Blue Cats and Chartreuse Kittens: How Synesthetes Color Their Worlds

By: Patricia Lynne Duffy

Narrated by: Appelusa McGlynn

Imagine a world in which words have colors and sounds have tastes. In this first audiobook by a synesthete about synesthesia, discover the neurological phenomenon, which helped inspire painter David Hockney's sets for the Metropolitan Opera and musician Pharrell Williams' musical compositions.

Physicist Richard Feynman experienced it while formulating the quantum theory that won him a Nobel Prize. Sometimes described as a blending of perceptions, synesthesia occurs when only one of the fives senses is aroused but two respond. Author Patricia Lynne Duffy, a synesthete herself, draws from her own struggles and breakthroughs to help us better understand the condition, while describing some of the major theories surrounding it. An illuminating examination of the world of synesthetes, Blue Cats and Chartreuse Kittens is a must-listen for science and health buffs, as well as for artists, writers, and creative thinkers - or anyone generally intrigued by the brain, the senses, and perception.

©2011 Patricia Lynne Duffy (P)2021 Patricia Duffy

A great book about synesethes

I enjoyed listening the audiobook by Patricia Duffy. The book described unique experiences of synesthetes and how the author discovered and researched synesthesia. It is a very interesting and informative book about synesthesia.

Fascinating account of seeing music, hearing color

I loved this book! I had no idea so many people in the world experience all these types of "mixed senses." I sometimes see color when I listen to music. I know the smells and tastes of different colors, and it seems so natural. I relate to Ms. Duffy's story of the surprise she felt when she found out not everyone experiences the world that way. Her story is so relatable, and it's wonderful to hear about all the different variations of synesthesia people have. I especially love the music by synesthete composers. What a brilliant way to use the audio book format!

What I loved about this book.

How it moves from her own synesthesia to the uniqueness of all our perceptions.

Great listening to this classic synesthesia story!

It is great to have this classic 'synesthesia story' told to us. Plus, the end of each chapter has music by some synesthete-composers: Portrait XO, Jenny Q., Tim Layden & Gaby Cardoso! Synesthesia in its many forms!

Great book, terrible reader…

This book is SPOT ON, informationally. Love it!
But as a synesthete, it was EXCRUCIATING hearing the reader mispronounce so many common and important words…INCLUDING “SYNESTHESIA”!
(“SIN-iss-TEE-zha). The “h” is there for a reason…
And hearing about “SIN-iss-TEETS” brings up a VERY VIVID IMAGE EVERY SINGLE TIME… please replace this audio.