The next book on every literary It girl's shelf? Kitten by Stacey Yu. The debut novel from the London-based Chinese-American author publishes August 4 and centers on a young woman named Katie's post-graduation unraveling. But it's not just unemployment malaise and mommy issues contributing to her downward spiral; it's a growing obsession with none other than her older, wealthier boyfriend's cat. Katie forms a peculiar connection with the feline, Silver, while visiting her beau's vacation home and can't help but feel envious of how easy her life seems.
As Katie grows increasingly disoriented, the beguiling, biting novel explores the political, economic, and social implications of who gets to be "helpless." In writing, Yu—who's cultivated a following on #BookTok as @literaryfling—spent a lot of time reflecting on many contemporary young women's embrace of identifying as "just a girl." To coincide with the highly anticipated book's release, the rising author shared an essay with Marie Claire to unpack thoughts on the rise of what she calls the "girlbaby," and how it might just be the nihilistic, equally flawed little sister of the "girlboss."
