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De kat die bleef
Een kat is geluk op pootjes. In deze ontroerende bundel met zeven verhalen staat dit dier centraal. In het titelverhaal hoort lapjeskat Kota over een legende:
katten die meer dan twintig jaar bij hun baasje blijven, worden onsterfelijke nekomata. Kota wil graag bij Hiromi blijven en hem volwassen zien worden. Hij zet alles op alles om een nekomata te worden. In een ander verhaal zorgt kitten Spin ervoor dat zijn baasje een goede vader wordt. De kat die bleef gaat over vriendschap en liefde, over de wonderbaarlijke relatie tussen mens en kat, en de troost en warmte die beiden uit die relatie putten.
katten die meer dan twintig jaar bij hun baasje blijven, worden onsterfelijke nekomata. Kota wil graag bij Hiromi blijven en hem volwassen zien worden. Hij zet alles op alles om een nekomata te worden. In een ander verhaal zorgt kitten Spin ervoor dat zijn baasje een goede vader wordt. De kat die bleef gaat over vriendschap en liefde, over de wonderbaarlijke relatie tussen mens en kat, en de troost en warmte die beiden uit die relatie putten.
240 pages, Paperback
First published August 11, 2021
1245 people are currently reading
32486 people want to read
About the author
Hiro Arikawa
75 books1,545 followersHiro Arikawa won the tenth annual Dengeki Novel Prize for new writers for Shio no Machi: Wish on My Precious in 2003, and the book was published the following year. It was praised for its love story between a heroine and hero divided by age and social status, and for its depiction of military structures. Although she is a light novelist, her books from her second work onwards have been published as hardbacks alongside more literary works with Arikawa receiving special treatment in this respect from her publisher, MediaWorks. Shio no Machi was also later published in hardback. Her 2006 light novel Toshokan Sensō (The Library War) was named as Hon no Zasshi's number one for entertainment for the first half of 2006, and came fifth in the Honya Taishō for that year, competing against ordinary novels.
She often writes about the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and her first three novels concerning its three branches are known as the Jieitai Sanbusaku (The SDF Trilogy); she also wrote about the fictional Library Forces in the Toshokan Sensō series. Raintree no Kuni, which first appeared as a book within a book in Toshokan Nairan was later published by Arikawa as a spin-off with another publisher. It was adapted into a film titled World of Delight released on November 21, 2015.[2][3]Her novel Shokubutsu Zukan (ja) will be adapted into a film titled Shokubutsu Zukan: Unmei no Koi, Hiroimashita and scheduled for release on June 4, 2016.
She often writes about the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and her first three novels concerning its three branches are known as the Jieitai Sanbusaku (The SDF Trilogy); she also wrote about the fictional Library Forces in the Toshokan Sensō series. Raintree no Kuni, which first appeared as a book within a book in Toshokan Nairan was later published by Arikawa as a spin-off with another publisher. It was adapted into a film titled World of Delight released on November 21, 2015.[2][3]Her novel Shokubutsu Zukan (ja) will be adapted into a film titled Shokubutsu Zukan: Unmei no Koi, Hiroimashita and scheduled for release on June 4, 2016.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,724 reviews
December 12, 2023
The Goodbye Cat by Hiro Arikawa (translated by Philip Gabriel) is a collection of seven stories revolving around the relationship between cats and their humans as told from the perspectives of seven cats and their families with much wisdom, heart, and humor. Written in simple prose, the stories vary in length and tone and touch upon themes of love, loyalty, companionship, family and grief.
In the first story, The Goodbye Cat (4/5), we meet an elderly cat who endeavors to change into a supernatural spirit so that death won't separate him from his human family. A new father rescues a kitten from a recycling bin and in caring for it, learns much about fatherhood. Bringing Up Baby (4/5). A family is perplexed by their new cat’s devotion to their indifferent father in Good Father/ Bad Father (4/5). In Cat Island ( 5/5), we follow a young boy’s experiences on a trip to an island inhabited by cats with his father and his new wife. Her cat’s nightly visits are a cause for a woman’s annoyance in The Night Visitor (3/5). In Finding Hachi (4/5), we follow a young boy as he adopts an abandoned kitten and the events that led up to his having to give it up. In the final story, Life Is Not Always Kind(4/4), a young man visits his former professor in the hope that he will adopt his cat.
Heartwarming, emotional and bittersweet, these stories will strike a chord in your heart, irrespective of whether you are a cat person or not. I will admit to having shed a few tears along the way. I enjoyed this collection of stories but didn’t love it as much as The Travelling Cat Chronicles, which was a 5⭐️ read for me.
I would recommend reading Hiro Arikawa’s The Travelling Cat Chronicles before picking this up, given that we revisit the characters (human and feline) in the final two stories.
Many thanks to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The Goodbye Cat was published in the USA on October 10, 2023.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
In the first story, The Goodbye Cat (4/5), we meet an elderly cat who endeavors to change into a supernatural spirit so that death won't separate him from his human family. A new father rescues a kitten from a recycling bin and in caring for it, learns much about fatherhood. Bringing Up Baby (4/5). A family is perplexed by their new cat’s devotion to their indifferent father in Good Father/ Bad Father (4/5). In Cat Island ( 5/5), we follow a young boy’s experiences on a trip to an island inhabited by cats with his father and his new wife. Her cat’s nightly visits are a cause for a woman’s annoyance in The Night Visitor (3/5). In Finding Hachi (4/5), we follow a young boy as he adopts an abandoned kitten and the events that led up to his having to give it up. In the final story, Life Is Not Always Kind(4/4), a young man visits his former professor in the hope that he will adopt his cat.
Heartwarming, emotional and bittersweet, these stories will strike a chord in your heart, irrespective of whether you are a cat person or not. I will admit to having shed a few tears along the way. I enjoyed this collection of stories but didn’t love it as much as The Travelling Cat Chronicles, which was a 5⭐️ read for me.
I would recommend reading Hiro Arikawa’s The Travelling Cat Chronicles before picking this up, given that we revisit the characters (human and feline) in the final two stories.
Many thanks to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The Goodbye Cat was published in the USA on October 10, 2023.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
December 26, 2024
$12.25 audiobook sale @ Libro.fm
I thought a book about cats that is set in Japan would be more fun. I didn't realize these were short stories. The first one was so long that I didn't realize there were others. A lot of the shorter ones ended abruptly. The cats were cute, though, so don't mind me.
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley
I thought a book about cats that is set in Japan would be more fun. I didn't realize these were short stories. The first one was so long that I didn't realize there were others. A lot of the shorter ones ended abruptly. The cats were cute, though, so don't mind me.
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley
September 27, 2023
This is a collection of 7 joyous Japanese short stories that celebrate the magic of cats by Hiro Arikawa, translated by Philip Gabriel, providing a glimpse into just how integral to a family a cat becomes, their devotion, wisdom, cat talk, loyalty and love, and the impact and grief of loss. They are the unforgettable 'goodbye' cats. Having read The Travelling Cat Chronicles which I loved, the final 2 stories bring back the adorable Nana and Hachi. We have a new apprehensive mother worried about how her inept husband, Kota, a manga artist, will be able to adjust and cope with the more demanding circumstances that come with parenthood. However, there is charm and serendipity as he find a fragile abandoned unweaned kitten, Spin, that he rescues.
He cares for Spin with the help and advice from an online community, it goes on to provide the perfect training for becoming a parent, as Schrodinger's kitten and baby form a remarkable lifelong unbreakable connection. Long suffering reject kitten, Tora, survives a life time of casual treatment, unwavering in its unconditional love, and a stray cat, Ten, is taken in. After losing his mum, Ryo now has a wonderful stepmother, Haruko, who he is struggling to refer to as mother. Along with his dad who has an assignment on Cat Island, they make a short trip, where he learns the valuable lesson of the wild, whilst Nana and Saturo in their silver van visit an old professor of his.
There are tears, joy and wonder to be found in this fabulous collection of cats with their humans stories, drawing attention to the differences in their ageing process. These are stories for everyone, including cat and other animal lovers, and fans of the author are likely to enjoy them too. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
He cares for Spin with the help and advice from an online community, it goes on to provide the perfect training for becoming a parent, as Schrodinger's kitten and baby form a remarkable lifelong unbreakable connection. Long suffering reject kitten, Tora, survives a life time of casual treatment, unwavering in its unconditional love, and a stray cat, Ten, is taken in. After losing his mum, Ryo now has a wonderful stepmother, Haruko, who he is struggling to refer to as mother. Along with his dad who has an assignment on Cat Island, they make a short trip, where he learns the valuable lesson of the wild, whilst Nana and Saturo in their silver van visit an old professor of his.
There are tears, joy and wonder to be found in this fabulous collection of cats with their humans stories, drawing attention to the differences in their ageing process. These are stories for everyone, including cat and other animal lovers, and fans of the author are likely to enjoy them too. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
November 23, 2022
Never cried so much because of a book.
August 16, 2023
I loved this author's previous book "The Travelling Cat Chronicles", so even though I don't gravitate toward short stories I gave this one a try. Sadly, I didn't much care for this offering. Out of this collection of seven cat stories I only connected strongly with one of them. In some cases I found the writing more geared towards a child or young adult. I bypassed one long story entirely that I couldn't get into. Even though there were return appearances from some of the beloved characters from "The Travelling Cat Chronicles", that heartwarming touch wasn't enough to redeem the book for me.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
May 27, 2024
3.5 stars. reading vlog: https://youtu.be/nbVXSOSVKPo
super cute stories with hiro arikawa's typical accuracy to the cat inner monologue haha but I just didn't feel like any of the stories were super memorable/impactful! an enjoyable read if you liked The Travelling Cat Chronicles but I wouldn't recommend this over that.
super cute stories with hiro arikawa's typical accuracy to the cat inner monologue haha but I just didn't feel like any of the stories were super memorable/impactful! an enjoyable read if you liked The Travelling Cat Chronicles but I wouldn't recommend this over that.
September 30, 2024
O carte frumoasă, care nu are cum să te lase indiferent dacă ești iubitor de pisici. O colecție de 7 povestiri numai bune de citit atunci când vrei să mai schimbi registrul și să îți amintești cât de importante sunt suflețelele blănoase în viețile noastre. ❤️
August 11, 2023
The world seems to divide us into “Dog” or “Cat” people. I am very much a “dog” person. However, everybody seems to be talking about Hiro Arikawa presently, and many friends have urged me to read “The Travelling Cat Chronicles”. So perhaps it was serendipity when her latest short story collection arrived in my letterbox.
This is a collection of seven short stories that centre around abandoned cats that have been rescued. Most are rescued as kittens, their eyes not yet open. While the stories revolve around the cats, they also focus on family interaction and relationships.
The stories cover the lives of these cats and as the title of the book infers most end with some form of parting and goodbye. While some of the stories are indeed sad, imbued with the grief of loss, they all have a feel-good nature to them.
One cat helps a bumbling father to care for a newborn baby, turning him into the husband his wife needs. Another cat, rescued from the side of the road as a kitten, helps to melt a father’s stone heart. There is a story about a cat’s love and devotion to a man who fails to show any sign of love in return. My favourite of the collection, containing a hint of magical realism, involves an entire island populated almost exclusively by cats. I later found out that these islands exist in Japan and are quite the tourist attraction. There is, as you would expect, a definite feeling of Japanese culture running through each story.
Although I believe that cat lovers will indeed appreciate this collection more than others, the stories are enjoyable enough for everybody to read., possibly even dog lovers.
4.5 Stars.
This is a collection of seven short stories that centre around abandoned cats that have been rescued. Most are rescued as kittens, their eyes not yet open. While the stories revolve around the cats, they also focus on family interaction and relationships.
The stories cover the lives of these cats and as the title of the book infers most end with some form of parting and goodbye. While some of the stories are indeed sad, imbued with the grief of loss, they all have a feel-good nature to them.
One cat helps a bumbling father to care for a newborn baby, turning him into the husband his wife needs. Another cat, rescued from the side of the road as a kitten, helps to melt a father’s stone heart. There is a story about a cat’s love and devotion to a man who fails to show any sign of love in return. My favourite of the collection, containing a hint of magical realism, involves an entire island populated almost exclusively by cats. I later found out that these islands exist in Japan and are quite the tourist attraction. There is, as you would expect, a definite feeling of Japanese culture running through each story.
Although I believe that cat lovers will indeed appreciate this collection more than others, the stories are enjoyable enough for everybody to read., possibly even dog lovers.
4.5 Stars.
September 16, 2024
The Goodbye Cat is a collection of short stories narrated (mostly) by cats. It’s a translation for the japanese that shows the personality of different cats while showing the impact they can have as members of a family-or just to make two people fall in love. I adored all the stories (my fav was the second one!) except for two I was okay about. I found a lot of comfort reading this book and it made me mourn not having a cat myself. I’d recommend it if you are in the mood for slice of life short stories about families and cats.
Thank you so much Laura for giving me such a warm and beautiful book! I’d never have picked it up by myself and it was exactly what I needed❤️
*rating: 3.5/5
Thank you so much Laura for giving me such a warm and beautiful book! I’d never have picked it up by myself and it was exactly what I needed❤️
*rating: 3.5/5
January 10, 2024
The way I bawled my eyes out almost half of the story? Like out of the 7 stories, I cried for 5 of them. And I wasn't just crying, I was literally sobbing my eyes out to a point that I woke up my cats, got them confused and licking my tears which ended up of me crying more :') Yeah this book had taken me for such a good ride.
For a story that has a seemingly straightforward plot, I loved how its a potrayal of so many things inside the stories. We can observe a lot of cats in Japanese works, literature and even art that its considered part of the culture there -with cats as either a background in the story or the main characters themselves.
For The Goodbye Cat, the 7 short stories are a mix of different perspectives, but mostly highlighting cats as the main characters and each stories has its own unique traits. But whats common in most of the stories in this book is in the observation of humans in the eyes of a cat . The actions that reflects the animals behaviour , in how some are kind and some can be mean, in which each story portrays the overall feeling of the story through the eyes of the cats. I loved how different each stories and circumstances are, and how realistic they are. Humans and animals have a deeper connection than we think they have and these are what is portrayed in the book.
I was not a cat person myself. Cats naturally come to me but I didn't emphatize as much - until I had my own cats, and I think that's what had made me bawled my eyes so much - because as owners, we wonder the feelings of our cats as well. Pet owners has a special relationship with their pets. They are not just animals in the house, they are a part of the family, an extension of their daily lives, and the mere thought of losing a loved one can break your heart to pieces, let alone your own family. I love the way God created us, in a sense where everything is a full cycle - and that is what potrayed in the book. Everything that happens to us, instances that led us to certain things, all has its meaning, and in due time, it will become a blessing in disguise.
This book looks to be a very simple book on the surface, but when dived deeper, its a whole exploration of human connections and animals in ways that is unexpected. Its a story that is very heartwarming but also has a bittersweet end that can make you tear up (or in my case, bawled my eyes out). Its a story that can last and transcends time.
Recommended and I'm glad I read this for one of my reads for #JanuaryinJapan.
Thank you to Times Reads for this copy, I truly appreciate it .
Personal Ratings: 4.5🌟
"Creators were human beings , and human beings instinctively cared how others reacted to what they created. How may people in the world, when ordered to put a lid on that instinct, could actually comply?"
For a story that has a seemingly straightforward plot, I loved how its a potrayal of so many things inside the stories. We can observe a lot of cats in Japanese works, literature and even art that its considered part of the culture there -with cats as either a background in the story or the main characters themselves.
For The Goodbye Cat, the 7 short stories are a mix of different perspectives, but mostly highlighting cats as the main characters and each stories has its own unique traits. But whats common in most of the stories in this book is in the observation of humans in the eyes of a cat . The actions that reflects the animals behaviour , in how some are kind and some can be mean, in which each story portrays the overall feeling of the story through the eyes of the cats. I loved how different each stories and circumstances are, and how realistic they are. Humans and animals have a deeper connection than we think they have and these are what is portrayed in the book.
I was not a cat person myself. Cats naturally come to me but I didn't emphatize as much - until I had my own cats, and I think that's what had made me bawled my eyes so much - because as owners, we wonder the feelings of our cats as well. Pet owners has a special relationship with their pets. They are not just animals in the house, they are a part of the family, an extension of their daily lives, and the mere thought of losing a loved one can break your heart to pieces, let alone your own family. I love the way God created us, in a sense where everything is a full cycle - and that is what potrayed in the book. Everything that happens to us, instances that led us to certain things, all has its meaning, and in due time, it will become a blessing in disguise.
This book looks to be a very simple book on the surface, but when dived deeper, its a whole exploration of human connections and animals in ways that is unexpected. Its a story that is very heartwarming but also has a bittersweet end that can make you tear up (or in my case, bawled my eyes out). Its a story that can last and transcends time.
Recommended and I'm glad I read this for one of my reads for #JanuaryinJapan.
Thank you to Times Reads for this copy, I truly appreciate it .
Personal Ratings: 4.5🌟
December 11, 2023
Yup I cried. I knew it. Geez 😭😭😭😩😩😩
A feline companion is a blessing most of the times but also a heartbreak when they passed. Having pets is a comfort to me & I'm sure to all of us, however the parting or death seems to be the hardest to take and devastating. Reading this collection of 7 short stories of cats that chronicled the cycle of birth, death, happiness, sadness, love, goodbyes & grief made me remembered of my own personal experience with loss. I lost a precious rabbit just recently & her death still affects me till I cried so much reading the last 2 stories bcus of how much I was reminded of her. My rabbit was sick suddenly & she passed away when I was at work and I have to forced myself to not cry at the office. Once I'm home, reality hits me & i broke down so hard on the thought of never cuddling her again and its the worst feeling ever.
The goodbye cat tells on different stories of cats and its human's relationship & interaction from the first story of a kitten that enters into the family growing up as the third son and we see the kitten grew up alongside the second boy till it passed, Bringing up the baby was a heartwarming read of a first time father, a socially inept mangaka whom started to care for a kitten named Spin & learning to care for two living being, his daughter Shiori and Spin, Cat Island showcased the young boy's struggle to call her dad's 2nd wife as a mom and they went to a cat island to take photographs of cats, the last two stories brings us back to Satoru and Nana , Hachi from Travelling Cat Chronicles and I cried so hard for their loves and relationship which reflected some of my personal connection with my rabbits🥲🥲. Good father/bad father gives u glimpses how an unseemingly a father who barely cares about their cats may be liked by the cat itself,
Saying goodbye is hard and Goodbye Cat actually explored the farewell scenes superbly, a reminder for us to be there for our loved ones, to accept that the pain of not saying goodbyes can be difficult but sometimes the memories & times we had is to be treasured. I wanted to do more for the ones that I loved but oftentimes they dont feel enough but I want to believe with my heart that the memories made are precious & may it stay for a long time.
Thank you to @times.reads and @putrifariza for the review copy.
A feline companion is a blessing most of the times but also a heartbreak when they passed. Having pets is a comfort to me & I'm sure to all of us, however the parting or death seems to be the hardest to take and devastating. Reading this collection of 7 short stories of cats that chronicled the cycle of birth, death, happiness, sadness, love, goodbyes & grief made me remembered of my own personal experience with loss. I lost a precious rabbit just recently & her death still affects me till I cried so much reading the last 2 stories bcus of how much I was reminded of her. My rabbit was sick suddenly & she passed away when I was at work and I have to forced myself to not cry at the office. Once I'm home, reality hits me & i broke down so hard on the thought of never cuddling her again and its the worst feeling ever.
The goodbye cat tells on different stories of cats and its human's relationship & interaction from the first story of a kitten that enters into the family growing up as the third son and we see the kitten grew up alongside the second boy till it passed, Bringing up the baby was a heartwarming read of a first time father, a socially inept mangaka whom started to care for a kitten named Spin & learning to care for two living being, his daughter Shiori and Spin, Cat Island showcased the young boy's struggle to call her dad's 2nd wife as a mom and they went to a cat island to take photographs of cats, the last two stories brings us back to Satoru and Nana , Hachi from Travelling Cat Chronicles and I cried so hard for their loves and relationship which reflected some of my personal connection with my rabbits🥲🥲. Good father/bad father gives u glimpses how an unseemingly a father who barely cares about their cats may be liked by the cat itself,
Saying goodbye is hard and Goodbye Cat actually explored the farewell scenes superbly, a reminder for us to be there for our loved ones, to accept that the pain of not saying goodbyes can be difficult but sometimes the memories & times we had is to be treasured. I wanted to do more for the ones that I loved but oftentimes they dont feel enough but I want to believe with my heart that the memories made are precious & may it stay for a long time.
Thank you to @times.reads and @putrifariza for the review copy.
January 10, 2024
It feels like I am reading someone’s diary on how to bring up a kitten one day and then some other random things the other days. The flow is somehow not there for a good read. I really wanted to like this book. Not for me.
November 13, 2023
I will never tire of reading books with personified cats or cat-person relationships but The Traveling Cat Chronicles is better
October 25, 2023
“If you do something for other people, it’ll be good for you, too.”
.
.
This book is a short story collection featuring seven cats and their interactions with their owners.
The book is a whirlpool of sad/happy feelings, It will make you cry, it will make you laugh, and it will definitely make you think about owning a cat as soon as possible.
.
As soon as I saw the cover of the book and knew that the author was "Hiro Arikawa", the author of "The Traveling Cat Chronicles" I began reading & listening to the book at the same moment.
I don't know why everyone compares this book with the previous one. But Is this book as good as the previous one? honestly, no.
But is this book good? Yes!
Are the stories touching? Yes!!
will the stories make you cry? Yes!!!
That's all we need to know!
Since I am a cat lover, and I also own one, this book was personally special to me.
I was living every moment with them and thinking about everything with them, which is why the stories had such a great impact on me.
All the tales were lovely and unique in their way.
But my favorite stories are when the cats have a personal role in telling the story.
And these stories were...
The Goodbye Cat
Cat Island
Finding Hacchi
Life Is Not Always Kind
These stories made my tears run like rivers. I was greatly influenced by it. And I literally cried my eyes out!
I loved all the stories, and all the cute, wise cats.
I was so happy that I met "NaNa" again. ♥ I really missed "NaNa & Satoru", and I wished they had more memories to share with us.
These stories are truly written beautifully and perfectly. Honestly, I don’t think you have to be a cat lover to enjoy this book, So I warmly recommend this novel to anyone with a heart and love for animals.
.
.
His father laughed.
“A climbing cat, a drawing cat, a carried cat, and, to the very end, a considerate cat.
A cat of many talents, for sure.”
.
.
This book is a short story collection featuring seven cats and their interactions with their owners.
The book is a whirlpool of sad/happy feelings, It will make you cry, it will make you laugh, and it will definitely make you think about owning a cat as soon as possible.
.
As soon as I saw the cover of the book and knew that the author was "Hiro Arikawa", the author of "The Traveling Cat Chronicles" I began reading & listening to the book at the same moment.
I don't know why everyone compares this book with the previous one. But Is this book as good as the previous one? honestly, no.
But is this book good? Yes!
Are the stories touching? Yes!!
will the stories make you cry? Yes!!!
That's all we need to know!
Since I am a cat lover, and I also own one, this book was personally special to me.
I was living every moment with them and thinking about everything with them, which is why the stories had such a great impact on me.
All the tales were lovely and unique in their way.
But my favorite stories are when the cats have a personal role in telling the story.
And these stories were...
The Goodbye Cat
Cat Island
Finding Hacchi
Life Is Not Always Kind
These stories made my tears run like rivers. I was greatly influenced by it. And I literally cried my eyes out!
I loved all the stories, and all the cute, wise cats.
I was so happy that I met "NaNa" again. ♥ I really missed "NaNa & Satoru", and I wished they had more memories to share with us.
These stories are truly written beautifully and perfectly. Honestly, I don’t think you have to be a cat lover to enjoy this book, So I warmly recommend this novel to anyone with a heart and love for animals.
.
.
His father laughed.
“A climbing cat, a drawing cat, a carried cat, and, to the very end, a considerate cat.
A cat of many talents, for sure.”
August 24, 2024
4.5
Me gustó muchísimo y estoy en un dilema. No sé si necesitaba más historias incluso cuando cada una de ellas me dejaba un gran sentimiento de tristeza.
La del inicio me pareció una gran historia, muy buena para el comienzo y la del final… no se quedó para nada atrás.
Si considero que eran cortas y eso fue bueno, ya que no necesito de más páginas para hacer que cada una me hiciera sentir esa nostalgia o sentimiento de pérdida humana o animal.
La vida japonesa ( por lo menos la de este libro ) es que me gusta, esa simpleza y tranquilidad.
Hay historias que me conmovieron mucho ammm incluso bueno la primera y última si me hicieron llorar como un bebé y eso si me sorprende pero busno advertidos están que si son sensibles ante los animalitos este libro les hará sufrir un poquito
Muy recomendable :)
Me gustó muchísimo y estoy en un dilema. No sé si necesitaba más historias incluso cuando cada una de ellas me dejaba un gran sentimiento de tristeza.
La del inicio me pareció una gran historia, muy buena para el comienzo y la del final… no se quedó para nada atrás.
Si considero que eran cortas y eso fue bueno, ya que no necesito de más páginas para hacer que cada una me hiciera sentir esa nostalgia o sentimiento de pérdida humana o animal.
La vida japonesa ( por lo menos la de este libro ) es que me gusta, esa simpleza y tranquilidad.
Hay historias que me conmovieron mucho ammm incluso bueno la primera y última si me hicieron llorar como un bebé y eso si me sorprende pero busno advertidos están que si son sensibles ante los animalitos este libro les hará sufrir un poquito
Muy recomendable :)
March 29, 2024
I ugly cried through the last 2 short stories. I love cats.
January 14, 2024
Hiro Arikawa can write as many books on cats and I will sit here and devour them all!! For people who think cats don’t show love, aren’t capable of loving, should really really read this and The travelling cat chronicles. My heart is full 🥹🥹🥹
April 16, 2025
Famous for her book The Travelling Cat Chronicles, the huge bestseller this is a mix of short stories by this much loved Author. Each story is set in Japan and all very different featuring a different cat (or cats) each time. They are of different lengths also. I love the cover for this edition and there are a few illustrations in the book also.
I was drawn into some stories more than others. My favourite definitely is the very first story.
The Author manages to mix human relationships with each other as well as human relationships with cats. Then we have cat relationships with other cats. Many scenarios in life feature in the stories. They are very broad from a struggling manga artist in a difficult marriage to a trip to the famous island in Japan known for all its cats for a special photo shoot that doesn’t go at all like planned.
These are the themes of each story..
Against changing seasons in Japan, seven cats weave their way through their owners' lives.
- A needy kitten rescued from the recycling bin teaches a new father how to parent his own human baby
- An elderly cat hatches a plan to pass into the next world as a spirit so that he and his owner may be together for ever
- A colony of wild cats on a holiday island shows a young boy not to stand in nature's way
- A family is perplexed by their cat's devotion to their charismatic but uncaring father
- A woman curses how her cat constantly visits her at night
I can’t pinpoint what age groups this would suit. They have different maturity levels in each one in my opinion. Sensitive topics like the passing of an elderly cat and the grief of its cat companion is done gracefully and tenderly. We know the cat has passed to become a beautiful spirit in a special place. Written tactfully and tenderly so that even middle grade or older children wouldn’t be distressed. Deep issues are tackled with great sensitivity.
Human struggles, births of babies, losing loved ones all feature. It’s very much a realistic mix of what goes on in life. Some stories are “spoken” by the featured cat, others not. So they are not all the same. I’ve not read The Travelling Cat Chronicles (it’s on my bookshelf, my bad!) but it seems others enjoyed that more. I personally can’t compare the two at this stage. I will get around to reading it!
One story is very wordy and didn’t feature much feline content so I struggled with that one. Overall this was a charming read of very unique tales. If you like hearing of the joys of rescue cats finding loving new homes you’ll love this. Who doesn’t smile when a kitten is found in a cardboard box and taken in?
A nice collection for the cat and animal lover. Just know it’s short stories (which I enjoy) as some readers have not realised this and been disappointed. A solid 3 stars from me. Entertaining with some lovely moments. I really loved the first story. Touched my heart in a big way.
Many thanks to Transworld Publishers, Doubleday for my ARC via NetGalley.
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Thanks so much for reading my review!
I hope you enjoyed it, if you did I’d be delighted if you leave me a “like” and I love to read your comments. If you’d like to connect you can follow me or please send me a friend request.
You can also find me on Amazon U.K. where I am a Top 500 Reviewer.
If you are an Author or Publisher and you’d like me to consider reading and reviewing your book(s) please just message me.
I was drawn into some stories more than others. My favourite definitely is the very first story.
The Author manages to mix human relationships with each other as well as human relationships with cats. Then we have cat relationships with other cats. Many scenarios in life feature in the stories. They are very broad from a struggling manga artist in a difficult marriage to a trip to the famous island in Japan known for all its cats for a special photo shoot that doesn’t go at all like planned.
These are the themes of each story..
Against changing seasons in Japan, seven cats weave their way through their owners' lives.
- A needy kitten rescued from the recycling bin teaches a new father how to parent his own human baby
- An elderly cat hatches a plan to pass into the next world as a spirit so that he and his owner may be together for ever
- A colony of wild cats on a holiday island shows a young boy not to stand in nature's way
- A family is perplexed by their cat's devotion to their charismatic but uncaring father
- A woman curses how her cat constantly visits her at night
I can’t pinpoint what age groups this would suit. They have different maturity levels in each one in my opinion. Sensitive topics like the passing of an elderly cat and the grief of its cat companion is done gracefully and tenderly. We know the cat has passed to become a beautiful spirit in a special place. Written tactfully and tenderly so that even middle grade or older children wouldn’t be distressed. Deep issues are tackled with great sensitivity.
Human struggles, births of babies, losing loved ones all feature. It’s very much a realistic mix of what goes on in life. Some stories are “spoken” by the featured cat, others not. So they are not all the same. I’ve not read The Travelling Cat Chronicles (it’s on my bookshelf, my bad!) but it seems others enjoyed that more. I personally can’t compare the two at this stage. I will get around to reading it!
One story is very wordy and didn’t feature much feline content so I struggled with that one. Overall this was a charming read of very unique tales. If you like hearing of the joys of rescue cats finding loving new homes you’ll love this. Who doesn’t smile when a kitten is found in a cardboard box and taken in?
A nice collection for the cat and animal lover. Just know it’s short stories (which I enjoy) as some readers have not realised this and been disappointed. A solid 3 stars from me. Entertaining with some lovely moments. I really loved the first story. Touched my heart in a big way.
Many thanks to Transworld Publishers, Doubleday for my ARC via NetGalley.
::~~~~~~:::::~~~~~:::::~~~~~:::::~~~~~~::
Thanks so much for reading my review!
I hope you enjoyed it, if you did I’d be delighted if you leave me a “like” and I love to read your comments. If you’d like to connect you can follow me or please send me a friend request.
You can also find me on Amazon U.K. where I am a Top 500 Reviewer.
If you are an Author or Publisher and you’d like me to consider reading and reviewing your book(s) please just message me.
Read
October 29, 2022Ik was helemaal fan van 'Het Reisverslag van een Kat'. Ik hoef je dan ook niet te vertellen dat dit boek mijn enthousiasme opwekte.
Het is een soort vervolgje, maar eigenlijk kun je het gerust op zichzelf lezen. Laat je dan ook vooral niet tegenhouden als je het vorige boek niet hebt gelezen.
Deze acht korte verhalen tonen aan hoe een kat het mensenleven (én het gezinsleven) kan veranderen.
Zelf ben ik meer fan van één groot verhaal, maar ik moet toegeven dat ik aangenaam verrast was door de mate waarin ik telkens werd meegesleurd.
Arikawa is er zeker in geslaagd om mooi weer te geven wat voor impact een dier op iemand kan hebben.
De Kat die Bleef is een leuk boek om tussendoor even op te pakken.
Arikawa heeft een simpele en vlotte schrijfstijl, waardoor je deze meteen uit hebt.
Je hoeft er niet te veel bij na te denken - na een lange werkdag kan dat wel eens welkom zijn...
Beste kattenliefhebbers, zet dit boek maar op je (waarschijnlijk veel te lange) leeslijst.
Hartelijk dank aan Ambo Anthos voor het recensie-exemplaar!
Het is een soort vervolgje, maar eigenlijk kun je het gerust op zichzelf lezen. Laat je dan ook vooral niet tegenhouden als je het vorige boek niet hebt gelezen.
Deze acht korte verhalen tonen aan hoe een kat het mensenleven (én het gezinsleven) kan veranderen.
Zelf ben ik meer fan van één groot verhaal, maar ik moet toegeven dat ik aangenaam verrast was door de mate waarin ik telkens werd meegesleurd.
Arikawa is er zeker in geslaagd om mooi weer te geven wat voor impact een dier op iemand kan hebben.
De Kat die Bleef is een leuk boek om tussendoor even op te pakken.
Arikawa heeft een simpele en vlotte schrijfstijl, waardoor je deze meteen uit hebt.
Je hoeft er niet te veel bij na te denken - na een lange werkdag kan dat wel eens welkom zijn...
Beste kattenliefhebbers, zet dit boek maar op je (waarschijnlijk veel te lange) leeslijst.
Hartelijk dank aan Ambo Anthos voor het recensie-exemplaar!
dnf
November 3, 2023DNF @47%
This is a collection of 7 short stories featuring cats and how they fit into people's lives. I'm ditching the book at 47% because I'm bored with it and simply not interesting in picking the book up again. I loved The Travelling Cat Chronicles. But The Goodbye Cat doesn't appeal to me. The writing is too simplistic, juvenile and flat.
Date: 3 November 2023
This is a collection of 7 short stories featuring cats and how they fit into people's lives. I'm ditching the book at 47% because I'm bored with it and simply not interesting in picking the book up again. I loved The Travelling Cat Chronicles. But The Goodbye Cat doesn't appeal to me. The writing is too simplistic, juvenile and flat.
Date: 3 November 2023
May 4, 2024
Unfortunately it's not as good as The Travelling Cat Chronicles, but damn it's always nice to read Japanese stories! They just have something, I don't know what it is, but they're cozy and warm, and full of wonder!
August 31, 2024
a cute cozy read but not anything too groundbreaking for me, probably because it was 7 short stories and it wasn't too much time to get to know the characters but I liked the overall. I think I might like the other book more, the traveling cat chronicles. apparently I should have read that one before this one but I didnt know that when I started
July 28, 2025
C’était juste trop cute 🥰. Ça m’a donner le goût d’aller au Japon spécialement à l’île aux chats …bref 7 belles histoires avec des chats j’ai adorer c’était émouvant .
January 6, 2025
Este livro delicioso reúne uma série de contos sobre gatos: gatos domésticos, gatos vadios, gatos que habitam uma ilha inteira, gatos idosos e gatos bebés.
Todos os sete contos são excelentes mas para mim destacaram-se "O Tempo de Hachi" e "O Gato da Despedida", que me arrancaram algumas lágrimas. São contos agridoces, que se por um lado abordam a maravilha que é ter um gato, também falam sobre o reverso da medalha e a inevitável separação que advém do final da vida. Já li muitos livros sobre gatos mas este tocou-me profundamente, tanto que até pensei não continuar com medo de sofrer demasiado com as histórias destes animais. Mas a verdade é que no final o balanço é positivo e se algumas histórias nos deixam com um sabor triste na boca, outras compensam com peripécias e com o amor entre humanos e gatos.
Vou ler o "Memórias de um gato viajante" brevemente, também da autora!
TW: morte de animal, morte, cancro, morte de progenitor, abandono de animais.
Todos os sete contos são excelentes mas para mim destacaram-se "O Tempo de Hachi" e "O Gato da Despedida", que me arrancaram algumas lágrimas. São contos agridoces, que se por um lado abordam a maravilha que é ter um gato, também falam sobre o reverso da medalha e a inevitável separação que advém do final da vida. Já li muitos livros sobre gatos mas este tocou-me profundamente, tanto que até pensei não continuar com medo de sofrer demasiado com as histórias destes animais. Mas a verdade é que no final o balanço é positivo e se algumas histórias nos deixam com um sabor triste na boca, outras compensam com peripécias e com o amor entre humanos e gatos.
Vou ler o "Memórias de um gato viajante" brevemente, também da autora!
TW: morte de animal, morte, cancro, morte de progenitor, abandono de animais.
Read
December 26, 2023Those short stories brought tears and laughter. They are beautiful! ✨
My favorite is Bringing Up Baby. It is amazing that an unexpected encounter can bring about good change in someone's life. And of course, I was able to see Satoru's adventure with Nana again and what a great man he is. ♥️
My favorite is Bringing Up Baby. It is amazing that an unexpected encounter can bring about good change in someone's life. And of course, I was able to see Satoru's adventure with Nana again and what a great man he is. ♥️
July 6, 2024
Cats certainly have a special place in Japanese culture and this book of 7 short stories (all featuring a cat-of course) helped me understand the importance of the relationships humans have with their feline masters. The cats are all memorable. The stories are emotionally satisfying. A must read if you’re a cat lover!
January 5, 2026
Gosto sempre de incorporar leituras leves pelo meio de livros densos e, também, de ler literatura japonesa. A simplicidade com que os japoneses escrevem é semelhante à forma como convivem com a natureza e as suas relações interpessoais - com calma, atenção ao detalhe, respeito. São cuidadosos e valorizam cada palavra e ação de uma forma que, para a visão ocidental, pode parecer exagerada. Considero que seja esse o motivo de poucas pessoas terem gostado deste e outros livros escritos por japoneses. No meu topo, continua a obra Quando vires um gato branco de Saki Murayama.
Este livro consiste num conjunto de pequenos contos e dá ênfase à forma como um gato pode impactar uma vida ou uma família inteira.
Está bem formulado, tem umas histórias mais bonitas que outras, mas, no geral, é muito bonito de se ler. Foca-se em variados estágios da vida (humana e felina), assim como nos sentimentos que as acompanham: amor, confiança, a dor do luto, lealdade, entre outros.
Este livro consiste num conjunto de pequenos contos e dá ênfase à forma como um gato pode impactar uma vida ou uma família inteira.
Está bem formulado, tem umas histórias mais bonitas que outras, mas, no geral, é muito bonito de se ler. Foca-se em variados estágios da vida (humana e felina), assim como nos sentimentos que as acompanham: amor, confiança, a dor do luto, lealdade, entre outros.
January 1, 2026
O carte plină de emoție, spusă din perspectiva unui motan atașat profund de stăpânul său. Finalul este foarte impresionant și te face să simți intens despărțirea, dar și frumusețea legăturii dintre ei. Este o poveste simplă, dar foarte puternică, care rămâne mult timp în suflet.
September 21, 2023
I liked The Goodbye Cat, but it didn’t hit me the same way that Hiro Arikawa’s other book, The Travelling Cat Chronicles, did. The short stories that I enjoyed the most in this collection were the ones that were written from the POV of the cats. Or the ones that had a bit of a fantastical edge to them. It made them more charming and helped to give the stories a whimsical feeling. Also, it was fun to be able to revisit some of the characters from The Travelling Cat Chronicles.
While there were definitely stories in here that I loved, a lot of them also fell short for me. Some of them just felt pretty generic and like they weren’t adding anything special to the collection. Overall I did have a good time reading this and would still suggest that people give it a shot.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
While there were definitely stories in here that I loved, a lot of them also fell short for me. Some of them just felt pretty generic and like they weren’t adding anything special to the collection. Overall I did have a good time reading this and would still suggest that people give it a shot.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 19, 2023
On my blog.
Rep: Japanese cast & setting
Galley provided by publisher
When I read The Travelling Cat Chronicles last year, it absolutely ruined me. Like full on tears and everything. So, when I saw that there was another cat anthology from the same author being released in translation this year… well, I had to read it.
The Goodbye Cat is a series of seven stories centring, well, cats. And the humans looking after them, I suppose. What’s more, you don’t just get to see new faces, but some old friends as well, which was a nice surprise (and made me want to reread The Travelling Cat Chronicles, I’ll admit).
This will probably be a pretty short review, since it’s a reasonably short anthology. There’s only seven stories here, but each is so distinct, each cat is so memorable. You’ll actually want the anthology to last for a whole lot longer because of how good it is. The first story alone made me tear up, which frankly I should have expected, and it was a sign of things to come.
Actually, this will definitely be a short review, because all I really have to say about this book is how much I loved it. I especially loved the final two stories, which tie into The Travelling Cat Chronicles in a way that makes you just a bit nostalgic (not saying how they tie in, but it might well be guessable). Any which way, it’ll leave you wanting more, and that’s always a good sign when it comes to a short story collection.
All that remains, then, is for me to ask — nay, beg — that you read The Travelling Cat Chronicles now, and this book when it comes out later this year. If you don’t, you will be sorely missing out!
Rep: Japanese cast & setting
Galley provided by publisher
When I read The Travelling Cat Chronicles last year, it absolutely ruined me. Like full on tears and everything. So, when I saw that there was another cat anthology from the same author being released in translation this year… well, I had to read it.
The Goodbye Cat is a series of seven stories centring, well, cats. And the humans looking after them, I suppose. What’s more, you don’t just get to see new faces, but some old friends as well, which was a nice surprise (and made me want to reread The Travelling Cat Chronicles, I’ll admit).
This will probably be a pretty short review, since it’s a reasonably short anthology. There’s only seven stories here, but each is so distinct, each cat is so memorable. You’ll actually want the anthology to last for a whole lot longer because of how good it is. The first story alone made me tear up, which frankly I should have expected, and it was a sign of things to come.
Actually, this will definitely be a short review, because all I really have to say about this book is how much I loved it. I especially loved the final two stories, which tie into The Travelling Cat Chronicles in a way that makes you just a bit nostalgic (not saying how they tie in, but it might well be guessable). Any which way, it’ll leave you wanting more, and that’s always a good sign when it comes to a short story collection.
All that remains, then, is for me to ask — nay, beg — that you read The Travelling Cat Chronicles now, and this book when it comes out later this year. If you don’t, you will be sorely missing out!
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