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I Am a Cat cover art

I Am a Cat

By: Soseki Natsume, Aiko Ito - translator, Graeme Wilson - translator
Narrated by: David Shih
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Summary

Written over the course of 1904-1906, Soseki Natsume's comic masterpiece, I Am a Cat, satirizes the foolishness of upper-middle class Japanese society during the Meiji era. With acerbic wit and sardonic perspective, it follows the whimsical adventures of a world-weary stray kitten who comments on the follies and foibles of the people around him.

A classic of Japanese literature, I Am a Cat is one of Soseki's best-known novels. Considered by many as the greatest writer in modern Japanese history, Soseki's I Am a Cat is a classic novel sure to be enjoyed for years to come.

©1972 Aiko Ito and Graeme Wilson (P)2020 Tantor

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What listeners say about I Am a Cat

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Good book

the book was an interesting read on the time period and was quite funny the narrator did a fantastic job

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Awesome read, very funny :)

Awesome read, very funny :)

This is a great book, both funny and insightful take on culture.

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1 person found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Performance and Translation Neuter a Good Tale

While Natsume’s originality and wit shines through, this version is hampered by an awkward translation and narration. For me, the book is made to feel tight and uncomfortable and I was unable to warm to the characters.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

One of the big literary works in Japanese history

one of the classic in Japanese literature. Personally I was finding it difficult to follow the story and I didn’t find any of the characters likeable. But I think that fine I am not Japanese so I’m sure I didn’t pick up the cultural nuances and the stories just is what I am are used to as a European and that is okay. I still very much enjoying having read this masterpiece.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A cultural criticism from a novel perspective

Interesting criticism on Japanese culture from the view point of a cat ... I wish it ended differently

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Utterly delightful, magnificently narrated

While true that, at times, the narrative amongst the humans upon which the cat comments can drag somewhat, this remains a marvelous and rather unique novel. David Shih narrates this book beautifully, his performance including apt and distinguishable voices for the whole cast of characters. Like Natsume's readers in early 20th century Japan who first encountered this work in serialised form, I too only wish there were more to come! Cat lovers in particular will enjoy this humorous, biting commentary on humanity itself from a feline observer!

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5 people found this helpful

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Funny, insightful

This book jumps between making me laugh and making me think deeply about a matter. It’s an exceptional piece of literature!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

The forward is a spoiler!

Listen to the forward last, because it dwells at length on the ending and is a real spoiler. Some useful information in there, but definitely listen to the story first.

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14 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Still as amazing as I first read it

I picked up the novel I Am A Cat seven years ago. I looked at the title and the blurb and thought it was very interesting, so I bought it. It has now become my all time favourite story. I've reread this numerous times over the years - it's comforting.

The audiobook here perfectly captures what made I Am A Cat such a special story to me. David Shih's performance was perfect, capturing the tender yet sarcastic tones of the stories.

It's as good as it gets.

I am grateful. I am grateful. I am grateful.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

that cat

a classic, a contemplative, satirical observation of life from a cat who thinks too much

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