If Cats Disappeared from the World: A Novel
Written by Genki Kawamura
Narrated by Brian Nishii
4/5
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About this audiobook
"Brian Nishii narrates this imaginative tale set in Japan about the complexities of death, life, and cats...A brief, charming parable." — AudioFile Magazine
The international phenomenon that has sold over a million copies in Japan, If Cats Disappeared from the World--now a Japanese film--is a funny, heartwarming, and profound meditation on the meaning of life.
The postman’s days are numbered. Estranged from his family, living alone with only his cat Cabbage to keep him company, he was unprepared for the doctor’s diagnosis that he has only months to live. But before he can tackle his bucket list, the Devil appears to make him an offer: In exchange for making one thing in the world disappear, our narrator will get one extra day of life. And so begins a very bizarre week…
With each object that disappears the postman reflects on the life he’s lived, his joys and regrets, and the people he’s loved and lost.
Genki Kawamura’s timeless tale is a moving story of loss and reconciliation, of one man’s journey to discover what really matters most in life.
Praise for If Cats Disappeared from the World:
"At first, If Cats Disappeared from the World feels as light and puzzling as a fairy tale, but then, steadily, chapter by chapter—using nothing more than conversation, memory, and a winning narrator's searching, sensitive thought experiments—it raises its cosmic stakes higher than any thriller. Like a padding cat or the shadow of death, Genki Kawamura's book snuck up on me; the next thing I knew, I was crying." — Robin Sloan, New York Times bestselling author of Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore and Sourdough
Genki Kawamura
GENKI KAWAMURA is an internationally bestselling author. If Cats Disappeared from the World was his first novel and has sold over two million copies in Japan and has been translated into over fourteen different languages. His other novels are Million Dollar Man and April Come She Will. He has also written children's picture books including Tinny & The Balloon, MOOM, and Patissier Monster. Kawamura occasionally produces, directs, and writes movies, and is a showrunner. He was a producer of the blockbuster anime film Your Name.
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Reviews for If Cats Disappeared from the World
115 ratings11 reviews
What our readers think
Readers find this title to be a thought-provoking and touching book that helps them appreciate life and reflect on their own experiences. While some readers found it to be a bit flat and less poetic than expected, overall it is an enjoyable and heartwarming read. It is recommended for those looking for a book that puts life into perspective and explores the relationship between fathers and sons.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Look in the mirror and think about life. That exactly what this book did, in the best way possible. Highly addicting and a must read.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I WANTED to like this book. I was hoping for a revelation or a redemption or some sort of twist but …….nope.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book was very interesting and thought provoking listen. The main character is facing his mortality and what physical objects he can live without.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5It would be better to read the book. This novel is for any son who never said the right thing to his father, and then it was too late.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Not very interesting for me, maybe better suited for teens.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Flat book. Good premise yet never truly delivers the insightful punch you expect. Less poetic than expected and the humor doesn't land.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5What a heart warming story and one that puts life into perspective. Perfect ending and a good read.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This was an enjoyable read! Hopefully other people had enjoyed it as much as I did.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Such a Heartfelt and touching book, really enjoyed this one.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5it was a good light read... It made me realized that I'm asking something more about life too much. I am satisfied now.
Loved it! - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Made me appreciate the world more. Thank you.