Queer Icons and Their Cats

by Alison Nastasi and PJ Nastasi

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Queer Icons and Their Cats is a stylish and affectionate look at beautiful kitties and their dedicated humans. Due out 1st June 2021 from Chronicle Books, it's 112 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.

This is an illustrated collection of 40 LGBTQ+ icons and the kitties they adore. The chapters are arranged alphabetically and include an array of actors, musicians, artists, writers, and cultural icons alongside their beautiful animal companions (mostly cats, but there are a few canines who are included alongside their feline siblings). The pictures are accompanied by short and informal blurbs about the artists and what they're best known for. The accompanying photos are mostly taken from public archives and aren't "coffee table book" polished... in fact most are quite informal and a number of them appear to be from the subjects' personal collections. Each of the short biographies is accompanied by a photo of the subject and one or more cats.

A number of the subjects are sadly departed; many are still with us. I loved that the authors made the salient and touching point that our cats are one of the most unacknowledged social support networks for LGBTQ+ people.

Four stars. This would make a good selection for gift-giving for cat loving friends and acquaintances.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.