Customer Reviews

Bohemian Cats

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The collaborative work of Karen Mahony and Alex Ukolov, Bohemian Cats is a wondrous storybook, with text simple enough to be accessible to children yet so fantastic that it is sure to appeal to all ages. Every page of this stunningly delightful fairy tale features charming, full-color, photographic illustrations of rambunctuous felines who ruled a distant land called Bohemia. No live cats were harmed or even inconvenienced in the making of Bohemian Cats, which applies digital technology to photographs of cats and environments to create the lustrous, puss-n-boots style images of felines in royal garb. An absolute "must-have" for true ailurophiles, and a dazzling treasure to simply page through.

I can't say enough good things about this book! I have recommended it to everyone who has presents to buy for children or cat-lovers. This sumptuous book combines costume drama with art while having a plot line that is mild enough for children, yet with undertones that adults will enjoy. The art, like many of the subtleties of the text, are probably over the heads of many youngsters, but they will love what they do "get."

This book can be read aloud to pre-schoolers (my 4 year old loved it), or handed to older readers. Unlike many read-aloud books, this one can hold the adult's interest, too.

The art involves taking many pictures, of setting, costume and cats, and then super-imposing them upon each other. The illustrators then adjusted the pictures so that they look more like baroque paintings, and added fillips of whimsy.

I see good books and bad as a reviewer; the bad I reject, but their effects can linger. This one is a gem, and thank goodness for it. It was a joy to read, and it's a treat to be able to recommend it to you.

A beautiful picture book for cat lovers of all ages, BOHEMIAN CATS is sure to become a classic, not only for its precious design and exquisite illustrations, but for its hilarious, fantastical, often absurd story. Made "on location" using historical settings in the Czech Republic as a backdrop, Karen Mahony and Alex Ukolov have written a wonderful new fairy tale that tells of a time when cats ruled the kingdom of Bohemia. As the book jacket promises, after reading BOHEMIAN CATS, your own feline companions will never look the same again!

"Not too long ago, but most definitely before you were born, the world was quite a different place. In a distant land called Bohemia, Cats ruled over all: good King Furr governed with a firm but kind paw, Court Scientist Sir Walter Whisker wrote papers on `The Human--myth or reality?' Prince Scratch strolled the lush gardens dreaming of his future reign, and of course, Lady Purrla though herself the most beautiful kitty at the ball." - From the book

Courtyards and libraries, ballrooms and gardens, lavishly costumed felines parade about in the enchanted world of Bohemian Cats. In this Catdom, The Human inspires whispers and speculation, for the hairless, tailless ones are mostly the stuff of legend (and puppets!).

King Furr's favorite bird has gone missing. Believing it to be stolen, King Furr charges Sir Walter Whisker--Court Scientist and occasional alchemist--to find the household pet. While housecats also scurry to find the missing bird, King Furr throws a costume ball to catch the bird thief red-pawed. "I haven't seen you in seven lives!" one feline exclaims. "Who did your fur?" asks another.

Gilded chariots and majestic steeds, ornate sitting rooms and exquisite architecture--these and cats of various color and temperament exist in the magical world of Bohemian Cats.

Karen Mahony and Alex Ukolov, founders of baba studio in Prague, spin a fanciful tale of absurdity, intrigue, and romance. A hardcover book featuring panoramic pullouts, a gold ribbon bookmark, and beautiful photography, Bohemian Cats will satisfy the cravings of collectors of all things feline, as well as cat lovers of all ages. Enthusiasts of the Baroque Bohemian Cats' Tarot will no doubt enjoy this book, for many cats that grace that deck also make an appearance in Bohemian Cats! Interestingly a few of the cards from the deck also make an appearance in this book, lying strewn on the floor while Prince Scratch, resident party animal, sleeps late.

My only misgiving about this book--and it is only a slight one--is that the story seemed a bit forced, as if the tale was constructed around existing images (perhaps already created for the Tarot deck?). I don't know which came first--the deck or the book--but since I reviewed the deck before the book, this was my impression as I read this whimsical Bohemian Cats.

Janet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book: Picture the Past, Experience the Cards, Understand the Present (coming Fall 2008 from Hampton Roads Publishing)

I have the 2011 version of this calender and have enjoyed the bright images and amusing captions. So I was somewhat dissappointed to see the 2012 version features what is better described as human bodies with cat heads. The hands and feet are human, not feline as in the 2011 version-this is completely distracting and out of place. I hope the 2013 version (if there is one) returns to paws.

I discovered the Bohemian Cats from Baba Studios accidentally on etsy while I was looking for something else. But I only found the calendars on Amazon. I love these tongue-in-cheek pictures of cats in courtly couture so much I even ordered last year's calendar to get more images to enjoy. Both calendars and the books are incredibly detailed, with lovely stories and of course, all of those very handsome cats. I love it!

Bought it for my friend. It's just a calender with a bunch cats with human bodies but he got extremely creep out over it. Great buy!

I have the 2011 calendar and I loved it, so I put this one on my wishlist. I got it for Christmas and it's great as well (I didn't realize it was Zodiac themed, but it's ok). I kind of miss the little stories it had with each picture, though. The 2011 calendar had longer captions to accompany each picture and the 2012 calendar has zodiac descriptions. I also am weirded out that the cats have human hands instead of paws. I don't like that aspect either.

Otherwise, though, the art is great and the calendar is amusing for someone who is crazy about cats or someone who just likes whimsical artwork. :)

The 12 months and signs feature a cat representing the characteristics associated with the month and zodiac sign. A brief caption is with each picture to say what the cat is doing, and a description at the end of each month's calendar gives more detailed characteristics of each zodiac sign.

Representations of the sign are found for each month. For example, Capricorn hides out as a goat with his tongue out watching the Capricorn kitty ice skate, which makes Capricorn kitty nervous. This animal-head-on-person's-body is the format throughout.

Based in Prague, artists Karen Mahony and Alex Ukolov are married. From Ireland and Russia, they bring their graphic/media design and illustrator experience to this Bohemian calendar that is "uncorporate" and "extravagant, fantastical Modern Baroque...with [a]...twist of humor."

My favorite is the unusual window view in February/Aquarius's art. I also commend the stained glass window featured for May/Taurus.

Additional perks: International holidays, moon phases, small calendars on the last page for September-December 2011. Small calendar views also for all of 2013. Recycled paper used.

The calendar is great the pictures for each month are so detail if you love the Bohemian range you will love this calender can't wait till next year so l can have it up.