My Father, the Cat: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
My Father, the Cat: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

My Father, the Cat is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Slesar, Henry (1927–2002).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"My Father, the Cat" by Henry Slesar is a whimsical short story that was likely written in the mid-20th century. The narrative blends elements of fantasy and humor, centering around the peculiar relationship between a human son, Étienne, and his father, an extraordinary talking cat named Dauphin. The storyline explores themes of identity, societal norms, and the complexities of love, particularly in how Étienne navigates his relationship with his fiancée, Joanna, while keeping the true nature of his father a secret. The story unfolds as Étienne, raised by his cultured cat father after the death of his delicate mother, prepares to introduce Joanna to his family's estate in Brittany. As the couple arrives, Étienne grapples with revealing the truth about his paternity, fearing that Joanna, a lively woman from the American Southwest, may react poorly to the revelation of having a cat as a father. The narrative builds tension as the dinner unfolds, culminating in a humorous yet poignant moment when Joanna unknowingly treats Dauphin as a regular pet. Ultimately, the tale explores the weight of secrets and the unexpected, juxtaposing the ordinary with the fantastical in Étienne’s life, and challenges readers to consider the nature of love and acceptance.
Book and edition facts
- Title: My Father, the Cat
- Author credits: Slesar, Henry (1927–2002)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Fantasy fiction
- Short stories
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Humour
- Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
- Category: Short Stories
- Science Fiction
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.


