A review by jrhartauthor
She and Her Cat by Makoto Shinkai, Naruki Nagakawa

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad fast-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

5.0

 Told from the perspectives of four women and the cats who love them, or exist in their close proximity (some more exist near them and interact with them, serving as observers and protectors more than the women's cats, while others are very loyal and loving to their human), She and Her Cat is a series of intertwining vignettes about love, loss, and moving forward in life. Each woman in the story is in a different stage of her life, and the cats near them have a different story as well. All of them entwine in a beautiful way that makes the story feel cohesive, though each could, in many ways, act as a short story on its own. You'll instantly feel connected to the cats and to the women, feeling their heartbreaks, their lost loves, wanting to help them through difficult work and school decisions, wanting to protect them from predators, and wanting to guide them toward the future. Similarly, you'll want to help the cats deal with losses of friends and family members, adjustments to new homes, the struggles of parenthood and love, and saying goodbye. There are many, many beautiful life moments captured in this short novella, making it a true gem to anyone lucky enough to read it. One of the best things I've read this year.