The Guest Cat: Book Review & Giveaway
It’s not often a book enjoys a second success years after being published. In 2001, The Guest Cat, originally published in Japan as Neko No Kyaku by acclaimed poet Takashi Hiraide went on to become a bestseller in Japan and France. The French edition, Le Chat qui venait du ciel (roughly translated as “the cat who came from heaven”) for its evocative references to fate.
The book was translated into English by Eric Selland and published By New Directions in January 2014. The slim, novella length novel will transport the reader to a poetic world of ’80s Japan centered on a couple who rent the guest house of a 1920’s manor home with exotic gardens. The book is narrated by the husband of a couple (which remain nameless) who gradually over several years become attached to Chibi, the tiny, standoffish neighbor’s cat, who visits them daily. The 30-something husband, an editor, initially is no fan of the feline house guest but his transformation to devoted cat man is a revelation.
As lover of Japanese culture I found The Guest Cat a subtle and sublime meditation on the Zen esthetic of wabe sabe. Wabe sabe is the Zen philosophy of finding truth and beauty in decay, loss and impermanence. While the translation is skillfully done, I feel some nuance is lost in translation and I wish I knew how to read Japanese.
After a creaky start on page one, I quickly fell in love with the book the ways cats curl themselves into our hearts. It was late, about 1 AM when I began reading and I kept saying, one more chapter, more more chapter. On page 77 I began crying and that was it. I had to find out what happened next and stayed up until I finished. Thankfully, this haunting, lyrical gem can be read in three hours or less. It will however stay with you long after you turn the last page. If you like your novels more literal than metaphorical, this may not be for you.
Merlin gives The Guest Cat an unprecedented 88 million paws up rating.
The Guest Cat by Takashi Hiraide
- Paperback: 144 pages
- Publisher: New Directions (January 28, 2014
- ISBN-13: 978-0811221504
- Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 5 x 0.5 inches
If you’d like to win a copy, please leave a comment before 11:59 PM ET, April 20, 2014. For extra chances to win, social media share this post telling us in a separate comment where you shared. This giveaway is open internationally. If you’re curious and must read a Kindle version right now…
Disclosure: We received a review copy which did not influence this review in any way.
Seeing the exquisite photography of street cats in Kyoto, Japan by Yutaka Katayama helps add a visual layer to the reader not familiar with Japanese culture.
35 Comments
maggie
Thank you, I would like to read this book.
Elaine Faber
I love Japanese art of cats. So gentle and lovely. this book sounds like your would imagine such art to be translated into gentle and lovely words. Thank you for reviewing and sharing it. I too, would love to read it.
Marti Lewis
Looks like a good book! (2nd post but the 1st one did not show.)
Marti Lewis
Would love to win this book. Thanks for posting.
Cynthia Southern
I shared on Google +.
Cynthia Southern
I pinned to the cats board on Pinterest.
Cynthia Southern
I shared on Facebook.
Cynthia Southern
This sounds like a wonderful novel and a worthy one to add to my ever increasing library of cat books. Please enter me into this giveaway.
Sue Brandes
Tweeted on Twitter.
Sue Brandes
Shared on Facebook.
Sue Brandes
Sounds like a wonderful book. Would love to read it. Thanks for the giveaway.
Cheryl Hogeland
Shared on facebook with my best friend and my sister! They love cats too! 🙂
Cheryl Hogeland
I love books about cats, and this one looks like it would be awesome. Thanks so much for the opportunity to win a copy.
Ananya Gnali
Looks great:) I’d love to add it to my cat book collection =^..^=
Marla
This book looks like a great read and a great prize. Anything about cats is enjoyable.
Skeeter and Izzy
The Guest Cat sounds like a beautiful read. We as always love winning books!
Luvs
Skeeter and Izzy and the Feral Gang + Twig and Peanut and Romeo >^..^<
Cathy Keisha
I pinned it. http://www.pinterest.com/pin/9570217932973037/
Cathy Keisha
This looks cool and TW might have 3 hours to read it to me. I’d love to enter.
Cary Hillman
Shared on Facebook 🙂
Cary Hillman
What a great idea for a giveaway 🙂
Jenna O
Sounds like a book I´d love to read!
Amy Jarratt
Love to read & love cats so I love to read about cats!!
jansfunnyfarm
Sounds like a really good book. We’d love to win this for Jan. 🙂
The Swiss Cats
Mum was a judocat, euh, judoka, and loves zen stuff too. She never heard of this book, she would love to read it ! Purrs, Zorro
Nerissa's Life
Oohhhh… that book sound WONDERFUL! It really does.
Purrs,
Nissy
Gail W.
Sounds like a lovely book!
Angel AbbyGrace
It sounds like a very interesting bit of reading!
Flynn
That sounds like a great book.
Penelope
Wowzers! This sounds like a wonderful book! And Merlin, yous looks so furry handsome!
Kisses
Nellie
mariodacat
That sounds like something M would like to read to me. Please enter us in the contest. Thank you so much for offering this giveaway.
The Island Cats
That looks like a great book. 🙂
Carol Lawman
Cats and beautiful Japanese art work – an amazing combination!
martha anderson
looks like a really fun book and I think it will be greatly enjoyed by whoever wins
Tamara Ackley
I would love a copy of this interesting book! What a great giveaway contest! Thank you for the opportunity!
Katnip Lounge
I’d LOVE to read this!