Description

Book Synopsis
A wonderful sui generis novel about a visiting cat who brings joy into a couple’s life in Tokyo

Trade Review
"What initially reads like free association turns out to be a near-microscopic record of emotion and phenomena." -- Alan Gilbert - The Believer
"The best novels are often the ones that change us. Over time, they stay with us- like small miracles. Takashi Hiraide, the Japanese poet and novelist, blindsided me- he shows himself to be a poet of the highest grade. A rare treasure, beautiful and profound; whether you're a cat lover or not, don't pass this one up. ultimately, it's about what it means to love and to lose. Even dog lovers will relate." -- Juan Vidal - NPR
"A beautiful, ornate read, brimming with philosophical observation, humor and intelligence." -- Publishers Weekly
"An unusually intimate, detailed and vivid picture of a place that is simultaneously private and open." -- V.V. Ganeshananthan - The New York Times Book Review
"It’s clear there is a tradition of literary works centering on or featuring cats in modern Japanese, and we now have from New Directions a translation of a splendid addition to that list. (...) a work of subtleties revealed only with repeated readings. I recommend it unreservedly to the general reader." -- Paul McCarthy - The Japan Times
"The little feline sets off a chain of disquisitions on nature, destiny, joy, pleasure, and sorrow" -- Nina Sankovitch - Huffington Post
"A wonderful tale about the desire to possess and the pain of absence. And such writing! Precise, delicate, enchanting." -- Atmospheres
"Hiraide's work really shines" -- Kenzaburo Oe

The Guest Cat

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    £11.39

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £11.99 – you save £0.60 (5%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Wed 17 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Takashi Hiraide, Eric Selland

    7 in stock


      View other formats and editions of The Guest Cat by Takashi Hiraide

      Publisher: New Directions Publishing Corporation
      Publication Date: 11/03/2014
      ISBN13: 9780811221504, 978-0811221504
      ISBN10: 0811221504

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      A wonderful sui generis novel about a visiting cat who brings joy into a couple’s life in Tokyo

      Trade Review
      "What initially reads like free association turns out to be a near-microscopic record of emotion and phenomena." -- Alan Gilbert - The Believer
      "The best novels are often the ones that change us. Over time, they stay with us- like small miracles. Takashi Hiraide, the Japanese poet and novelist, blindsided me- he shows himself to be a poet of the highest grade. A rare treasure, beautiful and profound; whether you're a cat lover or not, don't pass this one up. ultimately, it's about what it means to love and to lose. Even dog lovers will relate." -- Juan Vidal - NPR
      "A beautiful, ornate read, brimming with philosophical observation, humor and intelligence." -- Publishers Weekly
      "An unusually intimate, detailed and vivid picture of a place that is simultaneously private and open." -- V.V. Ganeshananthan - The New York Times Book Review
      "It’s clear there is a tradition of literary works centering on or featuring cats in modern Japanese, and we now have from New Directions a translation of a splendid addition to that list. (...) a work of subtleties revealed only with repeated readings. I recommend it unreservedly to the general reader." -- Paul McCarthy - The Japan Times
      "The little feline sets off a chain of disquisitions on nature, destiny, joy, pleasure, and sorrow" -- Nina Sankovitch - Huffington Post
      "A wonderful tale about the desire to possess and the pain of absence. And such writing! Precise, delicate, enchanting." -- Atmospheres
      "Hiraide's work really shines" -- Kenzaburo Oe

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