From the Bookshelf of Around the World in 80 Books…

The Travelling Cat Chronicles

Hiro Arikawa,

Philip Gabriel (Translator)

Start date: November 15, 2021

Finish date: December 15, 2021

Discussion: Group Reads Discussions

Why we're reading this: November 2021 selection for Minority authors theme.
[close] November 2021 selection for Minority authors theme.

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Group Reads Discussions

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By Diane , Armchair Tour Guide · 3 posts · 1372 views

last updated Jan 18, 2013 07:12PM

Thank you for the Amazing Reviews!
By Bruce · 1 post · 13 views

last updated May 14, 2025 08:13AM

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What Members Thought

Oct 24, 2018 Laura rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: first-reads, 2018, given-away

This is a beautiful story about love of all kinds and friendship. The main character is a man who sees the bright side of everything. He is a cat lover and he and his cat are the focus of the story.

I don't want to give anything away, but I will say that the story will suck you in fast, it reads quickly, you will really love the two main characters, and you don't need to be a cat lover to enjoy the book. You will laugh and cry, and I think if you really love cats, you will probably love the stor ...more

12 likes · Like · see review

Dec 05, 2018 Karen rated it really liked it

Shelves: travel-the-world

A few years ago I found the author Spencer Quinn. I love his Chet and Bernie series. The books are from the dog's perspective, so when I found that this book by Arikawa was from the cat's perspective, I knew it was a book for me. I don't want to say much about the plot, it is best read without knowing anything about it. Nana and his human, Satoru embark on a road trip all over Japan. I fell in love with the story and its main characters. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

May 21, 2019 Suzanne rated it it was amazing

Shelves: outside-us-england, travel

Such a sweet, sad, beautiful tale about the love between a cat and his owner.

2 likes · Like · see review

Jan 27, 2020 Anika rated it it was amazing

I never thought I would be a person who was a fan of books about animals, featuring a non-human narrator...there was something in that which seemed too juvenile.
Consider me converted. Nana was a sassy riot as he and his human companion, Satoru, travel around the Japanese countryside. Don’t let that fool you, though: while there are humorous moments, this is not a funny book. It’s heartfelt and heartbreaking and heartwarming and just has a lot of heart in general.
If there’s a cat you’ve ever in ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jul 02, 2024 Anna rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

my heart!

This is a varied and beautiful set of stories, ostensibly about cats but truly highlighting the beauty of the human spirit

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Jan 17, 2024 Kemlo rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction

The cat is endearing, but the writing is very simple and a little too preachy for me. Also, I think I would have liked the book better if the translation were less stilted.

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