New Books Network Rebecca van Laer, "Cat" (Bloomsbury, 2025)
Nov 3, 2025
Dr. Rebecca van Laer, an author and former academic, dives into the world of cats in her upcoming book, Cat. She discusses how the stereotypes of 'cat people' challenge traditional notions of family and parenting. Moving house with her senior cats sparks insights about their impact on personal identity and leisure. Van Laer argues that cats act as emotional support while resisting societal productivity norms. She also explores the ethics of pet ownership and humorously considers what the world would be like if cats ruled it.
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Pet Labels Work As Social Shortcuts
- Labeling yourself a 'cat person' or 'dog person' functions like a social shorthand similar to astrology.
- These labels convey simple traits (independence vs sociality) but mask the complexity of many people's mixed preferences.
Moving With Cats Is Chaotic
- Rebecca van Laer recounts moving cross-country with three cats and the chaos of vomiting, stress, and one cat refusing a carrier.
- The experience made her question whether moving was worth subjecting the cats (and herself) to such distress.
Cats’ Value Is Cuteness And Disruption
- Cats lack a clear use-value and often remain in human homes partly because their faces trigger infantile responses.
- Van Laer argues we keep cats for cuteness and for the pleasurable disruption their independence creates in our lives.
