The Cats of Copenhagen

The Cats of Copenhagen is a short story written by James Joyce in 1936 as a letter to his grandson Stephen James Joyce. The story remained unpublished until 2012 when it was released by Ithys Press in a fine arts edition featuring illustrations by Casey Sorrow. Set in Copenhagen, Denmark, this children's tale takes a playful look at authority figures and presents a world where appearances can be deceiving. The narrative introduces readers to the Danish capital through Joyce's distinctive storytelling style. The 2012 publication represents a collaboration of artists, featuring pen and ink illustrations, letterpress typesetting, and handmade paper marbling and binding. The release sparked discussion in literary circles due to questions about the manuscript's use. The story continues Joyce's tradition of writing for young readers while incorporating subtle social commentary about power structures and conventional wisdom.

Readers describe this as a whimsical letter-turned-children's book that shows Joyce's playful side. Parents and children appreciate the simple, nonsensical story about cats and authority figures in Copenhagen. Likes: - Short length makes it accessible for young readers - Quirky illustrations complement the text - Shows Joyce writing for his grandson - Works as both children's story and literary curiosity Dislikes: - Price point high for length (multiple reviews) - Text feels unfinished/fragmentary - "More for Joyce collectors than children" - Amazon reviewer - Some find it too slight to stand alone as a book Ratings: Goodreads: 3.4/5 (109 ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (11 reviews) LibraryThing: 3.3/5 (8 ratings) Several reviewers note this works better as a historical artifact showcasing Joyce's personal correspondence than as a traditional children's book. Multiple comments suggest borrowing from library rather than purchasing.

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🔹 The book was discovered among the papers of Joyce's grandson, Stephen James Joyce, decades after it was written as a personal letter in 1936. 🔹 Like his famous children's story "The Cat and the Devil," this book reveals Joyce's lesser-known talent for writing whimsical tales for young readers, despite being primarily known for complex modernist works. 🔹 Copenhagen held special significance for Joyce as his close friend and fellow writer Frank Budgen lived there, though Joyce himself never visited the city. 🔹 The story's publication in 2012 sparked a legal controversy over copyright claims, as Joyce's works were entering public domain that same year. 🔹 The original letter was written while Joyce was in Copenhagen and includes references to the city's strict regulations at the time, including rules about cats having to wear bells around their necks.