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From the Belly of the Cat
Writers and cats have long enjoyed a special affinity, unsurprisingly since both spend much time sitting around and judging people. Discover the Lion City through the eyes of its cats and their humans in From the Belly of the Cat, an anthology of fifteen feline tales by some of the city-state’s most exciting writers and notorious cat sympathisers.
For best results, read this book at home on the sofa on a rainy afternoon, with a cup of warm tea within reach, and a cat by your side.
For best results, read this book at home on the sofa on a rainy afternoon, with a cup of warm tea within reach, and a cat by your side.
281 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2013
13 people are currently reading
316 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Ye
12 books18 followersStephanie Ye is a writer from Singapore, based in London. Her work has been staged as a dance performance in New York City, translated into German for an art exhibition in Berlin, and used as an O-level examination text in Singapore. Her short story chapbook, The Billion Shop, was published in 2012, and she edited the fiction anthology From The Belly Of The Cat in 2013. A graduate of the MA in Creative Writing programme at the University of East Anglia, she is also an honorary fellow in writing of the University of Iowa. When not writing for humans, she talks to computers in her day job as a web developer.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 14, 2024
I don't own a cat and I suspect I never will. There's a post that circulates in the bowels of the Internet that basically ends with the punchline, "I think that 'I think you're incompetent and I don't want you to starve' is the maximum level of love a cat is able to give." That level of aloofness does not endear them to me (nor me to them, I suspect). But I am glad they are in my life. I am glad they are in everyone's lives.
- J.Y. Yang , Tiger Baby : From the belly of the cat edited by Stephanie Ye
I love that this book included ‘about the writer’ and ‘about my relationship with cats’ at the end of each story. It added depth and connection as to why those stories was written in such manner. I am glad ‘That Fat Cat, Ate Dad’s Hat’ is placed at the end of the compilation because it was such a good story. It is simple yet capturing the belief that cat was blessed with 9 lives - either they came back stronger and uninjured or they were reborn to be different cat. For this particular story, the author decided to go with the second route. ‘Waiting for william’ might not be everyone’s favourite but they are exactly how i imagined cats carry their conversation with each other. Being the little troll and unserious creatures that they are, they will do whatever they want and we humans particularly those who love cats will enjoy their shenanigans and foolish acts. ‘Visiting’ story, on another hand, showed that cat has long been a source of comfort. One could never understand cat unless you have lived with them. Through cat, they offered sanctuary, safety and security. Its hard to believe that such feisty creature capable of offering those things but they are indeed. Overall, i would say i really enjoy this book even with the stories that i dont really like or get in the first reading BUT thematically, putting cat as the centre of the plot is such a wholesome combo. I cried, I mourned, I was mesmerised, i chuckled and i was in awe how well these writers nailed cats behavior and attitude in these stories. I love love love this book because i just love cat. But if cat is not your vibe, you might skip this book.
.
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P/s : For those who are undecided or claimed to dislike or never like cat, you never know you are a cat person until cat distribution system strikes you and now you are stuck with one of them.
- J.Y. Yang , Tiger Baby : From the belly of the cat edited by Stephanie Ye
I love that this book included ‘about the writer’ and ‘about my relationship with cats’ at the end of each story. It added depth and connection as to why those stories was written in such manner. I am glad ‘That Fat Cat, Ate Dad’s Hat’ is placed at the end of the compilation because it was such a good story. It is simple yet capturing the belief that cat was blessed with 9 lives - either they came back stronger and uninjured or they were reborn to be different cat. For this particular story, the author decided to go with the second route. ‘Waiting for william’ might not be everyone’s favourite but they are exactly how i imagined cats carry their conversation with each other. Being the little troll and unserious creatures that they are, they will do whatever they want and we humans particularly those who love cats will enjoy their shenanigans and foolish acts. ‘Visiting’ story, on another hand, showed that cat has long been a source of comfort. One could never understand cat unless you have lived with them. Through cat, they offered sanctuary, safety and security. Its hard to believe that such feisty creature capable of offering those things but they are indeed. Overall, i would say i really enjoy this book even with the stories that i dont really like or get in the first reading BUT thematically, putting cat as the centre of the plot is such a wholesome combo. I cried, I mourned, I was mesmerised, i chuckled and i was in awe how well these writers nailed cats behavior and attitude in these stories. I love love love this book because i just love cat. But if cat is not your vibe, you might skip this book.
.
.
P/s : For those who are undecided or claimed to dislike or never like cat, you never know you are a cat person until cat distribution system strikes you and now you are stuck with one of them.
January 27, 2014
I was in Cats Socrates in Bras Basah, and I couldn't leave without this book. A locally-produced anthology of 15 cat stories, "From the Belly of the Cat" is a delightful read for the Singaporean cat-lover.
My favourite short stories were "Maruchan" by Wena Poon, "Laundromat" by Amanda Lee Koe, "ROBOTZ ATTACKZ TEH CITEH" by Joshua Ip, "Waiting for William" by Paul Ruta, and "Other People's Cats" by Jon Gresham. I loved them for their brilliantly crafted plots, revealing dialogue and their ability to precisely pinpoint human emotions including loneliness, lust and intimacy. I was thoroughly entertained.
Yet because of the editor's decision to publish stories from even students, the anthology does seem uneven. Some short stories had no climax; a couple of them featured the wtf climax of killing the other character to feed to the cats. Some short stories ended abruptly and left me with the feeling that I just wasted time to read the beginning of a plot that didn't develop. Some stories were cheesy when using cat references; some KILLED the cat senselessly (which makes cat-lovers who read this book CRINGE WHY OH WHY)
Regardless, I'm still glad I found those gems among the short stories. This is my stepping stone to reading good local works :)
My favourite short stories were "Maruchan" by Wena Poon, "Laundromat" by Amanda Lee Koe, "ROBOTZ ATTACKZ TEH CITEH" by Joshua Ip, "Waiting for William" by Paul Ruta, and "Other People's Cats" by Jon Gresham. I loved them for their brilliantly crafted plots, revealing dialogue and their ability to precisely pinpoint human emotions including loneliness, lust and intimacy. I was thoroughly entertained.
Yet because of the editor's decision to publish stories from even students, the anthology does seem uneven. Some short stories had no climax; a couple of them featured the wtf climax of killing the other character to feed to the cats. Some short stories ended abruptly and left me with the feeling that I just wasted time to read the beginning of a plot that didn't develop. Some stories were cheesy when using cat references; some KILLED the cat senselessly (which makes cat-lovers who read this book CRINGE WHY OH WHY)
Regardless, I'm still glad I found those gems among the short stories. This is my stepping stone to reading good local works :)
June 10, 2014
Me-wow I loved this collection. Even though the character of one story HURTS HER CAT ON PURPOSE which I was certainly not prepared for, it still made me purr with delight.
January 22, 2016
some interesting stories, a couple of really dull ones. A comfortable read for a rainy cold day.
but please don't kill cats in a cat anthology, cat lovers read these things you know
but please don't kill cats in a cat anthology, cat lovers read these things you know
September 26, 2019
3.5⭐ " If they had to pick one person to keep, it would not be her. It would never be her, this ill-fitting, elusive thing.”
**spoilers**
If you’re following my reviews, thanks for rolling with me ♡
It’s the fifth season of Stitcher’s LeVar Burton Reads, and we’re gifted with “Tiger Baby” by J.Y. Yang.
This is such a cool story, because it evoked some history in me. Stuff I forgot or felt so natural, I haven’t noticed in years.
I can’t say that I’ve ever experienced any kind of heightened body/identity dysphoria.
But I can remember at least three occasions, where I fixated on assimilating into something nonhuman.
When I was five, I curled my hands into paws so often, I can naturally assume my hands in that shape without feeling strange, the same way someone might flatten and point their hands to show you their manicure. I feel ready to walk around on them, it’s that embedded.
I refused to play with the other kids or speak English unless I absolutely had to. I loved to climb the stairs on hands/knees and look down at all the humans playing in the living room. I’d think, “I’m not a kid, I’m a lion cub.” My star sign is a Leo too.
When I was twelve, I decided I was a witch. I didn’t deliberate or try to convince myself that it was crazy and I made no outward announcements. I just decided I was a witch. I never could find the right conduit for using power though. Wands never felt right. Smooth stones were close. I never told anyone, but I tried to quietly will things. Sometimes it worked.
The last thing is still true, and probably goes back to the lion tendency. When I swim, I enjoy being at the depths, and I feel like a fish. At least until I have to breathe. I can never understand why people go to the pool and just sit and talk. Or toss beach balls around. Whatever. I came to be under water and that’s where I stay. The world is quieter and I feel part of the quiet. I like to move through it. It feels familiar and congruent with my movement.
I think all these things are just moments where I don’t feel particularly human. I have a friend who was once quite certain she was from another planet, so I’m not alone here. A lot of us feel at odds with humanity, and more to the point, with humanity’s rhythm. I think that’s why Feli lost her job. She can’t keep that rhythm. That song isn’t for everyone. And where does that leave the rest of us?
What happens when you’re at odds with where you’re born or what you are? I’m fortunately not trapped or confined, but some are. The solutions for them are sparse and complicated.
I think everyone deserves to live at peace and in their element. There's nothing comparable to that freedom, and anyone trying to suppress it, is a miserable excuse for a human.
Thanks for reading, and If you wanna chat about the latest LBR episodes, hit me up in the comments and come meet with us at LeVar Burton Reads: The Community on Facebook.
- 📚☕♥
Goodreads Official Star Representation
5 - It was amazing
4 - I really liked it
3 - I liked it
2 - It was okay
1 - Did not like it.
*backdated to exclude from Goodreads challenge
**spoilers**
If you’re following my reviews, thanks for rolling with me ♡
It’s the fifth season of Stitcher’s LeVar Burton Reads, and we’re gifted with “Tiger Baby” by J.Y. Yang.
This is such a cool story, because it evoked some history in me. Stuff I forgot or felt so natural, I haven’t noticed in years.
I can’t say that I’ve ever experienced any kind of heightened body/identity dysphoria.
But I can remember at least three occasions, where I fixated on assimilating into something nonhuman.
When I was five, I curled my hands into paws so often, I can naturally assume my hands in that shape without feeling strange, the same way someone might flatten and point their hands to show you their manicure. I feel ready to walk around on them, it’s that embedded.
I refused to play with the other kids or speak English unless I absolutely had to. I loved to climb the stairs on hands/knees and look down at all the humans playing in the living room. I’d think, “I’m not a kid, I’m a lion cub.” My star sign is a Leo too.
When I was twelve, I decided I was a witch. I didn’t deliberate or try to convince myself that it was crazy and I made no outward announcements. I just decided I was a witch. I never could find the right conduit for using power though. Wands never felt right. Smooth stones were close. I never told anyone, but I tried to quietly will things. Sometimes it worked.
The last thing is still true, and probably goes back to the lion tendency. When I swim, I enjoy being at the depths, and I feel like a fish. At least until I have to breathe. I can never understand why people go to the pool and just sit and talk. Or toss beach balls around. Whatever. I came to be under water and that’s where I stay. The world is quieter and I feel part of the quiet. I like to move through it. It feels familiar and congruent with my movement.
I think all these things are just moments where I don’t feel particularly human. I have a friend who was once quite certain she was from another planet, so I’m not alone here. A lot of us feel at odds with humanity, and more to the point, with humanity’s rhythm. I think that’s why Feli lost her job. She can’t keep that rhythm. That song isn’t for everyone. And where does that leave the rest of us?
What happens when you’re at odds with where you’re born or what you are? I’m fortunately not trapped or confined, but some are. The solutions for them are sparse and complicated.
I think everyone deserves to live at peace and in their element. There's nothing comparable to that freedom, and anyone trying to suppress it, is a miserable excuse for a human.
Thanks for reading, and If you wanna chat about the latest LBR episodes, hit me up in the comments and come meet with us at LeVar Burton Reads: The Community on Facebook.
- 📚☕♥
Goodreads Official Star Representation
5 - It was amazing
4 - I really liked it
3 - I liked it
2 - It was okay
1 - Did not like it.
*backdated to exclude from Goodreads challenge
December 31, 2017
As with all the short story collections, I will rate them individually:
The cat auntie of Lengkok Bahru : 3
Maruchan : 2
The cat that disappeared : 2
Laundromat : 5
The god of cats : 2
Cat Sickness : 3
Robotz attack teh citeh : 5
Visiting : 3
Waiting for William : 3
Tiger baby : 1
George : 4
Other people's cats : 4
Feeding the cats : 4
The jump : 2
The fat cat, ate dad's hat : 3
And so the average turns out to be: 46 / 15 = 3
The cat auntie of Lengkok Bahru : 3
Maruchan : 2
The cat that disappeared : 2
Laundromat : 5
The god of cats : 2
Cat Sickness : 3
Robotz attack teh citeh : 5
Visiting : 3
Waiting for William : 3
Tiger baby : 1
George : 4
Other people's cats : 4
Feeding the cats : 4
The jump : 2
The fat cat, ate dad's hat : 3
And so the average turns out to be: 46 / 15 = 3
July 21, 2020
Would have loved to see more variations in tone and scope between the stories selected here but other than that, this book was calming and imaginative and a great way to escape from real life for a couple hours!
Read
July 15, 2025Would like to go and snuggle a cat now.
February 29, 2020
my favourite pieces:
- laundromat / amanda lee koe
- robotz attackz teh citeh / joshua ip
- george / jemimah james wei
- other people's cats / jon gresham
- laundromat / amanda lee koe
- robotz attackz teh citeh / joshua ip
- george / jemimah james wei
- other people's cats / jon gresham
October 9, 2020
From the Belly of the Cat is an interesting collection of short stories about cats set in Singapore.
The stories are varied, and they invite us to see our sunny island in different light and from different perspectives, with cats as the main focus.
I like how the stories serve as a form of prism to showcase the different shades of our Singaporean culture and way of living, through the lens of our cute and furry felines that are actually quite prevalent in certain housing estates.
As is recommended in the blurb, and I agree with it, this book is best read “at home on a sofa on a rainy afternoon, with a cup of warm tea within reach, and a cat by your side”.
If you’re a Singaporean cat-lover, I’ll recommend this book to you!
4/5
P.S. Thank you @amewreads for buddy-reading this with me! ☺️ Some of my favourites include Laundromat, Cat Sickness, Robotz Attackz Teh Citeh, Waiting for William, George and Feeding the Cats!
The stories are varied, and they invite us to see our sunny island in different light and from different perspectives, with cats as the main focus.
I like how the stories serve as a form of prism to showcase the different shades of our Singaporean culture and way of living, through the lens of our cute and furry felines that are actually quite prevalent in certain housing estates.
As is recommended in the blurb, and I agree with it, this book is best read “at home on a sofa on a rainy afternoon, with a cup of warm tea within reach, and a cat by your side”.
If you’re a Singaporean cat-lover, I’ll recommend this book to you!
4/5
P.S. Thank you @amewreads for buddy-reading this with me! ☺️ Some of my favourites include Laundromat, Cat Sickness, Robotz Attackz Teh Citeh, Waiting for William, George and Feeding the Cats!
March 28, 2024
Definitely worth following the direction of reading on the sofa on a rainy afternoon with a cup of tea & a cat by your side - perfect reading on these early spring rainy days!
I loved the variety & different tone of each story, but wish I could go back in time to warn myself about the one or two with people harming cats in them - I don’t need that in my life! Whyyy?
But the other stories were wonderful, my favourite has to be Joshua Ip’s ‘Robotz Attackz Teh Citeh” - I absolutely loved this writing! Whimsically smart & entertaining, brilliant.
This book was beautifully put together & a real delight to read.
I loved the variety & different tone of each story, but wish I could go back in time to warn myself about the one or two with people harming cats in them - I don’t need that in my life! Whyyy?
But the other stories were wonderful, my favourite has to be Joshua Ip’s ‘Robotz Attackz Teh Citeh” - I absolutely loved this writing! Whimsically smart & entertaining, brilliant.
This book was beautifully put together & a real delight to read.
May 16, 2016
I read this book 2 years ago after spending 1 year studying in Singapore. I wanted to complete my circle of Singapore experience and what would be a better way than reading a local literature. Though 2 years has passed since I read this book. I still remember how it made me feel-depressed. The stories main focus is on the loneliness and indifferent of Singaporean which is told through cat related stories. The problem with this book is that such is the only focus and it was emphasized too much that the stories become surreal to me.
October 14, 2018
For a cat person, and a self-proclaimed reader, I gotta read this one the first time I knew my BFF read it. Some of the stories are heartwarming, some leaving me sad (because I always overthink about stray cats that I met), and some are, mad (in a good way).
Cat changes many lives, touches many hearts, fills the gap of emotional needs for many humans. I cried for my cats that had passed away. After I finished this book, I really really hope that the rainbow up in the sky, is big enough for all the cats in the world.
As big as the heart of the humans who loved them, always and forever.
Cat changes many lives, touches many hearts, fills the gap of emotional needs for many humans. I cried for my cats that had passed away. After I finished this book, I really really hope that the rainbow up in the sky, is big enough for all the cats in the world.
As big as the heart of the humans who loved them, always and forever.
November 8, 2014
From the Belly of the Cat contains stories relating to, with mention of, and about cats that may make you cringe in disgust, crave the comfort of a cat winding between your legs or let you step into the shoes (or paws) of cats and have a glimpse of how they think. It is indeed a wonderful collection of cat stories that will keep you entertained from beginning to the end.
February 22, 2018
Nice collection of cat stories although in a small number of them, cats play too much of a peripheral role. 'Robotz Attackz Teh Citeh' by Joshua Ip is the stand-out pick; I couldn't fully suppress my laughter at the Starbucks where I was reading.
September 18, 2020
Loved the collection of short stories - a couple of good ones, the rest decent (wont say its boring which is pretty good). Also? Someone intentionally created a character that killed her cat on purpose. Are you trying to hurt us cat lovers?
January 20, 2018
Cats are great. And this collection is beautiful so is the illustrations.
August 5, 2015
Hilarious, heartfelt and bittersweet.
June 6, 2016
Awesome collection of short stories chock-full of cats.
April 11, 2017
Enjoyable overall, but as with most anthologies of short stories there exist a couple of mystifying inclusions.
August 25, 2018
If you stay in Singapore and is a cat lover, this is a must-read. The book contains different text genres written by people from all walks of life. Good alternative to watching cat videos online/
January 7, 2020
Nice little collection of short stories involving cats (not to be confused with the movie). 5 stars for ROBOTZ ATTACK TEH CITEH and Waiting for William.
September 10, 2021
𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦: 𝑝𝑖𝑢𝑝𝑖𝑢𝑝𝑖𝑢𝑏𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑠
✰᪥𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐬♪✩
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NYAN. I love this book🐱
✰᪥𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐬♪✩
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NYAN. I love this book🐱
April 25, 2020
A mixed bag, as with basically all short story collections. Highlights for me include:
- "Cat Sickness" by Sabrina Huang (in sheer literary terms, the best one in my opinion, but also it hurts my cat-loving heart)
- "Feeding the Cats" by Melissa Powers (nicely signalled twist, had me crowing)
- "Tiger Baby" by J. Y. Yang (love me a surreal tale of a woman transforming/escaping)
Special mention to "Laundromat" by Amanda Lee Koe, which I first read and enjoyed in her solo collection, Ministry of Moral Panic. The cats (though portrayed very true-to-life) are rather incidental in it, otherwise it'd have been a contender for my top three.
- "Cat Sickness" by Sabrina Huang (in sheer literary terms, the best one in my opinion, but also it hurts my cat-loving heart)
- "Feeding the Cats" by Melissa Powers (nicely signalled twist, had me crowing)
- "Tiger Baby" by J. Y. Yang (love me a surreal tale of a woman transforming/escaping)
Special mention to "Laundromat" by Amanda Lee Koe, which I first read and enjoyed in her solo collection, Ministry of Moral Panic. The cats (though portrayed very true-to-life) are rather incidental in it, otherwise it'd have been a contender for my top three.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2018
Anthology of short stories related to cat, with Singapore as the background. Good book for a cat lover.
Read
August 9, 2021paused @ p99.
February 26, 2017
This was a mixed bag of delights - some were revealing stories that talked touched a lot on obsession and loneliness, others were just a plain ode to the wonder that is cats. Although, I must say that the gore/minor violence in some of the stories isn't for everyone, especially for cat lovers who wouldn't lay a finger on a cat.
My favourites, however for the sake of this review were:
Maruchan by Wena Poon, Laundromat by Amanda Lee Koe, The God of Cats by Dave Chua, Cat Sickness by Sabrina Huang, Visiting by Yu-Mei Balasingamchow and Feeding the Cats by Melissa Powers.
My favourites, however for the sake of this review were:
Maruchan by Wena Poon, Laundromat by Amanda Lee Koe, The God of Cats by Dave Chua, Cat Sickness by Sabrina Huang, Visiting by Yu-Mei Balasingamchow and Feeding the Cats by Melissa Powers.
April 18, 2016
I came across this book at the Singapore Art Book Fair at the BooksActually booth. I was struggling between getting this book, "I will survive" or both (which wasn't that feasible due to budget issues), but I didn't regret reading it. The short stories were a mix of genres between the gore and the imaginative, and they were really written really well and for most parts, captured pretty much the relationship between human owners and cats, and also life in the perspective of the cat. Haven't enjoyed a good fictional read for quite some time and it was an enjoyable read (unfortunately I didn't have a cat to accompany me while reading it as recommended. lol)
Highly recommended to cat lovers!
Highly recommended to cat lovers!
February 28, 2017
Finally picked this up in honour of #BuySingLit. After reading a life-changing book called Why We Write, it felt like a perfect time to read local literature anyway to see what I'm potentially competing with. Some stories were kinda fucked up, and I couldn't believe these were written by Singaporeans. A long time ago I would be jealous and a little bit angry at the thought of other Singaporeans actually having good English and great writing skills, but I'm all the more inspired in trying to get published now. I know this isn't a proper review of this book's content, but hell it's made me so damn determined to chase my more-than-a-decade-long dream right now.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews