Reviews with content warning for Grief - The Travelling Cat Chronicles

From reading the blurb, you know exactly what’s going to happen. Read this book for the cosy vibes, not the plot. But because the plot was so predictable, I was hoping for emotional depth which to me just wasn’t there. The last two chapters redeemed it a bit but overall it fell a bit flat for me.

I’m not writing this because I’m a heartless person who doesnt understand pet relationships. I’ve had some very strong bonds with cats in my life (part of the reason I picked up this book) so I understand what the book was trying to do. But I think as charming as it is to have a cat narrate the book, the fact that the cat is a bit self-involved (in a very fitting cat-like manner) means that some depth had to be sacrificed along the way. Especially throughout the earlier chapters.

I’ve ugly sobbed at other books ('Mornings in Jenin' by Susan Abulhawa is a prime example), but this book left me quite neutral. Given that it is a book about

a very close pet relationship, death, grief and the friendships one builds over a lifetime

I just think it should not have left me as cold as it did. Based on other reviews this isn’t the case for everyone, so maybe my expectations were just a bit too high.

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hellavaral's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

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mmarquis1158's review

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

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

4.75

This was such a sweet read that had me teary at the end. The narration from the cat was super fun and added so much personality. It also made me want to squeeze my dog a little longer than usual <3

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imaginaryalchemist's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad slow-paced

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

5.0

I love, love, love this book! It’s such a beautiful, sweet story about the bond between a man and his beloved cat. Most of the story is told through the perspective of the cat, Nana, as he and his owner Satoru travel together.

I loved Satoru as a character, he’s so kind, warm, and compassionate despite the tragic things that have happened to him. He never let it turn him bitter. He has a good heart. Everyone should try to be a bit more like him. As a fellow cat lover I felt like we were kindred spirits.

The ending absolutely broke me.

Towards the end of the story, it’s hinted that something is wrong with Satoru. It turns out he is dying from an unnamed illness, possibly cancer, that is causing tumors throughout his body. It’s always so heartbreaking when bad things happen to such good people.

When he was dying and Nana ran to him I broke down and sobbed like a baby. I’ve loved and lost many cats over the years, and that bond is so precious. So many people think cats are aloof and don’t care but they are capable of so much love.

I highly recommend The Travelling Cat Chronicles to anyone who has ever loved a cat! I look forward to reading Hiro Arikawa’s other novel The Goodbye Cat. It has also made me want to read more Japanese novels!

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