Customer Reviews

Cats of Louis Wain

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At the time Patricia Allderidge wrote this book, she was curator of the Bethem Royal Hospital museum. The museum owns a large collection of Wain art, including mirrors he decorated at Christmas to entertain his fellow inmates at the mental hospitals where he spent a good portion of his life. Patricia
Allderidge knows as much about Wain as anyone currently living. Her knowledge is reflected in this book.
Her biography of Wain, written in English,German and French,contains beautiful and well-written prose. Ms. Allderidge provides new insights on Wain, which have never before appeared in print.
The truly outstanding feature of this book, however, is the pictures. They are all in color and include the best of Wain's work. The book is printed on quality paper in beautiful colors and has a sturdy hardback cover.
This Wain retrospect will put a smile on everyone's face. One never tires of looking at the cat pictures! Ms. Allderidge does not dwell on Wain's unfortunate life. She writes about him in terms of his being the great artist he was -- not as the freak he is sometimes perceived to be.
The book is already a collector's item with quanities in short supply. If one is available, buy it and treat it, carefully. You'll be glad you did!

The trouble about being a fan of Louis Wain is that there never seems to be enough to read about him.He has fascinated and beguiled us with his magical cat pictures for over a hundred years now and always there is a desire to know more about the man himself. Patricia Allderidge has achieved a tour de force in her recently published book which in it's text covers Wain's life in a clear and adequete way, and in it's illustrations which are well chosen,much of the brilliance of this artist.A must for all Wainites!