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Jim: The Nine Lives of a Dysfunctional Cat
Master comic illustrator Steven Appleby peers deep into the feline soul.
They say every cat has nine lives, and Jim the dysfunctional cat is no exception. Steven Appleby's new book tells the story of one very challenged cat and the trials and tribulations of living with him. Based on many years spent observing and despairing of the real Jim, the book devotes one gruesome (and hilarious) chapter to each of Jim's lives. It also explores the unfathomable nature of cats in general and the trauma of sharing your life with them.
Cat lovers will be charmed. Cat haters will have all their suspicions confirmed.
They say every cat has nine lives, and Jim the dysfunctional cat is no exception. Steven Appleby's new book tells the story of one very challenged cat and the trials and tribulations of living with him. Based on many years spent observing and despairing of the real Jim, the book devotes one gruesome (and hilarious) chapter to each of Jim's lives. It also explores the unfathomable nature of cats in general and the trauma of sharing your life with them.
Cat lovers will be charmed. Cat haters will have all their suspicions confirmed.
- GenresGraphic NovelsHumor
96 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2003
28 people want to read
About the author
Steven Appleby
50 books21 followersSteven Appleby is a British and Canadian cartoonist, illustrator, writer and visual artist based in London, whose comic strips are best known for their absurdist humour.
Appleby studied graphic design at Newcastle Polytechnic (1978–1981), then illustration at the Royal College of Art of London (1981–1984), where they met future major collaborators George Mole and Malcolm Garrett.
Appleby cartooning work first appeared in the magazine 'New Musical Express' in 1984 with the Rockets Passing Overhead comic strip about the character Captain Star, later featured also in 'The Observer', as well as other newspapers and comic magazines in Europe and America. Other comic strips followed in many publications, including 'The Times', the 'Sunday Telegraph' and 'The Guardian'. In particular, the strip series Steven Appleby's Normal Life made into a radio series for the BBC. Appleby's debut graphic novel Dragman (2020) was awarded the Jury Special Prize at the Angoulême Comic Festival, in 2021 and the award for Best International Comic Book at the Erlangen Comic Salon, Germany in 2022.
Appleby’s illustrations and paintings have appeared in numerous exhibitions and on a number of album covers for pop-rock bands, such as Duran Duran and Pixies.
In 2008 Appleby came out as transgender. In 2021, Appleby stated to be "relaxed about pronouns," going by both "Steven" & "he" and "Nancy" & "she."
Appleby studied graphic design at Newcastle Polytechnic (1978–1981), then illustration at the Royal College of Art of London (1981–1984), where they met future major collaborators George Mole and Malcolm Garrett.
Appleby cartooning work first appeared in the magazine 'New Musical Express' in 1984 with the Rockets Passing Overhead comic strip about the character Captain Star, later featured also in 'The Observer', as well as other newspapers and comic magazines in Europe and America. Other comic strips followed in many publications, including 'The Times', the 'Sunday Telegraph' and 'The Guardian'. In particular, the strip series Steven Appleby's Normal Life made into a radio series for the BBC. Appleby's debut graphic novel Dragman (2020) was awarded the Jury Special Prize at the Angoulême Comic Festival, in 2021 and the award for Best International Comic Book at the Erlangen Comic Salon, Germany in 2022.
Appleby’s illustrations and paintings have appeared in numerous exhibitions and on a number of album covers for pop-rock bands, such as Duran Duran and Pixies.
In 2008 Appleby came out as transgender. In 2021, Appleby stated to be "relaxed about pronouns," going by both "Steven" & "he" and "Nancy" & "she."
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 30, 2008
Despite the cartoonish illustrations -- this book IS NOT for kids.
January 2, 2009
Recommended to cat lovers everywhere--a bit of fluff that definately made me laugh out loud! I actually bought this book in a little indie bookshsop in Marietta, Georgia four years ago and completely forgot about it until now. Amazing what I can remember, isn't it? I was with some family and one of them took a picture of me reading it, and yes, laughing out loud! I don't know who has it now.
But the book! Like the title says, each of the book's nine chapters descibes one of Jim's nine lives (and how he dies each time). It's also told from the point of view of Jim, who wonders why he has to eat on the floor and why isn't he ever allowed on beds or to have his own clothes? After all, he is the center of the universe.
There are some graphic illustrations, including cat sex and human sex. So don't let your kids see it and think it's a book for them, unless you want to have The Talk a lot earlier than you planned.
But the book! Like the title says, each of the book's nine chapters descibes one of Jim's nine lives (and how he dies each time). It's also told from the point of view of Jim, who wonders why he has to eat on the floor and why isn't he ever allowed on beds or to have his own clothes? After all, he is the center of the universe.
There are some graphic illustrations, including cat sex and human sex. So don't let your kids see it and think it's a book for them, unless you want to have The Talk a lot earlier than you planned.
January 31, 2020
Ah, the life of a cat and the cat owner. At times a bit horrifying (from the perspective of a cat owner), This charming book details the perils of an indoor/outdoor city cat with an attitude. It starts off rather reasonable, and gradually, and without warning, becomes more and more outlandish. You just have to let go and enjoy the ride.
As is always important in graphic novels, the art is important it is smart, spare, and effective at drawing out the humor. Quick drawings that get the point across while adding charm (as when Jim wears a suit).
While this may be proof that the only reason we love these creatures is because they have infected us with a brain parasite, we love them nonetheless, and love their unpredictable ways.
As is always important in graphic novels, the art is important it is smart, spare, and effective at drawing out the humor. Quick drawings that get the point across while adding charm (as when Jim wears a suit).
While this may be proof that the only reason we love these creatures is because they have infected us with a brain parasite, we love them nonetheless, and love their unpredictable ways.
October 7, 2012
Provides chuckles and an occasional belly laugh every time I read it.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews