The Travelling Cat Chronicles

By: Hiro Arikawa, Philip Gabriel

Narrated by: George Blagden

Length: 5 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's Summary

A book that "speak[s] volumes about our need for connection - human, feline or otherwise" (The San Francisco Chronicle), The Travelling Cat Chronicles is a life-affirming anthem to kindness and self-sacrifice that shows how the smallest things can provide the greatest joy - the perfect gift for cat lovers and travelers!

We take journeys to explore exotic new places and to return to the comforts of home, to visit old acquaintances and to make new friends. But the most important journey is the one that shows us how to follow our hearts....

An instant international bestseller and indie bestseller, The Travelling Cat Chronicles has charmed audiences around the world. With simple yet descriptive prose, this novel gives voice to Nana the cat and his owner, Satoru, as they take to the road on a journey with no other purpose than to visit three of Satoru's longtime friends. Or so Nana is led to believe....

With his crooked tail - a sign of good fortune - and adventurous spirit, Nana is the perfect companion for the man who took him in as a stray. And as they travel in a silver van across Japan, with its ever-changing scenery and seasons, they will learn the true meaning of courage and gratitude, of loyalty and love.

On New York Post's Required Reading List

©2018 Hiro Arikawa and Philip Gabriel (P)2018 Penguin Audio

Critic Reviews

“Anyone who has ever unashamedly loved an animal will read this book with gratitude, for its understanding of an emotion that ennobles us as human beings, whether we value it or not.” (Lynne Truss, The Guardian)

“It’s the wisdom and stoicism of the feline narrator that makes this book such an engaging read. Like Alison Jean Lester’s recent Yuki Means Happiness, it provides a fascinating insight into Japanese culture and traditions, but ultimately it doesn’t matter that it’s about a man and a cat. Like Of Mice and Men or The Kite Runner, Arikawa’s central concern is friendship and the things we’ll do for the people, or animals, that we love” (The Irish Times) 

“Continues the Japanese tradition of folkloric tales that celebrate simple values such as self-sacrifice and friendship. It has the warmth, painterly touch, and tenderness of a Studio Ghibli film - and is a delight to read.” (Financial Times) 

What a wonderful story

Adventurous, funny and just a little sad. The perfect story for animal lovers. The narrator did a wonderful job projecting the proper Catitude for Nanna. Very enjoyable.

One of my top 10 BEST books ever

I’ve read the book and listened to it. This is an absolutely beautiful story of life and adventure told through the POV of a cat.

Story and narration not quite a match

Intriguing story, good narration. A Japanese-English narrator would've been more authentic, so minus 1 star.

Prepare for Tears!!

I was not prepared for this book. Be aware it is about love, devotion, forgiveness, and death. It is a real tear-jerker with excellent characters.

such a good read!

very well written and grabbed me with all the wit of the way the relationship of nana and satoru evolve into a neverending friendship.. such a good way to put with how our relationship with our pet transpires..we take good care of them and in return they give us a very unconditional love that we can only feel and understand.

One of the best audiobooks I have listened to

Wow, I can't say I expected this flood of emotions while reading a cat story. This now is in my favorites list, the story and the audiobook. Highly recommend the audiobook the narrator is amazing!!!! I listen to 4 to 10 audiobooks a month so I know what I'm talking about when I rave about an audiobook/ narrator.

Incredible Story for Any Cat Lover

Recently, I had my cat of 12 years pass and this made me extremely happy thinking about a cats perspective. The ending feels complete and has helped me find closure.

Cat's Eye View

Beautiful story illustrating the way one life touches many others. Anyone who loves and appreciates cats and Japanese culture would probably like this book. I really appreciated that the narration is partly from the cat's point of view.

Mediocre

I didn't find anything special about this book and felt I wasted a credit as I was bored by it. I have heard much more interesting and clever cat and animal tales lately.

I almost cried at the end ,

From the the begining it was really good , thoughtful, and I enjoyed it so much I read it twice . I've never had a book to hook me in. like this one. And the second read was even better than the first, it was funny, sad, happy cheeky too. Great for any cat lover, and those who would like to understand cats thinking alittle better.