Fierce Attachments

With charming black-and-white illustrations and personal anecdotes, award-winning author Rosemary Sullivan shares a heartwarming meditation on the human-feline relationship and the author’s bond with a pair of cats she and her husband Juan feel fortunate to have shared a life with.

In this warm, insightful exploration of the human–feline bond, acclaimed writer Rosemary Sullivan teams up with sister and artist Colleen Sullivan, inviting readers into the lives of two unforgettable cats: Negrito, an intrepid neighbourhood explorer, and Ensueño, a charming trickster with a talent for theft. Rescued as kittens by their heroic mother—who braved a burning house six times to save her litter—these cats grow into unique personalities who shape the daily rhythms of Sullivan’s life. Blending personal anecdotes, natural history and thoughtful reflections, Fierce Attachments captures the mystery of how cats perceive the world: seeing ultraviolet hues, navigating by scent, remembering with uncanny clarity and demonstrating powerful homing instincts.

At once enchanting and contemplative, Fierce Attachments suggests that cats may be more than companions—they may be intermediaries, reconnecting us to the natural world and reminding us of our place in a larger cosmic story. This is a delightful, companionable book for cat lovers, nature readers and anyone intrigued by the quiet intelligence of the animals who share our lives.