It was heart opening, uplifting and a little sad. When I finished I even went back and reread parts of it so I could appreciate it better in the context of the whole book.
I just finished reading The Travelling Cat Chronicles and found the ending quite moving. All the pieces of the stories and characters came together and I understood in a deeper way what the story was about.
The author, Hiro Arikawa, is Japanese and I read the English translation. The story begins in Tokyo and continues (as the title suggests) with the main characters (Satoru and his cat, Nana) traveling through Japan. In the course of the story the reader learns about the Japanese people and their culture.
The novel is told from the viewpoint of Nana, Satoru, three friends and his aunt. The story premise is simple: Satoru can’t keep Nana anymore so he visits three friends, attempting to find a new home for his beloved cat. The mystery that draws the reader forward is why Satoru can’t keep Nana.
On Nana and Satoru’s journey, we learn about Satoru’s three friends and his youthful adventures. We also learn that Satoru is a good person and loyal friend.
The book is written in simple language in the Japanese tradition of folkloric tales with illustrations at the beginning of each chapter. Although it has special appeal to cat lovers and others who love animals, the message is much deeper. It’s about love, friendship, courage, heartache, self-sacrifice and the challenges of life and death.
I found the book a little slow at first—pleasant, but not a page-turner. I could easily set it down. Later I was sorry I read it in pieces. It was such a beautiful book I realized I’d missed some of the treasures, which is why I went back and reread parts.
I don’t want to say more and spoil it for you, except to say read the book as you would poetry or a fable. Savor each character’s story and reflect upon them as you read. How does it relate to your own life experience, friendships and experiences with animals?
Let me know what you think of the book after you read it. I’d enjoy hearing your thoughts and insights into its deeper meaning.
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