The Cat: An insightful tale of an unstable marriage, from the creator of Claudine, Cheri and Gigi.

by Colette, Antonia White (Translator)

Colette’s elegant, unsettling study of love turned hostile - and all because of a cat.

A young marriage begins to sour, poisoned by rivalry and resentment. At its centre is a cat – adored by the husband, despised by the wife – whose presence exposes the quiet cruelty and emotional imbalance of the household.

BRIEF classic novellas and captivating stories, to be read in a single sitting or savoured over days

126 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 2, 2026

About the author

Colette was the pen name of the French novelist and actress Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette. She is best known, at least in the English-speaking world, for her novella Gigi, which provided the plot for a famous Lerner & Loewe musical film and stage musical. She started her writing career penning the influential Claudine novels of books. The novel Chéri is often cited as her masterpiece.