Scan barcode
theesotericcamel's review against another edition
4.0
What a whimsical book! And that is the best way to describe it. Whimsical. It is clear that Natsume Soseki was heavily influenced by Laurence Sterne, especially Tristram Shandy, to which I would most favourably compare this book. The cast of characters are very similar in their demeanour and dispositions to those of Tristram Shandy. But the situations in this book are decidedly more domestic and well, Asian. Notice how I have not spoken about the cat in the title yet? That is not completely by accident. Although the cat is the main character in the first and second parts, he gets relegated more and more to observer and narrator in the remaining parts of the novel. I would say that the first part of the book is the most cat-like, where we tightly follow a day in the life of the nameless kitten of the title. It is the best realised story of the bunch. And this makes sense when you understand that this book was originally published as a serial in a literary magazine called 'Cuckoo.' Soseki originally did not plan to write more than the first part. But it proved so successful that his friends urged him to continue the story. Make no mistake, the parts that follow are also entertaining and whimsical, but there is less of the "cattiness" conceit that made the first part so original. Another thing to note is that the characters of the story seem to be modelled after himself and his friends. And it is clear that Soseki pokes fun at himself and his friends through the non-human eyes of his own pet cat. The setting of the story, right as Japan is in the process of modernising and taking upon more and more Western customs, also makes for an interesting read. And the cat becomes a way for Soseki to criticise the society around him with relative impunity.
damashin19's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
trevsoranno's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This review is a tough one for me. “I Am a Cat” has left me the most conflicted out of every book I’ve read in recent history, mostly due to the drastic difference between its high and low points.
When this book is good, it’s GOOD. Humor, satire, symbolism, insight, it’s all there and it keeps you hooked. On the other hand, when this book is bad, it’s pretty insufferable. Certain parts drag on and on for seemingly no reason at all other than to deter you from reading. I can equate the experience of this book to that of watching “The Office”. The show as a whole is pretty mid and mostly a waste of time. However, there are bits of gold in that pile of dirt and thanks to modern technology (YouTube), the refining process has been conveniently expedited and placed right at your doorstep. One “funniest moments” video later and you’ve experienced all the best parts of the show in record time.
This is where my internal conflict arises. I want to say so badly that if all the good parts of the book were kept and all the others were wiped from existence, “I Am a Cat” would be an infinitely better read. However, I can’t, in good faith, totally say that. Part of the reason the positive aspects of this book stand out so much is solely due to the presence of the boring, menial ones. I’ll read a two-page rant about some meaningless topic only for it to end with a genius one-liner that hits so hard strictly because of the context it was just given. Nonetheless, there definitely still could have been some fat left on the cutting floor.
“I Am a Cat” is an interesting book, none like I have ever experienced before. It contains some of my favorite reading I have ever indulged in, some of my least favorite, and an endless sea of notable quotes. Moreover, the ending is nothing short of incredible and rescued my mostly negative opinion of the book leading up to that point. Give it a shot if you have the time (and patience).
When this book is good, it’s GOOD. Humor, satire, symbolism, insight, it’s all there and it keeps you hooked. On the other hand, when this book is bad, it’s pretty insufferable. Certain parts drag on and on for seemingly no reason at all other than to deter you from reading. I can equate the experience of this book to that of watching “The Office”. The show as a whole is pretty mid and mostly a waste of time. However, there are bits of gold in that pile of dirt and thanks to modern technology (YouTube), the refining process has been conveniently expedited and placed right at your doorstep. One “funniest moments” video later and you’ve experienced all the best parts of the show in record time.
This is where my internal conflict arises. I want to say so badly that if all the good parts of the book were kept and all the others were wiped from existence, “I Am a Cat” would be an infinitely better read. However, I can’t, in good faith, totally say that. Part of the reason the positive aspects of this book stand out so much is solely due to the presence of the boring, menial ones. I’ll read a two-page rant about some meaningless topic only for it to end with a genius one-liner that hits so hard strictly because of the context it was just given. Nonetheless, there definitely still could have been some fat left on the cutting floor.
“I Am a Cat” is an interesting book, none like I have ever experienced before. It contains some of my favorite reading I have ever indulged in, some of my least favorite, and an endless sea of notable quotes. Moreover, the ending is nothing short of incredible and rescued my mostly negative opinion of the book leading up to that point. Give it a shot if you have the time (and patience).
storykotori's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
notalotjust4evr's review against another edition
3.0
THE ENDING WAS SO SAD WHAT THE FUCK. in general a very sweet little book. did not have to think i just read. i wish i could give 3.5 stars! but it was good i liked it
aliciagriggs's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting novel that is narrated by a cat with no name. I found it quite difficult to get into at first because the cat was being treated badly, which I cannot bear, but it gets better.
As the cat finds a home with his master and his reluctant family, he encounters and recalls to us many strange occurrences and conversations that go on. His master often has his friends come over, and all they seem to do is sit around, trying to sound intelligent about literature, when really they sound useless and ridiculous. The cat comments on these things, and seemingly has the power to mind-read. What I find interesting is that the cat's character seems to develop and become similar to that of his master, in his style of writing at least. He strange, long rambles that his master and his friends go on is adopted by, along with the language used, the cat.
This was an interesting, funny and even at times poignant novel. Worth a read.
As the cat finds a home with his master and his reluctant family, he encounters and recalls to us many strange occurrences and conversations that go on. His master often has his friends come over, and all they seem to do is sit around, trying to sound intelligent about literature, when really they sound useless and ridiculous. The cat comments on these things, and seemingly has the power to mind-read. What I find interesting is that the cat's character seems to develop and become similar to that of his master, in his style of writing at least. He strange, long rambles that his master and his friends go on is adopted by, along with the language used, the cat.
This was an interesting, funny and even at times poignant novel. Worth a read.
trashkatchewan's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
The cat was so cute! The people stuff was boring tbh. Obvs after that ending I am PISSED! >:(
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
eliathereader's review against another edition
1.0
Okurken çok sıkıldım. Kedi gözünden anlatılması ilginç bir düşünce ama okurken çoğu zaman anlatıcının kedi olduğunu unuttum. Konudan konuya atlamalar, gereksiz konuşmalar, fazla uzatılan kısımlar derken sevemediğim kitaplar arasında yerini aldı. Normalde Japon edebiyatından okuduğum çoğu kitabı beğenirim bu yüzden şaşırdım.