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sweetsxrrxw's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
sinceramente, decidí leer este libro porque vi que era cortito y estaba en un bloqueo lector y, bueno, ¿a quién no le gustan los gatitos?
me parece genial que el autor haya querido tocar temas profundos e importantes como el duelo, la dificultad de expresar sentimientos, el deseo de vivir de tu arte, entre otros. también fue interesante poder ver tanto el punto de vista de las chicas, pasando y viviendo esas emociones, como de los gatos que lo describían de una manera más objetiva (aunque algo limitada, debido a su naturaleza animal). creo que el concepto del libro podría haber sido increíble e incluso desarrollarse más, hasta llegar a ser una buena novela.
sin embargo, todo hubiese sido mucho mejor si la historia no hubiese estado escrita por un hombre. es una pena porque podría haber sido una historia muy bonita, en la que partimos de un par de personajes y luego nos centramos en otros interrelacionados con ellos. pero, no sé, hubieron muchas cosas que me chirríaron... chobi refiriéndose a miyu como su novia, la relación de chobi y mimi y, en general, la representación femenina. se notaba bastante que los personajes femeninos están escritos por un hombre, que definitivamente debió haberse puesto en contacto con mujeres para que le revisaran ciertos aspectos de la historia.
me parece genial que el autor haya querido tocar temas profundos e importantes como el duelo, la dificultad de expresar sentimientos, el deseo de vivir de tu arte, entre otros. también fue interesante poder ver tanto el punto de vista de las chicas, pasando y viviendo esas emociones, como de los gatos que lo describían de una manera más objetiva (aunque algo limitada, debido a su naturaleza animal). creo que el concepto del libro podría haber sido increíble e incluso desarrollarse más, hasta llegar a ser una buena novela.
sin embargo, todo hubiese sido mucho mejor si la historia no hubiese estado escrita por un hombre. es una pena porque podría haber sido una historia muy bonita, en la que partimos de un par de personajes y luego nos centramos en otros interrelacionados con ellos. pero, no sé, hubieron muchas cosas que me chirríaron... chobi refiriéndose a miyu como su novia, la relación de chobi y mimi y, en general, la representación femenina. se notaba bastante que los personajes femeninos están escritos por un hombre, que definitivamente debió haberse puesto en contacto con mujeres para que le revisaran ciertos aspectos de la historia.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Animal death, Grief, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Death and Sexual assault
agirlnamedellie's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Such a sweet and heartwarming story story collection set in Tokyo. I want to start reading more translated fiction and I feel like this was a good one to start. Surprising sad and emotional at times but in general such a lovely read. Especially loved the addition of the drawings at the beginning of each chapter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Animal death, Grief, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Death and Sexual assault
starrysteph's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.75
She and Her Cat: Stories shares 4 interwoven slices of life featuring struggling women and the cats that help them find their way. It’s about loneliness and companionship, the struggle to escape from modern isolation, and healing through the care of a pet. It’s about the magic of the mundane.
We follow a young woman with social anxiety struggling to end a failing relationship, a naive artist hoping her dream is worth it, a grieving friend who is afraid to break her isolation, and an older woman who has forgotten to care for herself.
It’s heartwarming and tear jerking, but most importantly, half of the book is told from cat POVs! They’re cheeky and whimsical and have a fully developed society of their own in the neighborhood. They help their people search for connection, grieve, create, strengthen, and find renewed energy.
All four of these women and their feline companions live entangled lives; they appear in each other’s stories and connect in big and small ways. Each POV has a very distinctive narrative voice.
It’s an incredibly sweet and cozy read; it’s touching without being too emotionally draining or profound.
My only gripe - that sometimes pulled me out of the story - was some of the cheesy wisdom dispensed from elderly dog Jon. It was heightened philosophical silliness that didn’t match the earnest, down-to-earth vibes from the rest of the novel. Most of the book was simplistic and charming, dispensing wisdom without trying too hard, and these segments felt detached from that tone.
CW: death of loved one, death of animal, mental illness, sexual assault, pregnancy, grief
(I received an advance reader copy of this book; this is my honest review.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Grief, and Pregnancy
fabs2510's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
ezwolf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
4.0
As someone who is nearly first and foremost a cat person and look at my cat and I as our own little family of two, I was very excited to read this book.
She and Her Cat is divided up into four short stories that all intertwine, told from the perspectives of the cats and the women and that come to be their owners. It does a great job showcasing the relationship that people have with their cats and the way that even though we don't /really/ know what our cats are saying to us, we know that they're talking to us in their own way. The way that they greet you at your front door and know just when you need their love and attention.
Chobi, Mimi, Cooki, and Kuro all bring a unique look at being a cat and how their lives and our own change when we take on caring for a cat and I will admit to tearing up a few times. The parts that really got me were right off with Chobi's introduction and then, of course, the end with Jon.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for making this available in exchange for an honest review!
She and Her Cat is divided up into four short stories that all intertwine, told from the perspectives of the cats and the women and that come to be their owners. It does a great job showcasing the relationship that people have with their cats and the way that even though we don't /really/ know what our cats are saying to us, we know that they're talking to us in their own way. The way that they greet you at your front door and know just when you need their love and attention.
Chobi, Mimi, Cooki, and Kuro all bring a unique look at being a cat and how their lives and our own change when we take on caring for a cat and I will admit to tearing up a few times. The parts that really got me were right off with Chobi's introduction and then, of course, the end with Jon.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for making this available in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Sexual assault and Pregnancy
Minor: Death, Blood, and Grief
japanasi's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
so wholesome, partly sad but very hopeful, too; my heart is warm
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Death, Sexual assault, and Grief