Julie 's Reviews > The Travelling Cat Chronicles
The Travelling Cat Chronicles
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The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa, Philip Gabriel (Translator) is a 2018 Viking publication. (Originally published in 2012).
An emotional, poignant story featuring an amazing cat named Nana-
Nana is a stray cat who enjoys sleeping in the sun on the hood of a van, and tolerating humans if necessary, especially if he is given crunchy bits to eat.
But, when tragedy strikes, by way of getting hit by a car, Nana is taken in by the human, Satoru, the van owner who leaves him food. Satoru names him Nana, because his crooked tail is shaped like the Japanese number seven. They have some great times together, but suddenly, after several years, Satoru, must re-home his beloved cat.
So, he goes on a journey with Nana, to find him a new home.
The journey takes us back in time to Satoru’s childhood where we learn about his life and his friendships and relationship with a cat he knew before he had Nana, for whom he still mourns. He gets to reconnect with old friends, but has a hard time finding someone who can take Nana.
Nana is our storyteller and narrates this journey in a way only a cat could. If you are a cat lover, you will know exactly what I mean. Nana, of course, knows in his infinite wisdom, the lessons that will enlighten Satoru, and the reader, upon his journey.
This is such a wonderful fable, despite the tearjerker premise, centering on friendship, and human connections. Satoru may have led a life of isolation, but he is a such a warm -hearted man, and of course I recognized in him a fellow ‘cat person’, which endeared him to me, even more. But, perhaps to those who may feel cats are too aloof for your taste, this book dispels that notion, in countless ways.
We realize right away that Satoru is helping Nana, taking care of him even before his accident, giving him a very nice, pampered life. We see what a gentle soul, he is, despite some very difficult times in his life. But it is what Nana does for Satoru that is at the heart of the story. What Satoru learns on their journey and how Nana remains his best friend, is loyal to him in all ways, and eternally grateful, will bring tears to your eyes.
Yes, this story is sentimental and bittersweet, but the message is profound, despite or maybe because of its simplicity, and will resonate with pet lovers of all stripes, but certainly to those who have a truly special bond with their feline companions.
An emotional, poignant story featuring an amazing cat named Nana-
Nana is a stray cat who enjoys sleeping in the sun on the hood of a van, and tolerating humans if necessary, especially if he is given crunchy bits to eat.
But, when tragedy strikes, by way of getting hit by a car, Nana is taken in by the human, Satoru, the van owner who leaves him food. Satoru names him Nana, because his crooked tail is shaped like the Japanese number seven. They have some great times together, but suddenly, after several years, Satoru, must re-home his beloved cat.
So, he goes on a journey with Nana, to find him a new home.
The journey takes us back in time to Satoru’s childhood where we learn about his life and his friendships and relationship with a cat he knew before he had Nana, for whom he still mourns. He gets to reconnect with old friends, but has a hard time finding someone who can take Nana.
Nana is our storyteller and narrates this journey in a way only a cat could. If you are a cat lover, you will know exactly what I mean. Nana, of course, knows in his infinite wisdom, the lessons that will enlighten Satoru, and the reader, upon his journey.
This is such a wonderful fable, despite the tearjerker premise, centering on friendship, and human connections. Satoru may have led a life of isolation, but he is a such a warm -hearted man, and of course I recognized in him a fellow ‘cat person’, which endeared him to me, even more. But, perhaps to those who may feel cats are too aloof for your taste, this book dispels that notion, in countless ways.
We realize right away that Satoru is helping Nana, taking care of him even before his accident, giving him a very nice, pampered life. We see what a gentle soul, he is, despite some very difficult times in his life. But it is what Nana does for Satoru that is at the heart of the story. What Satoru learns on their journey and how Nana remains his best friend, is loyal to him in all ways, and eternally grateful, will bring tears to your eyes.
Yes, this story is sentimental and bittersweet, but the message is profound, despite or maybe because of its simplicity, and will resonate with pet lovers of all stripes, but certainly to those who have a truly special bond with their feline companions.
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Reading Progress
November 25, 2018
–
Started Reading
November 25, 2018
– Shelved
November 25, 2018
– Shelved as:
2018
November 25, 2018
– Shelved as:
animals-and-pets
November 25, 2018
– Shelved as:
cultural
November 25, 2018
– Shelved as:
e-book
December 11, 2018
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 59 (59 new)
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Maureen ( NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS)
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Dec 11, 2018 05:52AM
Really lovely review Julie 🤗
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This one sure has been receiving high praise! So glad to see you agreed, Julie ;) Wonderful review!! 😘❤️
Great review :) I am sceptical about picking it up though because I find it hard to read stories where animals are hurt or in trouble.
KAS wrote: "This one sure has been receiving high praise! So glad to see you agreed, Julie ;) Wonderful review!! 😘❤️"
Thank you, KAS!! 😊💕😊
Thank you, KAS!! 😊💕😊
*TUDOR^QUEEN* wrote: "Beautiful and excellent review! 👏 I loved this one too. 💓😉"
Thank you, TQ!! I'm glad to hear you enjoyed this one too!! 😊💕😊
Thank you, TQ!! I'm glad to hear you enjoyed this one too!! 😊💕😊
Betsy wrote: "Great review. Sounds like cute book."
Thank you, Betsy! It's a tissue grabber, but a really special book. Cat lovers will recognize a kindred spirit, for sure. 😺
Thank you, Betsy! It's a tissue grabber, but a really special book. Cat lovers will recognize a kindred spirit, for sure. 😺
Lady Clementina wrote: "Great review :) I am sceptical about picking it up though because I find it hard to read stories where animals are hurt or in trouble."
Thank you, Lady Clementina! Oh, no, you shouldn't worry about dear Nana. His scrape with the car is not overly descriptive and happens very early on in the book. From that point on, he's golden. 😺😺
Thank you, Lady Clementina! Oh, no, you shouldn't worry about dear Nana. His scrape with the car is not overly descriptive and happens very early on in the book. From that point on, he's golden. 😺😺
Mackenzie wrote: "Terrific review, Julie! Sounds like a touching read! 💘🙂"
Thank you, Mackenzie!! Yes, it is a very special book! 😺😺
Thank you, Mackenzie!! Yes, it is a very special book! 😺😺
Holly wrote: "Cat lovers unite! My guy:
This sounds like a great book, great review!"
Thank you, Holly!! What a gorgeous cat!! 😺😺
This sounds like a great book, great review!"
Thank you, Holly!! What a gorgeous cat!! 😺😺
leslie hamod wrote: "Great review! I loved THIS! An intricate life lesson!"
Thank you, Leslie!! I'm glad you loved this one too!! 😺😊😺
Thank you, Leslie!! I'm glad you loved this one too!! 😺😊😺
Angela M wrote: "Julie, a lovely review! Such a touching story."
Thank you, Angela!! It is a moving story!! 😺😊😺
Thank you, Angela!! It is a moving story!! 😺😊😺
Thanks - simplicity always wins... great review
Wonderful review, Julie! I can't wait to read this one after the holidays!!!! I too, am a big lover of cats. I have one cat named Tommie and one dog named Toby. It is so enjoyable to watch them play together!
Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader wrote: "Bittersweet is the perfect way to describe this one. Wonderful, beautiful review, Julie!"
Thank you, Jennifer!! 😊😺😊
Thank you, Jennifer!! 😊😺😊
Kathleen wrote: "Wonderful review, Julie! I can't wait to read this one after the holidays!!!! I too, am a big lover of cats. I have one cat named Tommie and one dog named Toby. It is so enjoyable to watch them pla..."
Thank you, Kathleen!! I hope you like this one as much as I did. I wish my cats and dogs would get along. LOL! 😺😺
Thank you, Kathleen!! I hope you like this one as much as I did. I wish my cats and dogs would get along. LOL! 😺😺
Nice review, Julie. It would be cool to read cat's narrative 😌 I started to like reading about them after reading Murakami.
Tatevik wrote: "Nice review, Julie. It would be cool to read cat's narrative 😌 I started to like reading about them after reading Murakami."
Thank you, Tatevik!! Murakami is an author I still haven't had the chance to read. You have reminded me of him. Maybe I can work a few of his books into the mix in 2019 😊😊
Thank you, Tatevik!! Murakami is an author I still haven't had the chance to read. You have reminded me of him. Maybe I can work a few of his books into the mix in 2019 😊😊