We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Biographies

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Which Writer Had the Most Unusual Pets?

Updated: Mar 06, 2024
Views: 3,605
References
Share

Many famous writers have also been big-time pet lovers, from Ernest Hemingway and his six-toed cats to John Steinbeck and his standard poodle, Charley, who accompanied Steinbeck on the road trip depicted in Travels with Charley.

But American novelist and short story writer Patricia Highsmith took her pet passion to bizarre heights. Known for her tense thrillers such as The Talented Mr. Ripley, Highsmith didn't really care for people and wasn't shy about letting them know it.

Instead, Highsmith preferred the company of animals -- particularly, snails. Not only did she breed them in terrariums in her backyard, but Highsmith also carried them with her sometimes, even in her luggage. In one famous incident, Highsmith attended a cocktail party and brought hundreds of the little creatures along, kept on a head of lettuce in her purse. According to a 2009 biography, if Highsmith got bored at a dinner, she would place some snails on the table to crawl around. Such behavior probably helps to explain why Highsmith spent much of her life surrounded by cats and other creatures in an isolated farmhouse in Switzerland.

The highs and lows of Patricia Highsmith:

  • Highsmith's grandmother taught the future novelist how to read at the age of 2.

  • Highsmith disliked the notion of justice and didn't care about her characters being punished for evil deeds.

  • Bothered by noise, Highsmith preferred being alone and maintaining friendships through the mail.

Share
PublicPeople is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.publicpeople.org/which-writer-had-the-most-unusual-pets.htm
Copy this link
PublicPeople, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

PublicPeople, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.