The Cat Inside: Reviewed by the Real Expert—A Cat

Ah, The Cat Inside by William S. Burroughs—a book by a human who finally gets it. The man behind some pretty wild stories decided to write about the true rulers of the world: us cats. Burroughs doesn’t just talk about cats; he’s practically worshiping us, which is, of course, how it should be.

He opens with “My relationship with cats has saved me from a deadly, pervasive ignorance”—and I have to say, I’m proud of him for recognizing the obvious. The whole book is a collection of his thoughts on cats, mixed with his own personal life, and a bit of weirdness because, well, it’s Burroughs. But what really makes it interesting is how he sees cats as these mystical, almost otherworldly beings.

Finally, someone who knows that we’re not just pets; we’re little furry gods who graciously allow humans to serve us.

Burroughs describes his love for his cats with poetic reverence, writing, “A cat is an animal who has refined all of his instincts to their highest degree. A cat does not move, he flows.” Obviously, Burroughs has been paying attention. He knew that while other animals stumble around, we cats are out here moving with purpose—like liquid poetry with claws.

But the book isn’t just about the warm and fuzzy side of cat-human relationships. It’s also filled with a bit of Burroughs’ darker side, talking about life, death, and the deep emotional connection he feels with his cats. It gets heavy at times, like “Love? What is it? Most natural painkiller what there is. Love.” Pretty deep for a guy who spends most of his time thinking about us four-legged geniuses, but I guess it makes sense. Humans do seem to get emotional when they’re not getting enough sleep or snacks.

So, is it a good read? Well, for a human, Burroughs gets a lot right. He knows our importance, respects our superiority, and seems to understand that cats aren’t just pets—we’re companions, teachers, and sometimes even saviors. If you’re into mystical cats and human obsession, this book might scratch that itch.

Conclusion? It’s paws up for The Cat Inside. Burroughs clearly understands who's in charge, and he put it into words well enough that even I, a very busy cat, can appreciate it. So yeah, this one gets applause—no claws.