Richard Surman

Stories of Cats with real character, living in some of the most interesting buildings and communities in the UK. A beautifully presented gift book and a great companion volume to Cathedral Cats. Cloister Cats explores a wide range of cats and their buildings that are now, or have historically, been home to ecclesiastical communities. From traditional monasteries in ancient settings to modern-day communities in suburban houses, and from followers of Celtic Christianity, via Anglican and Catholic monasticism, to Buddhists, the spread of geography, style and history here is wonderfully appealing. With the addition of a “quick guide” to each place featured, and using quirky descriptions of the cats’ lives in and around the grounds to get across key points of interest about the buildings and gardens, this is not just a lovely gift, but also a fascinating insight into monastic life historically and today.