Cat Women: Female Writers on Their Feline Friends

by Megan McMorris (Editor)

Part diva, part purring furball, cats always keep you wondering. Are they happy to see you? Mad at the world? Cats are subtle little comics, rubbing against your legs when you'd forgotten they were in the room, purring in your ear in the middle of the night. What is it about these sly, droll, and unpredictable creatures that captivates us? And what's the deal with the whole crazy cat lady stereotype, anyway? From a tale about how rescuing a stray cat ended up saving a friendship to an unapologetic piece by a confirmed-and proud!-crazy cat lady, the essays in Cat Women range from thought-provoking and heartrending to laugh-out-loud funny, all delving into the many ways these often aloof little divas touch our lives.

Genres: Animals, Cats, Nonfiction, Essays

272 pages, Paperback

First published March 21, 2007

About the author

I'm the editor of three anthologies, most recently P.S. What I Didn't Say: Unsent Letters to Our Female Friends (Seal Press, October 1). I created a website for the book, where you can find excerpts and send in your own letter to your female friend...
www.psanthology.wordpress.com

Reviews

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some stories were pleasant enough reads. Others revealed their authors' deep fear of being known as "crazy cat ladies" through those authors' continued insistence that, really, they might like cats, but they're not one of those people, you know, the real crazy cat ladies, who presumably deserve to be pitied and shunned. Don't let yourselves get too single, readers, and for sure don't commit to caring for any more than two cats, or you too will be downgraded from "cat woman" to "crazy cat lady" (scientific name frumpus undesirabilis).

[Ellen Pilch · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this book at all. So many of the stories were about cats someone briefly owned. A cat is for life and deserves a forever home.
One story was about a lady that lets a cat live with her while she is a student in another country. When she moves, she doesn't try to find it another home. She sublets her apartment to a woman that isn't there often so the cat fends for itself and then this woman leaves and we never know what happens to the cat.
In another story, the lady gives her cat away after she has a child. There were very few good stories about someone having a cat for it's entire life, but most were not like that so I can't recommend this book. I don't think people that would give up a cat deserve to write a story about him/her.

[Christy Thorson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good, sometimes sad, sometimes depressing. I am a cat person so I have a hard time understanding people who are ashamed to admit they like cats.

[Elizabeth Childress · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a cat woman, I felt this book fell short of its potential.

[Meredith Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

as other reviewers probably have pointed out, the title is a bit misleading. using the term "friends" for many of the felines in this collection would be wrong. it suffered a lot from the "i don't like cats/i'm a not a cat person BUT" type of story; the author talks about how great dogs are & how she never liked cats but then she met this one that held her over until she met the man of her dreams.

there's a few choice pieces in here about the love & connection of the author & her feline but overall, it was a letdown.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a cat lover, this is a must read! Many female writers come together and each have a little chapter about the felines in their lives.

The only reason I give this 4 and not 5 stars is because there is one story in particular that is barely about cats. It's that stereotypical thing about animal books: let's say it's about an animal, but make it about me! Make sure to throw in the animal every now and again. Yes, there is one of those stories in here (and I think it's the longest one). I had to skip it altogether. But other than that, this is a great read to pass the time! Meow!

[Sian Lile-Pastore · Rating 3 out of 5]

it's a book about women and cats! hurray! any kitty lover will enjoy this... it's a collection of essays about 'crazy cat women' and why people feel uncomfortable if a woman lives alone with four cats. some stories are funny, some sweet, some sad and all with a little picture of the cat in question.
yep it's a cutie. i only gave it three stars as it's more of a dip in and out of book rather than something to really get into...

[Sher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book 8 2012 Reading Challenge
The essays were much alike. Trendy, single women's view of life with cats, and most had a slant about cats that made you wonder why they had cats. I mean - I felt like they were always apologizing for the fact they had cats. The writing was hip-style, not Annie Dillard that's for sure. Twenty-something urbanites might really enjoy these essays. Just my opinion - obviously, but didn't hold my attention or interest.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best things in life are the little things, and this book of short stories is a great reminder of that. It makes me feel just a little bit better about the obsession that I have with my cat (there are worse people out there, hurray!) and makes my cat look a lot less neurotic then I thought she was.

[Jaclyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

My mom got this book for my daughter and I for Christmas, since we have 2 cats and adore them. So far I've read a few of the stories and am generally enjoying this book, have even found myself laughing out loud a couple of times because I totally relate. They're perfect little short stories that I can read in between books, or when I just need a little break from the one I'm on.

[Gemini · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought there was so many amusing stories in this book. This isn't your typical hookie, sappy cat crazy type of book. It's like thew writers stories whther good or bad about their involvement w/ cats at some point in their lives. Some of the stories made me laugh-cause I could relate-others touched my heart at how they tug at the heart strings.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you have a cat or like cats then you'll enjoy this book. The book is a collection of essays by women, for women. All of the essays have cats as the main character and will make you love the cat(s) in your life even more.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

By no means is this book incredible literature but it is a bunch of women writing about their cats. Since I fit into the category of "crazy cat lady" I had to read it and I enjoyed it very much.

[Mary Frances · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute but negligble....

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

veryyy good!! really cute and well put together stories of cats!!

[Kristy Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book for kitty lovers. Quick and easy read. Some good humor.

[Muriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun read...nice 5 minutes stories about women and their kitties for study breaks. Just passed it along to Britt.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of female-based cat lover essays. Some brought a tear to my eye while others had me laughing out loud. I enjoyed the read.

[Marykay Pogar · Rating 2 out of 5]

These stories were more about finding Mr. Right and less about cats. Meh.

[Heydi Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A soft, cuddle read that snuggles next to you.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must-read for cat lovers. Not great literature, but thoroughly enjoyable accounts of living with cats written by women who own or are owned by cats.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute short stories about women and their cats. Almost a protest to the "crazy cat lady" stereotype. Enjoyed reading it.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

As others have said, some of the stories are sweet, but many of them are looking down on cat ladies and women denying they like cats. I was disappointed about that, because I know there are enough women out there who love their cats to make a book that had an overall more positive view of felines.