The Guest Cat [Paperback]

What initially reads like free association turns out to be a near-microscopic record of emotion and phenomena.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.A beautiful, ornate read, brimming with philosophical observation, humor and intelligence.An unusually intimate, detailed and vivid picture of a place that is simultaneously private and?open.Its clear there is a tradition of literary works centering on orfeaturing cats in modern Japanese, and we now have from New Directions atranslation of a splendid addition to that list. (...) a work ofsubtleties revealed only with repeated readings. I recommend itunreservedly to the general?reader.The little feline sets off a chain of disquisitions on nature, destiny, joy, pleasure, and?sorrowA wonderful tale about the desire to possess and the pain of absence. And such writing! Precise, delicate,?enchanting.Hiraide's work really shinesA wonderful