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triscuit807's review against another edition
5.0
I'm a sucker for animal stories; add a well researched cultural background, and I'm hooked. This is the story of a poor Japanese artist and his housekeeper, and the cat she brings into their lives. I found it a beautiful and haunting fable. I read this for my 2018 Reading Challenge and for my Newbery Challenge (Medal 1931)
(Spoilers)
Because cats did not adore Buddha, they were considered evil and possibly demonic. This cat, though, is most uncatlike, first by not being food acquisitive, then seeming to pray to Buddha each morning. The artist wins a temple commission to paint Buddha's death and meditates on each portion he is going to paint. The stories of the animals were drawn from the Jakata tales (stories of the Buddha in animal incarnation) and are beautifully re-told. In the end the artist includes the cat at Buddha's funeral, much to the dismay of the priest. The painting must be destroyed. Then there is a miracle.
(Spoilers)
Because cats did not adore Buddha, they were considered evil and possibly demonic. This cat, though, is most uncatlike, first by not being food acquisitive, then seeming to pray to Buddha each morning. The artist wins a temple commission to paint Buddha's death and meditates on each portion he is going to paint. The stories of the animals were drawn from the Jakata tales (stories of the Buddha in animal incarnation) and are beautifully re-told. In the end the artist includes the cat at Buddha's funeral, much to the dismay of the priest. The painting must be destroyed. Then there is a miracle.
everydayreading's review against another edition
3.0
Oh, how the Newbery has changed, hasn't it?
Also, this book was 74 pages. And included several full page illustrations. I read it in about 30 minutes.
Also, this book was 74 pages. And included several full page illustrations. I read it in about 30 minutes.
mrskatiefitz's review against another edition
4.0
When his housekeeper brings home a cat, a long-ago Japanese artist is unimpressed. To his mind, cats are goblins and devils who may kill human beings in their sleep! When he realizes she is a three-color cat, however, he sees that Good Fortune, as she is named, may bring him good luck. As the housekeeper observes the cat's influence on the household, the artist works on a commissioned painting of Buddha for the local temple, adding one at a time each animal that paid homage to Buddha during his life. Only the cat is missing from the piece, as the cat was too proud to worship Buddha - but perhaps the artist might be able to redeem this stubborn animal and help her get to heaven after all.
This novella-length Newbery-medal-winning tale is an engaging way to introduce young readers to the work of an artist, to the life of Buddha, and to the legends associated with Buddha and various animals. Though I typically have reservations about books suggesting that animals go to heaven, it didn't bother me as much in this context, since the idea is presented within the belief system of Buddhism, and in a format that reads very much like a folktale.
My favorite aspects of the book are the housekeeper's "songs" at the start of each chapter, which are short poems sharing her insights into the artist's relationship with Good Fortune and his progress on his painting, and the artwork itself, created by Lynd Ward. I love the contrast between the orange ink drawings depicting the artist himself and the colorful paintings depicting each animal the artist adds to his canvas. Both the "songs" and the art add dimensions to the main text that give the book a lot more weight than its slim 63 pages might appear to carry.
I imagine this book is a big hit with cat lovers, but even I, a non-animal person, was able to see the value in it. The writing is very precise and engaging, with no extra words or superfluous descriptions, and the structure of the story feels very satisfying all the way to the end. I haven't read this book with my kids just yet, but I look forward to experiencing it again with them to see how they react to it.
This review also appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom.
This novella-length Newbery-medal-winning tale is an engaging way to introduce young readers to the work of an artist, to the life of Buddha, and to the legends associated with Buddha and various animals. Though I typically have reservations about books suggesting that animals go to heaven, it didn't bother me as much in this context, since the idea is presented within the belief system of Buddhism, and in a format that reads very much like a folktale.
My favorite aspects of the book are the housekeeper's "songs" at the start of each chapter, which are short poems sharing her insights into the artist's relationship with Good Fortune and his progress on his painting, and the artwork itself, created by Lynd Ward. I love the contrast between the orange ink drawings depicting the artist himself and the colorful paintings depicting each animal the artist adds to his canvas. Both the "songs" and the art add dimensions to the main text that give the book a lot more weight than its slim 63 pages might appear to carry.
I imagine this book is a big hit with cat lovers, but even I, a non-animal person, was able to see the value in it. The writing is very precise and engaging, with no extra words or superfluous descriptions, and the structure of the story feels very satisfying all the way to the end. I haven't read this book with my kids just yet, but I look forward to experiencing it again with them to see how they react to it.
This review also appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom.
nerdybookster's review against another edition
4.0
I bought this book because a friend recommended it to me. She said it was one of her favorite books to read as a child, so of course I was interested in reading it myself. I understand why she likes it as much as she did then and does now. The story is cute. I enjoyed how almost...sentient the cat was when it came to certain things, such as how she reacted to the various animals in the painting.
The tale of the cat's own folly made me think of Natsuki Takahashi's Fruits Basket series and how the cat spurned God by not attending a banquet and thus got himself banned from being part of the Zodiac. Perhaps Natsuki picked up some inspiration from this novel?
I took the last star off because it was far too short for my taste and when I got the book it was damaged. I'm glad I read it though.
The tale of the cat's own folly made me think of Natsuki Takahashi's Fruits Basket series and how the cat spurned God by not attending a banquet and thus got himself banned from being part of the Zodiac. Perhaps Natsuki picked up some inspiration from this novel?
I took the last star off because it was far too short for my taste and when I got the book it was damaged. I'm glad I read it though.
kendras's review against another edition
5.0
Just read this again for the second time. This work is pure perfection in my humble opinion. A tale of sacrifice, patience, & humility, faith, loyalty and piety, it remains true to itself to its beautiful end. Although a deserving Newbery winner, I believe its true meaning may require a slightly more mature reader. It is an emotional read for me. I just can’t say enough about it except it should be read.
seuknitcat's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
sandyd's review against another edition
3.0
I had very mixed feelings about this book. Parts of it I liked a lot, other parts I detested. My detailed review is here: http://newberryproject.blogspot.com/2009/01/cat-who-went-to-heaven.html at the Newbery Project.
debnanceatreaderbuzz's review against another edition
3.0
This story was a lovely little folk tale that reminded me of all the best of the Newbery books. A young man has been commissioned by the temple to paint a picture of Buddha as he blesses the animals. He slowly adds animals, telling the tale and the strength of each. Then the artist comes to the cat, an animal which had, by tradition, rejected the Buddha and thus was excluded from heaven. But it is the artist's cat that has inspired him in his work and the artist knows it is the cat's greatest wish to be included in the painting. At last, the artist makes the difficult decision to include the cat in the painting. The ending is surprising and lovely.
hlburke's review against another edition
3.0
I can't remember if I've read this before or just other versions of the same tale/myth, but I read it out loud to my nine-year-old (didn't keep my five-year-old's interest) recently.
The ending weirded her out, and I don't think it got the reaction intended because she was both laughing at how odd the ending was and maybe tearing up a little bit because dead cat.
I don't know how accurate a representation this is of Buddhism, but it definitely did bring up a chance to discuss different religions and beliefs.
Still, that ending, I think is supposed to be deep and what not, but at the line where the cat just suddenly drops dead of happiness seeing herself in the picture, Coryn was like, "What?"
then she started giggling because to her that was so silly, that the cat died of happiness. Then she teared up a little because "dead cat" then she laughed some more and had to go tell her little sister how ridiculous it was.
The ending weirded her out, and I don't think it got the reaction intended because she was both laughing at how odd the ending was and maybe tearing up a little bit because
I don't know how accurate a representation this is of Buddhism, but it definitely did bring up a chance to discuss different religions and beliefs.
Still, that ending, I think is supposed to be deep and what not, but
then she started giggling because to her that was so silly, that the cat died of happiness. Then she teared up a little because "dead cat" then she laughed some more and had to go tell her little sister how ridiculous it was.
aprilleigh's review against another edition
3.0
Sweet, sad, and beautiful all rolled into one. The behavior of the cat is both on-target and off, depending on what part of the story you're at, which I suspect is deliberate, but found off-putting. It's like the author is trying to imply that the unusual, un-catlike behavior of the cat is what earned her this boon. I think the cat does just fine on its own, thanks.