Cats Of The Temple - 1st Edition/1st Printing

New York: Alfred A. Knopf. Fine. 1986. First Edition; First Printing. Softcover. 0394741528 . An attractive first Paperback edition/first printing in Fine unread condition. From the collection of Betty Anderson, legendary art director of publisher Knopf in the late 20th century as evidenced by her (small and unobtrusive) inventory number; In this brilliantly written and visually stunning book, Leithauser takes us on a journey through the lives of cats living in the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus. We meet Sissy, a solitary old tom who has been living in the temple for decades, and Gizmo, a young tom who is in charge of the temple's new arrivals. We (truncated) follow their stories as they navigate the tricky politics of the temple and the ever-changing dynamics of their relationships with one another.Through their stories, we come to understand the importance of the temple cats to the community and the reverence with which they are held. We are also introduced to some of the other temple cats, including Gizmo's twin sister, Pippa, and their mother, Leda, who is one of the oldest living cats in the world.This book is not just about cats - it is about community, tradition, and the way that cats have shaped and continue to shape our; Knopf Poetry Series; 8vo . (Inventory #: 21065)