Songs in the Year of the Cat by H. Leighton Dickson

I used to pencil for DC Comics (the company that puts out Superman, Batman, etc) so back in ‘the day’, I had this idea for a graphic novel, which is like an extended comic book. When you began writing the first book, did you have the entire series plotted out? Yes, it’s difficult to keep on our true path when we’re bombarded with negative messages. At least, that’s what I aim for, and I take it out on Kirin! I’ve had to find my own ‘zen’ core, my own Bushido – one that’s kind, compassionate, strong and fair. And it’s a personal thing for me as well – keeping integrity in a fickle, self-absorbed and sometimes scary culture. He navigates some tough roads and we see his rationale change and evolve while his core beliefs really never sway. I really feel the lack of honour in our modern society and I think Kirin’s journey – one of living a life of honour and duty but trying to blend freedom and relationships – is perhaps the heart of the stories. Do you feel these themes are still relevant today?

A predominant theme in your books is honor and duty versus love, friendship and family. This aspect definitely has its roots in the modern political arena. Also, the sci/fi angle really makes sense once you get to the end of Book 2 and you find out WHY the cats are the way they are (ie from Asia). Most fantasy series are European-based, (best example being Tolkein’s Middle Earth) so with this series, I really wanted a different feel, a different approach. I have zero experience with these cultures, except for an appreciation of their history, their complexity and their beauty. LOL! Why did you choose Dynastic China, Ancient India and Feudal Japan as the inspiration/base for your feline culture? What is your experience with these cultures? I do! I have three – an orange tabby male, a brown tabby whom we took in as a stray and a little grey fluffy thing that thinks she’s a dragon. At least, in their not-so-humble opinion.Īnd probably, because if I was an animal, I’d be a cat.

There are other anthropomorphic cultures in the series, and you find out more about them as the stories progress, but definitely, the cats are in a class by themselves. I’m a zoologist and have worked with predators back in my Edinburgh Zoo days, so when I began roughing out the idea for this book, I knew it had to be from the point of view of the cats. I’ve always had an affinity for the big cats. Why did you choose felines as the dominant species in your novels?

Sure! The ‘Elevator Pitch’ would be “Game of Thrones meets Planet of the Apes, dressed up as a Japanese Anime!” It’s a post-apocalyptic saga that reads like high fantasy, with the rise of genetically-altered civilizations that blend elements of Ancient India, Dynastic China and Feudal Japan.Ĭool. Could you give us an overview of your Tales of the Upper Kingdom series?

Songs in the Year of the Cat by H. Leighton Dickson