The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa
The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa tells the story of Nana, the wise cat, and his human, Satoru as they go on a road trip to a destination Nana doesnโt know and frankly doesnโt care about as long as heโs with his pal. Itโs the first book Iโve read thatโs narrated by a cat, and what a treat it was! Nanaโs humor and sass brought me so much joy and made me think of how silly we humans must seem to animals sometimes haha
The story is told in a simple and gentle manner but itโs amazing how great of an impact it could have to the reader. Satoruโs kindness and selflessness was apparent throughout the whole book, and knowing all the unfortunate things that happened to him as a child, itโs just amazing how a person can turn out as positive and unchanging as him. His love for Nana is beautiful, and anyone who has ever loved a pet will surely connect with this story. The ending is emotional and bittersweet (it might break your heart just a little) but it will also leave you with that warm, full feeling that comes after reading a truly special story.
โ๐ผ๐จ ๐ฌ๐ ๐๐ค๐ช๐ฃ๐ฉ ๐ช๐ฅ ๐ข๐๐ข๐ค๐ง๐๐๐จ ๐๐ง๐ค๐ข ๐ค๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ค๐ช๐ง๐ฃ๐๐ฎ, ๐ฌ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ค๐๐ ๐ค๐ฃ ๐๐ฃ๐ค๐ฉ๐๐๐ง. ๐๐๐ข๐๐ข๐๐๐ง๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ค๐จ๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ค ๐ฌ๐๐ฃ๐ฉ ๐๐๐๐๐. ๐๐๐ข๐๐ข๐๐๐ง๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ค๐จ๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ค ๐ฌ๐๐ก๐ก ๐๐ค๐ก๐ก๐ค๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ง. ๐ผ๐ฃ๐ ๐จ๐ค๐ข๐๐๐๐ฎ, ๐ฌ๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ก๐ก ๐ข๐๐๐ฉ ๐๐ก๐ก ๐ฉ๐๐ค๐จ๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ค๐ฅ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ฃ, ๐ค๐ช๐ฉ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ค๐ฃ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐ค๐ง๐๐ฏ๐ค๐ฃ.โ
Just a little side story, when I moved to another country, one of my biggest worries was how my dog would understand that he wouldnโt be seeing me every day anymore. I cried so many nights thinking he might feel abandoned, sad, or lonely. But somehow, reading this book brought me a bit of comfort and relief. It made me feel like maybe he really did understand when I told him why I was leaving and that I'll come visit him as much as I could. I know Nana is a cat, but whether itโs a cat or a dog, theyโre all loved just the same by usโtheir best friends and family ๐พ Reading this book made me miss my furbaby so much more! ๐ฅน
It's not the journey that counts, but who is at your side.
Nana is on a road trip, but he is not sure where to. All that matters is that he can sit beside his beloved Satoru in the front of his silver van. Satoru is keen to visit three old friends from his youth, though Nana doesnโt know why and Satoru wonโt say.
Set against the backdrop of Japanโs changing seasons and narrated with a rare gentleness and striking humour, Nanaโs story explores the wonder and thrill of lifeโs unexpected detours. It is about friendship, solitude, and knowing when to give and when to take. Above all, it shows how acts of love, both great and small, can transform our lives.