On Cats

On Cats

A raw and tenderly funny look at the human-cat relationship, from one of our most treasured and transgressive writers. “The cat is the beautiful devil.” Felines touched a vulnerable spot in Charles Bukowski’s crusty soul. For the writer, there was something majestic and elemental about these inscrutable creatures he admired, sentient beings whose searing gaze could penetrate deep into our being. Bukowski considered cats to be unique forces of nature, elusive emissaries of beauty and love. On Cats offers Bukowski’s musings on these beloved animals and their toughness and resiliency. He honors them as fighters, hunters, survivors who command awe and respect as they grip tightly onto the world around them: “A cat is only ITSELF, representative of the strong forces of life that won’t let go.” Funny, moving, tough, and caring, On Cats brings together the acclaimed writer’s reflections on these animals he so admired. Bukowski’s cats are fierce and demanding—he captures them stalking their prey; crawling across his typewritten pages; waking him up with claws across the face. But they are also affectionate and giving, sources of inspiration and gentle, insistent care. Poignant yet free of treacle, On Cats is an illuminating portrait of this one-of-a-kind artist and his unique view of the world, witnessed through his relationship with the animals he considered his most profound teachers.
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Reviews

Photo of High Fidelity
High Fidelity@highfidelity
4 stars
Sep 19, 2022

Izgleda da je ipak postojalo nesto sto je Bukovski stvarno voleo.

Photo of Maggie Gordon
Maggie Gordon@maggieg
3 stars
Aug 13, 2022

Before On Cats, I had yet to pick up a Bukoski book. He seems to be a cantankerous man, but with a warm heart. At least for cats :) There are some beautiful odes to the creatures he has homed, and he seems to have a genuine love for our feline friends. And yet don't expect beautiful lyrics. Bukoski's words are harsher, but no less poetic.

Photo of Christina
Christina@xtina
4 stars
Sep 24, 2021

Bukowski is so strange and unique, and no matter how strange the book got, it never failed to bring a smile to my face.

Photo of Carolina Lopes
Carolina Lopes@carolina
3 stars
Sep 5, 2021

After finding out Bukowski had a book about cats I immediately had to read it, and it turns out the man had 9 of them! Delighted.

Photo of Amna A.
Amna A.@crayoladagger
4 stars
Apr 5, 2024
Photo of 𓆨
𓆨@viridiantre
4 stars
Mar 14, 2024
Photo of Rana Saleh
Rana Saleh@ranasaleh
5 stars
Apr 7, 2023
Photo of Mirella Hetekivi
Mirella Hetekivi@euphoricdopamine
5 stars
May 24, 2022
Photo of kay
kay@lilavocado
4 stars
Apr 25, 2022
Photo of Karolina
Karolina@toniewyjdzie
3 stars
Jan 1, 2022
Photo of Tiffanie Dang
Tiffanie Dang@lovelessdegrees
3 stars
Nov 18, 2021
Photo of Chris Salgado
Chris Salgado@csalgado13
5 stars
Nov 3, 2021
Photo of Emiliano Quintana
Emiliano Quintana@medialunadegrasa
4 stars
Sep 15, 2021
Photo of Jose Lito
Jose Lito@joselito3
5 stars
Sep 3, 2021