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4.36 AVERAGE
4.36 AVERAGE
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
slow-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:
Complicated
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
4.25/5 stars. I loved this so much more than I expected! Beautiful, emotional story. If you’re a cat lover you will feel all the feels this book elicits. It is less than 300 pages also so it’s relatively short. However, I recommend savoring some of it especially towards the end.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
The Traveling Cat Chronicles is a meditative novel with a heavy nod to Soseki's classic. Rather than a satirical observant eye on Japanese society, this novel uses an alternating narration from the cat as well as protagonist as they form a connection and travel to visit past friends and family. Each visit with a childhood friend opens up a window into their relationship and friendship. Because the cat is narrated in 1st person and the human action in 3rd person, the cat's personality and voice will linger in the memory. This might be peak level of the "cat fiction" that is currently translated into English. Wistful and earnest in its willingness to accept the sadness of life but also celebrate connection and bonds that we create even in the face of tragedy. The novel had me reminiscing of my childhood and the Pacific Northwest of the United States ... even though the landscape is firmly set in Japan. The rolling fields of the Palouse and mountains of the northwest could feel like Hokkaido ... or at least the book made me feel that they could. Sweet, sad novel that is worth a read or listen. 4 stars.