New Books in Critical Theory Rebecca van Laer, "Cat" (Bloomsbury, 2025)
Nov 3, 2025
Rebecca van Laer, an author and former academic with a PhD from Brown, dives into the world of cats in her book, Cat, mixing memoir and cultural criticism. She discusses the labels of 'cat person' versus 'dog person' and how they reflect identity. Sharing quirky anecdotes about her own senior cats, Toby and Gus, she explores cats’ emotional labor and their role as symbols of resistance to productivity norms. Van Laer challenges the notion of pet parenting, advocating for a more nuanced view as 'custodians' rather than 'parents'.
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Moving Cross-Country With Cats
- Rebecca van Laer describes a harrowing multi-day move with three cats that included vomiting, overheating, and constant repositioning.
- The experience made her question whether moving is worth subjecting pets (and oneself) to such stress.
Cats' Value Is Cuteness And Disruption
- Van Laer argues cats have weak 'use value' compared with other domestic animals and persist in human life partly due to their infant-like cuteness.
- She adds that cats teach people to love without discipline by disrupting expectations with their independent behavior.
Cat Cuteness Can Be Emotional Labor
- Van Laer frames some cat behaviors as emotional labor when they perform cuteness strategically to get what they want.
- She notes many cats remain 'spicy' and unrewarding yet still deserve care regardless of their performance.
