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The Travelling Cat Chronicles

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About this listen

Random House presents the audiobook edition of The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa, read by George Blagden.

The tender feelgood story of a man's journey around Japan with a streetcat. Translated by Philip Gabriel, a translator of Murakami.

It's not the journey that counts, but who's at your side.

Nana is on a road trip, but he is not sure where he is going. All that matters is that he can sit beside his beloved owner Satoru in the front seat of his silver van. Satoru is keen to visit three old friends from his youth, though Nana doesn’t know why and Satoru won’t say.

Set against the backdrop of Japan’s changing seasons and narrated with a rare gentleness and humour, Nana’s story explores the wonder and thrill of life’s unexpected detours. It is about the value of friendship and solitude, and knowing when to give and when to take. TRAVELLING CAT has already demonstrated its power to move thousands with a message of kindness and truth. It shows, above all, how acts of love, both great and small, can transform our lives.

A WATERSONES PAPERBACK OF THE YEAR 2017

‘Bewitching… as self-possessed and comforting as – well, a cat’ SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

'A delightful tale of loyalty and friendship' JOHN BOYNE, IRISH TIMES

 Action & Adventure Animals Fantasy Fiction Friendship Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Magic Cats Feel-Good Heartfelt Inspiring Tear-jerking Funny Witty

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
Fleet, funny and tender... Arikawa clearly knows cats as well as any human can.
It has the warmth, painterly touch, and tenderness of a Studio Ghibli film - and it is a delight to read
Bewitching… as self-possessed and comforting as – well, a cat
The Travelling Cat Chronicles is delightful. Like a tender feline companion the uniqueness of this book is its subtle yet persistent charm that insinuates itself into your heart long after the encounter has ended.
A book about kindness and love, and about how the smallest things can provide happiness
Arikawa has a lightness of touch that elevates this to a tale about loyalty and friendship ... while speaking to our basic human need for companionship
Heart-wrenching but uplifting
The Travelling Cat Chronicles is why I read books. This beautiful story has everything. It's funny, heart-warming, heart-breaking and kind.
Prepare to have your heart strings tugged by this quirky tale . . . It's a deceptively gentle story that you won't need to be a cat lover to fall for.
All stars
Most relevant
I have to admit I bought this because of the narrator, he has such a sublime voice and I don't really mind what he is saying, but this turned out to be a lovely story

Lovely story

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This book was a surprising hit. I wasn’t sure what to expect but very quickly was enveloped into the warmth and goodness emanating from the protagonist. It really is a lesson for all humanity on treating every living thing with respect and dignity in a graceful and humble way.
I cannot praise the author highly enough, such love and pathos.
I feel quite changed by it and can’t quite believe such a book could have such a profound on me.
5 stars!

Beautiful and moving

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What a beautiful, heartfelt story with an amazing narration. Thoroughly enjoyed and would definitely recommend.

Amazing

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Love this story, and from the perspective of both the cat and owner. lovely story.

beautiful book

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I loved the way the tale was told from the cat's perspective. Not just about the relationship between cats and humans, though, but about all relationships and how good can come out of adversity.

Profoundly moving

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