Review of “The Guest Cat” by Takashi Hiraide

(my review has some spoilers)

Coming from childhood, I have strong affection of cats. It has been a while I didn’t see a book about cats when I discovered “The Guest Cat” by Takashi Hiraide. A pair of cat eyes glows on the cover. First thing I thought was “It must be on my shelves”. Then I read the description, wife and husband has been in a condition that they both work from home and their relationship so much exhausted that they have no more common topics to talk. As a single being, I cannot envisage this situation, but still the theme is worth to read, I thought. Everybody that has read this book says that the description has neglected to explain what is going on this enigmatic book. However, I think sometimes authors think about their work one way, while consumers on the other hand, think the other way. I’m no expert of classical music, but I can remember that Beethoven first named Appassionata something else, because he thought this music can encourage some other feelings.

If I would be in charge of composing a description to this novel I’d briefly explain that there are differences between pet-keeper humans and “non-pet-keeper” humans. So, for me, this book is about the transition of the “husband”, he starts to discover new emotions which were unknown for him during all his life. Also, Chibi has never been his cat, he found himself exploring terra-incognita of his life. I think the author also wants to give a message that you can’t really “own” a cat or any other animals.

Animals also have their personal emotions and preferences, there have been obvious evidences to support this statement. Animal can love, hate, have sex, have fears and become protecting mother. They can be happy or sad. But we (humans) always avoided this fact and didn’t want to accept it, maybe thought it can injure our “superiority” over the nature.

However, world is developing extremely fast and humans also evolve. Now, more people (like the “wife” character) respect the cat’s (as Chibi’s) preference not to be hold by humans than before. Being in harmony with cat or even with praying mantis can make human to feel he is a part of miraculous nature.

Also, events develop in a way that husband’s animal-lover wife didn’t persuade him to love or accept the cat, he voluntarily turns to be “pet-owner” (as I know many people do so).

Chibi’s death, followed by many other sad events including change of house, destruction of old mansion has eventually replaced by some virtuous  progress of final. The couple moved into the new place and they had a view to the Zelkova tree. I think that in eastern cultures (it can be even more in Japanese) people want to have some traces that can remind them where they belong. In this novel, Zelkova tree is invariable. The cat died, another cat gave birth to four kittens. The mansion destructed and new one constructed to replace it. These are fundamental principles of life and this book can enlighten its highly critical points with precise sensitiveness and catchy manner.

Overall, I can say that this is extremely relatable with people who live with pets, lost them, or lost any other lovely part of their life. And it is worth to spend time and emotion to read this book.