Great Writers and the Cats who Owned Them

by Susannah Fullerton

Throughout history, cats and writers have bonded together in a magical combination of comfort, companionship and inspiration. The famous authors featured here range from Samuel Johnson, whose cat Hodge dined on oysters, and Edward Lear, whose charismatic cat Foss was missing half his tail, to Margaret Mitchell, L.M. Montgomery and Dorothy L. Sayers, who rescued her kitten Blitz from a bombsite. Each chapter delves into the relationship between authors and the felines who condescended to share their homes and desks, revealing intriguing aspects of our much-loved writers’ lives and celebrating the ways in which cats – pure-bred and moggy, large and small, graceful and eccentric – enriched the world of literature.

Including fun additional features on cats in bookshops, libraries and hotels, and illustrated with charming line drawings, this is a perfect gift for cat-lovers everywhere.

Genres: Animals, Nonfiction

280 pages, Hardcover

First published October 15, 2025

About the author

Susannah Fullerton has been President of the Jane Austen Society of Australia since 1996. She is a worldwide authority on Austen's life and fiction, and her books have been praised by Claire Tomalin, Maggie Lane, Deirdre le Faye and Hazel Jones.
She has lived in Australia since 1986 and her book 'Brief Encounters: Literary Travellers in Australia' looks at 11 famous authors who spent time in Australia.
She grew up in New Zealand and her audio CD 'Finding Katherine Mansfield' is the first ever audio CD about New Zealand's greatest writer.

Reviews

[Lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s something so comforting about picking up a non fiction about a topic you’re drawn to. As a lifelong reader, books about books, or the fascinating people who write them, always have a special place in my heart and on my shelves. This new collection covers a selection of familiar names in literature and their connection to the felines in their lives. A perfectly cosy read, wonderfully researched and full of interesting anecdotes. If I had to pick a favourite chapter it would have to be Daffy and her human who brought Green Gables into our homes, L.M Montgomery. Kindred spirits indeed!

[Sarah Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pawsitively Enchanting: A Review of Great Writers and the Cats Who Owned Them by Susannah Fullerton

Rating: 4.8/5

As a devoted cat lover and literary enthusiast, I devoured Great Writers and the Cats Who Owned Them with the same delight as a cat savoring a sunbeam. Susannah Fullerton’s charming ode to the feline muses of literary giants is a purr-fect blend of biography, whimsy, and heartwarming anecdotes—a testament to how cats have quietly (and sometimes imperiously) shaped the world of letters.

Strengths & Emotional Purr-sonal Reactions
Fullerton’s research is meticulous yet playful, weaving together historical tidbits and intimate portraits of authors and their feline overlords. I was utterly charmed by:

-Dr. Johnson’s oyster-treats for Hodge, a touching glimpse of the lexicographer’s softer side.
-Mark Twain’s Bambino, whose tyranny over the author (If man could be crossed with a cat, it would improve the man but deteriorate the cat) had me laughing aloud.
-Dorothy L. Sayers’ Blitz, a bombsite rescue turned literary accomplice, whose mousing prowess mirrored Sayers’ own sharp intellect.

The book’s structure—each chapter a standalone vignette with “paws for thought” interludes—makes it ideal for cozy, bite-sized reading. As a reader, I felt a profound kinship with these writers; Fullerton captures the quiet magic of cat companionship, that alchemy of independence and affection that fuels creativity. The inclusion of Hemingway’s six-toed Boise and T.S. Eliot’s Jellicle muse added delightful layers to my understanding of their works.

Constructive Criticism (A Gentle Scratch)
While the book is near-purr-fect, I wished for:

-Deeper analysis of how feline relationships directly influenced the writers’ works (beyond charming anecdotes).
-More diversity in featured authors; the focus leans heavily on Western canon icons.
-Full-color illustrations—the line drawings are sweet, but photos or paintings of these legendary cats would’ve been divine.

Why This Book Matters
This isn’t just a niche curiosity; it’s a celebration of interspecies bonds that have quietly shaped literature. Fullerton’s wit and reverence make it accessible to both cat devotees and casual readers. The “paws for thought” sections—exploring library cats, nursery-rhyme felines, and even Harry Potter’s Crookshanks—are icing on the tuna cake.

Perfect for:

-Cat lovers who underline passages about feline antics in their favorite novels.
-Book clubs seeking a lighthearted yet scholarly diversion.
-Writers in need of a reminder that all great art needs a furry critic.

Thank you to the University of Chicago Press and Edelweiss for the advance copy. Fullerton has crafted a book that, much like a cat’s purr, lingers long after the last page.

Final Verdict:

Research: 5/5 (A treasure trove of obscure historical gems.)
Charm: 5/5 (Irresistible from the first whisker-twitch.)
Depth: 4/5 (More literary analysis would’ve elevated it further.)
Giftability: 5/5 (Bound to be the best-loved book on any cat lover’s shelf.)

A tail of literary love affairs that proves: behind every great writer, there’s a cat judging their first drafts.

[Lara Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely, thoughtful and interesting book. I normally never read non-fiction, but this was so engaging and cozy. The only way this would be a better reading experience is if I had a kitten curled up next to me as I read it!

[Annyke]

London books in London no. 2

(Telt het als ik het boek daar heb gekocht, en veel van de schrijvers er woonden?)

[Jane Townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It’s beautifully researched and so easy to read, with wonderful anecdotes about every writer and their feline companions. My favourites were Hodge (Dr Johnson), Bob (Charles Dickens), and Nelson (Winston Churchill).

I also appreciated Boise, Ernest Hemingway’s cat, though after reading that chapter, I couldn’t help feeling for his wife Martha—she had some of the cats, including Boise, neutered to stop inbreeding, which hardly seems a reason for Hemingway to be upset with her!

The Paws for Thought sections were a delight—like little side quests for my ADHD brain—and before you know it, you’re immersed in the next author’s world.

Each chapter is sharply written and perfectly balanced, never padded with unnecessary detail.

Overall, this is an excellent book that I’d recommend to anyone who loves cats, writers, people who are writers, people who are writers who have cats, or anyone fascinated by how animals can shape our creativity and lives.

If only I had a cat to curl up on my lap while reading—alas, I had to make do with a 23-kg boxer dog who’s now impatiently waiting for Susannah’s next book (hopefully about dogs!).

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this beautiful book published by the Bodleian Library. Not only is it a physically beautiful book with its delicate line drawings, gold bookmark, paw printed end pages, and gold embossed cat on the spine, but it is also beautifully written and lovingly researched.
The book is based around 'the happy conjunction between authors and felines'. Susannah Fullerton writes enchantingly about seventeen Great Writers And The Cats who owned them, including Mark Twain owned by Bambino, LM Montgomery owned by Daffy, and Dame Lynley Dodd owned by Wooskit who became the very famous Slinky Malinky.
Each chapter describes the intimate connection between the Cats and their Writers - how cats can inspire, soothe, and love their slaves.
It is an utterly delightful read from start to finish and an absolute must for readers and cat lovers alike.

[Marles Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The fastidiousness of cats is understood by a person fastidious about words.”

Great Writers and the Cats Who Owned Them by Susannah Fullerton was an informative exploration of the significance of cats in the lives of renowned authors. This book revealed how these feline companions served as more than mere pets; they embodied the qualities of mystery, independence, and inspiration that resonated within many creative processes as well all the fulfilment of their lives. This book highlighted the special bonds between writers and their cats; these cats were figuratively and literally the untamed spirit and intuitive wisdom that fuelled their writing. From being worshipped by the Ancient Egyptians, to being liked to medieval superstitions and witchcraft, there has been a metamorphosis of the elusive cat into the role of a muses. They have inspired mystery and transformation and are living (and purring) metaphors for the deep and complex layers of human creativity.

“Like cats, writers are sharp observers, so fellow feeling develops between the writer who watches and the cat whose green eyes unblinkingly watched his or her world.”

The stories of figures like Edward Lear’s half-tailed Foss, Mark Twain’s Bambino, Charles Dicken’s letter opening Bob (quite literally), Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Daffy and Lucky serving as creative muses, and Dr. Johnson’s Hodge. I was lucky to be in the presence of the current living Hodge at Southwark Cathedral last year (with video memory!). Cats offered solace, sparked ideas, and challenged convention, they were they silent partners in the creative journey, with their mysterious demeanour inspiring their elusive qualities. The Paws for thought sections after each chapter brought a new perspective into the lives and impacts of great cats, such as the creation of the cat flap, as honorary hotel concierges or their place at the theatre door.

Cats have been renowned as independent and secret creatures, while also providing comfort and loyalty to the writer. Fullerton was very clever in how she presented each of the authors and their connections to cats in their lives, with a certain reverence for both beings. These stories were more than just anecdotes; they were a deeper dive into how the bond between human writer and cat influenced literary history: “Cats be used as indicators of character, metaphors, guides to a better understanding of a literary work, symbols of something deeper, and have even been dedicatees of literary works”.

[Jan Mawdesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Trish Palmer for New South Books and Bluewolf Reviews.
Who could resist such a wonderful title as Great Writers and the Cats Who Owned Them! The author suggests that cats and writers have bonded together for comfort, companionship, inspiration and possibly warmth, for many generations. She has also included fun features showing cats in libraries, bookshops and hotels. Some of the authors mentioned here are Horace Walpole, Alexander Dumas, Charles Dickens, Mark Twain and Doris Lessing.
Great Writers and the Cats Who Owned Them begins with a story set in the ninth century when an Irish Monk neglected his work of writing Holy Words and instead wrote a poem to his beloved white cat. Susannah then goes on to describe the qualities which make cats such special animals. She notes that they are soft, provide an alarm clock for feeding, and are intelligent and inscrutable, but wrapped in a soft package. “Dame Edith Sitwell prized the fact that her cats never said anything foolish.”
Some of the extraordinary facts we learn about the relationships in this book begin with Dr Johnson’s cat. He fed “Hodge” with oysters!
In the 1760’s a small book was published in London. It was titled “The life and adventures of a cat.” The author, William Guthrie wrote about a male cat named Tom. To this day male cats are known as Tom Cats. The Tom and Jerry cartoons were said to have been inspired from this story. Mark Twain was quoted as saying,” If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat.”
Daffy the third was with Lucy Montgomery as she wrote the story, “Ann of Green Gables.” She had always been a lonely child, growing up in a strict home with cats her constant companions. Cats seemed to bring Lucy peace and tranquillity and a sense of connectedness that was essential for her wellbeing.
There are so many fascinating stories in this book, but also historical references showing how cats were not always well treated. They were often burned with their “witch” owners. Today, cats have a place in many homes and thankfully their treatment is usually wonderful.

[Chris Hagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susannah Fullerton’s unique book on the mystical world of cats and writers is a fascinating journey into past idiosyncrasies of eccentric authors who loved cats. The book opens against the backdrop of a medieval abbey in Europe and a 9th century monk writing a poem expressing affection for his cat during his ‘scholarly pursuits’. Another story is about a mad poet in St Luke’s Hospital for lunatics who wrote about the daily routine of his cat in his cell - a ‘song of praise to God’ (and his cat). One also learns the rare word ‘philofelist’ means a ‘lover of cats’. A chapter on the cat named: His Serene Highness the Archduke of Rumpelstilzchen’ gives insight into the ‘fairy tale’ worlds of cats (or their masters). Actually, that cat lived with the poet laureate Roberty Southey (1774-1843). Southey wrote that ‘a kitten is in the animal world what a rosebud is in the garden’. More stories abound with aptly named chapters such as ‘Anne of Green Gables’ or ‘Bob who opened Charles Dicken’s letters’. Many literary jewels are included in this ‘treasure chest’ of stories which takes you back to sublime bygone eras. A delightful book for the avid reader.

[Cheryl Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Writers & the Cats Who Owned Them is an absolute delight from start to finish. Each chapter offers a witty and engaging glimpse into the life of a famous author and their feline companion. I found myself thoroughly charmed by the anecdotes and literary connections throughout.

The stories are not only amusing but also expertly researched, revealing how cats influenced each author’s daily life and sometimes even their writing. I loved every page. It’s the kind of book you can dip into for a quick smile or read right through in one sitting, like I did, for a thoroughly enjoyable journey into the quirky, cat-filled corners of literary greats.