In the midst of a routinely boring life, Yu Yoyo’s Invisible Kitties brings whimsy and magic into what would otherwise be a seemingly mundane part of living—owning a pet, specifically a cat. Take a stroll through this first-person narrative, taking part in the narrator and her husband’s life—from the lovingly detailed descriptions of the spaces in their shared apartment to the rambunctious scenarios that seem to brighten up their lives as they take in their first cat.
To accompany Yoyo’s ethereal and mercurial paragraphs on the behavior of cats, illustrations grace the margins of the pages as well as dedicate whole pages to the majesty of such a creature. With simple yet definitive shapes along with the definite contrast of black and white—the author’s art creates this endearing visual that blends well with the playfulness of her writing. This book utilizes blurbs. It emphasizes fleeting moments to be compiled into one without a specific storyline to follow which creates this heartwarming, whimsical story that invites readers to the wonders of taking care of cats and the way their quirky pursuits brighten up a home—seeing how one’s life evolves to accommodate such a mischievous presence.
The grand delusions that come with owning a cat
Yoyo’s Invisible Kitties is written in a way that blurs the line between highly imaginative scenarios and real-life moments—wherein such a simple thing as a cat shedding its claws seemed to turn into such a major event with the author describing the claws as “mini-moons” and how their beloved pet would continue to manufacture many of these crescents that reside not in the sky but in their humble apartment.
These fragmented and episodic narratives are markings of Yoyo’s acclaim in poetry—allowing the reader to partake in the individuality of her stylistic writing. These pages are filled with imagery with chains of association spun out in wholly unexpected ways—such as the main character coughing up a furball that soon mutates into a cat. It is inherently witty, and even jarring for some. Yet these are almost lyrical in nature, sometimes philosophical and sentimental even—directly evoking emotion from the reader, garnering varying reactions ranging from those who know exactly what the author is talking about to those who simply have to keep reading in intrigue.
After all, how much normalcy is expected when owning a cat?
Despite all of these striking descriptions of daily cat and owner interactions, there is this sincerity that comes with it. This quiet understanding that no matter how erratic having a pet could be, one could give up the entire world just for their comfort—a small price to pay for their love. Of how slowly, one would find traits of themselves in their furry companions. Be it the mere tilt of the head or that curiosity that grows in the eyes that seem to stare right back. The realization and urge that one should be better, mentally and physically, for the other to give a wonderful experience, no matter how brief their time together might be.
Invisible Kitties expresses that bond so tenderly—finding the extraordinary in the ordinary. How the universe could change with the addition of a small presence in one’s life, and for good, for the better. Any cat owner knows of the incredible amount of time spent doting over their little feline friend—though the book is almost obsessive in its manner, one could never quite fully deny that exact feeling that dwells within.
This narrative is built up slowly, surely—from the careful chronicling of the characters’ day-to-day lives, their neighbors, and their local surroundings (no matter how brief). Yoyo’s “Invisible Kitties” is not to be read on a whim with no intention, straight through cover to cover—one must take their time, savor this somewhat philosophical lyricism slowly, and be wholly engrossed in the way of the feline.
This book is sold physically at multiple branches of Fully Booked. It is also available nationwide online through Lazada, Shopee, and Fully Booked Online.
