First published 1993
In "The Sophisticated Cat," Joyce Carol Oates reveals the secret inner world of a refined feline. When a pampered house cat's owner leaves for the day, the cat embarks on a series of delightfully mischievous adventures. Exploring the neighborhood, the cat encounters a cast of colorful characters - from alley cats to snooty socialite pooches. As the day unfolds, the cat navigates the social intrigues and power dynamics of the urban animal kingdom, all while indulging in the heights of catly pleasure and the depths of feline drama. At its core, this tale is a poignant study of the cat's unique perspective on the sophisticated human world it inhabits.
Genres: fiction, animals, literary-fiction, cats, contemporary, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: animal-perspective, slice-of-life
Setting: Urban
Period: 21st-century
416 pages · Paperback · Plume