Cat Women
This fine collection of portraits of females and their felines was assembled by Alice Maddicott author of CAT WOMEN : An Exploration of Feline Friendships and Lingering Superstitions.
“I became a cat woman the moment I was hit with a thud of love that I’d never realised a creature could produce,” Alice admitted to me. “I never thought I’d become a cat lady but, as I think of it now, the strangest thing is that it is something you can become.”
“It is easy to miss the second cat, he disappears into the white of her floral dress, next to the tabby stripes of his friend.”
“Girl and cat are all the life of this photograph – her happiness so bright.”
“A mother sits, her daughter stands, made one by the curve of her arms. The cat has been grabbed to make a triptych – their little family – a tumble of curves.”
“Look at me and Mary, he says, we are one and you can never tear us apart.”
“Rosalind lifts Marmalade out of the pram – her precious patient.”
“There are some pains only cats can make better.”
“The invisible ribbons that bind her and Sadie are stronger than any threat. She will not leave her.”
“He’s wrapped in arms, she frames him, a tender representation of perfect teenage dreaminess, when the world was vast and full and for the taking.”
“The kitten she holds is Gretel, her brother Hansel is elsewhere, a black blur battling the wire fence.”
“This is not their first Christmas together and each year they pose together by the sparkling tree.”
“On her dress near her shoulder, that could be a tear from naughty claws and teeth.”
“She is smiling but it is the love for her cat that stands out. She cuddles him properly.”
“He’s going doolally, blissed out as she holds him so protectively.”
“Cradling the loose end of a washing line, she rests. A well-earned sit on the steps and a bowl of food for the cat.”
“Her neatly parted hair, clips in place, hides her true wildness, how much she and Moppet share and the joy of freedom waiting for them.”
“She doesn’t look mean, more frustrated and worn out, the feeling any parent of toddlers would understand.”
“This cat is somewhat grander and gazes more at ease than her owner, who is strangely still, arms obscured, buckled feet neatly turned out.”
“Her garden is beautiful and full of sun. Her cat is white and all candyfloss despite the strange grip she has on her.”
“She could have forgotten the strength of the bond she had with her cat then suddenly be flooded with the memory, months or years later.
Photographs and text copyright © Alice Maddicott
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Thank you for these and all your blogs.
Great pictures, great cat ladies albeit some didn’t know how to hold a cat. Thank you.
These are delightful pictures and comments, particularly the one about there being some pains that only cats can make better.
As a bone fide cat woman myself I can’t remember a particular moment when I was “hit with a thud for love” for cats.. as far as I’m concerned I just can’t imagine a life without a feline companion.
I’m really looking forward to enjoying the book – thank you.
Thank you and Alice for these portrait photos of these grand cats and their wonderful carers. Cats can be a man thing too I have very affectionate preschool memories of an old ginger cat, Amber, that would come to visit us for a snack in our garden in Bayston Road, Stoke Newington in the early 50’s. We became firm friends and the more intelligent and caring friend you could not find. My sister tells he was abandoned by a family who went to America He must have been born in the war years and the area was heavily bombed. Amber was a true survivor if he could tell his story I would be the first to buy the book.
Unflappable. Self-aware. Enigmatic. Beauty personified. = Cats.
Oh, right. And WOMEN too.
This is a fantastic series. The queen-sized lady in her garden, cradling her daughter and the cat? — She looks like she could hold the whole WORLD in her arms. I want to know everything about
her.
Thank you, GA — and Mr. Schrodinger, with his paws on the keyboard.
So what about us Cat Men, when do we get our recognition? Bobby, Josie and Reggie will strongly back me up on this one. Enough of this sexism, it is time someone fought for the Cat Men of London, and I urge you Gentle Author, to do the right thing.
My husband has become a cat man. I grew up with cats,but he had no pets as a child. In our 33 years of marriage we have had 8 cats, 6 male and 2 female. My husband has been the favorite of the 2 females. Lulu, our current female, has Jim wrapped around her claws. He can do anything to her; check her teeth, mess with her ears, and other actions she would yowl at me for. She snuggles on his lap, climbs up his chest, and gets right in his face. It is hilarious to watch.
The first time I saw my dad cry was when his beloved male Persian cat who weighed 27 pounds had to be put down. That cat and my dad were best pals.
And our gentle author loves his felines, too. Here’s to all cat lovers!
I just love the picture of the little girl.
Writing whilst in sunny isolation in Zimbabwe. Social distancing is difficult at times but I have been thankful for the three kittens I’ve been hand rearing since they were 3 days old. Whenever I feel overwhelmed by life in Covid 19 times, I spend time with Sable, Silverado and Stripey. Thank you for this delightful preview of what must surely be an enchanting book.