The Mediterranean Cat [Paperback]

Hans Silvester (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1998

Now in a deluxe paperback edition, The Mediterranean Cat captures an endearing array of playful felines surrounded by the sun-dappled streets and buildings of the Greek Islands—one of the world's most beautiful and romantic destinations. Silvester's photographs reveal cats in all their adorable glory as they prowl sunny streets, nuzzle their kittens, leap from white-washed balconies, and doze beneath the beautiful Aegean sky. No cat lover, photography buff, or armchair traveler will be able to resist this magnificent tribute to a magical place and the cats that call it home.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Hans Silvester's cats have clawed themselves an assured niche in the cute-cat book world. The reissue of The Mediterranean Cat, as well as Cats in the Sun and Asleep in the Sun, makes for three beautiful photography books, exquisitely portraying the cats of the Greek Islands as they patrol this sun-drenched landscape. The felines of The Mediterranean Cat are an eclectic bunch. Some are a little rough and tumble, the end result of a territorial battle over the best spot in the sun. Others are regal, as they sit nose in air on an honored whitewashed doorstep, or slink up a step with a prized (and no doubt stolen) fish in tow. Here are tabbies and Russian blues, cats with pristine white fur, others with matted orange. Some are wild and feisty, others are well fed and tended to by a caring Greek household. Yet all retain their independence and self-assured aloofness. The Greek fishing boats and sunny promenades, the cobblestone streets and high rooftops all belong to the cats. --Naomi Gesinger

From Booklist

Silvester's striking album lives up to the lush, sensitive standards set by its widely applauded predecessor, Cats in the Sun (1994), the author's first book of photographs of the undomesticated cats of the Greek islands. Venue and subject matter continue in this sequel, and the photographer's talent in capturing traditional feline habits in a distinctively beautiful locale remains undiminished. As in the previous book, a truth is told in these photographs: Whether securing a meal or a tryst with a willing partner, whether busy at play or simply in regal repose, cats are at their best in the sun! An appealing book for travelers as well as cat and photography aficionados. Brad Hooper --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (March 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811820963
• ISBN-13: 978-0811820967
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,233,699 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Finally: Cats that aren't just CUTE!, February 24, 2000

By 

I. Peters (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Mediterranean Cat (Paperback)

I love the Mediterranean Cat. It continues this photographer's outstanding work already known from "Cats in the Sun". I have traveled to Greece many times and Silvester manages to show this country's eternal connection between the cats, the light, and the colors that I, too, have found so irresistable. Another reason I love Silvester's books is how he is able to avoid stereotype cat pictures. I love cats, but I hate how photographs usually show cats in "cute" situations. Silvester's cats are grown-up, independent, strong. Not much "cute" here, but a lot of respect, admiration and understanding for these beautiful animals. A tip: Also try "Cats in the Sun" - I find it even better than the Mediterranean Cat...

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Animal lovers should be aware of the plight of these animals, June 20, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Mediterranean Cat (Paperback)

All of Hans Silvester's photography books of cats, dogs & kittens in the Greek Cyclades Islands are lovely examples of fine photography. As a fine art photographer myself, I respect Mr. Silvester's level of skill and artistry, and I find his other books very beautiful.

However, when I first became aware of his books about cats and dogs, I was thoroughly dismayed by his choice of subject matter and the way he has chosen to portray the lives of these creatures as idyllic and carefree.

Having been to these Greek islands, I have learned firsthand that the large majority of these poor animals are ignored, injured, or mistreated by people there-anything but "respected." The photographer has omitted portraits of the true conditions for most of the stray dogs and cats in Greece-crippled, starving, dying of thirst, hurt or maimed, with the humans around them barely taking notice.

The full horror of the story was later revealed to me by locals on the islands. Each year, the cats & dogs are allowed to breed uncontrolled, because tourists are fond of seeing the cute animals around town and on the beaches. At the end of each tourist season, as many of them as possible are rounded up and killed (I couldn't bear to learn exactly how), until the following year when the ones that survived begin the cycle all over again. I found this same story on all the islands I visited, including Mykonos, and I was so appalled that I shortened by stay and left Greece altogether.

The situation is a tragedy, and my feeling as a photographer and animal lover, is that Mr. Silvester should not be misrepresenting the condition of the cats and dogs on these Greek islands, especially when it is for monetary gain. I hope animal lovers around the world will agree, and send a message to anyone who profits in any way from the suffering of these dogs and cats in the sun.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning Composition and Subject!, May 24, 2000

By 

Leslie Curtis (Mesa, Arizona United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Mediterranean Cat (Paperback)

You don't have to like cats to adore these creatures, although if you do, you will fall immediately in love. Hans Silvester is a master at his craft and this book showcases his artistry to the nth degree. The contrast of the neutral colored fur of the felines and the pastel washes of the building backdrops, tie together in a flash of eyecolor that makes for breathtaking images.

Silvester's use of lighting, color, camera angles - and obvious patience - illuminates the personalities of this secret society. The photographs make one feel like an anthropologist eavesdropping unseen on their world.

This volume will satisfy those who admire cats, art, photography, the Mediterranean, architecture; or those who simply like to escape to a new world for a time.