My Favourite Literary Cats

Rachel Wells shares the cat books that have inspired her to both love books and cats - and then combine the two to become a writer of cat books.

I’m often asked how I came to write books about a cat (Alfie) and I talk about this a lot - so apologies if you’ve already heard me go on about this! My love of books was formed from a very early age, as was my love of cats. In fact they are intrinsically linked. Although we had a family cat from birth, when as I was about three or four my parents introduced me to Judith Kerr. Mog was the first fictional cat I fell in love with and I passed on reading this books to my son when he was younger. Although he preferred Tigers - as in the fabulous and timeless book The Tiger Who Came to Tea.

Photo by Alice Feigel on Unsplash

In books both modern and classic, cats have featured prominently, often as magical, whimsical or fantastical creatures, which all cat lovers can identify with. Our cats have wisdom, they intrigue us, they often seem other worldly, intelligent, intuitive and at times elusive.

Both in children’s and adult books, cats have starred over the years, so here are a few of my favourite cat literary heroes - apart from Alfie of course.

Mog - Judith Kerr

Oh how I wanted a cat like Mog, forgetful, always in trouble… oh wait, yes I pretty much had more than one cat who could compare, but Mog always won the day and  who does that remind you of?

Image: Cover of Mog the Forgetful Cat, the first book in the Mog series by Judith Kerr

Cat - Breakfast at Tiffany’s - Truman Capote

A different extreme but this is one of my favourite Capote books and of course films. Cat here represented so much, and actually when I lived in London we had a nameless cat for a while who made his way at home in my flat share. I christened him Albert, but of course he never answered to that. He stayed with my flat mate when I had to move, but I visited him often and he lived until a good old age (although we had no idea how old!).

Image: Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote, first edition cover

Cat in the Hat - Dr Suess

I guess this cool cat needs no explanation. Again, a feature of my childhood the cat in the hat was one of the most dapper cats I ever encountered.


Cheshire Cat - Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland - C S Lewis

Magical cattery at its best. Comical, Silly, Mysterious, Insane, Sneaky, Cunning, Mischievous, Unpredictable, he would play trick on Alice, but also offer her incredibly good advice.

The Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland by C S Lewis

Kirjava, The Subtle Knife - Philip Pullman

A true mystical cat, who wasn’t always in cat form. But when she is, she’s beautiful. Philip Pullman is one of the best storytellers of our time, so you would expect nothing less from a cat of his creation.

Ginger - The tale of Ginger & Pickles - Beatrix Potter

Back to childhood, I loved Beatrix Potter and her animal creations were all so incredibly special. Such an imaginative story, Ginger, a Tomcat and Pickles terrier, were terrible shopkeepers who made no money. A tale that could only be told by Potter.

The Tale of Ginger & Pickles by Beatrix Potter

Mr. Mistoffelees, Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats - T.S. Elliot

There are so many cats to choose from, but Mr. Mistoffelees is a particular favourite of mine. A conjuring cat, he was described by Elliot as "the original conjuring cat", who is "always deceiving you into believing that he's only hunting for mice"

Please share your favourite cat book or character in the comments below.

Rachel x