Catland: Feline Enchantment and the Making of the Modern World by Kathryn Hughes

Catland: Feline Enchantment and the Making of the Modern World

Kathryn Hughes's ambitious and utterly fascinating history reveals how cats shaped—and were shaped by—the modern world. Moving from the Victorian era through the twentieth century, Hughes traces the cat's extraordinary journey from farm mouser to cherished companion, from symbol of feminine domesticity to cultural icon of independence and mystery.

This is far more than a pet history. Hughes explores how cats became embedded in British culture through literature, art, and photography; how the cat show became a vehicle for class aspiration and scientific classification; how artists, writers, and photographers became obsessed with capturing feline essence; and how the cat came to embody complex ideas about nature, sexuality, and modernity itself. She introduces us to remarkable historical figures—eccentrics, collectors, and visionaries—whose relationships with cats reveal profound truths about the human condition.

At 416 pages, Catland is a richly detailed, meticulously researched work of cultural history. Hughes's prose is engaging and accessible, making this as much a pleasure to read as it is intellectually rigorous. Published by Fourth Estate, this is serious scholarship wrapped in genuinely compelling narrative.

Perfect for cat lovers, history enthusiasts, those interested in Victorian and modern British culture, and anyone seeking to understand how our relationship with cats has shaped modern society itself.

Publisher: 4th Estate

Date Published: 24/04/2025

ISBN: 9780008365141

Number of pages: 416

Binding:

• Paperback

Book genres:

• History
• Literature

Target audience:

• Adults