A book that “speak[s] volumes about our need for connection—human, feline or otherwise” (The San Francisco Chronicle), The Travelling Cat Chronicles is a life-affirming anthem to kindness and self-sacrifice that shows how the smallest things can provide the greatest joy—the perfect gift for cat lovers and travellers!We take journeys to explore exotic new places and to return to the comforts of … places and to return to the comforts of home, to visit old acquaintances and to make new friends. But the most important journey is the one that shows us how to follow our hearts…
An instant international bestseller and indie bestseller, The Travelling Cat Chronicles has charmed readers around the world. With simple yet descriptive prose, this novel gives voice to Nana the cat and his owner, Satoru, as they take to the road on a journey with no other purpose than to visit three of Satoru’s longtime friends. Or so Nana is led to believe…
With his crooked tail—a sign of good fortune—and adventurous spirit, Nana is the perfect companion for the man who took him in as a stray. And as they travel in a silver van across Japan, with its ever-changing scenery and seasons, they will learn the true meaning of courage and gratitude, of loyalty and love.
On New York Post’s Required Reading List
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Read this after @evelynmaguire recommended it and it was everything she said it would be — fun, heartwarming, and bittersweet. As a self-professed cat person, I ran and gave my cat a lot of love (and treats!) after finishing this book. The prose is simple but delicate, and the story touches on some big themes, most notably the joy of friendship and navigating one’s grief. This felt like Marley & Me for cat lovers, so if that appeals to you at all, pick this one up!
This book was absolutely beautiful. Reminiscent of The Alchemist and The Art of Racing in the Rain in certain aspects, The Travelling Cat Chronicles is clearly written to tell a message — through the bittersweet story of one man and his cat.
Saturo, a kind-hearted dreamer, revisits the people he knew at different stages of his life as he searches for a new owner for his beloved cat, Nana. Told from Nana’s perspective, this sweet little book will have you laughing on one page and holding back tears on the next. Highly recommended!
Such a story to make one weep and smile at the same time.
There are not enough stars for this book. A gem for anyone ever owned by a cat.
The Travelling Cat Chronicles is an original and charming book told through the voice of a cat called Nana, who is both intelligent and witty.
Nana is adopted by the humble and kind Satoru, when he sustains horrific injuries and needs urgent veterinary care. They share 5 years together before beginning a road trip, to visit Satoru’s closest friends Kosuke, Yoshime, Sugi and Chikako. Their journey takes them along the coast, through beautiful countryside and to views of Mount Fuji…
Along the way we learn more about Satoru’s past. However, he is keeping a secret from Nana and his friends, that is only revealed near the end of their travels.
As a cat lover, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Highly recommended.
When I started this book, I found it a little slow. By the end, I thought it was a beautiful story of a life and the people touched by it. After I finished it, I found myself thinking about the relationships between people and animals. I would say much more, but it would ruin the story for those who have not read it. Haunting.
When someone asks me what my favorite book is, I always say this one.
This is a wonderful book. I found myself thinking about it often. It was whimsical, funny, and inspiring. Cat people will say, ” I always knew that cats were more discriminating and definitely smarter than dogs.”
Like the very best cats, Hiro Arikawa’s inventive tale sneaks up on you and works its way into your heart on its own terms. Once it does, it doesn’t let go.
This is one that not only got me out of a reading slump, but has stuck with me. It’s lingered, in the back of my mind, for about half a year now. The Travelling Cat Chronicles combines imagery that makes one want to go out and experience the world anew with thought-provoking introspection from the brilliantly satirical point of view of a feline and some fantastically-written, emotional moments that leave a reader sighing as he or she sets the book down at last. A brilliant, moving story that I will bring with me forever combined with a satisfying, though certainly emotional, ending.
This beautiful novel is definitely worth a read. I remember disliking nothing about it, and this is a review consisting of some of the highest praise I can bestow. It may not change your life; however, this book can change the way you look at the world, and I think that is more important than most anything else.
(Also, P.S., the narrator’s voice is one of my favorites in literature. And––bonus––he’s a cat!)
When I received an email about this book, I knew I had to read it. I took a chance and requested a copy and I was lucky enough to get a physical Advanced Reader Copy of this book. The cover is absolutely adorable and there’s just something special about reading the physical book. I knew from the description that this book would be right up my alley and it was exactly as I expected. It was beautiful, simple, and heart wrenching at moments.
This book follows the cat Nana and his owner Satoru throughout their lives. The simplistic narrative just adds to the story. Nana is able to capture the moment without bogging it down with complexity. Each chapter brings new characters into the story that reminded me of my childhood. They were relatable and realistic. It’s always refreshing to read realistic characters which is why this book resounded with me.
What I loved the most about this book is the simplistic nature. It reminded me of the simplicity of Parnassus on Wheels. It was beautiful in its simplicity. Even with the simplicity of the story, Hiro Arikawa was able to truly capture the moments in the stories and it made me feel for Satoru & Nana. I was an emotional wreck at moments. I was frustrated with Nana at times, heartbroken for him too. I am not ashamed to admit that I cried at moments. Honestly, if a book can evoke an emotional response in me, it means that the author did their job and did their job well.
If you’re on the fence about this book, I highly suggest you read it.
I really loved the bond between the cat and owner in this book. Arikawa does a great job of detailing little cat antics and personality quirks. However, I sometimes thought the cat was a bit too mean.
I also liked the journey (of car and life) depicted in this novel. The interplay between the human characters in the book are particularly nuanced and realistic. And yet I also loved the fable-like quality of some of their stops.
An interesting book, stressing our connection with animals and others around us.
Me emocioné mucho con esta historia. Como amante de los animales, y por sobre todo de los gatos, disfruté un montón la indiferencia, soberbia y ternura que caracteriza a los michis.
Me la pasé riendo y lloriqueando, es todo lo que tengo para decir. ¡Me encantó!
This is possibly one of the most touching stories I’ve read in the last decade. I was so drawn into the journey of the protagonist and his beloved cat. Impossible to not shed a tear at the end.
Reading this book was like I saw Mount Fuji and the huge double rainbow from cat’s perspective; and a waterfall of tears was rolling down on my velvet cheeks.
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The plot: Young man Satoru Miyawaki saves a stray cat with a broken paw. They enjoy their life together to the fullest. But one day due to some reason Satoru has to give his pet away. So he starts looking for a new owner for Nana (cat’s name). They get into Satoru’s silver van and set off for a journey, which will be the most fabulous journey both for the human and the little feline.
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The characters: The main character as well as the narrator is cat Nana. The next main character is his owner Satoru. They meet all other characters gradually, describing a brief history of their friendship. That’s why you won’t get lost among them, moreover, you’ll meet all of them with curiosity and pleasure.
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The writing style: I read English version of this book and admired it. Amazing descriptions of the sceneries, sarcastic remarks of the cat, wise quotes are written in pretty easy and enjoyable way.
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Well, this is one of the most heartbreaking and fascinating books I’ve recently read. Truth to be told when I started reading it I had no idea that it would be so wisely touching, enlightening, and impressive.
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My favorite quote: «You ask if cats can see ghosts. Don’t you know that there are things in this world that are better left a mystery?»
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Would I read other books of this author: Definitely!
My humble rating: 5.5/5
The connection between man and animals goes so deep. Such a wonderful tale from a cat’s POV. Nana, who is a male cat, his tale has the shape of the 7 character so Satoru named him so. Nana was a stray, until an injury left him vulnerable, Satoru rescued him and gave him a home. They form a bond, well the cat deside to stay for awhile, because you know it is always up to the cat. Time passes Satoru and Nana develop an unbreakable bond, even when faced with a great change. Nana and Satoru go on an adventure.
*Spoilers below*
Oh this book ! I really enjoyed the Japanese view on life and death through this cat’s eyes. The connection with the people, the earth and ancestors it was beautiful. The end of a life even short was so respected and almost celebrated. Nana readies himself for his transition by training the next generation (kitten) the ways. In the end Nana was always his cat and they will see each other again, when the time comes.
Mainly told from Nana’s point of view, the intelligent cat that adopts Satoru as his human companion, this is a beautiful tale of life & loss. When the two embark on a journey in Satoru’s silver van, the reader could easily be led to believe that they’re off on an adventure but with a heart-wrenching twist the story comes to its conclusion in a very different way. Loved every minute of this read.
The Traveling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa is a beautiful evocative story told primarily from the point of view of Nana, an opinionated stray cat, who meets a kind twenty-something, Saturo, outside his apartment complex in Tokyo. Their relationship begins when Nana, whose name means 7 in Japanese, and has a tail that looks like the number 7, lets Saturo pet her in exchange for leaving her food. Then Nana is hit by a car and Saturo takes her to a vet and moves her into his apartment where she lives contentedly for five years. When Saturo announces he needs to find her a new home, he takes her on a journey to visit his closest childhood friends in Japan and she becomes determined to stay with him.
Excellent! Profound thoughts. Thoroughly enjoyable.
A beautiful, simple story about friendship and loss. Sad but also satisfying. Recommended for my cat-loving friends.