📖 Overview
Burton Silver is a New Zealand author and humorist known for his satirical works and art-related publications. His most widely recognized book is "Why Cats Paint: A Theory of Feline Aesthetics" (1994), co-created with Heather Busch, which presents a tongue-in-cheek examination of cats engaging in artistic expression.
Silver's writing often combines deadpan humor with academic-style analysis, particularly in works that parody art criticism and scientific studies. His other notable publications include "Why Paint Cats: The Ethics of Feline Aesthetics" (2002) and "Dancing with Cats" (1999), which continue his exploration of feline-themed satire.
The author has also written extensively on golf, publishing several books including "What to Do When You Can't Get a Game of Golf" and "Golf: The Cure for a Grumpy Old Man." These works maintain his characteristic blend of humor and pseudo-serious instruction.
Silver's artistic collaborations and published works have been featured in galleries and museums internationally, demonstrating the reach of his particular brand of artistic and literary satire. His books have been translated into multiple languages and have sold hundreds of thousands of copies worldwide.
👀 Reviews
Reader reactions to Burton Silver's books diverge significantly between his art parody works and his cat titles.
His "Why Cats Paint" and "Why Paint Cats" receive high ratings on Amazon (4.5/5 from 180+ reviews), with readers appreciating the deadpan humor and commitment to the parody format. Multiple reviewers note the detailed research citations and scientific language that make the books' absurd premises more convincing.
His cat behavior books like "Dancing with Cats" draw more mixed responses (3.8/5 on Goodreads from 300+ reviews). Readers point out choppy writing and questioned whether the books were meant to be serious or satirical.
Common criticisms across titles:
- High prices for slim volumes
- Repetitive content between books
- Photos that look obviously staged
On arts and crafts forums, several readers express disappointment at purchasing his art instruction books before realizing they were satire, though many kept them for entertainment value.
Average ratings across platforms:
Amazon: 4.2/5
Goodreads: 3.9/5
📚 Books by Burton Silver
Why Cats Paint: A Theory of Feline Aesthetics (1994)
A satirical examination of cat artistic behavior presented in the style of serious art criticism, complete with photographs and academic analysis.
Why Paint Cats: The Ethics of Feline Aesthetics (2002) A continuation of the artistic exploration focusing on cats as living canvases, presented with mock scientific documentation and ethical discussions.
Dancing with Cats (1999) A deadpan photographic study of people performing interpretive dance with their feline companions, presented as a legitimate investigation of interspecies movement.
What to Do When You Can't Get a Game of Golf A humorous guide offering alternative activities for frustrated golfers, written in the style of a serious sporting manual.
Golf: The Cure for a Grumpy Old Man A satirical self-help book examining golf as therapy for aging men, presented with mock scientific evidence and case studies.
Why Paint Cats: The Ethics of Feline Aesthetics (2002) A continuation of the artistic exploration focusing on cats as living canvases, presented with mock scientific documentation and ethical discussions.
Dancing with Cats (1999) A deadpan photographic study of people performing interpretive dance with their feline companions, presented as a legitimate investigation of interspecies movement.
What to Do When You Can't Get a Game of Golf A humorous guide offering alternative activities for frustrated golfers, written in the style of a serious sporting manual.
Golf: The Cure for a Grumpy Old Man A satirical self-help book examining golf as therapy for aging men, presented with mock scientific evidence and case studies.
👥 Similar authors
Dave Barry
His newspaper columns and books employ the same style of deadpan humor mixed with absurd observations about everyday life. His work "Dave Barry's Complete Guide to Guys" demonstrates his ability to analyze mundane subjects with mock-academic authority.
Patrick F. McManus His outdoor humor writing combines elements of memoir with exaggerated storytelling techniques. His collections like "A Fine and Pleasant Misery" present outdoor activities through a similar lens of analytical satire.
David Sedaris His essays blend personal experiences with social commentary using dry humor and observational wit. His work "Me Talk Pretty One Day" showcases his ability to analyze cultural phenomena with a similar scholarly-yet-humorous approach.
James Herriot His veterinary stories mix professional expertise with gentle humor about animals and their owners. His books like "All Creatures Great and Small" demonstrate the same careful balance between factual content and entertainment that Silver achieves.
Douglas Adams His science fiction works apply pseudo-scientific analysis to absurd scenarios. The "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" series uses the same type of mock-scholarly tone to examine ridiculous situations.
Patrick F. McManus His outdoor humor writing combines elements of memoir with exaggerated storytelling techniques. His collections like "A Fine and Pleasant Misery" present outdoor activities through a similar lens of analytical satire.
David Sedaris His essays blend personal experiences with social commentary using dry humor and observational wit. His work "Me Talk Pretty One Day" showcases his ability to analyze cultural phenomena with a similar scholarly-yet-humorous approach.
James Herriot His veterinary stories mix professional expertise with gentle humor about animals and their owners. His books like "All Creatures Great and Small" demonstrate the same careful balance between factual content and entertainment that Silver achieves.
Douglas Adams His science fiction works apply pseudo-scientific analysis to absurd scenarios. The "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" series uses the same type of mock-scholarly tone to examine ridiculous situations.