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dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love cats, I adore books, and I advocate for mental health. Imagine going through the bookstore to see a book about cats and mental illness, only to read it and end up with so much more.
Though short stories are rare in my library, I ADORE the book's cute and light-hearted read! It's my first exposure with Japanese literature, and have been glad it's quite an enjoyable one (I read it within a day, and would love to read it again).
There's really not much to critique other than the fact that the book would definitely be better read in the original Japanese, as there are definitely cultural references and literary and artistic choices much better understood and appreciated in the Japanese language(e.g. the name "Koyuki" that is used to name a white, fluffy kitten in the book. "Ko" would translate to "child", appropriate for the supposed descendant of Meg's cat Yuki, and "Yuki" translates to "snow", based on the snow white and fluffy fur that is used to describe for Yuki's first appearance in the book. It seems much more appreciated if you at least know a bit of Japanese than none at all). It is also unfortunate that some stories felt lackluster compared to the others, but were nonetheless still pleasant. I found the themes of magical realism and its absurdity entertaining, more so the interconnected tales that eventually ties everything into a novella. Definitely also loved that it touched dark and complex themes such as loss and mental illness.
As much as I loved this book I couldn't really give this a 5-star rating as I don't think it's exactly the best out there, but I highly recommend it. I loved Bee's chapter, more so Mimita's (I bawled), and I absolutely love the intriguing end.
Though short stories are rare in my library, I ADORE the book's cute and light-hearted read! It's my first exposure with Japanese literature, and have been glad it's quite an enjoyable one (I read it within a day, and would love to read it again).
There's really not much to critique other than the fact that the book would definitely be better read in the original Japanese, as there are definitely cultural references and literary and artistic choices much better understood and appreciated in the Japanese language
As much as I loved this book I couldn't really give this a 5-star rating as I don't think it's exactly the best out there, but I highly recommend it. I loved Bee's chapter, more so Mimita's (I bawled), and I absolutely love the intriguing end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Mental illness, Grief, Abandonment
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Vomit, Abandonment, Classism
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The first 3 parts were super mid but the last two were insanely good and also gut wrenching
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Mental illness
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
A very wholesome book about a range of different cats aiding peoples recovery in difficult times. Very much enjoyed it. It was not as formulaic as I had thought it might be, which made it a much more curious book imo.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Chronic illness, Mental illness, Medical content, Grief, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This one wasn't for me. I've read several Japanese books in this sort of genre: One new main character per chapter with a huge problem that is fixed by the end of the chapter. Cats can be wonderful companions, but it's irresponsible to say that "prescribing" a cat for a certain number of days will solve deep psychological problems. It's also insanely irresponsible to just hand a cat in a carrier to someone and expect the cat to be ok.
The explanation of the mysterious doctor and receptionist at the end were completely disappointing to me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty
Minor: Animal death
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The book is such a unique concept and it's executed so well. Although it's kinda a short story collection, there is a larger underlying story that makes it not have the usual issue of short story collections. Idk why a weaker chapter feels different than a weaker standalone story, but even though I know which I'd say was weakest I don't hold it against the book.
Also the stories made me feel emotional, and it was fun unraveling the underlying story as you are given clues.
Also the stories made me feel emotional, and it was fun unraveling the underlying story as you are given clues.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Mental illness, Grief
Moderate: Animal cruelty
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
We’ll Prescribe You a Cat by Ishida is a lovely, easy read that will appeal to just about anyone — cat lovers and non-cat lovers alike. Personally, the book had me smiling from start to finish, thinking about how much I love my own three cats.
I picked up this book purely because of its cute cover, going in completely “blind.” I didn’t realize it was a collection of loosely connected stories, all centered around a Mental Health Clinic that “prescribes” a cat to each new character. While I don’t usually read story collections like this, the structure kept me more engaged than I expected as the book always felt fresh. Ishida writes in such a way that the new characters are never confusing or overwhelming, rather, you end up latching onto them after a few pages.
Finally, although there are some bittersweet moments throughout, pet lovers can rest assured — this is certainly no Kafka on the Shore.
Finally, although there are some bittersweet moments throughout, pet lovers can rest assured — this is certainly no Kafka on the Shore.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal cruelty
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Reminds me how much I love my cat 🥺
I liked the earlier vignettes more than the later ones. Things got a bit repetitive. Still, I like the whimsical nature of this book overall.
I liked the earlier vignettes more than the later ones. Things got a bit repetitive. Still, I like the whimsical nature of this book overall.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Abandonment
Moderate: Bullying, Misogyny, Sexism, Grief
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
It was a nice, feel-good book…until it wasn’t. One of the stories towards the end was a total downer (and made me cry and def brought my mood way down). It doesn’t end sad, but still, getting there was hard. But even with one or two stories before that it seemed like there was a total tone shift. I liked the twist (and had been wondering if that’s where it was going), but then it ended abruptly and left me with SO many unanswered questions.
But yeah I really liked the first half to 2/3 (or 3/4?) of the book, but it kinda went downhill for me after that. Still worth reading, but I wish the tone had stayed more upbeat throughout the end. Just be prepared for a total tone shift and some quite sad topics as you approach the end
But yeah I really liked the first half to 2/3 (or 3/4?) of the book, but it kinda went downhill for me after that. Still worth reading, but I wish the tone had stayed more upbeat throughout the end. Just be prepared for a total tone shift and some quite sad topics as you approach the end
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal cruelty