Did you see the movie adaptation of Cats? Did you hate it? Did you–somehow–love it? Were you intrigued by the concept even as you were repelled by the execution? Whether you want to soothe your eyeballs with some less controversial felines or want to embrace the madness with more talking cats, here are ten novels that feature man’s best not-your-friend-I’m-just-here-for-the-food.
Alanna by Tamora Pierce
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Faithful is one of the best familiars in fantasy. He’s wise, snarky, and he has his own seat on Alanna’s warhorse saddle so that he can ride with her into adventure and battle. If you grew up in the 90s wanting a cat, or wishing your cat could talk, this might be the reason why.
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
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A very high percentage of Gaiman’s works feature disdainful and grudgingly helpful cats, but Coraline stands out to me because the cat is one of rather few characters, and he plays such a large role. Obviously Coraline is magnificent for lots of other reasons, but Gaiman absolutely nails both the hauteur and affection that every cat owner will recognise.
Tailchaser’s Song by Tad Williams
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There was a bit of a rage in the 90’s not just for lots of garrulous animal companions, but also for animal protagonists. This is a great example of the latter, and not just because it’s one of Tad Williams’s few books of reasonable length. Tailchaser’s journey to rescue his love interest turns into a quest to save cats from wicked magic and nefarious science, and is a solid fantasy even if you don’t like cats (though obviously it helps).
The Wild Road by Gabriel King
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Another 90’s installation of Cat Protagonists, this also featured quests, magic, and the larger animal world. Tag has to find and save the King and Queen of cats, even though he’s just a kitten. Further instalments of this series expand the mythology, which is very much in line with high fantasy epics–just with cats.
The Book of Night with Moon by Diane Duane
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Cats and wizards protecting New York City and hopping through portals? Yep, it’s the 90’s!
Catwings by Ursula K. Le Guin
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This utterly charming work from the great LeGuin was a childhood favourite of mine, and merits re-reading now and again on rainy days or lazy afternoons. Cats! With wings! Enough said.
Mort(e) by Robert Repino
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This is a unique book that didn’t get too much press, but which impressed me with its meditations on animal rights and what humans have to offer. It’s a bit odd–animals gain the ability to stand upright and take up guns and fight, and an enormous anthill holds the key to the war–but it’s smart and sweet. All Morte wants to do is find his beloved friend, but to do so he has to discover the reason for the sudden anthropomorphism of the world’s pets.
Catswold Portal by Shirley Rousseau Murphy
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This might be the 90s-est book on the list, and that’s saying something. A woman who can shapeshift into a cat is secretly a lost princess, and will have to undertake a quest in two worlds to find a lost amulet and claim her throne. Lots of romance, lots of journeys to strange places, and lots of cats. It’s a fun ride.
His Dark Materials and The Book of Dust by Philip Pullman
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There are several talking cats in these books, most notably Will’s Kirjava and Malcolm’s Asta, and of course Pan before he settles. All are daemons, the externalised souls of people who can interact with the world and provide comfort and advice. With the new BBC/HBO show airing, there’s never been a better time to pick them up.
The Ghatti’s Tale by Gayle Greeno
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Psychic cats in space! Well, kind of. There are psychic cat-like beings who bond with human settlers to another world. Together the bonded pairs travel the settlements and serve as mediators and judges. Someone has been attacking these pairs, though, and it’s up to Doyce and Khar’pern to defeat them. Obviously you can’t have a 90s fantasy without random apostrophes in names, or without a quasi-medieval setting, so if that’s your thing, this whole trilogy is here for you.
