Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
U Alžiru tridesetih godina prošlog stoljeća, ofucani sivi mačak koji pripada živahnom rabinu Abrahamu Sfaru i njegovoj lijepoj kćeri Zlabyji proždere papagaja i time stekne dar govora. Čarobno šarmatno nacrtane pustolovine koje slijede se mogu mjeriti sa velikanima židovske literature.

Integral sadrži sljedeća originalna izdanja:
1. Bar micva - La Bar-Mitsva (Dargaud, 2002.)
2. Malka od Lavova - Le Malka des lions (Dargaud, 2002.)
3. Izlazak - L’Exode (Dargaud, 2003.)
4. Zemaljski raj - Le Paradis terrestre (Dargaud, 2005.)
5. Afrički Jeruzalem - Jérusalem d'Afrique (Dargaud, 2006.)

288 pages, Hardcover

First published November 25, 2010

13 people are currently reading
322 people want to read

About the author

Joann Sfar

485 books508 followers
Joann Sfar (born August 28, 1971 in Nice) is a French comics artist, comic book creator, and film director.

Sfar is considered one of the most important artists of the new wave of Franco-Belgian comics. Many of his comics were published by L'Association which was founded in 1990 by Jean-Christophe Menu and six other artists. He also worked together with many of the new movement's main artists, e.g. David B. and Lewis Trondheim. The Donjon series which he created with Trondheim has a cult following in many countries.

Some of his comics are inspired by his Jewish heritage as the son of Jewish parents (an Ashkenazi mother and a Sephardic father). He himself says that there is Ashkenazi humor in his Professeur Bell series (loosely based on Joseph Bell), whereas Le chat du rabbin is clearly inspired by his Sephardic side. Les olives noires is a series about a Jewish child in Israel at the time of Jesus. Like Le chat du rabbin, the series contains a lot of historical and theological information.

His main influences are Fred and André Franquin as well as Marc Chagall, Chaim Soutine, Will Eisner, Hugo Pratt and John Buscema.

From 2009 to 2010, Sfar wrote and directed 'Serge Gainsbourgh: Une Vie Heroique', a biopic of the notorious French songwriter, of whom Sfar is a self-confessed fanatic. The film, which draws substantially on Sfar's abilities as a comic book artist through its extensive use of fantasy artwork, animation and puppetry, was released in 2010 to general critical acclaim.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
357 (49%)
4 stars
273 (38%)
3 stars
75 (10%)
2 stars
9 (1%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
Profile Image for Eva Lavrikova.
940 reviews141 followers
November 12, 2025
Milujem túto knihu. Milujem kocúra a jeho ostrovtip, milujem multikultúrne alžírske reálie, do ktorých je komiks zasadený, milujem drzú kresbu Joana Sfara... Skvelý počin.
Profile Image for Joanna Slow.
471 reviews45 followers
December 27, 2021
„Kot rabina” w jednotomowym wydaniu zbierającym pierwsze pięć części komiksu Joann’a Sfara kupiłam dla mojego 14latka. Ale zanim mu go podarowałam, postanowiłam zerknąć i nie oddałam póki nie przeczytałam tego i jeszcze czterech wydanych po polsku tomów. To alegoryczna opowieść o pełnym erudycji kocie, który toczy inteligentne, niepozbawione sarkazmu, a często obrazoburcze spory ze swoim panem, rabinem. Spory dotyczące religii, społeczeństwa, zwyczajów i kultur. Dostaje się wszystkiemu i wszystkim. Wciąga!
Profile Image for Koen Claeys.
1,351 reviews27 followers
August 15, 2016
Een filosofisch juweel over religie, liefde, Afrika,... en zoveel meer, verteld door de kat van de Algerijnse Rabbijn Sfar. Hoewel dit nog een recente strip is kan men eigenlijk wel stellen dat dit een tijdloze (en multi-culturele) klassieker is.
Profile Image for Mike.
288 reviews49 followers
June 21, 2015
Gdyby wszystkie koty były takie to pewnie bym je polubił.
Profile Image for Veronika Pizano.
1,088 reviews170 followers
December 28, 2021
Ak máte radi židovskú tému a komiksy, Rabínov kocúr určite nesklame. Zasadený do Alžírska 20. rokov prináša zaujímavé reálie, náboženské rozpravy medzi rabínom a kocúrom a v nasledujúcich príbehoch aj ďalšie reálie a rabínove dilemy.
Profile Image for Elisa Gomez.
29 reviews3 followers
May 21, 2024
Amazing and funny, i loved it so much. It’s narrated from the point of view of a rabbi’s cat in Algeria. It’s witty, it has many reflections about judaism, the characters are endearing… Love it
Profile Image for Negativni.
148 reviews69 followers
October 10, 2015
Rabinov mačak već od prve stranice uspjeva privuči pažnju i uvlači u svoj svijet. Likovi su zanimljivi i djeluju uvjerljivo, a mačak je očita personifikacija autora koji ga je natjerao da progovori da bi u njegovo ime iskritizirao židovstvo i ostale religije i istaknuo neke besmislice koje vjernici uzimaju zdravo za gotovo. I taj prvi dio mi je i najbolji, to je napravio fokusirano, zabavno, sa puno humora, zajedljivosti i razigranosti. Kasnije nažalost strip malo gubi fokus i ostale teme nisu tako jasno obrađene i autorove poruke nisu toliko bistre, ali i dalje je daleko od lošega. Ima tu i avanture u maniri Corta Maltesea i Tin Tina, odličnih rečenica i humora.

Crtež je uvjetno rečeno ružan, strip je očito crtan na brzinu, ali opet i to nekako funkcionira i dobro se uklapa, ima autorski potpis i zanimljiv je.

Dvoumio sam se između petice i četvorke, ali kako stripovima teško dajem peticu ako imam ikakvu zamjerku onda sam stavio četvorku, ali ovo je svakako strip kojeg bi svi trebali pročitati.
Profile Image for Laurence.
76 reviews12 followers
July 27, 2011
Génial! un chat qui parle (parce qu'il a avalé le perroquet), amoureux de sa maîtresse, et qui veut faire sa bar-mitsva.... Poème, conte pour adulte, discussion intelligente et drôle sur le judaisme. Parce que ce chat-là ne s'en laisse pas compter, il veut comprendre et remettre en question.
Les dessins sont très beaux, les personnages attachants. très réussi!
Profile Image for Antonella.
1,541 reviews
December 25, 2020
4.5

A wonderful story touching lightly heavy subjects like for ex. religion, colonialism, discrimination, love. Some pages are just hilarious, see the discussion between the rabbi and the (darwinian) cat about evolution, reported from the cat's point of view. I've read the original French version.
Profile Image for Myriam.
905 reviews189 followers
November 8, 2020
Extra! Gros coup de cœur pour cette bd! Un vrai bijou : humour fin et cynique mêlé à des dessins aux traits vifs et nerveux un bin décalés. Beau moment de lecture...rare.
Le personnage du chat...c’est un héros élégant un brin désabusé mais toujours en quête de caresses
Profile Image for David Wagner.
736 reviews25 followers
January 8, 2021
Čistá radost. Zasazení je skvělé, příběhy krásně přechází z veselí do smutku i každodennosti, humor je chytrý a dialogy velmi chytré. A vkusné a chytré odkazy na další díla jsou jenom bonus. Mám jenom superlativa, skvělý to je!
Profile Image for Iclae.
9 reviews
October 12, 2024
Trop trop bien comme je m'y attendais


hab gerade entdeckt dass es auch BDs auf dieser App gibt, also kann ich endlich etwas darauf schreiben (Schande über mich, ich muss mehr lesen 🙏) (ich habe the Handmaids tale gekauft, versprochen, ich gebe euch ein Update in 3 Monaten )
Profile Image for Hanussen.
275 reviews11 followers
October 23, 2020
Parádní spirituální cesta vyprávěná pohledem rabínova kocoura. Sfarova kresba je jako obvykle super. Jsem moc rád, že Baobab vydal rovnou 5 dílů v nádherné kvalitě a doufám, že nakonec dojde i k vydání další pětice.
Profile Image for Magda Sz.
127 reviews2 followers
January 6, 2023
„Kota rabina” zaczęłam czytać bez żadnych oczekiwań, ale szybko odkryłam, że trafiłam pod dobry adres. Sfar jest mistrzem alegorycznych historii. Znajdziemy tu więc rozważania religijne, i przygody, i tematykę dotykającą dyskryminacji. Bezimienny kot na długo pozostawię w mojej pamięci.
228 reviews15 followers
August 26, 2015
Gotovo je nevjerojatno koliko tema "Rabinov mačak" obuhvaća, a u potpunosti fascinantno koliko pronicljivo o njima govori. Jedna jednostavna priča o starom rabinu u Alžiru i njegovom mačku s filozofskim aspiracijama pokazuje nam različita lica istih religija i društava. Čitao sam više odličnih stripova koji govore o ozbiljnim temama, ali niti jedan toliko zabavan i humorističan kao ovaj. No nije sve u priči. Sfar ovdje pokazuje da njegovo crtačko umijeće nimalo ne zaostaje za onim spisateljskim. Čarobne vedute Alžira i ostalih lokacija kroz koje likovi prolaze pravi su melem za oči i izvrsno pogođene kulise za neobičnu pripovijest o rabinu i njegovom mačku.

Bilo da propitkuje religiju, otkriva nam naše vlastite nesigurnosti ili se dotiče složenih društveno-političkih odnosa, "Mačak" to radi toliko šarmantno da mu se ne može odoljeti. I zato željno iščekujem daljnje mačkove dogodovštine, a do tada ću se često i rado vraćati ovom jedinstvenom stripu.
Profile Image for Daz.
55 reviews
February 15, 2018
Kolejne wydanie zbiorcze, a wciaż niemało rażacych błędów ortograficznych się uchowało z poprzednich. Zastosowane próbki języka rosyjskiego pozostawiaja wiele do życzenia. Po przeczytaniu pierwszego albumu wydało się być nie do niezauważenia, że Sfar nie sprawdził się w roli scenarzysty i "reżysera" komiksu. Poczawszy od tomu drugiego opowieść nabrała jednak życia i tak pozostało już do samego końca. Właściwie to rzeczy nabrały nawet wciagajacego rozmachu. Całość stworzona trochę w dobrym duchu "Skrzypka na dachu".
Profile Image for Marine.
143 reviews19 followers
March 17, 2018
Drôle, touchant, philosophique ... le chat du rabbin nous emmène sur des terres passées, dans un tourbillon de lignes floues et de couleurs chaudes. Nous nous promenons de rues en rues, de maisons en villas, de villes en déserts, rencontrons des rabbins, des laïcs, des prêtres, philosophes, conteurs, chanteurs, explorateurs, des exilés, des casaniers, des nomades. Et chaque scène, chaque discussion amène une réflexion sur la religion, la foi, l'amour, la différence, la colonisation également ...
Le résultat ? Un très beau conte en images, une histoire qui reste avec nous pour longtemps.
4 reviews
July 12, 2014
This is a work at is often referenced in academic books about colonialism in North Africa. Sfar's albums are from the perspective of a cat who belongs to Algerian rabbi, so they provide a window into the lives of a minority group.

The merit of these albums is not merely the content of the story, but the art. His style is the antithesis of the ligne claire style typical of some other French/Francophone comics.
Profile Image for Helen Grant.
Author 68 books197 followers
July 16, 2012
I loved this (graphic) book from the very first page. It's the witty and entertaining and sometimes philosophical tale of a cat belonging to a rabbi in 1920s Algeria. I can't say too much without massive spoilers, but I laughed till I cried in places, especially the bit about the parrot. Read this in the original French if you possibly can. It's wonderful.
Profile Image for Luca Frasca.
5 reviews1 follower
November 18, 2012
Sublime!!! un viaggio in un'Algeria onirica con personaggi evanescenti ed umanissimi, il tutto condito da un'ironia leggera ma penetrante.
Disegni magici, evocativi, pieni di suggestioni... anche per chi non è mai stato nel Maghreb.
Sfar al suo meglio!
Letto... ascoltando in sottofondo le note di Dhafer Youssef e Rabih Abou-Khalil
Profile Image for C..
8 reviews2 followers
October 7, 2020
Adorable bande dessinée de un gato parlanchín (ergo, con alma) en una entorno judío sefardí en el norte de la África de principios del siglo XX. Colosal tratamiento de los problemas político-teológicos de todos los tiempos y, por lo demás, entretenido. No tiene pérdida. Hay que seguir leyendo los otros cinco tomos y ver la película.
Profile Image for Komuniststar.
1,368 reviews35 followers
April 21, 2015
Macanova priča o životu među alžirskim židovima je zanimljiva. Njena zapažanja i razmišljanja o životu, religiji, vjeri, osječajima i običajima podižu zanimljivost za još jednu ljestvicu, a kad mačak i progovori album se ne ispušta iz ruku. Kadar je dobro postavljen, naglasci bojom dobiveni su super, crtež mi nije lega.
Profile Image for Przemysław Skoczyński.
1,418 reviews50 followers
October 24, 2014
Częśc pierwsza, oparta głownie da dialogach dotyczących religii, to dla mnie 10/10, życzyłbym sobie więcej tak błyskotkiwych komiksów. Z kolei każda następna, to już złoty środek między przygodą, a tłem wypełnionym żydowską i arabską filozofią życia i wiary. Koniecznie.
5 reviews
June 4, 2017
A cat's thoughts on God, religion, morality, human nature and love. My favourite was the 3rd one, L'Exode, where the Rabi leaves for France zith his daughter, his new son-in-law and of course his cat.
Profile Image for Miguel.
4 reviews
July 16, 2012
A great story about religion, enjoying life and tolerance.
Profile Image for Marko.
Author 5 books45 followers
April 18, 2016
Prelepa priča, čita se s uživanjem i bavi se religijom (among other things) na veoma fin, nenapadan i razuman način.
Profile Image for Zoe.
205 reviews5 followers
July 21, 2016
Irreverently lovely discussion of religion, colonialism, culture, and humanity.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.