Yusuf/Cat stevens’s Memoir Reveals a Life Still seeking, Now Through Philanthropy
London, UK – Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, chronicles a life transformed by faith, fame, and a continuing search for meaning in his new autobiography, Cat On The Road To Findout, published by Constable. The book, reviewed in The Guardian on Saturday, details his journey from teenage pop star to devoted Muslim and, most recently, to a philanthropist deeply engaged in charitable work.The review highlights a surprising element: a poem concluding the narrative that begins “when I was a little foetus,” a stylistic choice reminiscent of his earlier, lyrically driven work.
The memoir traces Islam’s evolution from a chart-topping singer-songwriter in the 1960s and 70s – achieving hits like “Wild World” and “Father and Son” – through his spiritual awakening and subsequent departure from music in 1977 after a near-drowning experience led him to embrace Islam.Cat On The Road To Findout doesn’t shy away from examining the complexities of his past, including his struggles with tuberculosis as a teenager and the challenges of navigating fame. Though, the book’s focus shifts to his post-music life, detailing his decades of dedication to education and humanitarian efforts, particularly through his Small Kindness charity.
The Guardian review notes the enduring qualities of Islam’s artistic voice, even within the autobiographical format. The book is available for purchase at guardianbookshop.com (£25, with potential delivery charges).
