I don't care for, and Thurber, who I begin to think must have been really unpleasant.
Library copy
***
20 November 2022
I wanted books to just look at, several weeks back, now. So, of course, contrarian that I am, I ended up reading the other stuff. I didn't love everything, but the nonfction, poetry, and little snippets all seemed to me to hold up better than the fiction, the average of which is brought down by T.C.Boyle, whom I don't care for, and Thurber, who I begin to think must have been really unpleasant.
Library copy
October 9, 2018
A coffee table book that you can pick up and periodically peruse. A diverse collection of stories, poems, and cartoons about cats from about seventy years of The New Yorker. Recommended for those who start out with an interest in cats.
The Nook version of this book sells for only $15, so it is nice to have a $40 book in e format and in color. Most of the Big New Yorker books that I have read on various subjects are excellent.
The Nook version of this book sells for only $15, so it is nice to have a $40 book in e format and in color. Most of the Big New Yorker books that I have read on various subjects are excellent.
February 19, 2014
I received The Big New Yorker Book of Cats in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
The Big New Yorker Book of Cats is a coffee table book filled with cat stories written in the unmistakable style of The New Yorker magazine. While cat people will likely find the stories charming, there is no denying their ingrained pretentiousness. This is a book that seems like a wonderful gift to give to bookish cat folk like myself, but may not be worth the bother.
The stories in The Big New Yorker Book of Cats are varied, with different tones employed by writers. However, they are, in true New Yorker fashion, laughably overwritten and yet still quite endearing stories. While I wouldn't pay a cent for it, this was an interesting enough diversion, although I could not stick it out for more than one story at a stretch.
The Big New Yorker Book of Cats is a somewhat stilted and somehow sweet coffee table book. Cat people who enjoy The New Yorker may enjoy it. However, I highly doubt this book has wide appeal.
2.5 Stars
Read this review and more on The Library Lass Book Talk Blog.
The Big New Yorker Book of Cats is a coffee table book filled with cat stories written in the unmistakable style of The New Yorker magazine. While cat people will likely find the stories charming, there is no denying their ingrained pretentiousness. This is a book that seems like a wonderful gift to give to bookish cat folk like myself, but may not be worth the bother.
The stories in The Big New Yorker Book of Cats are varied, with different tones employed by writers. However, they are, in true New Yorker fashion, laughably overwritten and yet still quite endearing stories. While I wouldn't pay a cent for it, this was an interesting enough diversion, although I could not stick it out for more than one story at a stretch.
The Big New Yorker Book of Cats is a somewhat stilted and somehow sweet coffee table book. Cat people who enjoy The New Yorker may enjoy it. However, I highly doubt this book has wide appeal.
2.5 Stars
Read this review and more on The Library Lass Book Talk Blog.
May 8, 2015
An impressive collection of short and long feline tales, but more so they are stories of human interest and how their lives were intertwined with the cats that ruled their lives. Our pets don’t outlive their owners. Therefore with the years going by, lives will be filled with the precious memories of our pets. Some of these precious memories are captured in this book. Not just domestic cats, but also Tigers and a Lynx. Some stories were more unforgettable than others. Like the story of the easy going bachelor who was simple and kind hearted. He lived in a small rented apartment in urban New York. One crazy day at his usual drinking hole Dagett, he picked up a Lynx from winning a bar bet. He agreed to keep the fierce feral cat for a while not because he was crazy or the he loved cats or Lynx but because it was a chick magnet. But once the chick was gone, so did he released the Lynx to roam the streets of New York. Not surprising, the stories in this book revolved around New York because it is a collection of short stories published in the New Yorker going as far back as pre 2nd world war. These stories would definitely strike a chord with those who are familiar with the big apple. Nonetheless, the stories would still appeal to feline lovers all around the world.
July 26, 2016
I won this book in a goodreads giveaway and was so excited to receive it!
First off, the book jacket is amazing. I love the simplicity of the cat both on the front and back covers.
The collection of short stories are entertaining and short, and makes for a nice quick short read when you're taking a coffee break. The variety of stories is amazing, some told from the cats' perspectives, others as owners, and some even as cat catchers. Scattered between the stories are short blurbs, newspaper articles, fun facts, etc. Every so often, a cover page of an old New Yorker magazine is included, each starring a feline of some sort.
As a cat lover, I loved this book, the different perspectives that which we can see our feline companions was eye opening, and made for a good read, where I was. Best of all, it's a book that due to it's nature of being a compilation of stories and articles can be reread, over and over. Lastly, it holds a special place on my bookshelf, both as an amazing book to put on display due to it's cover art, but also as a testament to my ailurophilia.
First off, the book jacket is amazing. I love the simplicity of the cat both on the front and back covers.
The collection of short stories are entertaining and short, and makes for a nice quick short read when you're taking a coffee break. The variety of stories is amazing, some told from the cats' perspectives, others as owners, and some even as cat catchers. Scattered between the stories are short blurbs, newspaper articles, fun facts, etc. Every so often, a cover page of an old New Yorker magazine is included, each starring a feline of some sort.
As a cat lover, I loved this book, the different perspectives that which we can see our feline companions was eye opening, and made for a good read, where I was. Best of all, it's a book that due to it's nature of being a compilation of stories and articles can be reread, over and over. Lastly, it holds a special place on my bookshelf, both as an amazing book to put on display due to it's cover art, but also as a testament to my ailurophilia.
May 8, 2015
Crazy people and cat stories
A hodgepodge of short and long not just feline tales, but stories of human interest and how their lives are intertwined with the cats. Not just domestic cats, but also Tigers and a Lynx. Some stories were more unforgettable than others. Like the story of the easy going bachelor, simple and kind hearted, who lived in a small rented apartment in urban New York. He picked up a Lynx from winning a bar bet. Not that he loved cats or Lynx but because it was a chick magnet that motivated him to coexist the fierce feral cat for a while. But once the chick was gone, so did he released the Lynx to roam the streets of New York. Not surprising,the stories in this book revolved around New York because it is a collection of short stories published in the New Yorker going as far back as pre 2nd world war. The stories would definitely strike a cord with those who are family with the big apple. Nonetheless, the stories would appeal to feline lovers all around the world.
A hodgepodge of short and long not just feline tales, but stories of human interest and how their lives are intertwined with the cats. Not just domestic cats, but also Tigers and a Lynx. Some stories were more unforgettable than others. Like the story of the easy going bachelor, simple and kind hearted, who lived in a small rented apartment in urban New York. He picked up a Lynx from winning a bar bet. Not that he loved cats or Lynx but because it was a chick magnet that motivated him to coexist the fierce feral cat for a while. But once the chick was gone, so did he released the Lynx to roam the streets of New York. Not surprising,the stories in this book revolved around New York because it is a collection of short stories published in the New Yorker going as far back as pre 2nd world war. The stories would definitely strike a cord with those who are family with the big apple. Nonetheless, the stories would appeal to feline lovers all around the world.
May 10, 2015
Delightful tales not just feline, but more so stories of human interest and how their lives are intertwined with the cats that ruled their lives. Not just domestic cats, but also Tigers and a Lynx. Some stories were more unforgettable than others. Like the story of the easy going bachelor, simple and kind hearted, who lived in a small rented apartment in urban New York. He picked up a Lynx from winning a bar bet. Not that he loved cats or Lynx but because it was a chick magnet that motivated him to coexist with the fierce feral cat for a while. But once the chick was gone, so did he release the Lynx to roam the streets of New York. Not surprising,the stories in this book revolved around New York because it is a collection of short stories published in the New Yorker magazine going as far back as pre 2nd world war. The stories would definitely strike a cord with those who are family with the big apple. Nonetheless, the stories would still appeal to feline lovers all around the world.
September 2, 2016
The cartoons are all very good; I've seen them all before. The essays and short fiction range from "meh" to engaging. A good read, but not great, and many of them are, to paraphrase another Goodreads reviewer "New Yorker pretentious." Also, not just for cat fans--there's an entire *section* devoted to euthanizing cats.
I got about halfway through the book (which is indeed darn big!) and lost interest.
I got about halfway through the book (which is indeed darn big!) and lost interest.
November 17, 2013
The Big New Yorker Book of Cats will bring hours of fun, well written short stories, poems, and cartoons. The art work is wonderful. I was just amazed day after day as I combed through all the interesting stories. This book is a terrific gift…maybe even a gift from Santa to YOU! Joy! Fun! Hours of CAT stories and lots of surprises. This book is PURR!!!! Certainly a FIVE STAR!
November 30, 2013
I received a copy through a Goodreads giveaway. Whether you're a cat lover or a fan of The New Yorker, this book is a delight. This high-quality edition would make a great gift. I enjoyed the stories, and most of all, the numerous cartoons, which are grouped by topic. There's also reproductions of covers past, featuring our furry feline friends.
March 14, 2014
I'm a bit conflicted about this book. Is it actually for cat-lovers? Some of the stories and articles are slightly less pro-cat than I was expecting. I know there are people out there who don't like cats (poor, sorry individuals) but I don't want to read about 'em. The cartoons however are of course excellent, and the little vignettes are sweet too.
September 3, 2015
It's hard for me to "rate" or even review anthologies like this. There are heart-warming true stories, devastating fiction, pretentious poems, and witty cartoons in here so really it's a little bit of everything. But most importantly it's a little bit of everything CATS. What a lovely little (er.. BIG) book<3
December 29, 2016
This is a New Yorker Magazine collection of cartoons, short stories, articles, poems, and more. It is a big, attractive book, obviously, all about cats. It's a fun book - and it is especially fun if you're a cat lover, like me. It contains short stories by James Thurber, TC Boyle, Margaret Atwood, and other well-know writers, and it also contains great New Yorker cartoons.
August 25, 2017
What a rolic
I'm a dyed in the wool cat lover. Each of the stories in this wonderful book outlines the endlessly fascinating personalities of all things feline. I'd even bet that those who aren't as enamored with kitties would gain a grin and some insight into all things cat. Thank you, New Yorker!
I'm a dyed in the wool cat lover. Each of the stories in this wonderful book outlines the endlessly fascinating personalities of all things feline. I'd even bet that those who aren't as enamored with kitties would gain a grin and some insight into all things cat. Thank you, New Yorker!
September 13, 2017
The New Yorker Book of Cats
If you like anthologies, this book may be for you. The book features fiction and nonfiction articles about cats, cartoons about cats and New Yorker covers featuring cats. I liked the last story best because it reminded me of the Tom and Jerry cartoons I watched as a child. As a whole the book was uneven and dare I say a bit pretentious?
If you like anthologies, this book may be for you. The book features fiction and nonfiction articles about cats, cartoons about cats and New Yorker covers featuring cats. I liked the last story best because it reminded me of the Tom and Jerry cartoons I watched as a child. As a whole the book was uneven and dare I say a bit pretentious?
November 5, 2013
This was a great introduction to the type of material found in The New Yorker, as someone not familiar with the magazine. I loved the variety of material and was surprised to find work by some wonderful authors.
November 8, 2013
I really liked this book. It's a pretty big deal because I am a dog person, but I recieved this book on a goodreads giveaway so I read it. Very well written with different interesting stories. I have now passed this book on to my teenage daughter who adores cats and she also sings its praises!
May 8, 2015
本书是雜燴着长短的故事，不只是貓的故事，而关于美国人 的生活 和貓科動物交織的情趣。不只是家貓，还包括老虎和山貓。有些故事是很令人難忘。就像故事关于喜歡隨和的單身漢，他簡單善良，住在一個城市紐約租來的小公寓。他有一天在酒吧賭注獲勝一只山貓，他肯收留只猫，並不因他喜歡貓或山貓，而只猫是磁鐵喜迎妞。不久妞跑了，他也解放山貓让它漫遊紐約街頭。這本書里的散文，圍繞纽，因為它是發表在紐約人的短篇小說要早預第二次世界大戰的集合。這些故事肯定會给认识大蘋果共鳴。然而，故事肯定會吸引世界各地愛貓好者。
May 8, 2015
本书是雜燴着长短的故事，不只是貓的故事，而关于美国人 的生活 和貓科動物交織的情趣。不只是家貓，还包括老虎和山貓。有些故事是很令人難忘。就像故事关于喜歡隨和的單身漢，他簡單善良，住在一個城市紐約租來的小公寓。他有一天在酒吧賭注獲勝一只山貓，他肯收留只猫，並不因他喜歡貓或山貓，而只猫是磁鐵喜迎妞。不久妞跑了，他也解放山貓让它漫遊紐約街頭。這本書里的散文，圍繞纽，因為它是發表在紐約人的短篇小說要早預第二次世界大戰的集合。這些故事肯定會给认识大蘋果共鳴。然而，故事肯定會吸引世界各地愛貓好者。
January 13, 2016
I enjoyed the essays in this book more than the short stories. Full disclosure: I don't really like reading short stories. Warning: Sometimes the cats meet disturbing fates. Of course, the cartoons are wonderful.
August 4, 2016
The cartoons alone are worth the time and effort it takes to sit down with this impressive collection of cattery. As Hemingway said, "One cat leads to another." It's difficult to put the book down. The variety of stories, the diversity of cat focus. Have I mentioned the cartoons?
December 31, 2013
Wow, what a fantastic book. Lots of short wonderful stories, poems, pictures, and just an overall awesome book. I especially like it because I love cats and have four of my own!
May 2, 2014
Love. Some stories were "meh," but most were amazing. Plus, CATS and CARTOONS, so yeah, my standards are high.
July 22, 2014
Excellent! Cat-lovers dream comes true. Could've been better edited, though, with less stories (some weren't up to snuff), and more drawings and cartoons. Still, highly recommended.
September 23, 2017
Nice read
December 29, 2023
It's a great short encyclopedia of feline experiences.
The worst story, strategically pushed towards the very end, is a complete ripoff of the notorious Tom and Jerry by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. I'm not sure why they even included it in this collection.
However, there are many great stories, like the one by Updike John, a true master of words. My personal best choice is a story by a chap named David Schickler (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...). I haven't seen his Banschee but The Smoker is one of the best shorts I've come across, well worth the O'Henry award and whatever other accolades it reaped along the way.
The worst story, strategically pushed towards the very end, is a complete ripoff of the notorious Tom and Jerry by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. I'm not sure why they even included it in this collection.
However, there are many great stories, like the one by Updike John, a true master of words. My personal best choice is a story by a chap named David Schickler (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...). I haven't seen his Banschee but The Smoker is one of the best shorts I've come across, well worth the O'Henry award and whatever other accolades it reaped along the way.
June 21, 2022
This is one of the best anthologies I've ever read. I loved every story, and the book was so great that I would stay from dawn to dusk only reading this book, and luckily no one interrupted me.
My favorite stories were 'Edward the Conquerer', by Roald Dahl (Franz Liszt's reincarnation in a cat is such an original idea!), 'Cat'N'Mouse', by Steven Millhouser (written in a very interesting style, like an old cartoon), 'A cat in every home', by Katherine T. Kinkead (Kendell is very similar to me) and 'Town of Cats', by Haruki Murakami (it is very similar to another book I recently read, 'Chronicles of a Traveling Cat'!).
My favorite stories were 'Edward the Conquerer', by Roald Dahl (Franz Liszt's reincarnation in a cat is such an original idea!), 'Cat'N'Mouse', by Steven Millhouser (written in a very interesting style, like an old cartoon), 'A cat in every home', by Katherine T. Kinkead (Kendell is very similar to me) and 'Town of Cats', by Haruki Murakami (it is very similar to another book I recently read, 'Chronicles of a Traveling Cat'!).
June 15, 2023
The New Yorker abounds with wonderful short stories and articles about cats or revolving them. Many of the stories in this collection do mention a cat. You might like or dislike the story, but it is not about cats nor revolves about them. Why? Say, what was the point of selecting the story of the professor who was also a boxer, who also had a romance with a student, who also met the parents, who also hit her, on a daunt, in the abs? She had a cat, or her parents did. It does not matter, I guess.
Hard pass.
Hard pass.
May 19, 2023
3 stars for the cats, less for the writing/stories. I've had this on my To Read for so long that I forgot this was a collection of short stories & that's not my thing. I did try reading them (started about 60% of them, but only finished 2 so not a great book for me.
May 22, 2023
An anthology of writings associated with cats, The Big New Yorker Book of Cats makes for a great coffee table book with a menagerie work of unequal quality that is worth skimming but not necessarily worth reading cover-to-cover, even for those of us who are cat aficionados.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews