Cats of Copenhagen

The first-ever U.S. edition of this delightful gem based on a letter Joyce wrote to his grandson, revealing the modernist masters playful sidefilled with one-of-a-kind illustrationsthe perfect gift for Joyce fans and cat lovers alike.

The Cats of Copenhagen was first written for James Joyces most beloved audience, his only grandson, Stephen James Joyce, and sent in a letter dated September 5, 1936. Cats were clearly a common currency between Joyce and his grandson. In early August 1936, Joyce sent Stephen a little cat filled with sweetsa kind of Trojan cat meant to outwit grown-ups. A few weeks later, Joyce penned a letter from Copenhagen that begins Alas! I cannot send you a Copenhagen cat because there are no cats in Copenhagen. The letter reveals the modernist master at his most playful, yet Joyces Copenhagen has a keen, anti-authoritarian quality that transcends the mere whimsy of a childrens story. Only recently rediscovered, this marks the inaugural U.S. publication of The Cats of Copenhagen, a treasure for readers of all ages. A rare addition to Joyces known body of work, it is a joy to see this exquisite story in print at last.