Latest news with #We'llPrescribeYouaCat
Gulf Weekly
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gulf Weekly
Picture purr-fect!
melissa@ Cats are emerging as the 'meow'se of choice, inspiring many artists in Bahrain and posing the question: why do felines continue to claw their way into our paintings, literature and culture, coinciding with International Cat Day tomorrow. Whether it is Lewis Carol's Alice in Wonderland (1865), Japanese author Syou Ishida's We'll Prescribe You a Cat (2024), French Art Nouveau painter Théophile Steinlen's iconic Le Chat Noir (the black cat) poster (1896), or Freddie Mercury's musical tribute Delilah (1991) to his favourite namesake companion, cats have been an integral part of the art that we have been consuming for centuries. Even in Bahraini culture, these critters often appear in old tales, according to comic artist and illustrator from Muharraq Zainab Almahdi. 'Cats often appear in Bahraini and regional folklore as vessels for jinn and other spirits,' the 27-year-old told GulfWeekly. 'In my art, cats feature either as the main subjects, or I hide them in different parts of my work,' added the creative talent, who draws both regular and anthropomorphic cats. 'They are flexible, animated and silly, lend themselves to cartoon illustration, and automatically bring a sense of whimsy to any art piece. You can use cats to reframe ordinary scenes in art. For example, if I dress up a cat in traditional dress, suddenly the readers start paying attention to the piece, and, in turn, the message I am trying to convey,' explained the GDN reporter. Filipino expatriate and artist Heidee Gragas-Galas from Juffair enjoys bringing cats alive in her creations because they're 'cute' and they carry a 'soft, graceful elegance' that she believes reflects a 'feminine, calming energy'. 'Cats have a soft, quiet presence that feels delicate but confident, which pairs beautifully with florals in my work,' said Heidee. Growing up, the 33-year-old had a cat at home, which helped her develop a personal connection with the animal, naturally influencing her work. 'I remember stories from my elders saying cats can sense spirits or bring luck depending on their colour,' Heidee said. 'In art and books, they often show up as symbols of independence, grace or even magic. That mix of the real and the mythical fascinates me and makes them timeless subjects to paint,' she added. Renowned Bahraini artist Ebrahim Busaad's popular Sleeping Cats exhibition in 2016 struck a chord with both art and feline enthusiasts at the time. The striking pieces, including Rajul Al Qut ('the cat man'), Murdi'at Al Shar ('nurser of evil') and Al Hilm Al Azraq ('the blue dream') continue to wow fans even today, with many vocalising their applause on the artist's Instagram posts. In the collection, the founding member of the Bahrain Art Society brought alive the 'infidel' nature of the cat, using his distinct style of elegant lines and vibrant hues. The works also reflect the architectural elements and the decorative motifs that characterised the city of Muharraq, his hometown. The Sleeping Cats paintings are based on a recurring dream Ebrahim had about his cat. 'At the age of six, my grandmother gifted me a cat. For the first time, I had a companion,' the 71-year-old revealed – a sentiment that famous novelist and cat lover Charles Dickens shared, when he said, 'What greater gift than the love of a cat?'
USA Today
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Need a book that feels like a hug? 8 comfort reads for when life gets hard.
We all need a little bit of comfort these days. In a fast-paced and interconnected world, many of us are feeling overwhelmed by our phones and social media, climate change and politics. Reading is one way to quiet the noise. Turning to a good book can be an act of self-care and even promote healing – like 'bibliotherapy,' a practice some therapists use to help clients work through issues using literature as the tool. Though what's comforting can look different person to person, here are eight books we recommend turning to when you need to feel a little lighter, a bit better and a hint more hopeful. 'Anxious People' by Fredrik Backman I'd nominate any Backman book for this list, especially 'Anxious People.' Backman has a particular talent for writing about hard topics in a way that still makes you cozy, even telling USA TODAY in May that he aims to make readers 'close the book at the final page and feel like it's OK.' The book starts with a failed bank robber taking a group of strangers hostage in an apartment open house. Though that may sound like a blood-pressure-raising plot, 'Anxious People' is less of a crime caper than it is a big-hearted study of humanity with soulful characters. 'We'll Prescribe You a Cat' by Syou Ishida 'We'll Prescribe You a Cat' falls into the new-yet-already-beloved genre of 'healing fiction' – feel-good stories, often with magical realism elements and usually translated from Japanese or Korean. This 2024 novel follows the mysterious Kokoro Clinic for the Soul in Kyoto, which can only be found by those truly struggling. The medication it offers is unorthodox, but transformative. This hopeful and cozy novel is a tribute to the human-animal bond. 'Howl's Moving Castle' by Diana Wynne Jones It doesn't get much more nostalgic than a good Studio Ghibli film – why not check out the source material behind one of Hayao Miyazaki's greatest? This '80s fantasy classic follows eldest daughter Sophie as she tries to break a spell that's transformed her into an old lady. To return to her true state, she must enter an enchanted mobile castle and win the help of the heartless wizard Howl, who is hiding secrets of his own. 'Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting' by Clare Pooley This charming novel follows an unlikely community formed among a group of commuters. Eclectic magazine columnist Iona is the catalyst, bringing together the strangers after one of them nearly dies choking on a grape on the train. 'Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting' is a sweet story packed with love, family drama, midlife crises and lessons learned from the kindness of strangers. 'All Creatures Great and Small' by James Herriot Nonfiction fans and animal lovers alike should check out the classic memoir series 'All Creatures Great and Small' by James Herriot, the beloved Scottish veterinarian. With both difficult cases and lighthearted ones, 'All Creatures Great and Small' is an inspiring must-add to your comfort reads. 'The House in the Cerulean Sea' by T.J. Klune This blurb from fantasy author V.E. Schwab says it all: 'It is like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket.' Witty and heart-warming, 'The House in the Cerulean Sea' follows Linus, a case worker in the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, who is charged with visiting a remote orphanage to decide just how dangerous its magical occupants are. This fantastical love story is filled with memorable found family characters and will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy. 'Remarkably Bright Creatures' by Shelby Van Pelt 'Remarkably Bright Creatures' is about a widow with a profound connection to a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium where she works. There's an element of mystery as well, as Marcellus (the octopus) decides it's up to him to uncover a 30-year-old mystery – the disappearance of Tova's (the widow) teenage son. It's a great book club pick. 'Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches' by Sangu Mandanna This sweet, uplifting fantasy novel follows a lonesome, orphaned witch as she gains an unexpected community teaching young witches how to control their magic. As one of the few witches in Britain, Mika Moon has to hide her magic from the public eye, finding solace in posting videos online where she 'pretends' to be a witch. But when others see through her facade, she gets a shot at real belonging for the first time. Clare Mulroy is USA TODAY's Books Reporter, where she covers buzzy releases, chats with authors and dives into the culture of reading. Find her on Instagram, subscribe to our weekly Books newsletter or tell her what you're reading at cmulroy@
