The Travelling Cat Chronicles

Author Hiro Arikawa captures the depths of a bond that can be formed between a human and his pet, in this case between a young man named Satoru and his cat named Nana. Their relationship has a happenstance beginning, as the cat is a stray that uses Satoru's silver van as a refuge from the weather, sunning on top during the day and hiding underneath in rain. When Satoru notices the cat, he begins to leave food scraps out for him. This arrangement continues for a while, until the cat is hit by a car and suffers a broken leg. He crawls to Satoru's door and meows for his very life. After an indoor convalescent period, a decision must be made. Satoru lives in an apartment that does not allow pets. Much of the story is told from the point of view of the cat, who thinks in and can understand human language, but cannot speak. His thoughts are humorous and quite sardonic, bringing many laugh-out-loud moments to this reader. Once the cat consents to be adopted, Satoru gives him the name of Nana because the shape of his tail resembles the Japanese word for the number sevenSatoru is a very kind person, but he has seen his share of sorrows. His parents were killed in a car wreck when he was in his teens, and he had to go live with an aunt who would not let him bring the previous cat he so dearly loved. That cat went to live with distant relatives and died before Satoru could visit him. Just when Nana and Satoru were settling in together, Satoru announced they must go on a trip and that he would be looking for a new owner for Nana. He didn't give a reason, but at this point fairly early in the book, the journeys began, as Satoru sought one home after another for his beloved feline friend. At each stop along the way, where Satoru would be visiting close friends from the many different schools he had attended, Nana would misbehave so that the potential owners would reject him. After several failed tries, Satoru heads to his aunt's house, where it is determined both man and cat shall live.Arikawa's descriptions of the magnificent journey through Japan are breath-taking. It made me want to see Mount Fuji in person. Nana enjoys the walks through magnificent flowers and fields, but is very scared of the ocean for its noise and irregular and powerful movements. Eventually the sad reason Satoru tried to give Nana away is revealed and some very poignant passages follow. It was a tearjerker for me, but a wonderful book. I'm an adult reader, but I can recommend this book for young adults because there is no bad language, the story flashes back to school days of Satoru and his friends, and kids love their pets.

This is a simple, beautiful, and touching story of love, both ways, between Satoru, a young-ish man, and Nana, a tom street cat that Satoru rescues from certain death. Satoru is a 'cat person' and Nana quickly comes to love being a 'pet' cat. A small number of years pass and they are happy in their togetherness. But, they do not live happily ever after.One day Satoru announces that he has to find a kind, alternative, owner for his beloved Nana. He gives no explanation in the beginning. We are left to guess and wonder. And so, Satoru and Nana embark on a road trip, in Satoru's silver van, to various friends from Satoru's school days, all kind folk, to see if it will 'work out' for Nana to stay with them. Each of his friends ask 'Why?'. For they can all see that he is devoted to Nana, and Nana to him. And each time Satoru avoids an answer. None of Satoru's dear friends 'work out' as a home for Nana, and each time he leaves with his beloved cat he is so relieved. It is a mystery until near the end of the book, this 'Why?'.On the road Nana and her owner become even closer, more deeply bonded. They share many wondrous sights of nature together.When I began reading, this was a three star book to me. It turned into a four star book well after the middle. By the end it was a five star book. My initial reservations, just in case you might share them? I am not a great fan of cats (or any animal characters) who speak perfect, grammatical, human language. I doubly do not like it when the cat is given a highly sarcastic personality. The story is 'slow' to begin with; there is a risk of it coming across as dull rather than just slow. But at the end Nana's personality has grown way beyond sarcasm into fierce loyalty and transcendent love towards his owner.Over the journey of reading The Travelling Cat Chronicles I became entranced with the story, it whispered to me. The ending is truly touching and heart-opening. It is a story of this thing called Love.

A touching and endearing story about a boy and his cat in regards to the close connection and relationship they have with each other. I laughed, I cried and I hated to see it end,

This is one of the best books told from an animal’s point of view that I have ever read. I was a little concerned it would be cutesy when it began, despite a suggestion I read it from someone I trust. It was not cutesy at all. The cat - despite the gift of language and a human memory - is still an actual cat, with a cat’s methods of communicating with humans and a cat’s attitude. The book is not so much about the narrator cat as it is about the people. I really enjoyed how the author wove together the whole life of the cat’s adopter through meetings with people from his past as he tries to find the cat a new home. The translator did a beautiful job, too. I was moved to tears by several times; I also had a few good laughs over funny incidents.

Confesso que chorei em algumas partes do livro. Acredito que todos que amam gatos tanto quanto eu, irão se identificar.Foi uma leitura bem confortável e relaxante. Indico à todos os gateiros. 😁

Este libro cuenta la historia de un gato, su dueño y el viaje que hicieron juntos en su van plateada. Es una historia conmovedora narrada desde el punto de vista de Nana (el gato) y creo que si alguna vez has tenido un amigo animal este libro te conmoverá. Me encantó.

For you readers, this book is perfect for cat lovers!!

HIGHLIGHT !!!Dieses Buch verdient ALLE LOBESHYMNEN und ist ein Feuerwerk an Emotionen.Wer ein Haustier hat oder damit aufgewachsen ist, (es muss auch keine Katze sein, ich bin selbst eher der Hunde-Mensch), sollte dieses Buch lesen und wird auf so vielen Ebenen von der Geschichte berührt sein. Aber das Buch spricht abseits davon noch so viele zwischenmenschliche und wichtige Themen und Lebensweisheiten an!Ein wahrer Schatz ♥️Satoru Miyazaki und sein Kater Nana sind unzertrennlich. Nun zwingen Satoru aber gewisse Umstände (von denen wir am Anfang noch nichts wissen), Nana in einem neuen Zuhause unterzubringen. Dafür reist er durch Japan und besucht seine Freunde, die er über die Jahre an den verschiedenen Orten an denen er gelebt hat, gewonnen hat. Und durch diese Begegnungen mit seinen Freunden erfahren wir Stück für Stück Satorus bewegende Lebensgeschichte und kommen allen Charakteren dabei sehr nah.Die 240 Seiten sind voll mit aller Bandbreite an Emotionen und es ist eine so wundervolle Geschichte, die ich nie vergessen und für immer in meinem Herzen tragen werde!♥️Absolute Leseempfehlung - Highlight - aber Taschentücher bereit halten 🤧

Regalo gradito molto!