I Am a Cat Group Read

[Selena]

I am a cat. As yet I have no name.

So begins one of the most original and unforgettable works in Japanese literature.

Richly allegorical and delightfully readable, I Am a Cat is the chronicle of an unloved, unwanted, wandering kitten who spends all his time observing human nature - from the dramas of businessmen and schoolteachers to the foibles of priests and potentates. From this unique perfective, author Sōseki Natsume offers a biting commentary - shaped by his training in Chinese philosophy - on the social upheaval of the Meiji era.

I Am a Cat first appeared in ten installments in the literary magazine Hotoguisu (Cuckoo), between 1905 and 1906. Sōseki had not intended to write more than the short story that makes up the first chapter of this book. After its great critical and popular success, he expanded it into this epic novel, which is universally recognised as a classic of world literature.

Reading Schedule:
3/18-3/31: Volume 1, Chapter 1-2
4/1-4/7: Volume 1, Chapter 3
4/8-4/14: Volume 2, Chapter 1
4/15-4/21: Volume 2, Chapter 2
4/22-4/28: Volume 2, Chapter 3
4/29-5/5: Volume 2, Chapter 4
5/6-5/12: Volume 3, Chapter 1
5/13-5/19: Volume 3, Chapter 2
5/20-5/26: Volume 3, Chapter 3
5/27-6/9: Volume 3, Chapter 4

[Selena]

Nek0 Neha wrote: "I'm super excited to read this. I remember reading the first volume many years ago, but unfortunately I never got around to finishing the whole thing (yay life). I really love Natsume Sōseki's book..."

How dense do you think it is? When writing up the schedule, I noticed the text was pretty tiny lol

[Selena]

I read the introduction for this one, and while it gives some interesting historical context for the author, I don't think it's required this time around. So if you want to skip it, I think you're be okay to do so. In fact, there are spoilers in the intro (what kind of intro spoils the ending? Seriously!), so you might want to skip it anyway.

Now onto cat stuff.

[HazThunder]

Thanks for the heads up.

[JJ]

Selena wrote: " In fact, there are spoilers in the intro (what kind of intro spoils the ending? Seriously!), so you might want to skip it anyway. ..."

Lol, I know. I usually skip intros in books and read them after completing the book. I find that they usually give hints or they bluntly tell you the ending. Unfortunately, I decided to read this into before finishing the book because I didn't know anything about the author. So, I already know the ending. :-/

I'm currently on chapter two of volume two. It's seems to be pretty good. It can get sluggish when the human dialogue goes on and on, but it's not too bad. It has it's humor moments.

[Selena]

Just finished chapter 1, and for those of you who did not read the introduction, chapter 1 was also the original short story. Originally, chapter 1 was going to be all there was, but it was so loved that more was written.

It's definitely interesting observations about day-to-day life. I can see why people would really like the biting commentary, especially when coming from one of everyone's favorite kind of furry creature.

I rather like the cat with no name. I wish he had a name though. Cat with no name is pretty long to type. :)

[Selena]

I've come across what may be the funniest line in this book.

"I understand that she's the thirteenth Shogun's widowed wife's private-secretary's younger sister's husband's mother's nephew's daughter."

I had flashbacks of Spaceballs, and it was wonderful. I knew that joke had to be older than Spaceballs, but to find it in a turn-of-the-century Japanese novel of all places. XD

[JJ]

Selena wrote: "I've come across what may be the funniest line in this book.

"I understand that she's the thirteenth Shogun's widowed wife's private-secretary's younger sister's husband's mother's nephew's daught..."

I have not heard of Spaceballs, so I couldn't pick out the connection. I thought that part was pretty funny too though. Another funny part was when...(view spoiler)[ The professor did not want to leave the house watch a play or opera with his wife. He kept putting it off and complaining and then after it was to late to go he felt better all of a sudden. lol (hide spoiler)]

It's interesting when the cats start talking about catching things like rats.

[Selena]

So we've completed book 1. Supposedly anyway. I'm still a little behind somewhere in chapter 3. :)

What do you guys think so far? Enjoying it? Disliking it? Finding jokes you knew from other more recent media in turn of the century Japanese literature for some reason?

[Selena]

I'm about a chapter and a half behind at this point (whoops). I do find it interesting that the Japanese cat goes on a tangent about God though.

[Selena]

Sadly, my copy is due back at the library, so I'm super behind and won't be able to catch up by the end of the group read. :)

Since we're fast approaching the end of the book, what do you guys think of I Am a Cat? Did you enjoy it? Why or why not?