Messenger Cat Café

Messenger Cat #1

by Nagi Shimeno, M. Jean (Translator)

The heartwarming Japanese bestseller about grief, love and a cat who will do anything to see his beloved owner again.

After a long and happy life with a loving human family, tabby cat Fuuta has passed into the afterlife. But he is not as far from his owner Michiru as it seems. Sometimes the divide between the lands of the living and the dead can be traversed.

Eager to see Michiru again, Fuuta interviews for a position at Café Pont, which sits in the liminal space between the two worlds. The café is known for its unique service: its living customers can request meetings with the person they'd most like to see again, through the specially selected spirits of messenger cats.

Fuuta must investigate and deliver his messages without unnerving the living, or worse, upsetting the balance of the universe itself. It is a weighty task for a tabby cat, but Fuuta rises to the challenge. After all, the job offers a special reward: he will get to see Michiru again. And he'll do anything to reunite with his family.

Genres: Fantasy, Japan, Fiction, Cats, Animals, Japanese Literature, Italian Literature

288 pages, Hardcover

First published November 9, 2022

Reviews

[Rita Torres · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 ⭐

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

Messenger Cat Cafe is a heartfelt tale structured as a series of reunion-related vignettes. Fuuta, a recently deceased cat, takes on a messenger job, sending words of consolation and encouragement from the afterlife (and sometimes life) to grieving loved ones. This then allows them to move on in their journeys, having "spoken with" their loved one, having heard the words in their heart.

The premise is intriguing, the case-by-case structure effective, and the solace that Fuuta provides heartwarming. I wholeheartedly recommend this book as a calm, soothing balm for the heart.

[Majo · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lindo!
Ternura total este libro y en el epílogo me fue inevitable contener la lágrima.
Este libro llegó oportunamente, fue un refugio y muy reconfortante tras días algo estresantes y no solo me brindó calma, me despertó una ternura inmensa el gatito gris, Fūta que me recordó muchísimo a mi peluche..
El mensaje del libro es precioso. 🌈🪽🐾
La narrativa es hermosa, me encanta leer sobre sus patitas y sus ronroneos y todo lo que hacen los gatitos.. lo amé.

Destaco las siguientes frases para volver muy pronto a ellas:

⁃ no tiene sentido preocuparse de lo que aún no ha sucedido.
⁃ Según dicen, al morir, las mascotas esperan a sus dueños en el puente arcoíris hasta que puedan reencontrarse en el más allá.
⁃ Los padres quieren que sus hijos sean felices y los hijos quieren que los padres no se preocupen por ello. Al menos en este aspecto los gatos y los humanos nos parecemos.
⁃ Es cierto lo que dicen sobre los gatos atigrados: tenemos un fuerte sentido de la responsabilidad.
⁃ Obon, el festival de los difuntos.
⁃ Higan, que es un festival que se celebra en los equinoccios de primavera y otoño.
⁃ En mi corazón le doy gracias a mi madre a quien nunca conocí.
⁃ Para ellas es duro separarse de sus hijos, pero lo hacen porque su deseo de que crezcan sanos y felices, aunque sea lejos de ellas, es incluso más fuerte.
⁃ Si una gata da a luz en la calle no puede cuidar de su camada ella sola. Así que coge a sus cachorritos y busca una casa donde puedan hacerlo

[gloooooriaaa · Rating 3 out of 5]

se ha sentido como un abrazo al corazón ❤️❤️❤️ muy bonito, sensible y muy fácil de leer ❤️❤️❤️

[Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

espero que tenha continuação
Foi super fofinho e adorei que fosse narrada pelo gato, no entanto houveram algumas coisas que ainda ficaram um pouco confusas para mim
E também não realizaram o encontro que o gato da ponte queria 😔😔

[Rhys · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

A heartwarming piece of healing fiction translated from Japanese, Messenger Cat Café is a welcome addition to the recent trend in cat-related fiction.

In this book, the worlds between the living and the dead are quite close and liminal spaces allow travel between them. Recently deceased cat Fuuta takes a job in the afterlife as a messenger cat at Café Pont to earn the reward of seeing his still living owner, Michiru, earlier than the typical waiting period.

Messenger cats are tasked with arranging meetings between people who cannot normally meet with one another for whatever reason, but have to do so with a certain finesse as to not disturb the delicate balance of the world.

Determined to be reunited with Michiru as soon as possible, Fuuta must investigate his clients and deliver creative solutions to satisfy these unique requests.

The writing can be simple, but it lends to the cozy, reassuring feeling that the novel has, and the interesting characters and charming worldbuilding really make this a delightful, bittersweet, and very healing read.

[Ila Corsalini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bello, intenso e profondo come solo un libro giapponese (in particolare un libro su un caffè e gatti) può esserlo.

Ho provato tantissime emozioni durante la lettura che non riuscirei a esprimerle in parole ma io desidererei tantissimo che i nostri amici animali possano realmente venirci a trovare ogni tanto. Sarebbe altrettanto bello poter ricevere dei piccoli messaggi dai nostri cari defunti, anche celati sotto forma di un profumo, fiore o piccola coincidenza.

Ho letto questo libro in un momento in cui pensavo tantissimo al mio cane venuto a mancare due anni fa; mi sono incolpata per non aver fatto di più e avrei tanto voluto avergli dato anche solo un bacino e una carezza in più.
Non ho letto nemmeno la trama, stranamente, mi ci sono buttata a capofitto solo perchè la copertina era intrigante e volevo cambiare un po' dai soliti romance. Eppure... mi è arrivato proprio quando ne avevo così tanto bisogno.

Sono una ragazza che fa caso a ogni singola piccola cosa che succede intorno a me quindi per me questo libro è stato proprio la prova che loro ci guardano nel mondo azzurro e ogni tanto ci vengono a trovare. Basta solo accorgersene.

[ELisabete Marques · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Lucía Colomo · Rating 5 out of 5]

El libro es para aquellos a quienes les gustan los relatos cortos sobre la vida.
Personalmente, es una lectura fácil y rápida, que te emociona. Me parece imposible no empatizar con al menos uno de los relatos.

[Llanos Montero · Rating 3 out of 5]

Le doy 3,5 estrellas, aunque redondeo a 3 porque la edición tiene algunas pequeñas erratas.
Es una lectura ligera y tierna, muy recomendable para cuando apetece algo fácil pero con un toque especial. A pesar de su sencillez, invita a reflexionar sobre las relaciones humanas y cómo nos comunicamos con los demás.
Me ha gustado especialmente el capítulo del profesor, que me ha parecido de los más emotivos y con más fondo.
Sin ser inolvidable, es un libro tierno, que se lee rápido y deja una sensación agradable.

[Bruno Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

É um livro simples, e, no geral, bem escrito. Em algumas partes, fica a ideia de que perdemos informação. Fico na dúvida de de ido à escrita ou à tradução.
A história é muito bonita e aquece o coração. Faz nos indagar sobre a vida, a morte mas sobretudo sobre aqueles que nos fazem a vida ter sentido.

[zaheerah · Rating 5 out of 5]

me at 2am finishing this book:

[Sofia Cruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dou 4,5 ⭐️

O fim do livro retrata basicamente o sucesso dos gatos mensageiros, nos quais completaram as 5 missões e na qual a sua recompensa é rever quem quiserem do país verde.
E sinto que foi aqui que faltou mais desenvolvimento…emoções, palavras.. tudo o que mais ansiei no livro todo foi ver o Futa a conseguir o que queria, mas foi algo tão passageiro que enfim :((
Tirando isto, adorei o livro, muito fácil de ler e entender a história. Muito querido e aconchegante.
Confesso que adoro ler livros de autores japoneses.. tenho um fraquinho pela escrita deles 🤍

[Bright Book Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Messenger Cat Cafe by Nagi Shimeno

This bestselling Japanese book follows Fuuta, an orange tabby cat, who travels as a messenger cat between the afterlife and the land of the living. Once he has successfully delivered five messages he can see his cherished owner Michiru again.

The book follows some of the typical hallmarks of bestselling Japanese fiction in that it tells short, simple stories that involve cats, a cafe, healing and remembrance.

It was a pleasant, relaxing read.

Thank you G.P. Putnam's sons
for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.


February 17th
G.P. Putnam's Sons


#arc #netgalley
#Messengercatcafe #cats
#Japanesebestseller
#Brightbookreviews

[Minkanana · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 de 5.
Me ha parecido un libro muy tierno, reflexivo y con pequeñas lecciones de vida pero muy fácil de leer y entretenido.
Le doy un 4,5 porque al iniciar algunos capítulos se repite parte de la historia que ya se ha contado al principio y porque tiene algún error ortográfico que espero que revisen para futuras impresiones.

[Shaitanah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*. Very light and sweet.

[Books By Your Bedside · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and Harvill for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

I love Japanese fiction, and there is definitely a recurring theme with fantasy and cats which I enjoy.

It's an unusual, but sensitive and uplifting and positive look at grief and moving on after loss.

The formatting was a bit off on my e-arc so I cannot comment on how the formatting worked with the story in terms of how the published copy will look.

I loved this idea that the gap between the living world and the afterlife is not as big as we think, and that there is this crossover between the living and the dead. As someone who has lost a lot of people in a short amount time, I found that very comforting. Especially reading it in England, because we generally avoid talking about death, and so it's great to read it written about so openly.

This is narrated by the main cat Fuuta, which took some getting used to as, unsurprisingly, I can't relate to a cat, and I do always try to find some common ground in the characters.

It is a relatively short book which means it was nice and quick. The pacing helps with it as well, because some of it is slower and some bits quicker, which helps balance it out.

This is going to be quite a generic statement but bear with me. Like the majority of Asian fiction I read, it is quite repetitive. That's not inherently a negative point. But they tend to fixate on one plot point (in this case, the cat helping a loved on and a deceased individual move on), and stick with it, telling the story over and over again with different characters. Which again is not necessarily bad, and I think the short length helps with this because I think if it went on too longer it would feel a bit too much repetition.

The writing is quite simple - but that could well be the translation - and doesn't really challenge you, but it does lend itself to a cosy, relaxing, familiar, reassuring read.

It's not the best translated book I've ever read, but I did still enjoy it. It's cosy and heartwarming and tender, relaxing and fast paced, sensitive, and almost healing for those who are grieving.

[Gabrielle (belle.bookcorner) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m so glad I picked up this short, heart warming piece of Japanese literature.
It’s cute, a little bittersweet, and surprisingly touching all at once.

The story follows Fuuta, a recently deceased cat who finds himself in the afterlife.
Missing his beloved human, Fuuta takes a job at a magical café that exists between the world of the living and the dead.
His work allows him to shorten the time until he can reunite with his human—and along the way, he helps others reconnect with the people they long for most.

Through Fuuta’s missions, we meet a variety of characters: a woman who wishes to see her late father, another who longs to meet her child, and many more.
Each case is tender and emotional, yet handled with a gentle touch.

What I loved most was the way Fuuta delivers these messages. He never disrupts the balance of the world; instead, he finds the simplest, most indirect ways to convey them—through a stranger, a song, or even an object. Every mission kept me curious about how he would choose to pass the message along next.

Overall, The Messenger Cat Café is cozy and healing.
With its charming cat protagonist, emotional yet comforting stories, and easy to read style, it’s the kind of book you can devour in a single sitting. At just around 200 pages, it felt like a warm hug in book form.

I received a review copy through NetGalley, and I’m leaving this review voluntarily. Huge thanks to the author and publisher!

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: grief, death

[Libby Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's the deal with all the Japanese Cat Novels?

If you've ever wondered at the veritable clowder of Japanese books featuring feline characters, have a look at my review of I Am a Cat by Natsume Soseki. I Am a Cat is a Japanese modern classic, and set the scene for scores of copy cats (pardon the pun) and admirers of varying quality.

The Messenger Cat Cafe is a wonderful and distinctive addition to the litter. The book is narrated by Fuuta, an orange tabby who has passed on to the afterlife (called the Land of Blue) and must find a job in order to have the chance to visit his beloved human still living in what he calls the Land of Green. He decides to become a Messenger Cat, passing messages between people in the Lands of Blue and Green.

I have read a number of books in this genre, and while I tend to enjoy them because - cats - this one was special. The Messenger Cat Cafe has much more developed story lines and characters, and both humour and sadness shine through the translation. For a reader from outside of the culture in which this book is set, I learned more about various Japanese views on life, death, the afterlife, and how we can live meaningful lives.

As a Bookseller I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys gentle, heartfelt stories from different cultures that cause the reader to ponder the meaning of life.

Many thanks to the publishers for providing a copy for an impartial review.

[Manon · Rating 4 out of 5]

J'adore ce genre de littérature. On est sur une sorte de #feelgood, avec des chats qui parlent et qui font des blagues, et des humains un peu perdus. Je dis lecture feel-good, mais je ne dis pas lecture légère, parce que chacune des histoires qui nous est racontées est emprunte d'émotions fortes.
Fuuta doit réaliser cinq missions, réunir cinq âmes pour avoir lui aussi, la chance de revoir son humain préféré. C'est donc à travers cinq histoires différentes que nous allons découvrir le café Pont et tous ces personnages.
Et qu'elles histoires ! Il y en a qui m'ont plus touchées que d'autres mais c'est chaque fois raconté d'une telle façon, que nos cœurs se serrent et qu'on mets plein d'espoir dans ce petit chat pour qu'il réalise l'impensable.
J'ai vraiment beaucoup aimé cette lecture. C'est plein d'émotion, d'espoir, de bienveillance. Ça donne envie d'appeler ses proches pour leur rappeler qu'on pense à eux et qu'on les aime, parce que parfois plutard, c'est trop tard...

[Cheer is Currently Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

MESSENGER CAT CAFE
RATING: 4
GENRE: Fiction, Translated fiction

Another Japanese cozy read - this time a cat that has passed on to the next world has embarked on a task as a messenger cat to help connect those who they want to see but cannot. Our main character, Fuuta, needs to complete 5 tasks as a messenger cat in order to be reunited his loved one and cross between worlds before the 7-month waiting period.

Another episodic type read which Fuuta encounters a grieving mother, lost loves, and estranged parent and child. It is a quick and easy read that reflects on human experiences and nature on how we process love and loss. The premise is a different from other cozy reads but still gives that same heartwarming feeling.

Thank you to Netgalley and Putnam for an advanced copy of this book. I recommend for all those who love Japanese cozy literature - release date 2/17/26.

[Denny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Se ciò che cerchi è una lettura leggera, Il caffè dei fatti messaggeri saprà accoglierti come un pomeriggio in cui il tempo scorre piano.

La storia incanta sin dalle prime pagine: è raro lasciarsi guidare da un narratore con baffi e coda, un gatto che osserva il mondo con occhi antichi e silenziosi.

Il filo sottile che unisce la vita e l’aldilà, tema che porto nel cuore, qui vibra come un sussurro familiare, invitante, capace di afferrarti senza fare rumore.

Eppure, tra le pagine si avverte qualche passo incerto: talvolta il racconto si ripete, altre volte si confonde, inciampando in frasi che sembrano contraddirsi.

Il finale, poi, lascia l'impressione di un discorso interrotto a metà, come se una porta rimanesse socchiusa, anche se, fortunatamente, esiste un seguito pronto a varcare quella soglia.

[Foxx Writer · Rating 5 out of 5]

For fans of books like "before the Coffee Get's Cold" and "The Cat who saved Books", this is an emotional roller coaster! from highs to absolutely sobbing, this is the bittersweet story of a cat who helps people meet those they can't meet themselves. from a mother who no longer remembers her daughter, to a woman who simply needs the encouragement to choose a new life, this book will have you laughing one minute, and crying the next, with happy endings for everyone who deserves it. (and a bit of petty revenge for those who don't). emotional, evocative, and heartwarming, this is a book that is both cozy inspiring and i can't wait to see more from this author.

Thank you to Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons and Netgalley for this ARC

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

My cat: r u ok?
Me: {{sobbing}}

This is a cozy, heartwarming novel about Fuuta, a senior tabby cat who has recently passed into the afterlife and whose sole wish is to see his human, Michiru, again. In order to achieve his goal, Fuuta becomes a messenger cat for Café Pont, and he must successfully "deliver" five messages in order to earn the right to see Michiru. There are, of course, various rules that must be followed in order to maintain the balance between earth and the afterlife. I am yet again left crying into my cat's fur.

Thank you to Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for the advance reader's digital copy. #MessengerCatCafé #NetGalley

[Lika 03 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book found me by chance, almost as if it sought me out! The main character and narrator is a ginger cat named Futa, who, upon dying, enters another world and becomes a messenger between the worlds of the living and the dead. The world of the living is called the Green World, as green symbolizes life, and the world of the dead is called the Blue World, as blue represents the sky. Futa the cat completes five special tasks, each of which leaves the reader reflecting on what truly matters. The book is warm and heartfelt, especially appealing to cat lovers. Not a masterpiece, but cozy, uplifting, and gentle.

[Tânia Luz · Rating 4 out of 5]

+ história bonita e ternurenta de gatos mensageiros q transmitem mensagens entre o.mundo real e o além
+ gostei de todas as missões do Futá, mas a ultima da sra com alzeihemer e da filha é das mais bonitas, tb é bonita a missao dos pais q sofreram um aborto e conseguem receber uma mensagem da filha q nunca nasceu
+ espero q tenha continuação, pois a nijiko merece se encontrar com o gatinho dela q morreu de velhice
+ supresa no final a michiru tb foi ao cafe e escreveu q queria ver o gatinho dela, o futá

[Lúcia Ventura · Rating 5 out of 5]

O Café dos Gatos Mensageiros é um livro doce e comovente, que mistura o real com o fantástico de forma delicada. Cada capítulo é uma pequena história de perda, amor e despedida, narrada com sensibilidade e ternura. Os gatos, mais do que simples companheiros, tornam-se pontes entre mundos e corações.
Uma leitura que nos lembra da importância de dizer o que sentimos antes que seja tarde demais.
Perfeito para quem precisa de um abraço em forma de livro.

🐾 Às vezes, tudo o que precisamos é de um último miado para fechar o coração com paz.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[kimberley (thearieslibrary) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Told from the POV of Fuuta, who is an adorable cat who has passed away. He becomes a messenger cat at Café Pont, where customers leave requests of who they’d like to meet and the owner Nijiko appoints a cat to arrange the meeting, if it has a lot of sentimental value.

What an absolutely gorgeous read this was! Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a cat lady so as soon as I seen this book, I knew I had to read it and I’m so glad that I did!

I loved the cats that we got to meet along Fuuta’s travels and getting to see the different jobs they did and their personalities, but also I loved seeing the little missions that Fuuta would go on to fulfil his meetings. It’s a book that although it is short, really made me think and reflect on things and those are the best kinds of books to me.

I really liked the world building and it was so fun being able to imagine a world where cats who have passed away, can travel between the two realms but have things like jobs and a home like we do.

⚠️ CWs: animal death, child death, stalking, cheating, alcohol use; mentions abandonment, neglect, pregnancy, weight comment, death ⚠️

[Harriet Diggle · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

This book is so sweet. I loved all the little ways it reminds you to live, to love, and to stop regretting things that you cannot control or change.

Our main character is cheeky and likeable, the plot was fast paced and I enjoyed the whimsical magic. A simple but effective book that sits quietly in your heart.

If you enjoyed The Cat Who Saved Books, If Cats Disappeared From The World and The Goodbye Cat then I think you’ll love this.

Thank you to Vintage for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[André Oliveira]

Desta vez acompanhamos Futa, um gato que entrega mensagens entre este mundo e o outro.
O livro fala sobre luto, saudade e o medo de sermos esquecidos, mas de uma forma leve e da perspetiva de um felino que não compreende as emoções humanas mas que aprende algumas lições.
É uma história subtil que nos lembra de não deixar nada por dizer.

Neste universo, os gatos fazem essa ponte entre quem já não está por perto… quem nos dera na vida real isso ser uma hipótese, não é?