Cats and women share many beauty, elegance, sensitivity, affectionate natures, a knack for nurturing, and a love of the luxurious. Cats also embody the feminine dark side, with a tendency towards neurosis and fear of change. Then there are the qualities that a cat possesses which women long to fighting fiercely to protect herself, never saying yes when she means no, and being unafraid to claim the best seat in the house for herself.
Cats are loyal to those who love them but couldn't give a toss about what others think. They don't suffer self-esteem issues or worry if they're overweight. And then, there is that enviable air of mystery, that slinky walk… oh to be a cat! They're the ultimate totem of female strength.
Belinda Alexandra, writer and ardent cat fancier, makes no apology for celebrating the special bond between women and their cats. In The Divine Feline , she details her own experiences with cats, describing the relationship between women and cats throughout history and solving some behavioural and philosophical issues in a whimsical and practical way. Viva la cat lady!
Belinda Alexandra has been published to wide acclaim in Australia and internationally. She is the daughter of a Russian mother and an Australian father and has been an intrepid traveller since her youth. Her love of other cultures is matched by her passion for her home country, Australia, where she is a volunteer carer for the NSW Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service (WIRES). Belinda is also an ambassador for the World League for the Protection of Animals (Australia) and lives in Sydney with a menagerie of adored pets. Join Belinda's community of readers at facebook.com/BelindaAlexandraAuthor
Loved every part of this book, it’s absolutely gorgeous and was a delight to listen to and I’m not even a cat person but my daughter owns a rescue cat and she is the most sweetest, gentlest cat I’ve ever come across so I’ve learned to like cats from a distance lol. I hate seeing cats wandering the streets I always feel sorry for them not having a warm and loving home.
Very much a book for cat lovers and an educational read for first time cat owners and non-cat lovers.
When I was a kid I was clawed by my dad’s cat and ever since then I’ve had a fear of cats. My sisters fault as she taught the cat to play with her ponytail, she would wave it around and the cat would playfully jump and grab at it well, one day I was helping my mum peg out clothes and my two long plaits were swishing around my face and the next minute the cat jumped up to grab my plait but missed it and clawed down my face instead.
I’ll be buying this book as a christmas gift for the daughter as she’ll appreciate the helpful suggestions on caring for cats and using alternative therapies, perhaps it might not be anything new for her as she’s an awesome cat mum and uses natural therapies on her moggie already but I’m sure she’ll love the fascinating information and facts, heartwarming anecdotes and the interesting feline history provided in this book.
Received my copy today. So glad I ordered a hardback. This book is just visually beautiful. Can't wait to have a read. Me and Skinny will read it together (ha ha).
There were parts of this that were really interesting, like when the author talked about her cats, and volunteering and animal rights. But there were also parts that were a little repetitive. I'm not a spiritual person but when she spoke about spirituality and cats it was fun to read. If you love cats you could like this book 🐈🐈⬛ my favourite chapters were the fairy cat mothers and a girl and her cats, those parts seemed the most personal to the author
Hello Bibliophiles, Usually our mum writes about the books she reads, but not today! We have cat-napped her social media and will instead be sharing our thoughts on Belinda Alexander’s The Divine Feline. Yes, fur-real! For we aren’t just beautiful fur babies, we are also lovers of litter-ature (and claw-fully bad puns, which you will no doubt find hiss-terical!) So settle in fur-ends, here we go. 📖😺 Miss Lilly, 13, - I was very fur-tunate to read this delightful book. I liked the references to cat loving hoomans and the advice from Peebles the cat as an agony aunt. I thought this was a claw-ver way of providing advice to common questions about cats for those people who aren’t overly fur-miliar with our superior species. 😺📖 Lexie, 12 - The purr-fect gift for any hooman that has an interest in cats. After reading this, I challenge you not to have a more positive cat-titutde toward us and the realisation that you may have a cat, but that it owns you! How could you not with the book covering such paw-some topics as cats throughout history, cats and magic, cat communication, natural therapies and Alexander’s love for cats throughout her life. A fur-midable read. 📖😺 Brooklyn, 5 - paw-don me for saying so, but failing to read this is simply a-paw-ling behaviour! What is wrong with you? Are you kitten me? This book has beautiful drawings, great hints and tips to keep us happy, advice on how to understand us better and excellent information for when we are sick. What more could you want?! 😺📖 Jaws, 5 - I consider myself fur-tunate enough to have read this book and now I can’t let it go! Cat Wisdom was purr-haps my favourite part of the book; but really there were so many good parts that the paws-abilities were endless for the best bit. No wait, I’ve got it - it’s the gorgeous velvet spine which my siblings and I have now covered in fur making it all purr-ty; just the way mum likes it! 📖😺 Ok hoomans, there you have it! You now know that you litter-ally have to paws what you’re doing and go and get a copy of this book which will dispel the crazy cat lady myth and confirm that being owned by a cat is radi-claw! To not buy a copy would be cat-astrophic! 😺📖 You can play along with our mum’s book bingo and see what else she has been reading, by going to #ktbookbingo and @kt_elder on Instagram.
Cats are and have always been revered and this testimonial to their history, ownership and of course their feline quirks is purrfect. Thank you to Belinda Alexandra for sending us a copy to read and review. Love and devotion to a pet is the least we can do for them for the term of their natural life. The rate of abandonment and abuse is shocking almost everywhere in the world. It is a problem that can be solved and should. This beautifully written book defines the care, patience and a wholistic love and approach to owning a cat or cats. The history of our love for cats, famous people and their preference for felines and a witty column titled Miss Pebbles all add to the charm and delight of this read and compliment Belinda’s own history of cat ownership. I was touched by the care and effort Belinda personally contributes to the welfare and love of cats. Saving strays and re educating them is heart felt and the success showing let’s not give up on ones deemed too feral. This is a must read for cat lovers and owners and should be a handbook before adopting a pet especially on a whim for Christmas. Hopefully it will also erode the stigma cat loving women unfairly suffer. Thoroughly enjoyed this work by one of my favourite authors.
A heartwarming little book about the joy of cats and their close bond with women. I loved the first half - reading about Alexandra’s numerous cats across her life and how they have each impacted her significantly was heartwarming (and also brought some tears). The book dipped slightly for me with the ‘Cats and Magic’ chapter but it’s easy to overlook with a book that contains so many other wonderful tidbits about cats and their unique relationship with humans.
What a beautiful book, not only it's lush exquisite cover but the information was just astounding. Everything any person needs to know about majestic felines is in this gorgeous book and I hope it gets read world wide to teach humans how to understand and respectfully love cats
I listened to this on audiobook format. This book was very patchy because it tried to cover too much and felt directionless and not cohesive. There were chapters on the history of the domestication of cats in Ancient Egypt, including mythology - all of which just felt like a regurgitation of cat facts that you could, and probably have, read in many other books about cats. Also, behaviours, health and care, and psychology of cats - again rehashing. And then there’s the woo - quite a bit of it - which was tedious. The book’s strength lay in its chapters whereby the author spoke on feral cat colonies, strays, rescues and rescue groups, wildlife rehabilitation, and her experiences with her own cats - pedigree and rescued moggies. If the book concentrated on these subject areas only, the book would have been so much better.
Cats and women share many traits: beauty, elegance, sensitivity, affectionate natures, a knack for nurturing and a love of the luxurious. They don't suffer self-esteem issues or worry if they're overweight. And then there is that enviable air of mystery, that slinky walk . . . oh to be a cat!
I adored this book. Yes I am a loud and proud cat woman, although at present, I have a dog. But I think cats are magnificent creatures, healers and teachers. Belinda Alexandra covers all things feline here, from history to caring from your cat, all delivered in a sumptuous package – gorgeous hardback binding and sweet illustrations inside.
I have a copy of this delightful book on my bedside table, and have grabbed another couple for friends for Christmas. Puuuurfection.
I listened to the audiobook & was surprised to discover that it was not being read by the author as it felt so very personal and flowed beautifully – massive kudos to Izabela Yena for her narration & to the author for her very well written chatty conversational narrative!
From the description I was expecting this to be “nice” book, perfectly pleasant and a bit girly. What I got was a book that really celebrated the cat, but in a
The first part of the book told the stories of the author’s own cats & how they came to be adopted by her. There are tales of mistreatment, rescue, survival and perseverance, but what comes through more than anything is the author’s passion for animal rights & the volunteering she does with wildlife/animal organisations in Australia. As she told the story of each cat, their individual personalities really came through.
The latter part of the book looks at how cats have been portrayed in society over the centuries, from being worshipped by Egyptians to being witches familiars and todays cultural icons! There are sections on cat-communication, creating a stimulating indoor environment for your cats and the “Dear Pebbles” problem-page style advice dotted throughout regarding feline behaviour is such fun & so insightful!
There are some interesting parallels drawn between patriarchy and the way that cats have been treated by society, showing some strong links between the status/value/fortunes of women and cats.
A book full of fascinating information, interesting facts, heartwarming stories, insightful observations and amusing anecdotes. It does slightly play into the stereotype of “cat lady” but I can forgive that as it’s so well written and informative as well as entertaining! A purr-fect read for anyone who has ever been owned by a cat, or wishes they were!
Belinda Alexandra - The Divine Feline: This is a charming book, which dips into the history of the cat and her/his relationship with people, especially women. The parallels in history between the lot of women and cats are striking. There is lots of information on the care and welfare of cats, including supporting cats' charities and how to make a good home for your cat. Perhaps even more engagingly though, the book gives us a delightful insight into the author, her life, her character and her compassionate relationship with the cat world. Readers of Belinda Alexandra's historical fiction can look forward to seeing another side of this author in a work both deeply personal and gently instructive. The book is well written, its prose accessible and its didactic clear and easy to follow. In addition the book itself is a work of art and a thing of desire with its beautiful velour spine and gold cursive title, its fashion style illustrations and its brilliant cobalt blue cover - in fact as elegant and alluring as the felines it espouses.
The Divine Feline is a beautiful book unlike any I have ever read, and my favourite of all author Belinda Alexandra’s novels.
It provides a beautiful overview of the history of cats as well as some fascinating facts about their evolution & role in society over the centuries. Written by an author with a brilliant sense of humour, the tongue-in-cheek style letters by Agony-aunt cat ‘ Peebles’ really made me laugh!
Filled with helpful advice and tips on caring for the cats in your life as well as stray or community cats; I’ve closed the book with a deeper respect for cats, their strength of character and a further understanding of their behaviour.
The gorgeous illustrations, hard cover and velvet spine make this book a lovely gift for any animal lover in your life.
The Divine Feline is a beautifully written book that provides a wonderful and fascinating insight into the world of cats. It explores the special bond between women and their cats as well as their numerous qualities and preferences, with lovely and entertaining anecdotes. The chapter Cat Magic is especially heartwarming and delves into the characteristics of cats that make them the perfect partners in creating magic in life, and their unique ability to provide guidance in the most beautiful and mysterious ways. There are also stories from the author about her own special relationships with cats throughout her life which are heartfelt and inspiring. This is a book not just for cat lovers, but for all of us who have shared a special bond with an animal or pet throughout our lives.
This is a very enjoyable book aimed primarily at female lovers of cats, by well-known Australian fiction author, Belinda Alexandra. The book is divided into various sections, including humanity's history with cats, Alexandra's own history with cats (including a very touching story about saving Snuggy from a drowning), her work in stray cat rescue, as well as cat health and behaviour. Interspersed throughout is an advice column written by Pebbles the cat to cat owners seeking help related to their felines, famous quotes about cats, and famous cat owners and their cats. Alexandra also goes into detail about women's special relationships to felines, and how they should embrace that rather than being taught to fear the "crazy cat lady" stereotype. Recommended for cat lovers everywhere.
This book is absolutely gorgeous! From the cover and binding, to the illustrations - it's just lovely!
More than that though, I could tell from reading this that Belinda truly loves cats. Her stories about the special felines in her life were beautiful and full of heart. I learned some interesting feline history from the first chapter. And though we experience spirituality very differently, it was lovely to read about how Belinda's cats help her experience the Divine.
This book also includes tidbits of information on famous cat-lovers and practical tips to help the reader deal with less pleasant behaviors from their own furry family member.
Absolutely would recommend this fabulous book to every cat mom!
Thank you, Belinda, for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review!
An absolute charmer of a book, starting with historical facts about cats, the author's own story about how her love of cats began, and then ranging through how to care for them and interact with them, along with practical tips and suggestions. It's a lovely book, with gold gilt writing on the cover and spine, lovely end papers, a luxuriously soft black felt spine, and gorgeously cute drawings. Something for every woman here, every cat lover, and also those who aren't sure about felines in general. You might be converted. Belinda Alexandra's big heart for them shines through.
Just loved this book! It was such an enjoyable read - filled with tips, funny and heartwarming anecdotes and fascinating insights into cats and their place in history. Cat behaviour is also discussed and offers possible solutions and reasons why cats do what they do. This book delves into the relationship women have with their cats, dispels the crazy cat lady stereotype and instead celebrates feisty felines and their owners.
Belinda is a wonderful storyteller in fiction and non-fiction and The Divine Feline is an absolute delight. Full of heartwarming anecdotes and history about felines and their connection to humans, especially women, this book entertains and informs. Belinda's love for felines shows through and it's it's a beautiful read. With its stunning cover and gorgeous illustrations, this is the perfect gift for any feline-loving friends (and yourself!). Highly recommended!
This was a great and fast read, with the majority of the book being dedicated to destructing the stigma surrounding the bond between woman and cat, and the importance of doing what you can to care for any animal. The last chapter was the only real guide section, and had some great little tips I bookmarked for our cats in future. It was a fun read that didn't take itself too seriously, and made me feel better for being a cat lady - one appropriately enamored and obsessed with her cats!
Nothing says feline like divine and nothing says divine like black velvet with gold accents! a beautiful gift edition. Belinda Alexandra is a friend of our store because of her wonderful fiction and her commitment to animal welfare. This volume combines moving personal accounts with fascinating information on history, health and communication with your divine feline.
Oh my goodness I love this book. The relationship between cats and humans is an ancient one and I was so glad to explore it here. Pebbles is an absolutely gorgeous guide and this books is just physically beautiful and soulfully exquisite. It would make the most perfect gift for the chic cat lover as well, that spine 🤩🤩🤩
As an owner of 3 of these fascinating fluffies, I found this book to be very interesting. I enjoyed the way Belinda brings some insight on the history of cats as well as understanding them better through her own experiences. A warm and endearing read that will leave you with a greater fondness for these furry creatures.
A perfect gift for any cat-loving lady, it even has a tactile velvet book spine. Cameos of famous cats, anecdotes about cat behaviours and practical information too. Enlivened with feline “pawtraits.” The section on animal rescue and Colony cats pays tribute to those individuals who take their love of animals beyond their own circle into a wider field of compassion.
I found this a bit of a hodgepodge. I wasn’t familiar with this author so the references to her published novels were lost on me. I preferred the part where she talked about rescuing and re socialising feral cats which seemed to have much more of a focus than the random facts and “magical” elements. I enjoyed reading about cat body language with my own cat sitting on my lap.
A fabulous book about our beautiful feline friends and women .. Belinda has such a passion for cats and this really shines through in her latest non fiction book ! A purrrfect read 🐱
Belinda has written a delightful non-fiction book that all cat lovers will enjoy. I especially loved the section about the history of humankind and their relationship to cats. Thanks, Belinda!