Cats and women share many traits: 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 cats possess which women long to emulate: fighting fiercely to protect themselves, never saying yes when they mean no, and being unafraid to claim the best seat in the house. 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 lover, makes no apology for celebrating the special bond between women and their cats. In The Divine Feline, she shares her own experiences with cats, describes the relationship between women and cats throughout history and solves behavioural and philosophical issues in a whimsical and practical way. Viva la cat lady!