The Philosopher Cat

Les chats de Kwong Kuen Shan

by Kuen Shan Kwong

A new, lavishly illustrated book of philosophy and cats, from the author and illustrator of The Cat and the Tao.
Kwong Kuen Shan has gathered together forty beautiful illustrations of the animal many people hold dear to their hearts, accompanied by forty Chinese proverbs or sayings. These cats are instantly recognizable: the playful and adventurous cat; the languid cat; the philosopher cat. With the same style and lightness of touch that made The Cat and the Tao such a delight, this is a beautiful book that cat-lovers will treasure.

Genres: Poetry, Philosophy, Cats, Art, China, Nonfiction

96 pages, Hardcover

First published November 19, 2002

Reviews

[jenkamichiko Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must-read for cat lovers in need of Chinese wisdom and quotes.

[Adriana Scarpin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Assim como o primeiro livro, O Gato Zen, Shan une belas imagens de gatos com a sabedoria da filosofia clássica chinesa, tendo assim um casamento perfeito.

[Georgia Peattie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful proverbs and paintings. So happy to have this on my shelf!

[Marlène · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quel joli cadeau! Mon seul livre ce Noël. Un plaisir à feuilleter, lire et surtout relire.
Les aquarelles, portraits de chats de l'artiste et d'autres chats qu'elle "fréquente", sont délicates et drôles, superbes captures d'instants.
Les pensées et proverbes chinois sont à savourer et à retrouver. J'y reviendrai sans doute chercher les sens de leur simplicité apparente.

[May L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Como faço aquarelas, principalmente de animais, fiquei encantada com as artes, e as frases filosóficas foram um belo extra, combinando muito bem com o "estado de espírito" de cada arte.
Há duas formas de ler esse livro: de uma vez só (pois é bem rápido) ou lendo uma lâmina (ou algumas) por dia. Li metade em um dia, e metade em outra, mas com certeza voltarei várias vezes para revisitá-lo!

[Thais Okubaro Nascimento · Rating 3 out of 5]

As artes são lindas e delicadas, alguns provérbios e a conexão com a natureza e a vida são muito bonitos. Mas confesso que alguns eu não entendo muito bem a grandeza ou importância, talvez seja uma questão cultural, eles me parecem simples demais e é como se faltasse algo pra mim.

[zou · Rating 5 out of 5]

trop apaisant et agréable à lire 💮🥮🐈

[Melissa Barbosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uma delícia de livro! Os textos são interessantes e as pinturas, muito belas.

[Luis Rolando Durán Vargas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una maravilla para los sentidos, filosofía, humor y la belleza de ls acuarelas

[L’étagère de Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Une lecture très intéressante. Je ne suis pas familière avec les poètes chinois, ni même les aquarelles chinoises mais j’ai bien aimé découvrir la poésie entre les leçons de vie et la nature. Tous ces liens qui sont faits entre le mode de vie et les réponses qui sont trouvés dans les éléments de la nature. Et puis, les chats! Ces animaux un peu mystiques, un peu insondables, que l’artiste essaie de nous dépeindre le plus fidèlement. Vraiment une belle découverte!

[Anne Mey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ce petit livre combine des pensées de grands sages chinois et des aquarelles. Le plus intéressant reste les textes, petits bribes de leçon de vie qui restent d'actualité malgré leur grand âge. Je n'ai pas accroché aux aquarelles qui font style vieilles peintures mais certains décalages et mauvaises perspectives m'ont plus marquée qu'une quelconque beauté des dessins. Mais cela dépend des goûts.

[Mayda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even without the Chinese proverbs, the art in this collection is worthy of a 5-star rating. Cats of all kinds grace the pages of this book. With the paintings are Chinese proverbs and other words of wisdom. Well done in the their coupling, this collection is one that can be enjoyed time and time again.

[StephenWoolf · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pile le cadeau insipide que pourrait recevoir de ma part une personne qui aime les chats et que je ne connais ni n'estime plus que ça. Franchement, ça se lit, c'est mignon, la page est agréable mais l'intérêt est très très limité.

[Thomaz Amancio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mais coeso que o anterior. Ainda assim gostosinho e inofensivo.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pawfect for cat lovers + full of Chinese wisdom

[Samara O'Gorman · Rating 5 out of 5]

40 beautiful illustrations paired with thoughtful and insightful philosophy. I’ll definitely pick this up again when I feel I need it. “Things pass but they are never gone.”

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book in every way, especially if you like cats. The artwork is amazing. The text that the author has selected is wonderful. This little book is a treasure and a keeper!

[Cami · Rating 4 out of 5]

fofo

[Clara Browne · Rating 3 out of 5]

gracinha!!!!

[Zorua64]

Meow

[Mai · Rating 2 out of 5]

so cute.

[beca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Para quem gosta de poesia ou gatos é um bom livro.
Sinceramente, eu só li pelas aquarelas de gato, mas não é um livro horrível é razoável

[Noa Lacambre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Très belles aquarelles. Les textes permettent de s’interroger sur notre rapport aux choses et aux autres. Lecture reposante et poétique.
Néanmoins, pas de coup de cœur pour cet ouvrage

[paige agar · Rating 3 out of 5]

t
beautiful art
amazing words

[Lilian K · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Aquele que entende o sentido da vida
não persegue o que não tem sentido:
Aquele que entende o destino não persegue
o que está além de seu alcance" - Chuang Tse

[ℳatthieu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Le livre (en papier glacé) est composée de quarante aquarelles (peintes par l'auteur), chacune est associée à un proverbe ou une maxime chinoise.

Il y a de jolis tableaux et de jolies phrases.

L'idée de lister les sceaux et timbres utilisés en fin d'ouvrage est une très bonne idée, malheureusement la liste est partielle (il manque par exemple la bénédiction).

Ce recueil succède Le Chat Zen.

[Ren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book for cat lovers and philosophers alike. The artwork is absolutely beautiful and the proverbs that come along with it are excellent. There's real depth here and much to leave you thinking on despite it coming in such a small, cute book. I'll be going back to this book many times if only to remember that sometimes it's best to think like Philosopher Cat.

[Beroha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kwong Kuen Shan's second book is as ravishing as her first one, "The cat and the Tao". The vivid drawing style of the author, her choice of cats as main illustrations and the Chinese philosophical sayings, all put together, make a very enjoyable book.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! What a charming book. I'm looking forward to reading and savoring this beautiful book. My favorite page so far page 64 and 65 with the calico dancing in the tree.

[Patricia Herlevi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations partnered with ancient Chinese wisdom. If you enjoy picture books, check this one out. It's a quick yet relaxing read.