GAK (1961–2019)

This anthology is part of a series that includes 4 chapbooks and 2 anthologies. It has to be the strangest series of books I have ever read, but I enjoyed them none-the-less. These are quite literally the adventures of a cat that returns from the Egyptian land of the dead. He's bored there and decides to return to the living - only he's still dead, and rotting a little, but he doesn't let it get him down.

Dead Cat first appeared in "Dead Cat Bounce," a short story/chapbook. Then Gak & Houarner had the brilliant idea to let other authors play with their new creation resulting in this anthology. Each author has a different take on a short adventure of Dead Cat. There are poems and stories, each varying according to the author's talents. So, Edward Lee's entry is a little more hard edged than Yvonne Navarro's tale. While most of the authors represented write horror, I wouldn't classify this as such. This is definitely dark comedy, but not for children. As other reviewers mentioned, the grammar is deliberately bad. Sentences are choppy to reflect how a dead cat, whose brain has decayed and never took an English class, might speak and think. I agree that this could get a bit tedious after awhile, but the sheer playfulness of the stories, albeit in a very dark humor, are worth the annoyance. Especially considering this is a very quick and fun read.

I have to add that Gak's artistic contribution really make this work top notch. Normally, I'm indifferent to artwork in a book. However, Gak breathes "life" into the character, and his artwork adds even more humor. My only criticism is that there were too few illustrations to complement the prose. This book was released as both a trade paperback and a hardcover, both signed limited editions. It can still be found on the second hand market. Since this was signed by all contributors on a bound-in limitation page it's worth the high price tag. Highly recommended!

Other titles:

Dead Cat Bounce
Dead Cats Bouncing
Dead Cat: Bigger Than Jesus
Dead Cats Lick
The Dead Cat Poets Cabal
Dead Cat Traveling Circus of Wonders and Miracle Medicine Show (Signed Edition)… (mais)