CZM Book Club: All Cats Are Grey, by Andre Alice Norton
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In this episode of Cool Zone Media Book Club, host Margaret Killjoy dives into 'All Cats Are Gray' by Andre Alice Norton, a 1953 pulp science fiction short story that exemplifies the golden age of sci-fi. The episode begins with a deep dive into Norton’s legacy—her pioneering role as a woman in science fiction, her work as a librarian, her influence on tabletop RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons, and her posthumous recognition through the Andre Norton Award. The story itself follows Steena, a colorblind, unassuming woman with a photographic memory who travels the stars with her cat Bat. When a mysterious, invisible entity aboard the derelict Empress of Mars threatens the crew, Steena’s unique perception—seeing only in shades of gray—becomes her greatest advantage. Her insight, combined with Bat’s feline intuition, allows her to outwit the creature, revealing a powerful narrative of disability as strength and quiet competence. The hosts, Margaret and Hazel, reflect on the story’s dated tropes, its lack of modern foreshadowing, and its subversive celebration of overlooked women. They defend pulp fiction not as 'slop' but as vital, accessible, and inspiring literature that fuels creativity and invites readers to write their own stories.
Disability can be a superpower when reframed as a unique form of perception and problem-solving.
Pulp fiction, while stylistically dated, remains a vital and inspiring genre that lowers barriers to creative participation.
The story celebrates quiet, overlooked women who use their intelligence and resilience to save the day.
Editorial gatekeeping still plays a valuable role in curating entertaining, well-crafted stories from the slush pile.
Stories like 'All Cats Are Gray' are not just entertainment—they’re cultural artifacts that reflect the values and imagination of their time.
Introduction to the Book Club and Andre Alice Norton
The episode opens with a series of iHeartMedia ads before transitioning into the Cool Zone Media Book Club. Host Margaret Killjoy introduces the podcast's mission: to read and analyze classic sci-fi without requiring listeners to do the reading. She begins by spotlighting Andre Alice Norton, a trailblazing female author in science fiction who published under multiple names and earned numerous accolades, including being the first woman inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame.
The Story of 'All Cats Are Gray' and Steena's Unseen Power
“Gray, she said dazedly. It must have been gray or I couldn't have seen it like that. I'm colorblind, you see. I can see only shades of gray. My whole world is gray, like bats.”
Disability, Perception, and the Power of the 'Unseen' Woman
“It's cool to see that represented in early pulp too. That's pretty nifty to me as a chronically ill person who needs to get crafty to work around a lot of my own debilitating symptoms.”
Pulp Fiction as 'Human Slop' and the Value of Imperfect Stories
“Here's to human slop because it's not human slop. It's pulp, and I love it.”
Final Reflections and the Legacy of Storytelling
The episode closes with a meditation on the role of editors and gatekeepers in filtering creative work. Margaret argues that while modern standards have evolved, the value of pulp lies in its ability to inspire, entertain, and invite participation. She ends with a call to action: write your own story, no matter how imperfect it may seem.
“Here's to human slop because it's not human slop. It's pulp, and I love it.”
“Gray, she said dazedly. It must have been gray or I couldn't have seen it like that. I'm colorblind, you see. I can see only shades of gray. My whole world is gray, like bats.”
“You should go write pulp. There's no barrier. You don't need to hold yourself up to some elaborately high standard.”
Hosts
Andre Alice Norton
person
Steena
other
Margaret Killjoy
person
Bat
other
Empress of Mars
other
Hazel
person
Bob Pittman
person
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
organization
Dungeons & Dragons
media
Andre Norton Award
other
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