The Travelling Cat Chronicles : A Warm Light-Hearted Story

Posted On January 12, 2022

Hi Readers! I am back with another review, this time it’s going to be a mini review after I wrote a big detailed review for The Mountains Sing! After two intense reads, I picked up The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa. I had bought this months ago like many other books. But most of the unread books I own are intense. This was why it was an easy decision to pick this book. And, I am glad I did! I know few bookstagrammers who are doing January in Japan this month, so I thought this would contribute to that as well! And, I for one, love Japanese literature!

~~STORY LINE~~

The book is divided into 5 parts. In the first three parts, we see Satoru & Nana on wonderful road trips visiting Satoru’s friends to see if they could adopt Nana. The first two parts were slightly similar. We meet Satoru’s friend Kosuke & Yoshimine. They both come across as unpleasant when first introduced. But, when you learn about their childhood friendship story with Satoru, you cannot help but love them both. After these two similar-ish back stories, we are introduced to 2 more friends; Sugi & Chikako who are now a married couple. This one has a bit of a love triangle to it, which was different than the other two. But still entirely wonderful to read.

After not finding the right fit for Nana at either of these places, Satoru gives up on the idea & moves in with his Aunt, the same one who had taken him in when his parents had died. So, yes, there are aspects to this story which are sad, unpleasant & uncomfortable. But, all these aspects are just the right amount of sad, unpleasant & uncomfortable, so as to make the reader reflect & think.

~~SATORU & NANA~~

I absolutely loved being on this journey with Satoru & Nana. Satoru is perhaps the most generous & kind character I have read in some time. Be it running away with Kosuke when they were kids so that Kosuke’s parents will give in to adopting the cat Hachi. Or be it creating & becoming a member of a gardening club just so his new friend Yoshimine feels welcome to the high school. Or how about giving up his love for Chikako for his friend Sugi who has loved her for a long time ever since they were kids. Or just the fact that he cherishes being a pet-owner & his love for cats is, if not eccentric, just purely lovely. And lastly, he’s that person who cries while reading a book. What more do you need to love a character in a book you’re reading? Because of the kind of person he was, it becomes difficult to part with him.

And then there’s Nana. He is the only one who keeps the tone of the book light & humorous. You can’t help but love the pages where he is the narrator. From his smart remarks, to his observation on tiny things, to his ploys to stay with Satoru on the road trip by tricking other animals & sometimes humans & of course his endearing never-ending love for Satoru. This kind, lovely, funny, charming duo make the book entirely worthwhile.

~~THOUGHTS~~

When I started reading The Travelling Cat Chronicles, I was immediately immersed into it. The book starts with a stray cat narrating the story of how he was adopted by a kind man. I thought, that’s cute! A light warm-hearted story. But then, it jumps to 5 years later when that kind man Satoru is looking for someone else to adopt the same cat (now named Nana) because of some unmentioned reasons. It doesn’t take long to realise that he wants to give away Nana because Satoru is dying. So much for a light warm-hearted story! But, even with this slightly sad doom always looming on the threshold of the story, I really liked reading this book.

All the cherished stories of friendship, love, belonging are pure in entirety. All the memorable trips with Satoru & Nana in the silver van feel like you are with them sitting in the back seat feeling all that those two are feeling. I truly enjoyed the beauty of countryside with its horses & sea of grass & unexpected sight of double rainbows. I was lost in their world & they made me feel welcome to experience all those things, but also all the emotions beyond those things too. I loved being on this bitter-sweet journey of stimulating yet funny conversations, frightening yet hopeful destinations, new yet familiar friendships & a riveting thought-provoking presence, all in 238 pages! I have rated The Travelling Cat Chronicles at 4/5 stars! Do read it!

Until next time,