101 Uses for a Dead Cat

Release and sequels

First published in the UK in 1981 as A Hundred and One Uses for a Dead Cat, the collection was eventually republished in 20 countries and sold over 2 million copies. It spawned two sequels, 101 More Uses for a Dead Cat and Uses of a Dead Cat in History, as well as calendars featuring the cartoons and even a book in response called The Cat's Revenge - More Than 101 Uses for Dead People. In 2006, a 25th anniversary edition of A Hundred and One Uses of a Dead Cat was published with a new foreword.

Reception

By December 7, 1981, it had spent 27 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list. Its success was considered part of a larger "cat craze" in popular culture, which included the Jim Davis comic strip Garfield, and the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Cats.

Time called the author and illustrator, Simon Bond, "the Charles Addams of ailurophobia." He received hate mail accusing him of obscenity and sadism.

American Opinion stated that those who read the book should be "prepared to be disgusted or appalled from time to time".

The book was parodied by British cartoonist Patrick Wright with his book 101 Uses for a John Major, in which the former British Prime Minister was illustrated serving a number of bizarre purposes, such as a train-spotter's anorak or as a flag-pole.

References

References

1. [http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/resources/longbox/35722/ The Comics Reporter]
2. Bryant, Mark. (July 26, 2011). "Simon Bond: Cartoonist and illustrator best known for his book 101 Uses for a Dead Cat". The Independent.
3. 101 Uses for a Dead Cat. In ''Cartoonstock.''. Retrieved 14 September 2010 from http://www.cartoonstock.com/101_dead_cats/index.htm {{Webarchive. link. (2010-11-08)
4. (21 September 1981). "A Comeuppance for Cats".
5. Hinckley, David. (2 August 1981). "Light Feet: The Surge of Cat Books Is What the Veterinarian Ordered For America". St. Petersburg Independent.
6. (1982). "American opinion, Vol. 25". Robert Welch, Inc..
7. "101 Uses for a John Major". Open Library.
8. "Patrick Wright". Lambiek Comiclopedia.
9. "Earl the Dead Cat".