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If Cats Disappeared from the World
Our narrator’s days are numbered. Estranged from his family, living alone with only his cat Cabbage for company, he was unprepared for the doctor’s diagnosis that he has only months to live. But before he can set about tackling his bucket list, the Devil appears with a special offer: in exchange for making one thing in the world disappear, he can have one extra day of life. And so begins a very bizarre week . . .
Because how do you decide what makes life worth living? How do you separate out what you can do without from what you hold dear? In dealing with the Devil our narrator will take himself – and his beloved cat – to the brink. Genki Kawamura's If Cats Disappeared from the World is a story of loss and reconciliation, of one man’s journey to discover what really matters in modern life.
This beautiful tale is translated from the Japanese by Eric Selland, who also translated The Guest Cat by Takashi Hiraide. Fans of The Guest Cat and The Travelling Cat Chronicles will also surely love If Cats Disappeared from the World.
Because how do you decide what makes life worth living? How do you separate out what you can do without from what you hold dear? In dealing with the Devil our narrator will take himself – and his beloved cat – to the brink. Genki Kawamura's If Cats Disappeared from the World is a story of loss and reconciliation, of one man’s journey to discover what really matters in modern life.
This beautiful tale is translated from the Japanese by Eric Selland, who also translated The Guest Cat by Takashi Hiraide. Fans of The Guest Cat and The Travelling Cat Chronicles will also surely love If Cats Disappeared from the World.
202 pages, Paperback
First published August 30, 2012
About the author
Genki Kawamura
25 books541 followersAssociated Names:
* Genki Kawamura (English)
* 川村元気 (Japanese)
* คาวามูระ เก็งกิ (Thai)
Genki Kawamura (川村元気) is a Japanese film producer, writer, screenwriter.
中文 >> 川村元氣.
Genki Kawamura is an internationally bestselling author. If Cats Disappeared from the World was his first novel and has sold over two million copies in Japan and has been translated into over fourteen different languages. His other novels are Million Dollar Man and April Come She Will. He has also written children's picture books including Tinny & The Balloon, MOOM, and Patissier Monster. Kawamura occasionally produces, directs, and writes movies, and is a showrunner. He was a producer of the blockbuster anime film Your Name, which is currently being developed into an live-action film by J. J. Abrams.
* Genki Kawamura (English)
* 川村元気 (Japanese)
* คาวามูระ เก็งกิ (Thai)
Genki Kawamura (川村元気) is a Japanese film producer, writer, screenwriter.
中文 >> 川村元氣.
Genki Kawamura is an internationally bestselling author. If Cats Disappeared from the World was his first novel and has sold over two million copies in Japan and has been translated into over fourteen different languages. His other novels are Million Dollar Man and April Come She Will. He has also written children's picture books including Tinny & The Balloon, MOOM, and Patissier Monster. Kawamura occasionally produces, directs, and writes movies, and is a showrunner. He was a producer of the blockbuster anime film Your Name, which is currently being developed into an live-action film by J. J. Abrams.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 13,139 reviews
December 17, 2024
This is my kind of book. This is my kind of story. This is my kind of favourite.
This book gave me everything I wanted from a good book.
It's fun yet it makes me think about a lot of things which actually matter in reality.
I love how the author wrote such big things about life in such a simple way. It's simply amazing.
I laughed and cried while reading this one. It's endearing and will remain as one of the most memorable reads.
*What made this read different:
The main characters are nothing sort of unique or dramatic yet yes, one of the characters was the Devil himself.
And then there's this cat called Cabbage. And then there are the characters which were there in the memory of the narrator which made all the difference!
The writing style is fun to read. I just couldn't allow myself to take a break in between.
The plot involved making phones, movies, clocks disappear one by one in order to prolong the life of our main character.
Things went somewhat fine but what makes the story so different when it comes to make cats disappear?
It's just not about the cat or any emotional attachments with cats and human that makes the plot of this book. But it's something that's entirely different and something so dear to the life of the narrator that everything makes sense in the end.
This book is just what we all need to read and reach to a conclusion of our own lives regarding our relationships and family.
I want to read more books like this. Amazing book indeed!
This book gave me everything I wanted from a good book.
It's fun yet it makes me think about a lot of things which actually matter in reality.
I love how the author wrote such big things about life in such a simple way. It's simply amazing.
I laughed and cried while reading this one. It's endearing and will remain as one of the most memorable reads.
*What made this read different:
The main characters are nothing sort of unique or dramatic yet yes, one of the characters was the Devil himself.
And then there's this cat called Cabbage. And then there are the characters which were there in the memory of the narrator which made all the difference!
The writing style is fun to read. I just couldn't allow myself to take a break in between.
The plot involved making phones, movies, clocks disappear one by one in order to prolong the life of our main character.
Things went somewhat fine but what makes the story so different when it comes to make cats disappear?
It's just not about the cat or any emotional attachments with cats and human that makes the plot of this book. But it's something that's entirely different and something so dear to the life of the narrator that everything makes sense in the end.
This book is just what we all need to read and reach to a conclusion of our own lives regarding our relationships and family.
I want to read more books like this. Amazing book indeed!
January 17, 2021
this book honestly made me cry.
it really puts things into perspective about human connection, and the way we've constructed life as a whole. it emphasises the importance of living and doing the things that we want to do. i also appreciated the subtle nod of a characteristic of toxic masculinity, where our mc and his father were unable to talk about their feelings to one another, it really highlighted how important it is to be open with our feelings.
overall, i highly recommend this tale :3
it really puts things into perspective about human connection, and the way we've constructed life as a whole. it emphasises the importance of living and doing the things that we want to do. i also appreciated the subtle nod of a characteristic of toxic masculinity, where our mc and his father were unable to talk about their feelings to one another, it really highlighted how important it is to be open with our feelings.
overall, i highly recommend this tale :3
February 24, 2024
This is an absolute stunner of a book.
I'm a sucker for any story that makes us think about what makes life worth living, about the beauty in the mundane. So this book, which explores how the aspects of the everyday that we may consider the "little things" - clocks, movies, music, chocolate, cats - make existence what it is, not because they're delicious or fun or even meaningful, but because they connect us with the people and world around us...well, that's right up my alley.
The point, always, is other people.
Bottom line: Little and lovely.
-----------------
pre-review
"'There are so many cruel things in the world,' he once told us. 'But there are also just as many beautiful things.'"
and then later: "I began to tear up. My thoughts were too much for me to handle, so I turned to look out the window of the plane. Outside I could see the ocean filled with icebergs stretching on and on into the distance. The setting sun gave the sea of ice a purple hue - it was so beautiful it was almost cruel."
anyway, this was very good.
review to come / 4.5 stars
-----------------
tbr review
i mean, first impression: that'd be kind of a bummer.
I'm a sucker for any story that makes us think about what makes life worth living, about the beauty in the mundane. So this book, which explores how the aspects of the everyday that we may consider the "little things" - clocks, movies, music, chocolate, cats - make existence what it is, not because they're delicious or fun or even meaningful, but because they connect us with the people and world around us...well, that's right up my alley.
The point, always, is other people.
Bottom line: Little and lovely.
-----------------
pre-review
"'There are so many cruel things in the world,' he once told us. 'But there are also just as many beautiful things.'"
and then later: "I began to tear up. My thoughts were too much for me to handle, so I turned to look out the window of the plane. Outside I could see the ocean filled with icebergs stretching on and on into the distance. The setting sun gave the sea of ice a purple hue - it was so beautiful it was almost cruel."
anyway, this was very good.
review to come / 4.5 stars
-----------------
tbr review
i mean, first impression: that'd be kind of a bummer.
March 7, 2023
What is the relation between Japanese novels and talking cats?
This is one of the first things that came to my mind when I finished reading this book. I think that the Japanese novels, including almost all of Haruki Murakami's books, have portrayed cats in the best way possible and showed the beautiful relationship between cats and humans.
What will you do if the devil comes to you making an offer when you are busy preparing a list of things to do before you die after you come to know about your terminal illness? The devil says that he will grant one extra day of life in exchange for making one thing disappear from this world. Does this offer appear to be very tricky to him? Will the protagonist accept this request? What will happen to his health? The author tries to give answers to these through this novel.
What I learned from this book
1) What is the biggest problem with human beings' expectations?
The author is telling the problem with our expectations. We expect the best from others while we are not ready to give the same to them. In the case of relationships, we expect unconditional love from our partners when we never try to love them unconditionally. This world never works in that way. You will get an honest partner or friend or colleague only when you are honest with them. If you want your children to love you, you should first love your own parents. The author tries to tell us the problems with our thought processes and expectations.
2) Why are most book lovers also cat lovers?
I have always wondered why most readers almost always love cats. There are many reasons for it. The author indirectly tells one of the reasons for it in this book.
Solitude is a crucial factor that is needed for reading for most readers. (There are also exceptions to this as some people can read books in any environment and any time.) Most readers love to read a book enjoying the bliss of solitude. Cats are the ideal companions who will give us peace to enjoy this solitude (in most cases). They also provide us with a company when we need their company.
3) Bucket list
A bucket list is a list of achievements or experiences that a person likes to have or accomplish during their lifetime. We can see the author sharing an interesting bucket list in this novel.
My favourite three lines from this book
What could have been better?
There are many themes discussed in this book. I wished that the author chose to discuss at least one theme in depth instead of going superficially through all the themes. Some readers might find the language (English translation) too austere for their liking.
Rating
4/5 This is a book that will entertain you and make you contemplate a lot about your life. If you are an ailurophile, this is one of those books that you should never miss.
This is one of the first things that came to my mind when I finished reading this book. I think that the Japanese novels, including almost all of Haruki Murakami's books, have portrayed cats in the best way possible and showed the beautiful relationship between cats and humans.
What will you do if the devil comes to you making an offer when you are busy preparing a list of things to do before you die after you come to know about your terminal illness? The devil says that he will grant one extra day of life in exchange for making one thing disappear from this world. Does this offer appear to be very tricky to him? Will the protagonist accept this request? What will happen to his health? The author tries to give answers to these through this novel.
What I learned from this book
1) What is the biggest problem with human beings' expectations?
The author is telling the problem with our expectations. We expect the best from others while we are not ready to give the same to them. In the case of relationships, we expect unconditional love from our partners when we never try to love them unconditionally. This world never works in that way. You will get an honest partner or friend or colleague only when you are honest with them. If you want your children to love you, you should first love your own parents. The author tries to tell us the problems with our thought processes and expectations.
"I wonder why people always expect things from others that they themselves can't or won't do."
2) Why are most book lovers also cat lovers?
I have always wondered why most readers almost always love cats. There are many reasons for it. The author indirectly tells one of the reasons for it in this book.
Solitude is a crucial factor that is needed for reading for most readers. (There are also exceptions to this as some people can read books in any environment and any time.) Most readers love to read a book enjoying the bliss of solitude. Cats are the ideal companions who will give us peace to enjoy this solitude (in most cases). They also provide us with a company when we need their company.
“Cats are really something. They'll just ignore you half the time, but they seem to know when you're really in need of some comforting.
Cats and humans have been partners for over ten thousand years. And what you realize when you've lived with a cat for a long time is that we may think we own them, but that's not the way it is. They simply allow us the pleasure of their company”
3) Bucket list
A bucket list is a list of achievements or experiences that a person likes to have or accomplish during their lifetime. We can see the author sharing an interesting bucket list in this novel.
“Go skydiving.
Climb Mt. Everest.
Speed along on the autobahn in a Ferrari.
Go along to a traditional three-day-long feast of gourmet Chinese food.
Take a ride on a Transformer's back.
Find love in these final Days of Our Lives.
Go on a date with Princess Leia.
Turn a corner just in time to run into a beautiful woman carrying a cup of coffee, and watch our passionate love affair unfold from there.
Run into the girl I had a crush on in school while sheltering from the rain.
Did I mention I'd like to fall in love? Just once . . .”
My favourite three lines from this book
“In order to gain something you have to lose something.”
“I don't know whether I'm happy or unhappy. But there's one thing I do know. You can convince yourself to be happy or unhappy. It just depends on how you choose to see things.”
"I scooped the cat up and snuggled him against my chest for comfort. He was warm and soft, a smooth fluffy ball of fur in my arms. I'd cuddled up with the little guy countless times over the years without thinking much about it, but now, for the first time ever, it occurred to me that maybe this little act of comfort was what life was all about"
What could have been better?
There are many themes discussed in this book. I wished that the author chose to discuss at least one theme in depth instead of going superficially through all the themes. Some readers might find the language (English translation) too austere for their liking.
Rating
4/5 This is a book that will entertain you and make you contemplate a lot about your life. If you are an ailurophile, this is one of those books that you should never miss.
July 19, 2018
I wonder if the translation let this novella down? It was clunky, American English, and made me feel like an American teen had written it. Japanese literature that I've read is often quirky and a little odd (see Murakami!) but usually odd in a good way. This just left me a feeling a bit cold.
The part I liked was the part with the cat, but much of the rest left me unmoved. The storyteller has been given days to live, but then the devil appears & tells him that if he gets rid of 'something' from the world, he can buy himself an extra day. I felt it was obvious that you get rid of something bad or unobtrusive, like brussel sprouts, but this guy gets rid of telephones...
The ending was a bit too heavy on the sweet, and there was something just not quite right with the whole story. More cat, less dying man perhaps?
With thanks to Netgalley for my copy to review.
The part I liked was the part with the cat, but much of the rest left me unmoved. The storyteller has been given days to live, but then the devil appears & tells him that if he gets rid of 'something' from the world, he can buy himself an extra day. I felt it was obvious that you get rid of something bad or unobtrusive, like brussel sprouts, but this guy gets rid of telephones...
The ending was a bit too heavy on the sweet, and there was something just not quite right with the whole story. More cat, less dying man perhaps?
With thanks to Netgalley for my copy to review.
March 15, 2021
Plot: An unnamed narrator discovers he's going to die. The devil makes a deal with him to give him more days to live, but in return something has to disappear from the world each day as a trade.
"In order to gain something, you have to lose something."
"You don't know what you've got till it's gone."
Repeat these two phrases over and over for 168 pages and you've essentially got this book. Perhaps the story would have been more moving with a better translation (it's awkward and honestly feels like the writing level of a high school creative writing course; moments of cleverness with a lot of awkward phrasing).
This is also one of the few books with a spoiler in the title, given that going in you know the devil is removing things from the world each day. Huh... I wonder if perhaps cats will be one of them?
It's not all bad. I like the idea that the devil is a doppelgänger of the lead. Given that the book seems to operate under several Christian principals in terms of how it views God and the devil, I like the implication that humans are made in God's image but the devil is made in ours. I also like the fact that he's presented as more subtle in his actions. He's offering something most would want (more life) and slowly making it a life not worth living by taking away the joys you experience.
The book is designed to try to hit your emotions. At one point it has the narrator discuss the feeling of watching the movie E.T. when he was three. He couldn't remember all the plot but he remembered how it made him feel. Obviously this is what the author is going for here, that even if you forget aspects of the plot, he wants you to remember those feelings. I know several people will find that charming, but that's instantly a negative point for me. It's honestly the reason I don't like MOST of Spielberg's films (I'm a big cinema fan, but I can count the number of his movies I even like on one hand). I personally feel that the over sentimental approach, with a story that can be summed up in one paragraph (but by God you felt emotions, right?) is honestly not a story worth even telling. It never earns those emotions from me if that's all it has to offer... It's at this point that Tim feels like a heartless monster even voicing this, but it's his review and he's sticking to this heartless approach.
In the end do I suggest this? If you can tolerate a super simplistic story that aims to seem deep while really only trying to tug on your emotions like a child desperately seeking attention and/or candy while the adults are talking, sure, knock yourself out. Personally, the only reason it isn't getting one star is because of the interesting ideas it presents on the devil and some of the comments it makes on the nature of cinema in one chapter. Overall, not worth the time. 2/5 stars
"In order to gain something, you have to lose something."
"You don't know what you've got till it's gone."
Repeat these two phrases over and over for 168 pages and you've essentially got this book. Perhaps the story would have been more moving with a better translation (it's awkward and honestly feels like the writing level of a high school creative writing course; moments of cleverness with a lot of awkward phrasing).
This is also one of the few books with a spoiler in the title, given that going in you know the devil is removing things from the world each day. Huh... I wonder if perhaps cats will be one of them?
It's not all bad. I like the idea that the devil is a doppelgänger of the lead. Given that the book seems to operate under several Christian principals in terms of how it views God and the devil, I like the implication that humans are made in God's image but the devil is made in ours. I also like the fact that he's presented as more subtle in his actions. He's offering something most would want (more life) and slowly making it a life not worth living by taking away the joys you experience.
The book is designed to try to hit your emotions. At one point it has the narrator discuss the feeling of watching the movie E.T. when he was three. He couldn't remember all the plot but he remembered how it made him feel. Obviously this is what the author is going for here, that even if you forget aspects of the plot, he wants you to remember those feelings. I know several people will find that charming, but that's instantly a negative point for me. It's honestly the reason I don't like MOST of Spielberg's films (I'm a big cinema fan, but I can count the number of his movies I even like on one hand). I personally feel that the over sentimental approach, with a story that can be summed up in one paragraph (but by God you felt emotions, right?) is honestly not a story worth even telling. It never earns those emotions from me if that's all it has to offer... It's at this point that Tim feels like a heartless monster even voicing this, but it's his review and he's sticking to this heartless approach.
In the end do I suggest this? If you can tolerate a super simplistic story that aims to seem deep while really only trying to tug on your emotions like a child desperately seeking attention and/or candy while the adults are talking, sure, knock yourself out. Personally, the only reason it isn't getting one star is because of the interesting ideas it presents on the devil and some of the comments it makes on the nature of cinema in one chapter. Overall, not worth the time. 2/5 stars
September 1, 2022
I agree that "To gain something you have to lose something." in this book.
"For all we know, there may be all kinds that have already disappeared without our having noticed it, things that we'd assumed would always be around."
I love these words abovementioned. They are meaningful.
The word "emptiness" is hard to describe in Buddha's terms. Emptiness is something that we cannot see but it exists through a combination of many things by serendipity. For example, a Limited Company is something we cannot see and touch but it exists.
This is a story regarding relationships with people, cats, and things around us. We should always be grateful for what we possess. Enjoy the present time with someone and something around you, and do not regret it when you lose them forever.
Do what we can do now. Love what we can love now. Enjoy what we can enjoy now.
Show your love to anyone you love including your family and friends.
We should spend more time with our loved ones and be grateful that what we have and not what we do not have.
Read what we can read now!
"For all we know, there may be all kinds that have already disappeared without our having noticed it, things that we'd assumed would always be around."
I love these words abovementioned. They are meaningful.
The word "emptiness" is hard to describe in Buddha's terms. Emptiness is something that we cannot see but it exists through a combination of many things by serendipity. For example, a Limited Company is something we cannot see and touch but it exists.
This is a story regarding relationships with people, cats, and things around us. We should always be grateful for what we possess. Enjoy the present time with someone and something around you, and do not regret it when you lose them forever.
Do what we can do now. Love what we can love now. Enjoy what we can enjoy now.
Show your love to anyone you love including your family and friends.
We should spend more time with our loved ones and be grateful that what we have and not what we do not have.
Read what we can read now!
January 13, 2024
My complete review is published at Before We Go Blog.
If Cats Disappeared from the World by Genki Kawamura warmed my heart while simultaneously breaking it. This is such a poignantly told tale of magical realism.
The narrator of If Cats Disappeared from the World is a young, single postman from Japan who has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. After receiving this crushing diagnosis from his doctor, he arrives home at his apartment to find the devil. The devil makes a deal with him: he will grant one additional day of life to the narrator for each item that he chooses to eliminate from the world.
Each chapter of If Cats Disappeared from the World follows one day in the last week of the narrator’s life as he agrees to eliminate phones, movies, clocks, etc., from the world. But what about his beloved cats? Would he be willing to sacrifice them to prolong his life one more day?
Every day, the absence of these items floods our introspective narrator with memories of his loves and his regrets: his ex-girlfriend, his best friend, his mother, his father, his childhood cat (Lettuce), and his current feline friend (Cabbage). The narrator eloquently describes the universal pain of losing loved ones and of strained relationships.
If Cats Disappeared from the World is a beautifully written novel. The poignant scenes from the narrator are juxtaposed with humorous commentary from the devil, striking just the right emotional balance throughout the book.
Genki Kawamura’s writing is heavily influenced by Haruki Murakami. As in Murakami’s classic, Kafka on the Shore, Kawamura’s cat, Cabbage, even talks. If someone were to scratch Genki Kawamura’s name off the cover and write Haruki Murakami as the author, I would not doubt for a moment that I was reading a genuine Murakami novel. The imitation of Murakami’s themes and style is that authentic.
Normally I would deduct a star for mimicking another writer’s style so closely, but I can’t do that here because If Cats Disappeared from the World is just so good. If this were a Murakami book, it would rank among his best. The introspective nature and emotional impact of this book rank up there with Murakami’s Norwegian Wood, one of my all-time favorite novels.
Five very enthusiastic stars for If Cats Disappeared from the World, Genki Kawamura’s heartfelt debut novel.
If Cats Disappeared from the World by Genki Kawamura warmed my heart while simultaneously breaking it. This is such a poignantly told tale of magical realism.
The narrator of If Cats Disappeared from the World is a young, single postman from Japan who has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. After receiving this crushing diagnosis from his doctor, he arrives home at his apartment to find the devil. The devil makes a deal with him: he will grant one additional day of life to the narrator for each item that he chooses to eliminate from the world.
Each chapter of If Cats Disappeared from the World follows one day in the last week of the narrator’s life as he agrees to eliminate phones, movies, clocks, etc., from the world. But what about his beloved cats? Would he be willing to sacrifice them to prolong his life one more day?
Every day, the absence of these items floods our introspective narrator with memories of his loves and his regrets: his ex-girlfriend, his best friend, his mother, his father, his childhood cat (Lettuce), and his current feline friend (Cabbage). The narrator eloquently describes the universal pain of losing loved ones and of strained relationships.
If Cats Disappeared from the World is a beautifully written novel. The poignant scenes from the narrator are juxtaposed with humorous commentary from the devil, striking just the right emotional balance throughout the book.
Genki Kawamura’s writing is heavily influenced by Haruki Murakami. As in Murakami’s classic, Kafka on the Shore, Kawamura’s cat, Cabbage, even talks. If someone were to scratch Genki Kawamura’s name off the cover and write Haruki Murakami as the author, I would not doubt for a moment that I was reading a genuine Murakami novel. The imitation of Murakami’s themes and style is that authentic.
Normally I would deduct a star for mimicking another writer’s style so closely, but I can’t do that here because If Cats Disappeared from the World is just so good. If this were a Murakami book, it would rank among his best. The introspective nature and emotional impact of this book rank up there with Murakami’s Norwegian Wood, one of my all-time favorite novels.
Five very enthusiastic stars for If Cats Disappeared from the World, Genki Kawamura’s heartfelt debut novel.
Read
August 21, 2019This is the story of a very dull and staggeringly self-centred man who makes a deal with the devil to deprive other people of things they love in order to extend his pointless empty life. In the course of this he indulges in much trite and repetitive musing on things like time (clocks are a human construct!) and mobile phones (we let them limit us but on the other hand they're quite useful!) and cats (people like them!).
It's like being stuck in a room with a stoned teenager who's just started a philosophy GCSE. He quotes the Forrest Gump line about life being like a box of chocolates as a wise and perfect summary of the human condition. If that works for you, you'll love this book. I did not.
It's like being stuck in a room with a stoned teenager who's just started a philosophy GCSE. He quotes the Forrest Gump line about life being like a box of chocolates as a wise and perfect summary of the human condition. If that works for you, you'll love this book. I did not.
March 13, 2022
sto piangendo da dieci minuti io non voglio più leggere questi libri, torno ai fantasy trash basta
September 9, 2020
Es el libro más aburrido que he leído en el año, aunque una adaptación al cine podría cambiar la situación.
A pesar de que algunos libros no son tan buenos, siempre he intentado resaltar lo positivo de cada uno de ellos. Sin importar sus defectos, merecen respeto por el esfuerzo y tiempo que requieren para su creación. Sin embargo, en esta ocasión tengo que declarar que personalmente ha sido una experiencia decepcionante la lectura de esta obra. Todo el tiempo me sentí aburrido y preguntándome en que momento finalizaría.
Los problemas comenzaron desde la mismísima sinopsis porque allí se expone el resumen completo del libro. ¿Cómo emocionarme, sorprenderme o crear suposiciones si desde el inicio ya conocía el final? Aun así, seguí avanzando porque cuando leí La Ladrona de Libros —libro que me encantó por cierto — eso mismo me ocurrió, por lo que decidí darle una oportunidad. Desagradable sería mi sorpresa al encontrar que es mejor la portada y la sinopsis, que el libro en sí.
Lo que encontré, fue una historia con conversaciones deficientes por lo tajantes que eran y con unos personajes que estaban mal construidos porque ni tenían nombre, ni su comportamiento era natural y además platicaban todos de la misma manera. Por ejemplo, en la escena donde “el cartero” y el diablo se encuentran, lo conveniente sería que el cartero se sintiera aterrorizado e intimidado ante la presencia del señor de las tinieblas, tanto así que se le dificultará incluso hablar. Pero lo que encontramos es un protagonista que trata al diablo como si fuera su amigo de toda la vida y que incluso le pide perdón en algunas ocasiones por molestarlo. Perdónenme, pero eso es lo más absurdo que he leído.
Sentí bastante desagrado por el personaje principal hasta llegar al punto de dejar de importarme si el personaje se salvaba o no de la muerte. No puedo juzgar la reacción de cada individuo al conocer que están a punto de morir, pero en caso de saberlo, ¿no sería más normal aprovechar cada segundo viviendo al límite, en vez de estar llorando, recordando todo lo negativo que se vivió y sintiendo arrepentimiento por todo lo que no se hizo? Si nos vamos a morir, pues hay que aprovechar lo que nos queda y punto. Por ello, no me gustó el rol que Kawamura le asignó al protagonista, porque me gusta que me conmuevan con historias y no con personajes que todo el tiempo se sienten victimas e intentan producir lastima. Este fue un error fatal.
Por otra parte, valoro la intención del autor de realizar una crítica a la sociedad por la adicción y el uso excesivo del móvil y el reloj, pero la idea merecía aprovecharla mejor. Si tan solo hubiera presentado el comportamiento del mundo ante la ausencia de cualquiera de estos aparatos, creo que merecería las dos estrellas. Pero es que ni eso, el mundo siempre fue igual, nadie se inmutó e incluso hablaban con indiferencia sobre lo que había desaparecido. La falta de lógica fue la constante en esta historia.
Ya para terminar y dejar lo positivo para el final, quiero destacar la importancia de los gatos en esta historia. Gracias a la presencia de estos animales es que los personajes llegan a tener un vínculo entre ellos y hallar paz en sus vidas. Asimismo, nos permite comprender la decisión final del protagonista porque quienes tenemos mascotas y las amamos, en un punto tan crítico quizás tomaríamos la misma decisión. Sin embargo, son tan pocos aspectos positivos los que encuentro en esta obra que la calificación no podría ser más baja. Desafortunadamente, desde las primeras páginas eso quedó muy claro para mí: No les miento.
A pesar de que algunos libros no son tan buenos, siempre he intentado resaltar lo positivo de cada uno de ellos. Sin importar sus defectos, merecen respeto por el esfuerzo y tiempo que requieren para su creación. Sin embargo, en esta ocasión tengo que declarar que personalmente ha sido una experiencia decepcionante la lectura de esta obra. Todo el tiempo me sentí aburrido y preguntándome en que momento finalizaría.
Los problemas comenzaron desde la mismísima sinopsis porque allí se expone el resumen completo del libro. ¿Cómo emocionarme, sorprenderme o crear suposiciones si desde el inicio ya conocía el final? Aun así, seguí avanzando porque cuando leí La Ladrona de Libros —libro que me encantó por cierto — eso mismo me ocurrió, por lo que decidí darle una oportunidad. Desagradable sería mi sorpresa al encontrar que es mejor la portada y la sinopsis, que el libro en sí.
Lo que encontré, fue una historia con conversaciones deficientes por lo tajantes que eran y con unos personajes que estaban mal construidos porque ni tenían nombre, ni su comportamiento era natural y además platicaban todos de la misma manera. Por ejemplo, en la escena donde “el cartero” y el diablo se encuentran, lo conveniente sería que el cartero se sintiera aterrorizado e intimidado ante la presencia del señor de las tinieblas, tanto así que se le dificultará incluso hablar. Pero lo que encontramos es un protagonista que trata al diablo como si fuera su amigo de toda la vida y que incluso le pide perdón en algunas ocasiones por molestarlo. Perdónenme, pero eso es lo más absurdo que he leído.
Sentí bastante desagrado por el personaje principal hasta llegar al punto de dejar de importarme si el personaje se salvaba o no de la muerte. No puedo juzgar la reacción de cada individuo al conocer que están a punto de morir, pero en caso de saberlo, ¿no sería más normal aprovechar cada segundo viviendo al límite, en vez de estar llorando, recordando todo lo negativo que se vivió y sintiendo arrepentimiento por todo lo que no se hizo? Si nos vamos a morir, pues hay que aprovechar lo que nos queda y punto. Por ello, no me gustó el rol que Kawamura le asignó al protagonista, porque me gusta que me conmuevan con historias y no con personajes que todo el tiempo se sienten victimas e intentan producir lastima. Este fue un error fatal.
Por otra parte, valoro la intención del autor de realizar una crítica a la sociedad por la adicción y el uso excesivo del móvil y el reloj, pero la idea merecía aprovecharla mejor. Si tan solo hubiera presentado el comportamiento del mundo ante la ausencia de cualquiera de estos aparatos, creo que merecería las dos estrellas. Pero es que ni eso, el mundo siempre fue igual, nadie se inmutó e incluso hablaban con indiferencia sobre lo que había desaparecido. La falta de lógica fue la constante en esta historia.
Ya para terminar y dejar lo positivo para el final, quiero destacar la importancia de los gatos en esta historia. Gracias a la presencia de estos animales es que los personajes llegan a tener un vínculo entre ellos y hallar paz en sus vidas. Asimismo, nos permite comprender la decisión final del protagonista porque quienes tenemos mascotas y las amamos, en un punto tan crítico quizás tomaríamos la misma decisión. Sin embargo, son tan pocos aspectos positivos los que encuentro en esta obra que la calificación no podría ser más baja. Desafortunadamente, desde las primeras páginas eso quedó muy claro para mí: No les miento.
May 23, 2023
Początek był dla mnie trudny do przebrnięcia, ale mimo specyfiki książki, naprawdę mnie poruszyła.
January 29, 2023
“È da tanto che non piango per un libro.”
È con questo pensiero che sono andato a letto la scorsa notte. Poteva l’universo non aiutarmi a porvi rimedio? I libri mi chiamano, io, da buon custode rispondo. E non posso non scegliere di custodirlo questo libro breve quanto intenso.
世界 から 猫 が 消えた なら
Sekai kara Neko ga Kieta nara
Non so perché io abbia scelto di leggere questo libro proprio ora, un po’ come tutti i libri che sto leggendo negli ultimi tempi, mi ha chiamato.
Si tratta di un libro pubblicato in Giappone nel 2012 che arriva in Italia per la prima volta solo nel 2019.
È un libro leggero, ma intenso.
È un libro pieno di significato.
È un libro in grado di lasciarti gli occhi lucidi.
È un libro in grado di motivarti.
Non è La risposta, ma una risposta. Uno di quei libri che se letti al mattino può aiutarti a vivere più intensamente il resto della giornata.
È un intensificatore di colori quando la realtà diventa troppo grigia.
“Se i gatti scomparissero dal mondo” è una lunga lettera che il protagonista (di cui capisco solo ora di non conoscerne il nome) scrive a una persona a lui stretta (che si scopre solo durante la narrazione).
Il nostro protagonista ha poco più di trent’anni; eppure, per lui la vita è già giunta al termine. L’incombenza della fine risveglia in lui sentimenti da tempo sopiti. Come qualsiasi altro essere umano vorrebbe poter avere più tempo.
Ed è così che compare Aloha, la sua personale versione del diavolo, pronto per proporgli un patto che il nostro giovane disperato non può non accettare.
Cosa sei disposto a sacrificare pur di continuare a vivere anche solo un altro giorno?
“Per ottenere qualcosa bisogna sacrificarne un’altra.”
“Secondo mamma era ovvio, eppure le persone cercavano sempre di ottenere qualcosa senza sacrificare un bel niente. Quello però si chiama furto, quando qualcuno ci guadagna e qualcun altro ci perde. Si tratta di una felicità costruita sull'infelicità altrui. Sono le leggi che regolano il mondo, mamma ne parlava spesso.”
“Quando il nostro amore era cominciato non avrei mai immaginato che sarebbe potuto finire. Credevo che se uno è felice lo è automaticamente anche la sua ragazza. Ma gli eventi a volte prendono una piega inaspettata e arrivano momenti in cui uno è felice e la sua ragazza è triste. L'amore finisce sempre. Lo sappiamo tutti, ma ci innamoriamo lo stesso. È la stessa cosa che accade con la vita. Sappiamo tutti che prima o poi finisce, ma viviamo lo stesso. Forse è proprio perché sono destinati a finire che l'amore e la vita sono meravigliosi.”
“Se inizi a pensare al senso, la tua vita non comincerà mai. Che importanza ha il senso? La vita non ha un senso. La vita è una bella, magnifica, cosa. Anche per una medusa! Ecco perché anche le meduse hanno ragione di esistere! Certo, dev’essere per forza così, ogni essere vivente, ogni cosa materiale, esiste per una ragione. Le meduse, i sassolini ai bordi della strada, l'appendice. Ogni cosa ha la sua ragione d’essere. Per forza. Se le cose stanno così, penso, quando decido di far scomparire qualcosa dal mondo, commetto un reato gravissimo! Anche le meduse hanno senso di esistere. Ma nel mio caso vivere stava perdendo di significato, forse ora valevo meno di una medusa.”
“Che cosa avevo guadagnato, e che cosa avevo perso, diventando adulto? Non avrei mai potuto riavere le emozioni e i sentimenti provati in passato, e per qualche motivo quel pensiero mi aveva travolto con un’ondata di tristezza irrefrenabile. Ricordo di aver pianto senza ritegno.”
Queste sono solo alcune delle frasi che ho segnato. Non potevo condividerle tutte, avrei trascritto l’intero romanzo.
Se guardandovi attorno trovate che la vostra giornata possa essere un po’ meno colorata del solito vi consiglio caldamente di leggerlo.
👉 Vi ho incuriosit3? Pensate di leggerlo?
❤️ Al solito, se vi ho incuriosito al punto da voler dare un’opportunità a questo libro, vi invito a farlo da qui: https://amzn.to/3Vmu4FI
Attraverso l’affiliazione amazon, a voi non cambia nulla, io riceverò da amazon una piccola ricompensa che potrà aiutarmi concretamente a continuare a fare quello che faccio che potete tradurre in comprare altri libri da consigliarvi! ❤️
È con questo pensiero che sono andato a letto la scorsa notte. Poteva l’universo non aiutarmi a porvi rimedio? I libri mi chiamano, io, da buon custode rispondo. E non posso non scegliere di custodirlo questo libro breve quanto intenso.
世界 から 猫 が 消えた なら
Sekai kara Neko ga Kieta nara
Non so perché io abbia scelto di leggere questo libro proprio ora, un po’ come tutti i libri che sto leggendo negli ultimi tempi, mi ha chiamato.
Si tratta di un libro pubblicato in Giappone nel 2012 che arriva in Italia per la prima volta solo nel 2019.
È un libro leggero, ma intenso.
È un libro pieno di significato.
È un libro in grado di lasciarti gli occhi lucidi.
È un libro in grado di motivarti.
Non è La risposta, ma una risposta. Uno di quei libri che se letti al mattino può aiutarti a vivere più intensamente il resto della giornata.
È un intensificatore di colori quando la realtà diventa troppo grigia.
“Se i gatti scomparissero dal mondo” è una lunga lettera che il protagonista (di cui capisco solo ora di non conoscerne il nome) scrive a una persona a lui stretta (che si scopre solo durante la narrazione).
Il nostro protagonista ha poco più di trent’anni; eppure, per lui la vita è già giunta al termine. L’incombenza della fine risveglia in lui sentimenti da tempo sopiti. Come qualsiasi altro essere umano vorrebbe poter avere più tempo.
Ed è così che compare Aloha, la sua personale versione del diavolo, pronto per proporgli un patto che il nostro giovane disperato non può non accettare.
Cosa sei disposto a sacrificare pur di continuare a vivere anche solo un altro giorno?
“Per ottenere qualcosa bisogna sacrificarne un’altra.”
“Secondo mamma era ovvio, eppure le persone cercavano sempre di ottenere qualcosa senza sacrificare un bel niente. Quello però si chiama furto, quando qualcuno ci guadagna e qualcun altro ci perde. Si tratta di una felicità costruita sull'infelicità altrui. Sono le leggi che regolano il mondo, mamma ne parlava spesso.”
“Quando il nostro amore era cominciato non avrei mai immaginato che sarebbe potuto finire. Credevo che se uno è felice lo è automaticamente anche la sua ragazza. Ma gli eventi a volte prendono una piega inaspettata e arrivano momenti in cui uno è felice e la sua ragazza è triste. L'amore finisce sempre. Lo sappiamo tutti, ma ci innamoriamo lo stesso. È la stessa cosa che accade con la vita. Sappiamo tutti che prima o poi finisce, ma viviamo lo stesso. Forse è proprio perché sono destinati a finire che l'amore e la vita sono meravigliosi.”
“Se inizi a pensare al senso, la tua vita non comincerà mai. Che importanza ha il senso? La vita non ha un senso. La vita è una bella, magnifica, cosa. Anche per una medusa! Ecco perché anche le meduse hanno ragione di esistere! Certo, dev’essere per forza così, ogni essere vivente, ogni cosa materiale, esiste per una ragione. Le meduse, i sassolini ai bordi della strada, l'appendice. Ogni cosa ha la sua ragione d’essere. Per forza. Se le cose stanno così, penso, quando decido di far scomparire qualcosa dal mondo, commetto un reato gravissimo! Anche le meduse hanno senso di esistere. Ma nel mio caso vivere stava perdendo di significato, forse ora valevo meno di una medusa.”
“Che cosa avevo guadagnato, e che cosa avevo perso, diventando adulto? Non avrei mai potuto riavere le emozioni e i sentimenti provati in passato, e per qualche motivo quel pensiero mi aveva travolto con un’ondata di tristezza irrefrenabile. Ricordo di aver pianto senza ritegno.”
Queste sono solo alcune delle frasi che ho segnato. Non potevo condividerle tutte, avrei trascritto l’intero romanzo.
Se guardandovi attorno trovate che la vostra giornata possa essere un po’ meno colorata del solito vi consiglio caldamente di leggerlo.
👉 Vi ho incuriosit3? Pensate di leggerlo?
❤️ Al solito, se vi ho incuriosito al punto da voler dare un’opportunità a questo libro, vi invito a farlo da qui: https://amzn.to/3Vmu4FI
Attraverso l’affiliazione amazon, a voi non cambia nulla, io riceverò da amazon una piccola ricompensa che potrà aiutarmi concretamente a continuare a fare quello che faccio che potete tradurre in comprare altri libri da consigliarvi! ❤️
February 5, 2019
I adore cats but I didn’t really get on with this book. Although it’s not always the case, sometimes translations can be pretty clunky. This was a large part of the problem here. It reminded me a bit of a Japanese Mitch Albom!
January 25, 2023
Audiobook…..read by Brian Nishii
……4 hours and 49 minutes long
Absolutely wonderful wonderful wonderful wonderful wonderful!!!!!!
…..I had no idea. I never expected it to be so sincerely heartfelt —as in not sappy!
Aloha, Aloha!
……4 hours and 49 minutes long
Absolutely wonderful wonderful wonderful wonderful wonderful!!!!!!
…..I had no idea. I never expected it to be so sincerely heartfelt —as in not sappy!
Aloha, Aloha!
September 3, 2024
3,75
Myślę, że oceniłxbym jeszcze wyżej, gdyby to była historia, z którą mogę się utożsamić (nigdy nie byłam nieśmiała). Polecam
Myślę, że oceniłxbym jeszcze wyżej, gdyby to była historia, z którą mogę się utożsamić (nigdy nie byłam nieśmiała). Polecam
December 14, 2024
i cried a little at the end
• I’ve connected with many people over the course of my life, but the relationships were ultimately all superficial. It’s really depressing—too depressing—to realize something like that at the end of your life.
• “In order to gain something, you have to lose something,” she always said. People are always trying to get something for nothing. But that’s just theft. If you’ve gained something, it means that someone, somewhere, has lost something. Even happiness is built on someone else’s misfortune.
• It’s the future you’ll never get to see that you really regret missing most of all when you die. I realize it’s strange to use the word “regret” about things that haven’t happened yet, but I couldn’t stop myself from thinking, If only I could live longer, I could do this or that.
• As you go on with your life, always remember the things that are good in you. They are your gifts. As long as you have these things, you’ll find happiness, and you’ll make the people around you happy.
• I’ve connected with many people over the course of my life, but the relationships were ultimately all superficial. It’s really depressing—too depressing—to realize something like that at the end of your life.
• “In order to gain something, you have to lose something,” she always said. People are always trying to get something for nothing. But that’s just theft. If you’ve gained something, it means that someone, somewhere, has lost something. Even happiness is built on someone else’s misfortune.
• It’s the future you’ll never get to see that you really regret missing most of all when you die. I realize it’s strange to use the word “regret” about things that haven’t happened yet, but I couldn’t stop myself from thinking, If only I could live longer, I could do this or that.
• As you go on with your life, always remember the things that are good in you. They are your gifts. As long as you have these things, you’ll find happiness, and you’ll make the people around you happy.
February 24, 2018
¡Qué preciosidad de libro! La historia comienza con una carta que el protagonista decide escribir a modo de despedida, ya que sufre una enfermedad que lo llevará a la muerte pronto. En ese momento se le aparece el demonio, que le ofrece un trato. Si esta dispuesto a darle algo a cambio le alargará la vida. Lejos de lo extraña que pueda parecer la trama, es principalmente una reflexión continua sobre lo que realmente es importante. Donde reside lo indispensable. Y como sabemos, aunque siempre olvidemos, reside en las pequeñas cosas. Un libro emocionante y esperanzador. A ver si algo puede superar esta maravilla este año jajaja.
June 1, 2021
A man only got a few months left, in his final stage of cancer, he was not ready to die. And then this strange phenomenon happened. A look-alike devil comes to offer him an exchange. Man has to forfeit one thing to live another day. With this, the week begins with flashbacks of past events, incidences, and people he'd once loved, lost connections and reliving those moments for a second chance. There were cute and funny dialogues between the man and his pet cat, Cabbage, who spoke as a charming gentleman, bringing the story to the fore.
On the other hand, though, I appreciate the notion of the depth about life and what's truly important when time is running out on us. However, there are no details or ideas explored that are sufficiently compelling to my personal preferences.
It is a beautiful story about a man's path towards closure and reconciliation at the end of his life. I do think this story will sit in my heart for a while, leaving the feeling of comfort.
On the other hand, though, I appreciate the notion of the depth about life and what's truly important when time is running out on us. However, there are no details or ideas explored that are sufficiently compelling to my personal preferences.
It is a beautiful story about a man's path towards closure and reconciliation at the end of his life. I do think this story will sit in my heart for a while, leaving the feeling of comfort.
May 26, 2022
A Visita do Diabo
— Tens um tumor no cérebro. Restam-te, no máximo, seis meses. Porém, também poderás morrer daqui a uma semana!
“A verdade é que, quando ouvem uma notícia destas, as pessoas tendem a manter-se surpreendentemente calmas. Assim que fiquei a saber o que tinha, a primeira coisa que me ocorreu foi que só me faltava um carimbo no meu cartão de fidelidade para receber uma massagem gratuita e que não devia ter comprado tanto papel higiénico e detergente. Foram trivialidades deste género que me vieram à cabeça.”
Pouco depois, surge um Diabo doppelgänger Aloha (veste calções e camisa havaiana e é “igualinho” ao narrador 😉) que parece ter saído dum canal de televendas 😜:
“Já fiz negócio com todo o tipo de gente. De facto, tu és o número cento e oito.”
Ao que parece, para prolongar a vida, o nosso misterioso narrador terá que firmar um pacto com o Diabo…
É certo que a ideia do Pacto com o Diabo é velha e banal! Porém, o tipo de pacto que é, está longe de o ser 😉…
E… como nada mais me ocorre, vou deixar-vos com duas brilhantes citações:
“Porque procuras um significado? A vida é desejo, não significado. A vida é uma coisa bela e magnífica, até para uma alforreca”
“O conjunto de inúmeras coisas que parecem insignificantes forma aquilo que é o ser humano”
Boa(s) leitura(s)📚
— Tens um tumor no cérebro. Restam-te, no máximo, seis meses. Porém, também poderás morrer daqui a uma semana!
“A verdade é que, quando ouvem uma notícia destas, as pessoas tendem a manter-se surpreendentemente calmas. Assim que fiquei a saber o que tinha, a primeira coisa que me ocorreu foi que só me faltava um carimbo no meu cartão de fidelidade para receber uma massagem gratuita e que não devia ter comprado tanto papel higiénico e detergente. Foram trivialidades deste género que me vieram à cabeça.”
Pouco depois, surge um Diabo doppelgänger Aloha (veste calções e camisa havaiana e é “igualinho” ao narrador 😉) que parece ter saído dum canal de televendas 😜:
“Já fiz negócio com todo o tipo de gente. De facto, tu és o número cento e oito.”
Ao que parece, para prolongar a vida, o nosso misterioso narrador terá que firmar um pacto com o Diabo…
É certo que a ideia do Pacto com o Diabo é velha e banal! Porém, o tipo de pacto que é, está longe de o ser 😉…
E… como nada mais me ocorre, vou deixar-vos com duas brilhantes citações:
“Porque procuras um significado? A vida é desejo, não significado. A vida é uma coisa bela e magnífica, até para uma alforreca”
“O conjunto de inúmeras coisas que parecem insignificantes forma aquilo que é o ser humano”
Boa(s) leitura(s)📚
July 3, 2022
What if Cats disappeared from the world? Such a scary thought. I can’t imagine a life without cats. Being the cat lady that I am, I just feel like the world would be a much cruel place to live in without these creatures.
This was an OK book. I kinda liked how the character of “Aloha” was written. Fresh, raw and over the top, with his love for hawaian shirts and sunglasses (maybe it’s always summer in hell.) I mean, I couldn’t really hate the guy even though he is the devil.
As for the narrator. I love reading his thoughts and his observations about the way of the world, how we easily ignore the things that truly matter and take for granted the people in our lives. How we live in regrets and what ifs, what could’ve been and what could’ve have been said. His experiences mirrored the flaws and shortcomings of humans.
Heartwarming, thought provoking and funny at times. If you want to read something sentimental, this could be the right book for you. You’ll love Cabbage, I can tell you that much!
This was an OK book. I kinda liked how the character of “Aloha” was written. Fresh, raw and over the top, with his love for hawaian shirts and sunglasses (maybe it’s always summer in hell.) I mean, I couldn’t really hate the guy even though he is the devil.
As for the narrator. I love reading his thoughts and his observations about the way of the world, how we easily ignore the things that truly matter and take for granted the people in our lives. How we live in regrets and what ifs, what could’ve been and what could’ve have been said. His experiences mirrored the flaws and shortcomings of humans.
Heartwarming, thought provoking and funny at times. If you want to read something sentimental, this could be the right book for you. You’ll love Cabbage, I can tell you that much!
December 9, 2019
3.75/5stars
I really did like this BUT I found it to be a little too spelled out? I love books that explore grief and exploring ones self but this one was just a bit too obvious/a bit too much telling rather than showing. I feel like this could have been a full 350-400 paged novel and it could have done the idea more justice because it really was a beautiful and very interesting twist on this type of story!
I really did like this BUT I found it to be a little too spelled out? I love books that explore grief and exploring ones self but this one was just a bit too obvious/a bit too much telling rather than showing. I feel like this could have been a full 350-400 paged novel and it could have done the idea more justice because it really was a beautiful and very interesting twist on this type of story!
June 20, 2019
It was only last year that I first came across the word “ailurophile” which when I looked it up turned out to mean “cat lover”. I’ve never been lucky enough to visit Japan, but the literature and film coming from there suggest the country has a good claim to be the most ailurophilic in the world. I understand this book has been a bestseller in Japan. Doubtless the theme helped the author hit the right note with readers.
I read the English language translation, which I imagine will be a bit different from the original, particularly when you consider how different the two languages are. It’s a short novel, and only stretches to 200 pages through the use of a large font and generous line spacing. It took me until about page 80-odd before I started to enjoy it. In the early stages the dialogue between the Narrator and the Devil seemed quite jumpy. I found the second half more congenial and I got through it much more quickly than the first section.
There’s a theme of loss running right through the book, and how we deal with loss. I can’t say that I thought it very profound. At times the author veered perilously close to the sort of little homilies that circulate on Facebook, the ones that are tagged “Share if you Agree”. Parts of it also got a bit sentimental.
Overall, 5/10 from me, rounded up to a slightly generous 3 stars.
I read the English language translation, which I imagine will be a bit different from the original, particularly when you consider how different the two languages are. It’s a short novel, and only stretches to 200 pages through the use of a large font and generous line spacing. It took me until about page 80-odd before I started to enjoy it. In the early stages the dialogue between the Narrator and the Devil seemed quite jumpy. I found the second half more congenial and I got through it much more quickly than the first section.
There’s a theme of loss running right through the book, and how we deal with loss. I can’t say that I thought it very profound. At times the author veered perilously close to the sort of little homilies that circulate on Facebook, the ones that are tagged “Share if you Agree”. Parts of it also got a bit sentimental.
Overall, 5/10 from me, rounded up to a slightly generous 3 stars.
November 14, 2024
3.5⭐️ rounded up
“I scooped the cat up and snuggled him against my chest for comfort. He was warm and soft, a smooth fluffy ball of fur in my arms. I'd cuddled up with the little guy countless times over the years without thinking much about it, but now, for the first time ever, it occurred to me that maybe this little act of comfort was what life was all about.”
“I scooped the cat up and snuggled him against my chest for comfort. He was warm and soft, a smooth fluffy ball of fur in my arms. I'd cuddled up with the little guy countless times over the years without thinking much about it, but now, for the first time ever, it occurred to me that maybe this little act of comfort was what life was all about.”
May 2, 2019
Oh gosh my fellow readers. I found this lovely little gem in my local bookstore about a month ago. A bit quirky, a bit sad, but so good. Please read it!
September 27, 2024
When the postman is diagnosed with terminal cancer, he is told that he has a maximum of 6 months to live, but the reality may be more like a week. He returns home, where the devil greets him, that offers him a deal. He can make one thing disappear from the world for one extra day of life.
What's the catch? The devil gets to choose what thing disappears. The first day starts with phones then movies, then clocks, and then the devil proposes that cats should be next. Can the postman trade his own life for that of all cats? You'll have to read to find out.
Throughout the journey, the postman reflects on his life and what was necessary. Some of it gets a bit tedious, but ultimately, it reminds me a bit of a Japanese Paolo Coelho. There are a lot of great moments of introspection, and I loved that about the book.
My biggest negative is the speaking of the cat was weird and felt out of place with the way it was portrayed. Overall, it was a relatively quick and interesting read.
Favorite Quote:
"I wonder why people always expect from others things that they themselves can't or won't do."
3-3.5 stars for me.
What's the catch? The devil gets to choose what thing disappears. The first day starts with phones then movies, then clocks, and then the devil proposes that cats should be next. Can the postman trade his own life for that of all cats? You'll have to read to find out.
Throughout the journey, the postman reflects on his life and what was necessary. Some of it gets a bit tedious, but ultimately, it reminds me a bit of a Japanese Paolo Coelho. There are a lot of great moments of introspection, and I loved that about the book.
My biggest negative is the speaking of the cat was weird and felt out of place with the way it was portrayed. Overall, it was a relatively quick and interesting read.
Favorite Quote:
"I wonder why people always expect from others things that they themselves can't or won't do."
3-3.5 stars for me.
May 24, 2021
4,5/5🌟
To była tak wspaniała i poruszająca historia. Jedna z tych, które są piękne, dzięki swojej prostocie.
To była tak wspaniała i poruszająca historia. Jedna z tych, które są piękne, dzięki swojej prostocie.
August 2, 2023
i too would die for cats
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2018
Not being a fan of overly sentimental stories, I'm not sure that this was the book for me. I liked the concept, but it read very simply - too straight-forward for my liking. I felt that it didn't explore any theme in great detail; the visit from the devil seemed to end abruptly. The 'light-hearted' inclusion of the devil gave way to a very sentimental ending which continued to introduce new 'insights' into the character which felt too convenient. It felt as though the story had two parts: the devil's visit (the reader's insight into his selfishness and inability to understand/consider others) and his preparation for death (the protagonists' (very) sudden self-awareness) - and they didn't connect particularly well. If the book was any longer I may have put it aside and never finished it, but I would still give it 2.5 stars.
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