A review by sarahlw96
Cat Person: Storys by Kristen Roupenian

4.0

When I think about what to write for this review, I keep returning to one particular Maya Angelou quote, "I've learned people forget what you said, forget what you did, but will never forget the way you made them feel." A lot of people are commenting on the characters used in this story, perhaps that Margot is narcissistic or Robert illusive and unfulfilled as a character. But for me, this story is not one about character, but instead about the feelings it evokes.

This story is an unflinchingly realistic portrayal of a date gone wrong. Anyone dating right now will probably be able to relate on some level. While I can understand some frustrations of reviewers along the lines of, "but she wasn't forced into anything, so why would it be tied to #MeToo?" the genius of this is the exploration of delicacies of a relationship, what happens if you change your mind?

Neither character are the epitome perfect dating, but they're not supposed to be. For the first time in my life I have recently had to block a guy from messaging me, not a decision I took lightly and still sometimes think about. I read this story at an interesting time, it made me reflect on my own feelings and offered an absurd comfort... It's not just me.