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This is the thread for our April Read Around the World choice - originally published in 2011-2012 in the Japanese weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun: The Travelling Cat Chronicles (Tabineko Ripoto) by Hiro Arikawa. Translated by Philip Gabriel.

One of my fave sets of covers of the last decade:

Traveling Cat Chronicles

Traveling Cat Chronicles was published in English in 2017. From a WashingtonPost review comes the most succinct yet appealing synopsis I've encountered:

...To get on board with this reading experience, you need to be okay with a feline raconteur. The cat in this case is a former stray, adopted by a single man named Satoru, who names him Nana (based on the Japanese word for “seven,�� a lucky number and the shape of Nana’s tail). Nana narrates much, but not all, of this novel, which is both his story and Satoru’s....



2019 Review - Asian Review of Books:


Arikawa Hiro

I have come up empty in terms of interviews and the like with the author. Her bio here on GR is relatively robust, but doesn't mention this global best-seller and presents scant personal information. If anyone has found any resources they recommend on Arikawa, please share them.

(Prof.) Philip Gabriel

I recommend this transcript/interview with Philip Gabriel. His answer to the last question is sublime.

What about The Traveling Cat Chronicles lingered for you as you worked on it?

"The main thing is the compassion, caring and love that Satoru and Nana the cat show for each other, and how this affects those around them. Hearts are softened, even changed, through their relationship. Would that our world could see more of this."



I anticipate we'll find much to discuss about TCC. Who's in?

I've started reading it, Carol. The cat and human characters have been introduced, but no one is traveling yet. It takes place in Japan.

Shomeret wrote: "I've started reading it, Carol. The cat and human characters have been introduced, but no one is traveling yet. It takes place in Japan."

i'm so looking forward to this read, shomeret. I'm heading out for dinner, but will update the thread tomorrow morning. Are you enjoying it thus far?

Yes, I'm enjoying it, Carol. I particularly like the cat perspective.

I will be joining this one soon. I am definitely a cat person.

I´ll hopefully get it from the library later in the month.

This is one of my favourites of all time and I've read it twice in the last 12 months! Looking forward to the discussion and seeing what you all think

Just started last night. The story of when they found Hatchi, the lengths they went through with their innocent little boy logic just tickled me.

I started it yesterday. I haven't gotten very far yet, but the aloof cat is adorable.

For anyone interested in the history/cultural significance of cats in Japan, this Smithsonian magazine article is interesting, plus the art is gorgeous.

Many novels are narrated by or feature animals as their central characters. What distinguishes Nana as a narrator and makes the author's choice successful here?

Nana's narration is pure cattitude. 100% what I think a cat's monologue would sound like. He's so cheeky, yet willing to bestow kindness when he feels like it. He adds humor to this journey that I foresee unraveling into a bittersweet culmination.

I'm really enjoying how the story explores Satoru's past, and even those characters get little aside continuations to their stories as we're introduced to them. It seems like such a fulfilling way to write this story; from the readers perspective at least, I enjoy it.

I have to process this book for a day or two before I comment more. I listened to it on Audible. I finished it last night. I was driving home and was literally sobbing in the car (probably not the smartest choice!). I absolutely loved this book, and I am so glad I read it. Thanks for the link Carol - I will come back and read it.

Misty wrote: "I have to process this book for a day or two before I comment more. I listened to it on Audible. I finished it last night. I was driving home and was literally sobbing in the car (probably not the ..."

I'm a little worried about that sobbing part - I anticipate that will be me, so I need to choose my timing. (Unlike once when I was at Heathrow crying uncontrollably at the gate. *mortifying Carol life moments*)

I'm delighted you are a fan. It's a mighty tough task to find a detractor for this novel, which bodes well for us all.

Oh it's definitely a tearjearker! But it also leaves you feeling hopeful in a way. The message for me was that sadness and grief are a part of life and we only experience them because we have experienced happiness and love.

I agree with Anita's description on Nana as a narrator. It's just a perfect blend of sarcasm, wit and can be caring at times also. I loved how the book structure moved between a section of Satoru's past by examining one human relationship at a time and then switched back to some more Nana narration to cut the tension at just the right time. Expertly done and great for keeping the pace

I'm 55 pages in and enjoying the flashbacks, for context. Nana's "voice" isn't my thing, but he may well grow on me. I definitely see and appreciate the benefit of using Nana's sassy narration to cut off sad or heavy experiences and topics before they go on so long that the reader is made sad. The author's expertise as a light novel writer shows.

Arikawa has a deft touch at revealing the relationship between Satoru and his then-best-friend and also each boy's relationship with his parents, and in a minimal word count devoted to those topics. This is something I love about both books we're reading as a group this month - both Arikawa and Jansson tell their stories of complex, authentic characters, relationships and experiences with a supreme efficiency. They employ a dearth of words and yet completely immerse readers in the stories they tell.

My copy of this is stuck in a UHaul storage unit�� will definitely give my thoughts when it gets delivered but might be June 😢

〰️����ٳ�〰️ wrote: "My copy of this is stuck in a UHaul storage unit�� will definitely give my thoughts when it gets delivered but might be June 😢"

UGH! Storage units. *grumble* *grumble* I hope it beats that date, but join in whenever.

Uh this one is for the cat lovers (like me, yay!). I'm on page 60 and Kosukes and Satorus friendship is so pure. When they look around the neighborhood and hide away with Hachi, I could feel my inner child jump. It gets pretty sad already, I now shed a small tear and I think there will be coming more.

So far, the narrative is working okay for me. I don't like the switching between third-person- narrator and first-person-perspective so much but this is a personal thing. I always enjoy novels written from one perspective more but that's just my personal taste. Also not guaranteed that this can't change throughout my reading experience. Enjoying this one so far!

I am about 60-70 pages in and I might be a sobbing mess by the end of it. So far I am enjoying the voice, how it seems we are getting the story of Satoru’s life as told by Nana. Personally, I can also say that I’ve been reafing a lot of very good but heavy books, and it is nice to have a story about love and the good in people’s hearts.

Alexis - I thought the switching was a little jarring at first. I got used to it as the book went on, but it threw me a little at the beginning.

Okay - (view spoiler)[You knew from the description that the Satoru was ill and would probably die. I loved him going to visit his lifelong friends from grade school, middle school, and high school. I, too, have a best friend from each of those eras of my life. My middle school friend was murdered ten years ago. My grade school friend died from COVID. Even though it is Satoru who dies, it was a hard read for me. Plus, my mom died last year in Hospice care at her home. Her beloved cats were by her side constantly. As we were waiting for the funeral home to take her away, her cat and I both laid beside her for the last time. So, yea, I was a sobbing mess at the end. (hide spoiler)]

I loved the way the book was written. Even though it was sad, it was also funny, sweet, and touching. Maybe I was in need of a good cry. :) I am so glad this book was nominated because I had never heard of it.

I hadn´t known the book nor the author before, but I got it in the German translation from one of my libraries. It was a quick read and certainly moving, but I always looked for a meaning. I love cats and lived with two for a dozen of years, so I could relate to Nana´s personality.

Misty wrote: "Alexis - I thought the switching was a little jarring at first. I got used to it as the book went on, but it threw me a little at the beginning.

Okay - [spoilers removed]

I loved the way the book..."

I also really enjoyed this book even though it was sad, the memories and life lived I suppose are what makes it so enjoyable. And Nana's rascally nature. His insistance on not being parted from Satoru, as well as Satoru's high standards when searching for a home for Nana has so much depth in itself. I really enjoyed it. And actually re-read it immediately. (view spoiler)[it was almost like a goodbye tour for Satoru, and he managed or tried to help his friends one last time as well. (hide spoiler)]

I didn't know that Satoru was ill. I really didn't understand why he was trying to find a new home for Nana but then I understood about half way in and it just hit me hard. I loved this book and it really did make me cry. Many books don't do that to me.

I also don't want to overlook Aunt Noriko (view spoiler)[ I think Nana ending up with her was so sweet because they both learned to love and care for and because of Satoru, so also learning to care for each other because of Satoru really makes me sappy. (hide spoiler)]

I loved everything about this book. Nana and Satoru's relationship was so moving and Satoru is a fantastic character. So genuine and caring.

Was there anything about Japanese culture that anyone learned about from TTCC and found interesting?

Carol wrote: "Was there anything about Japanese culture that anyone learned about from TTCC and found interesting?"

Something that really struck me was how, with Satoru particularly, the needs of others is often a priority over the needs of oneself. For Satoru, Nana's needs were of utmost importance but he was also careful to make sure everybody would be completely happy as he was making arrangements. (view spoiler)[ I think this is why he didn't go straight to Aunt Noriko to take Nana in even though this would have been much easier and simpler for him in his time of need. But he knew his Aunt was uneasy around cats. Like Anita, I found it very touching how they learned to care for each other in the end. I was cry laughing when she kept touching his tail! (hide spoiler)] This selflessness is very different from individualistic cultures and is something that I've noticed in Japanese writing before.

Also - pet hotels!!!! 🐈 🐕

I wasn't certain if I was going to join in on this group read because I had already reserved other books from the library. Wouldn't you know it, as I was browsing, this book was right there on one of their displays so, of course, I picked it up. So glad I did. I found it very touching and enjoyable.

The first part had me chuckling at Nana's voice and catitude. I loved the journey Satoru and Nana took together and Nana's impressions of their sights and experiences like his realization that the sea can be pretty intimidating and driving the van onto the ferry, right into that big hole yet that big metal thing didn't sink.
The reunion with Satoru's Aunt Noriko had me choked up.

What an engaging, sweet story. I am so glad I joined in on this one.

I had the feeling this book is more about connecting people than an individual cat-owner-story. I know a few books and movie adaptations which focus heavily on the friendship solely between pet and owner and I found them a bit too on the nose for my taste.

I agree with Hannahs thoughts on japanese culture and collectivity. TTCC featured two main characters, yes, but the author often told a story from different perspectives, so I felt like getting to know the whole social environment Satoru was in.

This book was so heartwarming and did a great job in depicting grief, illness and friendship. I have to say tho that the hospital scene in the end didn’t work well for me.

I wish pet hotels were a thing here in Europe! Although I have friends with dogs, especially in the city it is hard to find cat owners.