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

Summary |  Excerpt |  Reading Guide |  Reviews |  Beyond the book |  Read-Alikes |  Genres & Themes |  Author Bio

The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa, Philip Gabriel

The Travelling Cat Chronicles

by Hiro Arikawa, Philip Gabriel
  • BookBrowse Review:
  • Critics' Consensus (7):
  • Readers' Rating (42):
  • First Published:
  • Oct 23, 2018, 288 pages
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About This Book

Reviews

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There are currently 42 reader reviews for The Travelling Cat Chronicles
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Donna Rae S. (Saint Joseph, MI)

A Generous Cat's Care of its Introverted Charges
The Traveling Cat Chronicles is about one cat's willingness to influence a handful of human lives. Facing a series of introverted people who contentedly live rather isolated lives, this self-contained cat chooses to accompany one human companion until the human realizes his cat will lose that one. His person, then, works to offer him a next person to know and be with. The cat takes on the care of this short string of rather isolated, contentedly unwed humans with an appropriately restrained warmth and calm dedication. This book's subtitle could be A Generous Cat's Care of Introverted Charges.
Susan L. (Alexandria, VA)

A Cat Knows...
This book is a study in belonging and acceptance. It is a book the reveals itself slowly and methodically, with the studied and measured movements of a tea ceremony with meaning in every moment. This quiet book builds to an ending that will wreck you. It is the tale of how a stray cat finds a place to belong and how sometimes that is all that matters. This book is about love, acceptance and loyalty. Keep your tissues handy, you are going to feel things with this book. It may be small, but it is filled with depth. I loved it.
Susan S. (Salida, CO)

Superb pet lover appeal!
If you ever thought about cats and longevity and belonging, this is the book for you. As you move thru life, we will all take a few unexpected turns along the road. This lovely book is about some of those turns. The companion of the cat visits friends from his past and learns more about himself, about his friends and about his cat along the way. As more and more of the trip is revealed, his insights will have universal appeal for pet owners of all kinds. It has a slightly exotic feel with the Japanese setting and is more intriguing because of it. Loved it!
Candace F. (Lincoln, NE)

Touching and Memorable
I consider myself more of a dog-lover than a cat-lover with that being said, I am definitely an animal lover. The Traveling Cat Chronicles is a very touching, bittersweet, all about "life" story written through the eyes of a cat. The book is at times funny but as you travel with Satoru and his cat and life companion, Nana, on their life adventure you meet friendship, boundless love, and courage. This is one of those books that the author writes to make the story come alive and leaves you pondering over the many aspects of it for many days or weeks to come. Don't miss this one if you enjoy a fun, heartwarming book. I highly recommend it!
Rose N. (Saginaw, MI)

Must-read for Cat Lovers
This delightful story made me laugh at times and then made me shed a few tears. Nana, the wise independent street cat, becomes attached to gentle Satoru who cares for him after he is injured by a car. Satoru tries to find a new home for Nana with various friends but Nana has his own agenda.

This novel not only honors the relationships between humans and their friends but also between humans and their pets. This is a heartwarming tale with several unforgettable characters, fine descriptive passages of the Japanese landscape, and a feisty, lovable feline. Read and enjoy!
Eileen C. (New York, NY)

Love and devotion
A beautifully written, moving book about love and death. Narrated by a wise and sassy stray cat who is taken in by a kind-hearted man, it is also a story of friendship and devotion. Although the ending caused a cascade of tears, it wasn't for the usual reason pet stories bring on tears. The writing is vivid and the translation is seamless. Highly recommended.
Kristen H. (Hagerstown, MD)

Bitter sweet Journey
I wasn't sure what I was going to think when I received this book to review. I have to admit I had my doubts. All that quickly changed within the first 10 pages. This was a great book to read! So much soul searching and past reflection was in these pages. I wasn't sure again where this journey was going to take me and honestly I don't think I saw it coming. I can't say much more without spoiling the story for any one else who would read it.
The way the author details Saturo's life is beautiful, I felt so much a part of his journey that I never wanted it to end.
Highly suggest this to book clubs or to anyone who loves and cherishes their pets.
Claire M. (Wrentham, MA)

Cat's Eye View
The cat-human bond challenges old notions of the aloofness and even indifference of cats. In this charming tale of cat and man, each have lessons to teach and learn together. They pass their lessons on to those whose lives they touch in gentle prose to soothe the soul. Readers who seek a mindful way of living will appreciate the values reinforced in these pages. Japanese culture is full of examples of kindness to stray cats in contemporary life and this book makes a case for respect and care for feral cats as well as pet ownership.

Beyond the Book:
  Cats in Japanese Culture

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