Review: If Cats Disappeared from the World

If Cats Disappeared from the World by Genki Kawamura
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

And so continues my journey through contemporary Japanese fiction dealing with cats. Thus far it's been: "The Traveling Cat Chronicles" by Hiro Arikawa, "The Guest Cat" by Takashi Hiraide (albeit a dnf for me), "I Am a Cat" by Natsume Soseki, various by Haruki Murakami (like "Town of Cats" and "Kafka on the Shore"), and now this one. I wonder how many more there are. 

Regardless, this was a good book if you're in the right mood I guess. It deals with the issue of dying, what will be remembered/left of us once we die, and how you don't appreciate what you have until it's gone. It isn't depressing, but if those topics sound trite to you, then don't read this book. 

I can go for topics like these, at times, but not necessarily right now. Still, a cute premise and story.

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Review: I Am a Cat

I Am a Cat by Natsume Sōseki
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I would have to agree with many other reviewers in that this was a long book to read (aside from the length itself). The paragraphs carried on and on, and many of the nuances in conversation were probably lost on me, since they were apparently meant to satirize life in Japan at the turn of the 20th century. 

However, some sections were definitely humourous, and the point of view of the cat (who refers to himself in the honorific apparently) is an interesting one. 

At times it was difficult to get through, but it provided interesting material and I'm glad I read it. It also seemed to sometimes touch upon a bemoaning of the changing times, and then revert to making fun of people who were lamenting change. 

Interestingly, this book made me wonder if there is a special place for cats in Japanese literature. After having read "The Traveling Cat Chronicles" and a bunch of Murakami novels, I noticed a focus on cats I hadn't seen in the literature of other languages, so I can't help wondering if this book started it all, since it is a classic of Japanese literature. 

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Review: The Travelling Cat Chronicles

The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I never really considered myself a cat person, but for some reason I seem to enjoy reading novels featuring cats (including Murakami).

Anyway, this was a cute novel. It got a bit too cheesy for me toward the end, but I really liked the idea of a travelogue with a cat, seeing the various sights and finding the beautiful in the everyday.

I wonder if there are any books that do the equivalent but with dogs. Although, to be frank, dogs wouldn't be nearly as insightful as cats.

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