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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
This is a review of the US audiobook translation of Mayumi Inaba’s 1999 memoir.
This was a intriguing reflection on a solitary life with a cat. Over the span of 20 years, Inaba articulates her life in 1970-90s Japan from countryside to city bustle. She and Mii are each other’s constant in those years from big moments to the mundane routines in life. The range of a cat’s full life in a human’s longer one.
Inaba’s writing is straightforward and timely. I liked the inserts of poetry at the end of some chapters having since realized that Inaba’s is a recognized poet. Ginny Tapley Takemori’s translation felt aptly done in describing Inaba’s life and thoughts to foreign readers. Nancy Wu’s narration had a reflective tone that fit this memoir.
Regarding the content, this book has a more bittersweet and meloncholy tone and storyline. The US title translation foreshadows this. I noticed that the stories that Inaba chose to share were often sad. They are isolated to stories with Mii’s presence which I think really highlighted the solitary and isolated life. That being said, I can see how the UK title can lead to other expectations. Some of Inaba’s decisions are controversial. I probably would have done different things, but I think it’s important to take in account that in the 1980-90s there was a different attitude towards pets in the US and probably the same in Japan (I’m trying to research this). Inaba appeared overall aloof to her choices and the realities of owning an (outside-seeking) cat. Inaba initially published this in Japan in 1999, relatively near Mii’s death, which doesn’t give much time to reflect. Furthermore, for me, I did find the US title misleading in that it led me to believe a reflection on life since Mii’s passing would be more prevalent that it was actually. We really only got a couple days/week or so. Overall, a personal narrative of feline companionship.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
emotional
sad
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Beautiful and heartbreaking. A beautifully written tribute to the author’s cat. Anyone who’s had a pet can appreciate and enjoy.
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
A Japanese woman basically gets to tell the story of her life via telling the story of how she found her cat Mii and their life together. Reflective, sweet, and with some gorgeous poetry at the end of each chapter.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced