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A review by toad_maiden
The Cat Who Went to Heaven by Elizabeth Coatsworth
3.0
Wow, this one actually holds up to the 21st century! It's still a book written by a white person about another part of the world, but it the narrator at least passes no judgment.
All told, this is a fable about an artist in Japan and his cat. But it is also a short and poetic summation of the life and teachings of the Buddha. The illustrations are charming, and the character of the cat is startlingly human. It is a quick read - a grownup can read it in an hour. Stylistically, this book is a joy to read; the language is incredibly lyrical for a children's book of this era.
My biggest complaint is the ending - although not inappropriate in context, the death is sudden and described too tersely for my taste.
All told, this is a fable about an artist in Japan and his cat. But it is also a short and poetic summation of the life and teachings of the Buddha. The illustrations are charming, and the character of the cat is startlingly human. It is a quick read - a grownup can read it in an hour. Stylistically, this book is a joy to read; the language is incredibly lyrical for a children's book of this era.
My biggest complaint is the ending - although not inappropriate in context, the death is sudden and described too tersely for my taste.