Reviews

I Am a Cat by Natsume Sōseki

yv_tte's review against another edition

couldnt get into it my bad

savshu's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

karabeara_21's review against another edition

funny slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.0

obtusegrl's review against another edition

funny lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

gladiolus17's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

This was a hilarious, snarky book told from a very well-read and enlightened kitten. It is a mirror to Meiji Period Japan society and offers a close look at the opinions and goings-on in that time period. The cat also takes a very self-aware jab at Natsume Soseki, the author of this book, which tickled me. Being of that time period, it does have a lot of sexism, so be warned.

It requires you to suspend your disbelief a little. The kitten knows quite a lot! Like General Togo and various other poets and philosophers.

Spoiler for ending:

I was pretty disheartened and saddened that the cat dies in the end. I had been on this journey with him for a while and was saddened to see the little protagonist go.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death

Moderate: Animal cruelty and Sexism

beardybot's review against another edition

lighthearted slow-paced

1.0

The Japanese cat book that started my favourite microgenre.

Only, it's very dull. It's mostly just dull men having long-winded conversations, and one less dull man poking fun them. Sometimes the cat features for just a paragraph or two in an entire chapter.

The translator, at least, had fun, and I picked up a whole load of words I hadn't read before or had seen so rarely I'd forgotten them.

lguz's review against another edition

funny lighthearted reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death

sonjabean's review against another edition

2.0

The best parts are the internal monologue of the cat.

breadandmushrooms's review against another edition

lighthearted reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

polidamante's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0