Cats Galore

Book excerpt: An irresistible volume featuring illustrations of famous dramatis personae—with a feline twist What happens when a cat becomes the subject of da Vinci’s Mona Lisa or takes the starring role in Hamlet or Lawrence of Arabia? Susan Herbert’s feline interpretations of famous images from Western culture have charmed and amused readers for decades. Cats Galore brings together illustrations from the affectionately envisioned Pre-Raphaelite Cats, Shakespeare Cats, Movie Cats, and Opera Cats—as well as other delightful images of cats cast in scenes from art, theater, and film—into one delightful volume. Divided into three sections—Cats in Art, Cats on Stage, and Cats in the Movies—this is the ultimate compendium for cat-loving culture buffs and cultured pet owners alike. Works by Degas and van Gogh retain their distinctive styles in spite of the furry faces; cats shine in Much Ado About Nothing and The Barber of Seville; and a bushy-tailed James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause stares at the camera with the iconic cigarette in his mouth.