What readers think of The Travelling Cat Chronicles, plus links to write your own review.

I would give this read 8 stars if I could --what a sweet read! I generally lean towards mystery/suspense and I was looking forward to a book on the mellow side. This refreshing book totally engaged me and also tickled my cat-lady bones!

Arikawa captured Nana's personality to a "T" and this would be a spot-on gift for any cat-lover! I vicariously traveled with this duo in their silver van and was thoroughly enchanted by their success with travelling with a cat in the car. (my cat generally produces howling and caterwauling (couldn't resist) as if we are on the way to the axe-murderer's house....)

I was completely wrapped-up in the story of their journey of finding a new home for Nana; I correctly guessed the reason for their search but this did not take away from the magic of their journey and story. The last 1/4 of the book utterly surprised me. Just proving that most cats are strong-willed and impossible to impose your will upon their desires. (Any cat lover will totally understand this.)

This book was 100 enjoyable pages and was a quick read and put me in such an optimistic mood. I'd like to see more books with Nana The Cat; I'm a fan for all nine of Nana's lives! Meow.

I read Paul Gallico's "The Silent Miaow" many years ago and loved hearing about the world from a cat's perspective, so I was excited to get an ARC copy of "The Travelling Cat Chronicles." It did not disappoint. At first it seemed like a lighthearted adventure, a young man (Satoru) and his adopted stray cat (Nana) drive around Japan in a van visiting friends from Satoru's past, looking for one who is able to adopt Nana. Along the way we learn about relationships, friendships, and family. The love that Satoru has for Nana is obvious, so we spend much of the book wondering, along with Nana, why Satoru feels he needs to find Nana another home. As we and Nana near the end of the story and learn the truth, the tale becomes poignant and heartrending. Cat lovers and anyone who has experienced the special bond between a human and their pet will appreciate this touching story.

This is a perfect read for the summer. The flavor of the book is mellow, and show paced. This is not to say it is boring. Far from it. The characters are well rounded and believable. The cat who is the narrator is a bit too opinionated for my tastes. But then again, it reflects the personality of most cats. Cats have always made me think they are smarter than we give them credit. A perfect book for pet lovers, especially lovers of cats.

A metaphorical journey wrapped in a lusciously evocative journey through Japan, this short, endearing novel is told from interwoven perspectives. Witty street cat Nana speaks to us in a chatty and intimate first-person voice, while a third-person POV fills us in on the relationships that Nana's human, Satoru, has built over the course of his young life.

As an animal lover the relationship with Satoru and his cat was very real and meaningful. The way the author introduced all of the important people in Satoru's life enabled the reader to be aware of the life he led and how these people intersected in his life.

I knew when I started this book that I would probably be in tears at some point in time. I have always had a cat or two and recognized many of the character traits in the main feline character, Nana. His wry, sometimes self-serving view of life, humans, dogs, and friendship is both hilarious and touching. He and his human, Saturo, embark on a journey that will explore, test, and define the bonds of friendship, trust, and devotion. During that journey, both of them will make new discoveries about themselves. Translated from the original Japanese novel, this story will break your heart and at the same time reaffirm your faith in humanity.

In the Japanese culture and literature, cats hold an important place and appear as good luck charms capable of bringing blessings to their owners. This novel is narrated by Nana, a stray cat who, after being hit by a car, is taken in to recuperate by a young man named Satoru. He his provided with all he can eat, a warm bed, a friendly human and the occasional walk, He is always ready to leave but soon grows fond of his new master and, once recovered, decides to stay.

Many years later, changes in Satoru's life appear that make it necessary to find Nana a new home. Together they begin their travels in search of the cat's new home. Why Satoru has to part with his beloved friend is a mystery but soon both the reader and Nana's understanding grows to understand his predicament.

Anyone who's ever had a cat will be moved by this beautifully evoked road trip thus proofing the old adage. . . "It's not the journey that counts, but who's at your side." The author brings to the reader a powerful message about the value of friendship and solitude. It shows, above all, how acts of love, both great and small, can transform our lives. Expect this book to pull at your heartstrings – but in the best possible way, without becoming overly sentimental. This is a novel with wide appeal.

I recommend this book for anybody who has always known that their pets were smarter than most people. Nana, the cat, has plenty of sarcastic comments throughout the book to keep you entertained; comments that truly fitting of a feline! This book is also a great blueprint for overcoming life's challenges without the bitterness, jealousy, and self-pity the sometimes accompanies people on their journey. Satoru, the main character, faces more challenges in his short lifetime than most, but he faces them with such dignity, that I was inspired. Throw in some insights on Japanese culture and you have an incredible book!