Cronache di un gatto viaggiatore

by Hiro Arikawa, Daniela Guarino (Translator)

Un gatto che non si fida di nessuno
Un’amicizia più forte di tutto
Un viaggio speciale attraverso il Giappone

«Ho guardato in alto verso le spighe di susuki: ancora più su, col sole alle spalle, c’era Satoru che mi ha individuato. Nell’istante stesso in cui i nostri sguardi si sono incrociati, il suo viso teso si è rilassato tutto d’un colpo. E poi anche nello sguardo si è allentata la tensione… Senza dire una parola, Satoru si è inginocchiato a terra e mi ha abbracciato stretto.»

Nana è un gatto randagio che vive di espedienti. Con la sua bizzarra coda a forma di sette, è fiero della sua indipendenza. Ma un giorno ha un incidente. A salvarlo e a prendersi cura di lui è Satoru. Nana all’inizio non si fida di lui, graffia e si ritrae. Non è abituato all’affetto degli uomini. Anche Satoru da tanto tempo non permette a qualcuno di avvicinarsi. Eppure capisce subito come far cambiare idea a Nana: un po’ di cibo, una cuccia calda, qualche coccola furtiva. E tra i due nasce un’amicizia speciale che riempie la loro vita.
Fino al giorno in cui Satoru, dopo aver perso il lavoro, deve trasferirsi e non può più occuparsi di Nana. È allora che i due decidono di fare un viaggio, su una vecchia station wagon color argento, per trovare un nuovo padrone tra le amicizie di Satoru. Tra filari di betulle bianche, peschi e canne di bambù, attraverso un Giappone pieno di colori, profumi e panorami dal fascino infinito, incontrano il migliore amico di Satoru da bambino, la prima donna che ha amato e poi perso e il suo compagno di scorribande delle medie. Ma nessuno di loro può prendersi cura di Nana. Sarà invece quest’ultimo ad arricchire le loro vite ricordando quali sono le cose importanti, quelle che regalano gioia e serenità. E quando il viaggio è quasi alla fine, il gatto e il suo padrone capiscono che non possono fare a meno l’uno dell’altro. E che, qualunque cosa accada, vogliono stare insieme. Nonostante tutto. Nonostante ci sia una verità che Satoru non ha il coraggio di dire a Nana. Eppure non ha più importanza. Perché il loro legame durerà per sempre.

Cronache di un gatto viaggiatore è un caso editoriale che dal Giappone ha raggiunto tutto il mondo. Dopo l’enorme successo in patria, l’eco di questa storia unica è arrivata alle case editrici europee e americane che hanno fatto di tutto per averlo. Un gatto che credeva di non aver bisogno di nessuno. Un ragazzo che ha scelto di stare solo per paura di soffrire. Un viaggio nella magia del Giappone per scoprire che la loro amicizia non potrà mai finire.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Japan, Cats, Animals, Japanese Literature, Audiobook

283 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2012

About the author

Hiro 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.

Reviews

[Miranda Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Humans who think we don't understand them are the stupid ones."

Perfect. Absolutely perfect.

Hiro Arikawa is a masterful storyteller. I loved every word. I laughed, I cried, I was an emotional whirlwind in the best way possible.

Satoru, a young businessman, attempts to befriend a young feral cat with a crooked tail.

After a few weeks, the two work towards a mutual understanding - Satoru leaves "crunchies" for Nana and sometimes (only sometimes) Nana allows Satoru to pet him.

Then, something awful happens - Nana is struck by a car.

"Somebody, help me! But that was idiotic. Nobody was going to help a stray.
Then, I remembered the man who came every night to leave me crunchies. Maybe he could help."

Satoru hears Nana's painful yowls and rushes to help the injured cat. And thus begins one of the greatest human-feline friendships to have ever formed.

Only, five years later, Satoru packs everything into his car (including Nana) and sets off to find Nana a new home. Bewildered but determined, Nana knows one thing is for certain - no one will keep him from his human.

Wow - seriously wow - this book was good. I read it from cover to cover in a single afternoon and I'm itching for a re-read already!

Hiro Arikawa did an amazing job of writing from a cat's perspective. The combination of Nana's hilarious derision of humans:

"Humans always underestimate our language skills. Just cause they can read and write, there's no need to act all high and mighty."

and the author's attention to detail regarding Nana's thoughts and habits:

"I yawned back. Sorry. Zero interest. Noriko just didn't get it. A wide box spoils all the fun; it offers none of the charms of being inside a box."

really brought this book to life. I don't know how to explain it other than Nana felt like a real cat to me.

As Satoru attempts to find Nana a new home, he spends time with childhood friends. Inevitably, they begin to reminisce and the audience is treated with sweet, poignant and hilarious flashbacks (often with sarcastic commentary courtesy of Nana).

One of my favorite moments is how Satoru obtained Hatchi (his first cat). I don't want to spoil it, but it involved elementary kids running away, climbing a school building, leaning precariously over the roof and this quote:

Satoru turned to Kosuke with a grave expression on his face, "Kosuke, could you, like, kind of straddle the railing?"

I honestly don't think this book could possibly be better. This is the kind of book that everyone should read at least once in their lifetimes.

"Because it was a very special thing - to have your own cat in your home."

With thanks to Berkley Publishing for an arc in exchange for an honest review

All quotes are from an uncorrected proof and are subject to change upon final publication

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[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book and closed it.

I immediately had chills all through my body.

This book is an excellent experience! The characters and the story will grab you from page one and won’t let you go. You will be told stories of good things and bad things, friendships and jealousy, family and heartbreak. Each of them, whether they bring sadness or joy will fill your heart and satisfy your mind.

While pets do play a key role in this story, I don’t think you need to be a pet lover to enjoy it. I am not a big “fur baby” person myself, but I loved every single page of it. And, if you are a pet person, I think you will find even more satisfaction from this than I did. In fact, I find myself wanting to go out and get a cat now!

Bring your Kleenex, you are going to need it!

There is really nothing wrong with this book. It is absolutely perfect! It is going on my favorites list and I recommend it to all.

Thank you so much to Berkley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I love when a publisher provides such great literature for me to read!

[Emily (Books with Emily Fox on Youtube) · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.25) I never cry when I read books... but this one did it!

I was doing well, great even and by the end I was bawling lol

Loved the sarcastic cat narration, very wholesome story and now I'm heartbroken.

Vlog: https://youtu.be/FRWkymuplHM

[Adina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to read this small novel because I recently adopted a lovely kitten and the blurb promised a “tender feel-good story of a man's journey around Japan with a streetcat. ” As I feel nothing but love for my fur ball, I thought this was going to be the perfect companion for the moments Arya decides to sleep in my lap and I have to keep still 2 hours so I do not disturb the princess. It started as promised, a funny story from the cat’s perspective but then it became a bitter-sweet account of friendship, loss and love. And the ending, well, it broke my heart in million tiny pieces. I read the last pages on the plane and I was pretending to look out of the window so the other passengers would not see the tears streaming down my face. I probably should have expected this since the writer is Japanese and I am yet to read an entirely joyful novel coming from that country.

The novel starts in the mind of a successfully stray male cat that starts to accept food from a kind-hearted stranger. After he is badly injured by a car, he is taken in by the cat-lover and soon becomes a beloved pet to Satoru Miyawaki. They become increasingly attached with one another and it comes as a surprise when Satoru begins to search for someone to adopt the cat, now named Nana, because he was unable to keep her any longer. The 2 companions embark on a trip along the Japanese islands (unsuccessfully) searching for the perfect human replacement. It becomes the perfect pretext to visit old friends from Satoru’s past and re-live important moments from his childhood.

Nana’s voice is exactly as I imagine a cat talk. Ironic, witty, straight forward, overconfident and reluctant to fully admit its feelings of love for his human companion. The cat’s nuggets of wisdom are mingled with a 3rd person account of the trip and the recollection of Satoru’s relationship history with each person they visit.

Although in the beginning the prose feels very simple and naive, it soon becomes clear that it is a bit more than a feel-good story about a cat and her master. It was sweet, endearing and sad as I learned more about Satoru’s childhood and I started to guess the reason he had to abnadon his dear furry friend.

Although they were a tear jerker, I still loved Satoru and Nana’s adventures and I warmly recommend this novel to anyone with a heart and love for animals.

I thank Netgalley, Hiro Arikawa and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest review.

P.S. Here’s a pic with my little one.

[emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

i've said it before and i'll say it again: i love the niche subgenre of japanese lit fic about cats!

this is kind of like what you are looking for is in the library, except instead of a magical librarian solving the problems of the various unhappy people in her community, it's a cat up for adoption within a friend group doing the happy magic.

i like cats only slightly less than librarians (this is goodreads after all), which matches my feelings about these respective books.

also the fact that it is SIGNIFICANTLY SADDER, and made me feel UPSET and EMOTIONAL instead of spiritually healed.

but in a nice way.

i guess.

bottom line: boo emotions, yay cats.

3.5

[Paromjit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quirky, poignant and heartbreaking novel translated from the Japanese. There are the odd occasions at the beginning of this novel that you may think it is a trifle simplistic, but bear with it, as it will draw you in. It is related from the perspective of Satoru Miyawaki, and his beloved Nana, a stray cat, so named because his tail resembles the Japanese character for the number seven. Nana loved settling on Satoru's silver van, and found himself getting fed by him. He resembles a cat, Hachi, from Satoru's childhood. Nana is seriously injured in a car accident, makes his way to Satoru who gets him to a vet, and proceeds to nurse the cat for several months until he recovers. Feeling the depth of love that emanates from Satoru, the cat decides to stay. They have been happy together until the day Satoru embarks on a road trip to hand over Nana to one of his friends to look after as he is no longer in a position to look after him.

Nana is puzzled as to why he is being given away, as indeed are Satoru's friends, there is some speculation as to whether he has lost his job, but they do not probe further. Their first stop is where Satoru grew up with his close friend, Kosuke, a cat lover with a difficult father and currently experiencing marital strife. Stories from their childhood include the wondrous running away from their parents incident orchestrated by Satoru in an attempt to manipulate Kosuke's father to accept a kitten, Hachi, which failed. Satoru takes in Hachi and the two were inseparable until circumstances precipitated Satoru's moving in with his aunt, Noriko, when Hachi is given to distant relatives. The visit ends with Satoru suggesting that Kosuke finding his own cat to lure his wife back.

Noriko's job as a judge results in several moves and Satoru going to different high schools where he befriends Yoshimine, who is now farming and the next stop on the road trip. Yoshimine had parents who did not want him so he ends up living with his grandmother. The two were like brothers at school but manipulation ensures it will not be Nana's new home. Their next stop is near Mount Fuji, at Suki and Chikako's Hotel for Pets. Elements of their visit are strained with Suki comparing himself to Satoru, and finding himself wanting. This feeds his insecurities that his wife, Chikako, would have preferred Satoru rather than him. Once again circumstances conspire to ensure that Nana does not stay.

The pair go on to see the glory and vibrancy of nature, the elemental force that is the sea and the graves of Satoru's parents. This is a story of a man and his cat, and what they will do to stay together for as long as is possible. It speaks of Satoru, his life, his friends and, above all else, his unbreakable bond with the wise and committed Nana. This is a gentle, yet utterly compelling read. Apparently this book has been a bestseller in Japan, and I can see why. A highly recommended read! Many thanks to Random House Transworld for an ARC.

[Joel Rochester · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is so bittersweet and I never thought I'd love reading from a cat's perspective so much askljdfhfkljh

[jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

'as we count up the memories from one journey, we head off on another. remembering those who went ahead. remembering those who will follow after. and someday, we will meet all those people again, out beyond the horizon.'

oh my goodness. who would expect such a tiny book to contain so much e m o t i o n?!

as a (previous) long-time cat owner, this book is something that i can relate to on somewhat of an instinctual level. from recognising nanas various moods to empathising with satoru for how much he loves nana, its feels like once youre a cat person, you will always be a cat person.

but i am positive that other pet owners will be able to relate to this story, as well. by accompanying a man and his cat on their journey across japan, the reader is able to understand that even if the destination changes, home will always be where the heart is. and sometimes your heart is simply given to a pet.

having just reached the one year anniversary of losing my cat, a little fur ball who had unconditionally been by my side for 16 years, this is a story that i really needed to read and one i know i will visit countless times throughout my life. because, sometimes, reading about a cat on an adventure is exactly what is needed to cheer the soul. <3

↠ 5 stars

[Mischenko · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story begins with a stray cat who enjoys being free and is very happy with his life. His favorite place to sleep is on top of a parked, silver van that belongs to a young man named Satoru. Satoru likes the cat and brings him ‘crunchies’ from time to time. Eventually, the cat suffers an injury and needs some help.

“By the time I reached the silver van, dawn was breaking. I really couldn’t take another step. This is it, I thought. I cried out at the top of my lungs. Oww…owwwww!”

Luckily, Satoru comes to his rescue, takes him in as his pet, and a beautiful relationship begins to develop between the two. He names the cat Nana and they become best friends.

Years later, Satoru tells Nana that they’re going on a road trip together. He has to find a new home for Nana and it’s unknown exactly why. On the trip they visit each of Satoru’s friends around Japan and it’s like a trip down memory lane.

“It seemed Satoru wanted me to go with him somewhere. He opened the door of my basket and I got in without making a fuss. For the five years I’d lived with him, I’d always been a sensible cat. For instance, even when he took me to my bête noire, the vet, I didn’t make a racket.”

When it’s time for Nana to stay at his new home, it’s something he’s not willing to accept. In Nana’s eyes, Satoru is his home and the only one he’s willing to accept.

The story started out slow and seemed too simple at first. I had some issues with the dialogue/narration in the beginning and had a hard time getting into it. I realized that I just needed to slow down, and once I settled in, it was hard to put the book down. It was around the last half of the book that literally had me captivated with all the beautiful scenery and adventures they took together. As the story unfolded, I had so many emotions. It’s been awhile since I’ve had to walk away from a book multiple times to bawl my eyes out! Other times, I found Nana hilarious as he reminded me of my old, wise, outdoor cat, Rambo. How Nana talks is how I imagine the animals in my life think. As a pet owner in general, I reflected greatly when reading this story as it reminded me of the unconditional love we have for each other.

Overall, this story is truly written beautifully and I thought the epilogue wrapped it up perfectly. Honestly, I don’t think you have to be a cat lover to enjoy this book. I’d recommend it to anyone. Also, I was very excited to learn that the book has been adapted to film and can’t wait to watch it!

4.5****

I’d like to thank Elisha at Berkley Publishing Group and the author Hiro Arikawa for sharing this book with me in exchange for an honest review.

You can also see this review @ https://readrantrockandroll.com/2018/...

[Ashleigh (a frolic through fiction) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t tell whether I’m sad or happy or just broken

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Susanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars.

Bittersweet, Lovely & Poignant.

Somethings in life are Kismet. Nana, meeting Saturo is exactly that.

Nana, is a street cat - completely happy with his life: his favorite place to chill is under the hood of a silver van. Saturo’s van. When he was a boy, Saturo had a cat that looked just like Nana - that cat’s name was Hachi and Saturo loved him very much. Nana of course, wants nothing to do with Saturo - though he sure does like the crunchy food he leaves for him!

Then the worst thing imaginable happens - Nana gets hit by a car! Being a street cat he has no idea what he’s going to do.. And then it comes to him .. If I make enough noise, howling, “Oww!, Oww! ..” I cried out at the top of my lungs… “Oww.. Owww!!.. “ ..Saturo might just help and well, it works. And that my friends is how Nana become Saturo’s cat.

“Listen cat, I was wondering if you would like to become my cat?” Saturo asks. As for names..”How about Nana?” “What?” Your tail “hooks in the opposite direction from Hachi’s and from the top it looks like nana, the number seven.” “Now wait just a second. Isn’t Nana a girl’s name. I’m a full fledged, hot blooded male..” “You’re okay with that, aren’t you, Nana?” “Do you like the name?” Nope! But well. Asking that while stroking my chin, is playing foul. I purred in spite of myself. “So you like it. Great” I told you already, I do not.

As the years go by they become quite the pair, inseparable - doing everything together. Nana however does whatever he has to to make sure that Saturo knows that Nana is the boss, as all cats are. Then one day Saturo suggests they take a journey to visit some of his former school friends. The reason? Saturo needs to find Nana new home and he won’t give Nana or anyone else a reason.

On this journey spanning several beautiful towns in and around Japan, Nana meets Kosuke. Kosuke misses his wife desperately. He is hoping that having a cat will bring her back to him. Saturo thinks Nana is perfect for Kosuke, Nana however, has other ideas. Yoshimine is a farmer. He is a little rough around the edges and is looking for a proper cat. Yoshimine just found a little kitten who has no idea how to be a cat, thus Nana takes it upon himself to teach the kittie how to act. Thereafter Saturo is shocked when the kittie acts out in a way that makes it impossible for Yoshimine to take Nana! The next stop is Sugi and Chikago’s Hotel for Pets. Sugi and Chikago allow dogs and cats to stay along with their owners. Saturo is therefore convinced that this must be the place! Imagine his surprise when Sugi’s normally calm submissive dog shows an intense dislike for Nana. Whatever is going on?!

Nana loves his master wholeheartedly and does not want to find a new home. For Nana, home is with Saturo, whose only remaining option is to stay with his Aunt Noriko, the same aunt who would not let Saturo keep Hachi when he was younger. Now however, Noriko wants to be there for her nephew and in turn, for Nana.

“The Travelling Cat Chronicles” is an amusing, sad and poignant story about the unconditional love formed between pets and their parents. It is the story of life. How seemingly beautiful and unfair it can be at the same time. Much of it is told from Nana’s perspective and there were times that I laughed as Nana is quite a funny quirky little cat, and there were times that I cried, tears welling up in my eyes, threatening to spill over.

Written by Hiro Arikawa, published in Japanese and translated to English by Philip Gabriel, “The Travelling Cat Chronicles” is beautifully written. It is both humorous and heartbreaking and is filled with gorgeous descriptions I was able to imagine quite vividly. The story of Saturo and Nana will stay with me, their bond and their love for each other is sweet, solid and simply perfect.

“The Travelling Cat Chronicles” was offered to me by Elisha at Berkley Publishing Group, three days after I adopted my first cat. Talk about Kismet! Having always been a dog person previously, this was a big decision for me. When I received this offer, I just knew this would be a special book for me and I was right. I waited a few weeks to read it as I wanted to discover what my own cat’s habits were like so that I would have a point of reference for Nana which made this book that much more special. I smile just thinking about Nana, his love for Saturo, and Saturo’s love for Nana. As far as I’m concerned, there’s nothing quite like the unconditional love given to a human by their pet and “The Travelling Cat Chronicles” is a prime example of unconditional love at its best.

Thank you to Elisha at Berkley Publishing Group and Hiro Arikawa for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Elisha - your offering this to me when you did made my day.

Published on Goodreads and Twitter on 8.26.18.

[Dorie - Cats&Books :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

***NOW AVAILABLE***


This is a bit of a slow starter but by the first 100 pages the beautiful prose had me in it’s hands. Being a cat lover and owner I jumped at the chance to read and review this beautiful little book, I was not disappointed.

This is not a book to be rushed. It is best read when you have time to savor the story and the sentiment that is being relayed. The novel is told in alternating perspectives by Satoru Miyawaki and his much loved cat, Nana. Although a male, Nana was named for the Japanese character for the number seven, which is what the shape of his tale looks like.

Having had cats for over 48 years, the voice of this cat really sounded like something a cat would think. This probably sounds funny to anyone who has never had a relationship with a cat but they are indeed intelligent, gentle and very responsive to the feelings of the humans that they love and that is just how Nana comes across. So many of the things told from his perspective made me laugh and his love for Satoru was forever.

The beginning of their bond starts in the first half of the book, from Satoru starting to feed Nana who was then a stray until she is injured and needs help. Once taken in by Satoru, Nana is quite overcome with the kindness, comfort and love that Satoru offers. That’s why he is confused when they set off on a journey, apparently to find a new home for Nana. We will come to learn why later in the story.

The story of Satoru’s childhood and early life are revealed as we visit one friend after another looking for the perfect next home for Nana. Satoru doesn’t reveal his reasons for this, just states that he will no longer be able to take care of Nana. During their long journey they stop at many beautiful sites, the first of which is Mount Fuji. Nana states “I wonder how many cats in Japan have see the actual Mount Fuji . . . . .Our silver van was like a magic carriage. Every time I got into it, it carried me to a place I’d never been before. At that moment, we were without doubt the greatest travelers in the world. And I was the world’s greatest traveling cat.”

I will leave you to discover the rest of this beautiful story, there is much to be learned about friendship, love, family and relationships from this book. It is definitely one that I will purchase upon it’s release in October, 2018.

I received an ARC of this novel from Edelweiss.

[Debra - can't post any comments on site today grrr · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

"On our last journey, let's see all kinds of amazing things. Let’s spend our time taking in as many wonderful sights as we can."

Satoru has found and befriended a stray cat who he later names Nana. Nana reminds him of a cat, Hatchi, he had as a child. As he beings to feed Nana his "crunchies", they slowly develop an affinity for each other. After Nana is hit by a car, Satoru brings him home and the two live a happy life together. Until....

"I know this is a bit sudden, but can you take my cat for me?"

After five years of living together, Satoru is looking for a new home for Nana. As the two travel in a sliver van across Japan, they will see many wondrous sights and meet important people from Satoru's childhood. As they make stops at many of Satoru's friends’ homes, the reader is given glimpses into Satoru's childhood and his loving and tender nature. With each stop, Nana makes an impression and makes it known that he does not want to be apart from Satoru. Each has found the other. Each has benefited from their relationship. They are lonely, they are loyal, they are a pair, they will pull on your heartstrings, they might make you cry.

"Don't leave me... Stay with me."
"I will never, ever, leave him."


Why is Satoru looking for a new home for Nana? Will he find a new home? Will Nana stay with Satoru? This wonderful little gem of a book is full of heart. I guessed why Satoru was looking for a new home for Nana, the cat named because of the shape of his tail. The story tells of their time together and is complimented with the insightful thoughts of Nana the cat. Through the story, Nana gives his point of view, his opinions and often converses with other animals. He attempts to teach a kitten how to hunt and be a "cat", he talks to dog's and the reader is privy to his thoughts about his owner and those they meet. I loved how the Author captured Nana's spirit and his feline behaviors such as preference for boxes, food, affection and how he is touched. Pets are family members and I loved how the Author showed this in the book. Satoru and Nana loved each other and their devotion and loyalty to each other was evident.

This is a touching tale of love, acceptance, finding a home, making a home and saying goodbye. Keep some tissues on hand as this book pulls at the heartstrings. It is easy to care for both Satoru and Nana.

Beautiful, heartbreaking, hopeful and Satisfying.

Highly Recommend.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Read more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com

[Angela M · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I wasn’t going to read this book. I’m not a cat person. I’m not a dog person either. In all honesty, I’m just not an animal person, although I do find kittens and puppies to be adorable. I hope all my pet loving friends won’t judge me - it’s just the way I am. But I couldn’t ignore all of the wonderful reviews that talked about what a lovely story this was and I’m glad I didn’t skip it . A lonely man Satoru adopts a stray cat, a feisty, sometimes sarcastic, sometimes sweet and always loyal cat. We know this because Nana, as he is named, is the narrator of this story. The two connect or rather I should say Nana connects with Satoru when Satoru cares for him after he is hit by a car. Satoru was already taken with Nana, leaving food as Nana camped out by Satoru silver van. We later discover that he loved a different cat when he was a young boy. And thus begins their friendship.

Five years later they embark on a journey across Japan as Satoru is seeking a new home for Nana. On their travels, it is eventually revealed why Satoru is trying to find a new home for his beloved cat. It is through this journey that we come to know Satoru and through his visits with friends from his childhood and his aunt, we learn things haven’t always been easy for him. It’s a quick read that is simply written, sentimental, sweet and sad. The writing felt a little too simplistic at times, but perhaps it’s because it’s a translation. You don’t have to be a cat lover to feel the heart in this story about companionship, compassion, acceptance, loss and how to say goodbye

I received an advanced copy of this book from Berkeley through NetGalley. Thanks Elisha !

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

”Time, I've been passing time
Watching trains go by.
All of my life,
Lying on the sand watching seabirds fly.
Wishing there would be
Someone waiting home for me.

“Something's telling me it might be you
It's telling me it might be you
All of my life...”

--”It Might Be You,” Stephen Bishop, Songwriters: Alan Bergman / Dave Grusin / Marilyn Bergman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILbe2... or
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9AVo... (Tootsie - 1982)

When first we meet Nana, he is a relaying the story of how he came to be given his name, how he lived as a stray cat, sleeping on the hood of a silver van in a parking lot of an apartment building, until one day he is curled up, snoozing when he feels eyes upon him. Satoru asks him if he always sleeps there, ends up offering him some chicken, sneaks in a soft scratching of his chin to his ears, and just when he’s ready to let Satoru know that enough’s enough, Satoru says he’ll see him later as he walks away.

They continue like this for a while, Satoru leaving him handfuls of crunchy cat food. Still, Nana knows better than to rely on a human, so he still needs to maintain his survival skills and connections. And so he heads out one night and fate intervenes, and he ends up hurt by a car. He drags his hurt leg back close to the silver van, howling ”oww owwww” all the way; hoping the man with the food would help.

Satoru hears the howling and comes down, sees his hurt leg and picks him up to put him in the van, all the while talking to him, asking him what happened, and does it hurt, and if he really was calling for him, as Satoru already believes. And so a bond has been formed, and when Nana is ready to leave the vet, Satoru brings him home to his apartment to recover.

Satoru hasn’t had a cat since he was a young boy, his cat Hachi had to go live elsewhere, and Satoru still retains the scars of that trauma. There is something about this cat that makes him ask if he would like to become his cat, and a bond is formed.

Of course, now that they have agreed on this arrangement, Satoru must find a name for this cat, who reminds him of his beloved Hachi, named for the Japanese word for the number eight, so named for the markings on his head. And so he names his new cat Nana, because na is the Japanese character for the number seven, which resembles the shape of Nana’s tail.

Days and weeks and months pass, and eventually years have passed. It is time for a journey; one they will take together to visit three of Satoru’s longstanding friends. It is a journey neither will ever forget.

Neither will I.

I especially loved the parts of this story that were narrated by Nana, and watching the evolution of him as he goes from people-wary and scavenging for food to allowing himself the joy of being loved, and as a result learns the value and joy of both giving and receiving love. I loved his sense of humour, his sharp and clever vision of their daily journey through life together.

This begins slowly, but it is beautifully told, translated from Japanese by Philip Gabriel, charming without being twee, a loving and lovely bond between two beings, neither asking nor expecting more than the other can give. Each one willing to sacrifice for the happiness of the other, sharing their lives, watching the continually changing landscape as the journey takes them from place to place. It is lovely, quirky, tender, touching and heartbreaking, and a tribute to the bonds between man and his best friend, be it one that walks on two legs or four.

A charming, lovely and compassionate vision of a quietly contemplative man and his companion, a man whose very life has been a portrait of humane and gentle consideration for all, and his feline friend who is committed, determined, to stay by his side until the laws of nature deem otherwise.

Tissues may be required



Pub Date: 23 OCT 2018

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Berkley Publishing Group

[mwana · Rating 5 out of 5]

...it was a very special thing—to have your own cat in your own home.

My name is Igor. Mwana is my mum. People say she's my owner but really she's just well-trained staff. Every morning, when she wakes up, I am the first thing she reaches for. She likes scratching my chin, the backs of my ears, the top of my head. My favourite is when she rubs her warm soft hands against my ears.

Mwana is a very weird woman. For the past few weeks, she has been leaving the house for hours. She trusts me to keep it in check. I proved it when I got the man who fixed the toilet to stick to the toilet. Mwana hates it when strangers are "in her space". She scolded me for scaring the plumber but she didn't understand I was protecting my home. She can be slow like that.

Anyway, for the past few years, Mwana has been home all the time. Many people yell at her for that. "I have my cat and my books and internet. Why do I need to leave?" You tell them Mwana. But a few months ago, she started leaving all the time. Every morning and back by dusk. Like clockwork. I don't really care because she brings treats every evening. After making sure I am well fed, she then goes and sits on her balcony and just stares.

I often stop eating to go join her. Everything the light touches isn't our kingdom. It's not even our property. It's hundreds, thousands, millions of other lives. The noises are constant. Trees being cut, cars honking their horns, children screeching gleefully, the young boys who live below us smoking something herbal while playing music Mwana likes to call "garbage". She tends to be snobbish. But I don't mind. If you don't like me, Mwana has no time for you. She doesn't need such negativity in her life. How do you live your life not understanding that cats are the best thing that ever happened to existence?

Anyway, Mwana listens to the sounds of our bustling little village. She calls it a middle class slum. She never lets me out the gate. I've never gone exploring. According to her, my mother was killed because she was a black cat. People are superstitious. They're also stupid. Mwana says it's a most dangerous condition. I wouldn't know. My feline superiority can't relate.

I would say I'm rambling but I enjoy the sound of my own voice. A few weeks back, Mwana started coming in with many books. They are fascinating. These collections of paper. They smell heavenly. Almost like catnip. Mwana gets upset when I rub against them. Sometimes she takes pictures. She gets really mad when I drool on them. I can't help it. They smell so good. That's when Mwana gets really really upset.

She doesn't seem to touch them as often as she used to. But according to reports, there are other books in her phone. I've rubbed against it but it doesn't feel as good as the pages. Anyway, when she's reading from it, she likes to wave it around. Screaming out loud when something crazy happens. In her latest read, she seemed to think I would be the best audience for this. I didn't have the heart to tell her I didn't care. But still, her enthusiasm was adorable. Like me when I play with her lemongrass and other herbs. She'd often look at me and shout, "oh my god Nana is just like you."

I had no idea who Nana was but I eventually came to realise it's the cat in this book. Nana was a stray rescued by a kind man called Satoru. Whom Mwana described as "the biggest force of kindness I've loved since Ove". Mwana explained that Satoru was sick (it's not exactly subtle) and he needed to move in with his aunt where he'd seek treatment. On the journey there, Satoru thought he could leave Nana with his old friends. But Nana was having none of it. Opting instead to stick with Satoru.

Mwana wondered if I would be that loyal. I only glared at her. What does she think it is when I follow her to the door every morning when she leaves? What does she think it means when I wait for her at the window every evening? What does she think it means when I stand guard at the door every time she goes to the bathroom? When she locks herself in a room and I shout at the door asking what she's doing? When she's relaxing on the seat and I sleep on her chest, her lap, at her feet? What does she think that is? I'm no one's fangirl. Mwana started crying every time she thought of the idea of having to give me up. It's not even come up. Ever. And she cried at the thought of it. Humans. So soft. Mwana even read to me something Nana said that I agreed with. Human beings are basically huge monkeys that walk upright, but they can be pretty full of themselves.

Mwana also started worrying about the fact that we've never been on a trip. The cat, Nana, liked to go on walks with Satoru. Where they made memories. Mwana called it poetry of travel. She read some of it to me,

...Satoru rescued me when I broke my leg.
He made me the happiest cat on earth.
I'll always remember those five years we had together....
The town where Satoru grew up too, I would remember that.
And the green seedlings swaying in the fields.
The sea, with its frighteningly loud roar.
Mount Fuji, looming over us...
The land in Hokkaido stretching our forever.
Those vibrant purple and yellow flowers by the side of the road.
The field of pampas grass like an ocean.
The horses chomping on grass.
The bright red berries on the mountain-ash trees.
The shades of red on the mountain ash that Satoru taught me.
The stands of slender white birch...
I would remember these for the rest of my life.
Could anyone be happier than this?

I wished then I could go on a trip with Mwana. But with all the love that we've shared, I feel we may not need country journeys for our memories. Just last week, I caught a moth and had to fight Mwana who wanted to rescue it. She even told me about how Nana would freak Satoru out by killing birds and not eating them. I did that too once. Mwana had such a breakdown I never did it again. Anyway, I think that's enough for me today. But seeing how this book moved Mwana, it's a good thing cats don't cry.

[Liong · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reviewing this book after I watched the movie recently. 🎬💻

Satoru travelled to meet his old friends with Nana (the stray cat) because he wanted to find a new home for Nana.

He was no longer in a position to look after Nana due to unforeseen circumstances.

The journey also gave Satoru a chance to reconnect with his old friends and reflect on his life.

The book is a story about friendship, loss, and the power of love.

It is a heartwarming and heartbreaking tale that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

We should cherish the time we have with our loved ones.

Love is precious in families, friends, and pets.

[Jo · Rating 1 out of 5]

As a fellow cat lover, I actually feel a pang of guilt, for giving this book a low rating. This was just not what I expected and it was just such a tiresome read. In a nutshell, this is a rather twee story about a man and his cat. We get taken on a road trip, travel around a bit, but overall, it all got a bit predictable for my liking. I mean, I had already guessed what was going to happen in the first few chapters.
This was apparently a tear-jerking read, but for me, the only tears I was shedding, were ones caused by my excessive yawning. I suppose after reading many reviews that had a great deal of praise for this book, I was expecting my heart to be broken somewhat, but after finishing the book, I feel nothing, and I've already forgotten the story. And no, I cannot understand why others would be moved to tears with this book, I really can't.
The characters themselves, are fairly mediocre. The cat is flat and boring, and it all gets slightly ridiculous when it begins talking to other animals like we would have a conversation. The biggest problem for me, which stood out a mile, was the simpleness of the writing. I don't know whether that was to do with the translation, but it was too simple and average for me.
Believe me now, my heart is breakable, but this was way too hyped, and definitely didn't live up to my expectations.

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am such a crybaby.... Yes... Stories like this do make me cry and cry.

(2021, I love you more for moments like this. You have gifted me another all-time favourite.)

A really interesting book told from the perspective of a cat, and a few other characters about life in general and the unexpected turn of events in their lives, the people they come across and the places they end up at.

This book is a good one for beginners as well as for the seasoned readers as it's such a cosy, fun read.

The POV of Nana, the cat, is the most interesting. The sarcasm and the sense of humour. It's fun to read.

The story is about Satoru and his love for cats, what he had to do to keep a stray kitten when he was a kid. He and his childhood friend, Kosuke, hatched a plan and the adventures starts from there.

Due to unavoidable circumstance, Saturo had to look for people to give away his cat, Nana. And yes, we happen to meet different other characters and know their stories.

I love the friendship vibes, the honesty in describing families, sharing the understanding between animal/pet lovers

It's funny at times when they were kids trying to run away for a stray cat. The drama!

I really didn't like Kosuke's father. "Some people really shouldn't become parents. There's no absolute guarantee when it comes to the love between a parent and their child."
He was emotionally and physically abusive.

And such people have little to no idea how it affects their children.
"Repeated patterns of childhood behaviour have long-term consequences."

And some people like Yoshimine shouldn't touch animals if they don't know enough about them. But I do happen to like his story.

Chikako and Sugi. I have met so many Sugis in my life that I sympathize with them. Chikako deserved to know the truth. And Noriko, thank you for everything.

I loved the entire book. I was so invested. One of the best books I have ever read. The last hundred and few pages gripped me and told me it's everything I was looking for.

I didn't expect the book to break my heart and leave me in a puddle of tears. No one warned me about it. But I'm glad.

[Em Lost In Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tale of bittersweet memories, love, and loss. This one hits differently.

[Berit☀️✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully told, heartwarming story, that will make you never look at your cat the same way again....

Do you ever wonder what your cat is thinking? Especially when he gives you one of those looks, you know the one! In this charming story guaranteed to put a smile on your face you will get the perspective of Nana, The cat and his owner Satoru... there is a sweet innocence to this book that will melt even the hardiest of hearts.... cat person, dog person, it doesn’t matter this is a book perfect for all human people....

Nana is a content stray who is befriended by Satoru.... their relationship is limited to Satoru giving him crunchies, until one day Nana is injured and needs his friend... from there a beautiful relationship blooms between man and cat.... then one day Satoru takes Nana on a road trip, determined to find the perfect New home... but Nana is confused, why must Satoru find him a new home?

The quest for Nana‘s new home takes the two of them on a journey down memory lane... I loved all The people they met along the road trip, I loved all the back stories, and learning about Satoru’s childhood.... but most of all I love Nana’s insight and snarky comments... what a brilliant cat with a quick tongue and a heart of gold... at its very core this book really is about the unconditional love between people and their pets.... it is about the impact we have on other peoples lives however insignificant we might think it is... it is about kindness, heart, hope, and compassion....

This is a refreshing story, unlike anything I have ever read... it will rejuvenate your Faith in all species big and small... A book that will break your heart and then build you back up and fill you with hope!

Absolutely recommend to anyone who enjoys a good story, with well developed characters, that will both inspire you and comfort you...

*** A huge thank you too Berkley for my copy of this book ***

[Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 sentimental stars to The Travelling Cat Chronicles! 🐱 🐱 🐱 🐱 🐱

If you are an animal lover, read this book. Especially if you are a cat lover, don’t miss it! If you enjoy a sentimental, loving, perfectly told story, I implore you to read The Travelling Cat Chronicles!

From the beginning, when I read Nana’s voice, I knew the author, Hiro Arikawa, has been loved by a cat. We’ve all read the story about “man’s best friend,” the dog, but what about the love of a cat?

Nana is a stray cat living in a parking garage who slowly becomes affiliated with the owner of a van he sleeps on. The owner, Satoru, begins feeding him, and when Nana is hit by a car, he needs help. Satoru rescues him, and Nana becomes his cat. They live together happily for several years.

Much later, Satoru takes Nana on a road trip to see several of his childhood friends, and all the while Nana is wondering what is happening because it appears Satoru is searching for a new home for him.

The Travelling Cat Chronicles is storytelling perfection. Curl up with this book, and I promise you, you will devour it in one afternoon. It is heartfelt, poignant, endearing, and everything you could want in a book.

On a personal note, Nana loves his Satoru the way I believe my cat loves me, and to feel that devotion through Nana’s voice is one of the most masterful things I’ve read in a work of fiction.

Thank you to Berkley for the complimentary ARC and the blog tour invite. All opinions are my own.

My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com

[Helene Jeppesen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful, petite story that I stumbled across in the bookstore the other day, and that turned out to be the most heart-warming story not only about cats, but about pets in general and how they bring joy to our lives.
This Japanese story played with a wish I’ve had for years: To be inside the mind of a cat and get to know what they’re thinking. Parallel to that, we’re also following the story of a cat-owner who’s desperate to find a new home for his pet. His visits to friends are entwined with flashbacks to his childhood, and all in all it makes for a wonderful story that wrapped up beautifully while my own cat happened to be sitting in my lap purring <3
A must-read for all cat lovers!

[Kylie D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nana is a stray cat who, when injured by a car, is taken in by a kind man Satoru. Nana and Satoru live together happily for five years, then something changes, and Nana finds himself in Satoru's van travelling around Japan visiting friends from his owners past. Unsure why they're on the road Nana reacts to Satoru's friends in different ways, and slowly the story unwinds, the story of Satoru's past, and their future.

A poignant book, both happy and sad at times, I found The Travelling Cat Chronicles a compelling tale of love, loyalty and friendship. Wonderful characters and richly told, I have no hesitation of recommending this book to animal lovers everywhere.

[Elyse Walters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet...
Sad...
Bittersweet...
Charming...
Life lessons 101...
Love...
Acceptance...
Finding strength & Security in oneself...
Special Devotions...
Truth...lies...and everything in between....

Original purring storytelling

Even Dog lovers will be moved.

[Phrynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little book is one to own in hardcover. The cover is just perfect but then I have always had a thing for black cats:)

The travelling cat is not black but white with patches and he really does travel around Japan with his owner Satoru. Much of the dialogue belongs to this cat and for the early part of the book I was not sure how it was going to go. It was a little slow and a little too simple but as it progressed things improved.

The cat called Nana (Japanese for seven because his tail was bent like a number 7) was very intelligent even for a cat and had many profound understandings of human nature and also of the sights he saw in his travels. By the end I was completely engrossed and of course reaching for the tissues - one drawback of animal stories, they always have sad endings.

The Travelling Cat Chronicles is very obviously a book by a Japanese author. It has a certain flow to the words and the way the characters interact reminded me very much of Haruki Murakami. I presume it is a good translation since it reads so well. Recommended especially if you are an animal lover:)

[Holly B · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 STARS


A gentle, quiet story with the voice of a previously stray cat who has a lot of charm and a little "catitude"...

This book is translated from Japanese and has been a best-seller in Japan.  Satoru Miyawaki meets and rescues the cat he ultimately names "Nana" even though he is a male cat.

Nana the cat has a crooked black tail and a white body with a little black mark on his head. He is a stray and has been living on the street.  He has taken up residence on the hood of Satoru's van. We get to hear the POV from Nana which made this a quirky and inspirational little read. Cats are so mysterious and often quiet or with attitude.  It was just fun to hear from this wise and loving little cat! He did steal my heart <3

While reading I kept wondering why Satoru was trying to find his beloved Nana a new home, and I was worried for him. You'll have to read it to find out the details.  My heart did skip a few beats, but all is well.

I loved the story and the message. Cat lovers will especially enjoy!

[Mackenzie - PhDiva Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emotional, charming, and heartwarming. I don’t know that there is a better way to describe this book other than absolutely perfect. Nana the cat charmed me and seeing the world through his eyes simply filled me with laughs, tears, and smiles. I highly recommend this book to anyone who could use some healing of the soul. It reminded me about love, and being caring, and doing something for others even if it is hard. It’s a book of lessons told in a beautiful story form. I imagine this might be the type of book that every reader experiences a little bit differently, and has a slightly different “aha!” moment from. But I can’t imagine a reader on this earth whose heart won’t warm at this beautiful book!

About the Book

“I am a cat. As yet, I have no name.”

Before he became Nana, he was a stray cat living on the streets and scrounging for food. He loved sleeping on the hood of a silver van, for it attracted the sunlight and warmed his belly, even in the cold winter. But he didn’t have a name. Not until Satoru rescued him after a car broke his leg. And eventually, though he didn’t instinctively love to be a kept cat, he became Nana and he found where he belonged.

“Our silver van was like a magic carriage. Every time I got into it, it carried me to a place I’d never been before.”

Many years later Nana is taken out into the silver van on a journey to see Satoru’s friends. Each friend they visit has a story to tell about Satoru, and their love of cats, and how Satoru changed their lives. And each person learns a story from Nana. Nana visits many places, and as long as he is with Satoru, he is so happy. But Nana doesn’t yet know the real reason for their travels.

“At that moment, we were without a doubt the greatest travelers in the world. And I was the world’s greatest traveling cat.”

Reflection

Well this is a hard book to review because I love it so much. It feels difficult to do this book justice. How many ways are there to say that this charming, magical little story will nestle into your heart and never leave? This is a book I want to reread over and over again, and continue to love and experience and learn from. This is a book about someone else’s story, but that made me think a lot about my own story.

Let’s talk first about what it is like to read a book told to you by a cat. You’d think it would be weird, and childish. It isn’t really that way at all, though! Nana’s narration has a lot of whimsy to it, but it is anything but childish. Nana is humorous and a bit surly to strangers. Growing up as a stray has helped Nana to be tough. But he is also fiercely loyal and filled with compassion. He understands what humans need in a way that humans may not always understand it themselves. I found Nana positively delightful! I could picture him, from the figure-eight shaped calico spots on his face, to his crooked tale that led to his name. Nana is a fantastic narrator and now I wonder why all books aren’t told by cats!

And then there is the story of Satoru, which in flashbacks we learn about him from a very young age, even before Nana. We never are told the story by Satoru himself. It is by Nana, and the friends he goes to visit, and his aunt. Despite this, Satoru is a character I feel that I know so well. Above all else, there is a kindness to Satoru that every single person could learn from. He is the sort of person that teaches other patience, kindness, and love by displaying it himself always and without expectation. I don’t imagine I will ever forget Satoru.

I don’t want to get too much into the specifics of the visits, because each is a delight to read and experience yourself. There are so many small stories built into the life Satoru leads that warmed my heart. And Nana learns so much as well. Nana grows as a character through love and kindness, and we see the ripple effect of Satoru’s kindness throughout the novel. This is a book filled with happiness and a few tears, and I left with a smile on my face.

“On our last journey, let’s see all kinds of amazing things. Let’s spend our time taking in as many wonderful sights as we can. That’s what I had pledged yesterday, when we set off. And what incredible sights we saw.”

I read this with Melissa, Berit, Holly, and Jennifer :)

Thank you to Berkley for our copies to review.