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A review by triscuit807
The Cat Who Went to Heaven by Elizabeth Coatsworth
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.