Zambucka gets
‘catty’ in latest bookThe author goes on a fun kick with 'Cat City'
From Hawaiian to Hollywood royalty, Kristin Zambucka's latest leap is the cat's meow.
Book signings
Tomorrow: 2 p.m. at Borders WardSunday: Noon at Borders Waikele
The author's new book, "Cat City," may come as a surprise to those who know her more serious biographies, such as "Kalakaua: Hawaii's Last King," "Princess Kaiulani: The Last Hope of Hawaii's Monarchy" and "The High Chiefess Ruth Keelikolani."
For that reason, she's adopted a playful new moniker, K.S. Zee, to tell her colorfully illustrated tale of Furrtown and its glittering, and sometimes seamy inhabitants, such as psychic Miss Fleo, Leo di Catrio and P.I. C.C. Clawson.
Central to the story is the glamour-cat Ginger Tibbs, who hooks up with the fat cat Mr. Big ... and Persian Club owner Lucky Catsoni before being admitted into St. Nutter's Hospital for the Unhinged.
Shades of "Chicago"! Let's just say the tale is gorgeously illustrated by Zambucka herself, but it's not kiddie fare, although children and adults both love it.
"I think people need a little laugh right now, escapism," Zambucka said. "I had done a number of books on the monarchy, and films on the monarchy, and those were so emotional and sad, and I needed to do something fun."
Like her kitty characters, Zambucka says, "I feel like I'm leading a double life. It's so exciting."
She doesn't know where the inspiration for "Cat City" came from. It's a pop-culture stew which seems to have been influenced by gangster films, celebrity obsession and '70s rock 'n' roll.
"I had these characters in my head, little cat characters," she said, while envisioning her story as a big-screen musical. She has a script ready to go and is optimistic.
"If they can dress a 3-inch mouse in 'Stuart Little,' they can dress a cat."
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