The Cat Inside

Sometimes William Burrough’s honesty is painful, and that’s what makes this more than just a memoir of beloved cats. He has a way of looking right into what is ugly or hurtful without flinching, transforming what he sees into a deep understanding of life and human nature. (And cat nature!) There are images from his words that I will never forget.

Me encantó este libro. Una de las últimas cosas que publicó Bill en su vida. Es sencillito y no tiene demasiadas vueltas ni alegorías entre ser una persona y ser un gato porque precisamente Burroughs los apreciaba desde su clarísima humanidad. Hay sin embargo una reflexión subrepticia que acompaña todo el relato: la máxima posición social a la que podía aspirar un gato de la calle es convertirse en un gato doméstico. Y para un ser humano no hay nada mejor que casa.

The cats claws
It's interesting to read William Burroughs's observations and insights about the cats he befriended throughout his life.
Heartfelt, candid and mostly unsentimental, each fragment offers food for thought or a snapshot memory.
All told this curious little book is worth a read, even if you are not a fan of the man and his work. But if you have a soft spot for the true nature of the feline, and if you enjoy aphoristic writing tinged with dark humour and frankness, then perhaps this slim volume should slink its way onto your bookshelf.

While the central theme of these vignettes is ostensibly Burroughs' love of cats, the observant reader with a knowledge of Burroughs' biography will notice that the vignettes are about his feelings of attachment or detachment to the rest of humanity, most notably in the "cat/baby" entry, in which he confronts his horror at his own inability to understand, relate to, or effectively parent his son, Billy.

A tiny book comprising 100% pet cat essays, each dream-like, sentimental and just a few sentences long.

The Burroughsian pederasty and heroin references are mild, but dogs get a real, real bad rep, and that's just tough to take.

Sometimes poignant, sometimes pathetic, and sometimes raw, Burroughs has reminded me of all the virtues of cats.

DNF

He should have taken his mauled cat to the vet