Last updated: February 24, 2026
Stewart Reynolds, known online as Brittlestar, wrote a 64-page book that uses cat behavior as a framework for resisting authoritarianism. Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism landed on both the USA Today and Globe and Mail bestseller lists within weeks of its June 2025 release [7]. This Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism by Stewart Brittlestar: Humorous Nonfiction Satire Spotlight breaks down what makes the book work, who it’s for, and whether it belongs on your shelf.
The book contains eleven short essays, each built around a specific feline trait — independence, boundary-setting, strategic unpredictability — and maps it onto real strategies for pushing back against oppressive systems [1][3]. Publisher’s Weekly called it “an imaginative appeal to be, as cats are, ungovernable” [7]. It’s funny, it’s fast, and it has more substance than its page count suggests.
Key Takeaways
- Published June 24, 2025 by Grand Central Publishing (Hachette) in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook formats [2][7]
- 64 pages containing eleven cat-inspired essays on resisting authoritarian control [1][2]
- Hit the USA Today and Globe and Mail bestseller lists [7]
- Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads based on reader reviews [7]
- Blends dry humor with genuine political commentary, drawing comparisons to Timothy Snyder’s On Tyranny [3]
- Written by Stewart Reynolds (Brittlestar), a Canadian social media personality and comedian [4]
- Priced at $13.00 for the hardcover [1]
- Available through major retailers including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indigo, and independent bookstores [7]
- Audiobook narrated by the author, available on Libro.FM and other platforms [1]
- Described by the author as “a silly book for smart people and a smart book for silly people” writersdigest.com
Quick Answer
Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism is a short, satirical nonfiction book that uses eleven cat behaviors as metaphors for resisting authoritarianism. It’s written by Canadian comedian Stewart “Brittlestar” Reynolds, published by Grand Central Publishing, and costs $13.00 in hardcover [1][2]. The book works best for readers who want sharp political commentary delivered through humor rather than academic analysis, and it reads in under an hour.
What Is Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism About?
The book presents eleven essays, each centered on a specific cat behavior that doubles as a resistance strategy against authoritarian systems [1][3]. Cats don’t ask permission. They set boundaries without apology. They remain unpredictable. Reynolds takes these traits and reframes them as practical advice for people living under — or watching the rise of — oppressive political structures.
The core argument: cats have been practicing passive resistance, boundary enforcement, and strategic defiance for thousands of years. Humans can learn from that.
The eleven strategies cover themes including:
- Staying nimble and unpredictable in the face of control
- Demanding what you need with confidence (like a hungry tabby at 5 a.m.)
- Ignoring absurdity when engaging with it only gives it power
- Reclaiming small joys as an act of defiance
- Taking care of each other as “the ultimate power move” goodreads.com
Reynolds has described the book’s origin as a writing exercise. He started thinking about how cats are, frankly, selfish — and how certain aspects of that selfishness are exactly what people need when facing creeping authoritarianism writersdigest.com. The entire process from idea to publication took only weeks, which matches the book’s urgent, punchy tone.
“Cats don’t ask for permission, and neither should you.” — Book description [3]
For readers interested in how political commentary intersects with broader cultural conversations, this book offers a lighter but still pointed entry point.
Who Should Read This Book (and Who Shouldn’t)?
This book is for people who want political commentary without the weight of a 300-page policy analysis. It reads in about 30 to 45 minutes. Choose this book if you fall into any of these categories:
Ideal readers:
- Cat lovers who also care about politics (a larger Venn diagram overlap than you’d expect)
- People experiencing “doomscroll fatigue” who need humor as a coping mechanism
- Readers who enjoyed Timothy Snyder’s On Tyranny but wanted something less academic
- Gift-givers looking for a conversation-starting, affordable ($13) present
- Fans of Brittlestar’s social media content who want a longer-form version of his commentary
This book may not be for you if:
- You want deep, sourced political analysis with footnotes and data
- You’re looking for a comprehensive guide to political organizing or activism
- You prefer longer reads — at 64 pages, some readers on Goodreads noted it can feel “repetitive” in spots goodreads.com
- You don’t enjoy humor mixed with serious topics
One Goodreads reviewer captured the book’s dual nature well: it’s “short but sweet (and funny!) nonfiction about dealing with oppressive regimes” goodreads.com. Another noted the beautiful line art illustrations throughout, which add visual charm to what could otherwise be a text-heavy pamphlet.
How Does This Humorous Nonfiction Satire Spotlight Compare to Similar Books?
Reynolds himself has positioned the book as “On Tyranny, but with cats” [3]. That comparison is useful because it sets expectations correctly: this is political resistance advice, but delivered through a comedic lens rather than an academic one.
| Feature | Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism | On Tyranny (Timothy Snyder) | How to Be Good (Nick Hornby) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 64 pages | 128 pages | 305 pages |
| Tone | Satirical, dry humor | Serious, urgent | Literary fiction |
| Structure | 11 cat-themed essays | 20 lessons from history | Novel format |
| Price (hardcover) | $13.00 | ~$9.00 | ~$16.00 |
| Audience | General readers, humor fans | Politically engaged readers | Fiction readers |
| Illustrations | Yes, line art throughout | No | No |
| Audiobook | Yes, read by author | Yes | Yes |
The key differentiator is accessibility. Reynolds’ book doesn’t require any background knowledge of political theory. It meets readers where they are — often exhausted, often overwhelmed — and offers permission to laugh while still caring.
For those following how truth-telling intersects with public discourse, the book’s approach to calling out absurdity through humor rather than confrontation is worth studying.
What Makes the Writing Style Effective in This Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism by Stewart Brittlestar: Humorous Nonfiction Satire Spotlight?
Reynolds writes with the rhythm of someone who’s spent years crafting social media content — short sentences, sharp punchlines, and an instinct for when to pivot from funny to serious. The book blends “dry humour, sharp observation, and just enough seriousness to remind you why hope matters” [7].
Three elements that make the writing work:
Brevity as a feature, not a bug. Each of the eleven essays is only a few pages long. This forces Reynolds to make every sentence count. There’s no padding.
The cat metaphor stays consistent without becoming stale. Each chapter picks a different feline behavior — napping, hissing, staring down threats, demanding food — and maps it onto a specific resistance strategy. The metaphor carries real weight because cat behavior is genuinely antisocial in ways that parallel effective resistance tactics [6].
The humor serves the argument. This isn’t a joke book with political window dressing. The comedy is the delivery mechanism for ideas about independence, community care, and refusing to normalize authoritarian behavior.
Reynolds told Writer’s Digest that the book “started as a silly joke but then evolved into a more serious discussion on what is happening globally” writersdigest.com. That evolution shows in the final product. The early chapters lean more comedic, while later essays carry more emotional weight.
One reviewer on Goodreads noted: “I lost count how many times I laughed out loud or made other audible noises of enjoyment or shook my head in agreement” goodreads.com. That combination — laughter plus agreement — is the book’s sweet spot.
The line art illustrations scattered throughout also deserve mention. Multiple reviewers singled them out as a highlight, with one saying they wanted to buy prints to hang on their wall goodreads.com. For a 64-page book, visual elements like these add significant value and break up the text in a way that reinforces the playful tone.
Readers who appreciate how community events and cultural commentary shape public conversation will find Reynolds’ approach refreshing — he treats political engagement as something that should include joy, not just outrage.
Where to Buy and Which Format to Choose
The book is available in three formats: hardcover, eBook, and audiobook [7]. Here’s a quick decision guide:
Choose the hardcover ($13.00) if:
- You want a physical object to display, lend, or gift
- You want to see the line art illustrations at their best
- You’re buying it as a conversation piece for a coffee table or bookshelf
Choose the eBook if:
- You want to read it immediately
- You prefer reading on a Kindle, Kobo, or tablet
- Available through Kindle Unlimited for subscribers at no additional cost goodreads.com
Choose the audiobook if:
- You want to hear Reynolds deliver his own material (recommended — his comedic timing translates well to audio)
- You prefer listening during commutes or while doing other tasks
- Available through Libro.FM and other audiobook platforms [1]
Where to buy:
- Amazon — All three formats available [3]
- Barnes & Noble — Hardcover and digital [3]
- Indigo (Canada) — Hardcover [7]
- Independent bookstores — Many carry it; check availability through IndieBound or your local shop [1]
- Libro.FM — Audiobook format, supports independent bookstores [1]
The ISBN for the hardcover is 9781538778005, the eBook is 9781538778012, and the audiobook is 9781668653081 [7]. Having these numbers makes it easy to request the book at any bookstore or library.
For readers who enjoy supporting local businesses and community events, buying from an independent bookstore is a natural fit for a book about resistance and community care.
Critical Reception and Bestseller Performance
The book has performed well both commercially and critically since its June 2025 release.
Bestseller lists:
- USA Today Bestsellers List [7]
- Globe and Mail Bestsellers List [7]
- LA Times Bestsellers List [7]
Review scores:
- Goodreads: 4.32 out of 5 stars (based on 44 ratings as of early 2026) goodreads.com
- Brittlestar’s own site reports a 4.5/5 Goodreads rating [7]
Notable praise:
- Publisher’s Weekly: “An imaginative appeal to be, as cats are, ungovernable” [1][7]
- Featured by Books Are Magic (Brooklyn) among their top picks in personal growth and happiness [7]
- Amazon reviewers called it “a terrific primer on how to survive/fight fascism whether you are a cat or a human” [7]
Common criticisms:
- At 64 pages, some readers feel it’s too short for the $13 price point
- A few Goodreads reviewers noted occasional repetitiveness goodreads.com
- Readers looking for deep political analysis may find it surface-level
The commercial success is notable for a book this short. Hitting multiple bestseller lists with a 64-page humor book suggests Reynolds tapped into a real market need: people wanted to laugh about politics without feeling like they were ignoring the stakes.
Those interested in how cultural conversations around energy and politics shape public opinion may find the book’s approach to political engagement through humor a useful counterpoint to more confrontational styles.
About Stewart “Brittlestar” Reynolds
Stewart Reynolds is a Canadian social media personality, comedian, and writer who built his following by pointing out absurdities in modern life [4][7]. He’s known online as Brittlestar, and his content typically blends humor with political and social commentary.
Key facts about the author:
- Based in Canada
- Previous book: Welcome to the Stupidocalypse: Survival Tips for the Dumbmageddon
- Active on X (Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky writersdigest.com
- Self-describes as “categorically opposed to fascism (a bold stance, he knows)” [4]
- Claims to have seen Raiders of the Lost Ark “all the way to the end more times than is socially acceptable to mention” [4]
- Believes “resistance looks a lot like kindness” [7]
Reynolds’ author bio is itself a piece of comedy writing, which gives potential readers a good preview of the book’s tone. His social media presence serves as both a marketing channel and a proving ground for the kind of humor that fills the book.
For readers who enjoy community-focused storytelling and local personalities, Reynolds represents a type of creator who uses digital platforms to build genuine connection through humor.
Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism by Stewart Brittlestar: Humorous Nonfiction Satire Spotlight — Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fast, engaging read (under an hour) | Too short for some readers at $13 |
| Genuinely funny with real political substance | Occasionally repetitive |
| Beautiful line art illustrations | Not a deep political analysis |
| Available in all major formats | Cat metaphor may not land for everyone |
| Bestseller status validates broad appeal | Limited to eleven strategies |
| Audiobook narrated by the author | No index or bibliography |
| Affordable price point | Some may find the tone too light for the subject |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to read Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism?
Most readers finish it in 30 to 45 minutes. The book is 64 pages with illustrations, and the essays are short and fast-paced [2].
Is this book actually about politics or just about cats?
Both. Each of the eleven chapters uses a specific cat behavior as a metaphor for a resistance strategy against authoritarianism. The politics are real; the cats are the delivery mechanism [1][3].
Who published the book?
Grand Central Publishing, an imprint of Hachette Book Group [2][4].
Is the audiobook worth it?
Yes, especially if you enjoy Reynolds’ comedic delivery. He narrates it himself, and his timing adds a layer that the text alone doesn’t fully capture. The audiobook ISBN is 9781668653081 [7].
Can I get this book at my local library?
Many public libraries have added it to their collections. Use the hardcover ISBN (9781538778005) to request it through your library’s catalog [2].
Is this book appropriate for teenagers?
Yes. The language is accessible, the humor is clean, and the political concepts are explained simply. It could work well for readers aged 14 and up.
How does it compare to On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder?
Reynolds himself describes it as “On Tyranny, but with cats” [3]. Snyder’s book is more academic and historically grounded. Reynolds’ book is shorter, funnier, and more accessible, but covers similar thematic territory through satire.
Did the book hit any bestseller lists?
Yes. It appeared on the USA Today, Globe and Mail, and LA Times bestseller lists [7].
What’s the Goodreads rating?
4.32 out of 5 stars based on 44 ratings, with 50% of reviewers giving it 5 stars goodreads.com.
Does Stewart Reynolds have other books?
Yes. His previous book is Welcome to the Stupidocalypse: Survival Tips for the Dumbmageddon writersdigest.com.
Is this book only relevant to American politics?
No. While Reynolds acknowledges the book evolved into a discussion about “what is happening globally (read: mainly the U.S.),” the strategies apply to authoritarian tendencies anywhere writersdigest.com.
Where can I follow Brittlestar online?
He’s active on X (Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky. His Substack newsletter is at brittlestar.com [7].
Conclusion
Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism fills a specific niche: it’s political commentary for people who are tired of being angry but aren’t ready to stop caring. At 64 pages and $13, it’s a low-commitment read with a surprisingly high return in both laughs and genuine insight.
Actionable next steps:
- Decide your format. If you want the illustrations, go hardcover. If you want Reynolds’ delivery, go audiobook. If you want it now, go eBook (free on Kindle Unlimited).
- Buy from an independent bookstore if the book’s message about community and resistance resonates with you. Use the ISBN 9781538778005 to order.
- Read it in one sitting. The book is designed to be consumed quickly, and the cumulative effect of all eleven essays landing in sequence is stronger than reading them piecemeal.
- Gift it. At $13, it’s an affordable, conversation-starting gift for cat lovers, politically engaged friends, or anyone who could use a laugh during difficult times.
- Follow up with Reynolds’ first book, Welcome to the Stupidocalypse, if you want more of his voice in a longer format.
Whether you’re a cat person, a politics person, or just someone who needs to find a moment of calm in a chaotic world, this book offers something genuinely useful: proof that humor and hope can coexist with resistance.
References
[1] Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism | Annie Bloom’s Books – https://annieblooms.com/book/9781538778005
[2] Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism | Oblong Books – https://oblongbooks.com/book/9781538778005
[3] Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism | Barnes & Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lessons-from-cats-for-surviving-fascism-stewart-reynolds/1147047648
[4] Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism | Hachette Book Group – https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/stewart-reynolds/lessons-from-cats-for-surviving-fascism/9781538778005/
[6] Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism | Chicago Public Library – https://chipublib.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S126C2650357
[7] Lessons From Cats For Surviving Fascism | Brittlestar – https://www.brittlestar.com/p/lessons-from-cats-for-surviving-fascism
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