The Guest Cat

Regarded as a hit in France, and also receiving Japan's Kiyama Shohei Literature Award, the celebrated poet Takashi Hiraide's The Guest Cat is a profoundly touching and exquisitely beautiful story about the impermanence of existence. It also discusses eccentric but heartfelt ways of living.

In The Guest Cat, a married couple in their forties reside in a little cottage they rent in a quiet area of Tokyo; both work remotely as freelance copy editors, and they have nothing to speak to one another. One day, though, a cat sneaks into their little kitchen. It departs soon but returns the following day, and then often comes back to them afterward. Soon, they find themselves purchasing goodies for the kitten and discussing all of its adorable attributes. The husband and wife's relationship now seems more promising; their days have more vibrant colors.

According to many critics, Takashi Hiraide's work "truly shines." His poetry has been praised for its apparently unending stream of shape-shifting things and sensations, whose shattering effect is achieved by a unique mix of pace and detail.

Author: Takashi Hiraide

Year of Release: 2001

Goodreads Score: 3.54 stars (from 21,341 ratings)