jazzy_dave | Book 62 - Takashi Hiraide "The Guest Cat"

Takashi Hiraide "The Guest Cat" (Macmillan)

The Guest Cat is a very lyrical novella about a husband and wife. He's a writer/editor and she is a copywriter. They don't have children or pets and they are okay with that since the husband isn't really into animals anyway. One day a cat wanders into their lives and while the woman is pleased, for she has an affinity with all things growing, the husband insists the cat is a guest. In order to better appreciate the story (besides just for those cat lovers out there) one must have an understanding, and some appreciation for, Japanese culture.

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In fact the neighbor’s cat comes into their house like it belongs there. The next day it returns. And again after that. While she won’t let them pick her up and she won’t get in a lap, she does accept offerings of cat food and fried mackerel. She becomes what I call a time share cat. And she changes their lives. Not in any sudden, large, ways, but slowly they begin to interact and to see the beauty in the garden their house sits in. She is ephemeral in their lives but lasting in her effect on them.

I pictured this story building like a piece of music first the violins representing the couple with the appearance of Chibi like an oboe and the end something like a contrabassoon and viola fading off into our subconscious mind simmering with the question at the end of the story and if we agree with the narrator's outlook on life.

It’s a precious little story (the book is quite short)and so is this book. It’s like a little jewel, and yet contains so much in a subtle way: aging, death, relationships, spirituality, and being in the moment. Sit in a quiet place and read this book. I highly recommend it.