An Undesirable Friend

by Natsume Sōseki, Nick Bradley (Translator)

From Japan's most famous, classic novelist comes a remarkable gem of wit, irony, and feline observation

A stray kitten, catapulted to literary fame loudly observes the world of Meiji Japan in all its absurdity. But he’s not the only cat in the neighbourhood, and as he rallies against the stupidity of human habit, he grows closer to the sophisticated Miss Calico – but he can’t hide his own inadequacies for long.

BRIEF classic novellas and captivating stories, to be read in a single sitting or savoured over days

112 pages, Paperback

Expected publication January 5, 2027

About the author

Natsume Sōseki (夏目 漱石), born Natsume Kinnosuke (夏目 金之助), was a Japanese novelist. He is best known for his novels Kokoro, Botchan, I Am a Cat and his unfinished work Light and Darkness. He was also a scholar of British literature and composer of haiku, kanshi, and fairy tales. From 1984 until 2004, his portrait appeared on the front of the Japanese 1000 yen note. In Japan, he is often considered the greatest writer in modern Japanese history. He has had a profound effect on almost all important Japanese writers since.

Reviews

[Zenab Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic translation that gave me a good chuckle. I know Natsume sensei is poking fun of people, their duplicity, and stupidity, but I just found Meitei so funny and likeable. I would probs hate him irl tho.