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The guest cat by takashi hiraide6/12/2023 ![]() ![]() ![]() It is about times of change in both the characters of the book and the nation. ![]() Hiraide includes cultural events of the time, such as the death of Emperor Hirohito in 1989, and my edition contains translators notes which help to understand some of the cultural references. The role of fate in everyday life also features prominently. The Guest Cat is not an exciting book, but a gentle read interwoven with philosophy, history and intertextuality. He emphasises the eccentricities of both animals and people and instead of voicing the cat, as humans tend to do, he shows Chibi’s personality through her behaviour and intimately captures her characteristics. Hiraide has magnificent attention to detail, providing intricate descriptions of place, particularly the gardens and neighbourhood in which the couple reside. The author exquisitely explores the emotional attachment the couple form with their guest, and highlights both the joy of observation and companionship. She has a calming effect on the household, even though she is a free spirit, coming and going as she pleases. Chibi’s visits to the couple gradually increase and she is shown to subtly influence their lives as they grow accustomed to each other. The cat is initially adopted by a neighbouring child and comes to be known as Chibi. The Guest Cat begins in 1988 when a stray cat comes into the lives of a middle-aged couple, both writers. ![]()
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