The Guest Cat : Book review

Book review

Title: The Guest Cat
Author: Takashi Hiraide
Genre: Translation (Japanese)

The guest cat is a story of an emotionally distant couple who are unnamed throughout the book.  Writers by profession and in their mid 30s, their lack of communication leads to their emotional distance over time. The unexpected entry of their neighbor's cat named chibi restores some joy and purpose in their lives.

Written in first person from the point of view of the husband, the story traverses through changing seasons in Japan, their growing attachment and strong bond with Chibi. The writing style is lyrical and vivid, bringing out the beauty of nature, surroundings and human emotions. An interesting aspect is the author's sensitive portrayal of the cat and its feelings which almost humanizes it. Readers are bound to love the endearing character of Chibi. The story is heartwarming in parts while other parts of the book elicits a certain amount of heartache. Themes of relationships and change are dealt with here.

The guest cat is a ‘purr’fect tale showcasing the long lasting impact of certain bonds. Cat lovers or pet owners especially would resonate with this one.

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