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lezreadalot's review against another edition
4.0
Truly, husband and wife could hide no secrets whatsoever from the cat.
A fascinating and charming novella about loneliness and comeuppance and marriage. The title gives you the cast, and it's appropriately ordered, because Lily the cat really is the star of this book. I appreciated what the author was saying about relationships and personal responsibility and love, but mostly I just really loved all the scenes with the cat lol. This veered right of a predictable (and what would have been disappointing to me) path, and I appreciate it for that. I wish the ending had been fuller, but I still really liked this.
3.5 stars.
A fascinating and charming novella about loneliness and comeuppance and marriage. The title gives you the cast, and it's appropriately ordered, because Lily the cat really is the star of this book. I appreciated what the author was saying about relationships and personal responsibility and love, but mostly I just really loved all the scenes with the cat lol. This veered right of a predictable (and what would have been disappointing to me) path, and I appreciate it for that. I wish the ending had been fuller, but I still really liked this.
3.5 stars.
thebookboy's review against another edition
5.0
A perfect, poignant little piece of Japanese cat literature.
As a huge fan of this very specific genre, I must admit that many Japanese cat books tend to err on the side of sweet or twee. This really isn't the case here. Instead we're presented with quite a unique novella that explores how people punish each other emotionally, especially when hearts have been broken and expectations are changed.
To say any of the three main chaarcters is likeable would be untrue - they are all flawed in their own ways and each have motives that link to the cat in the way they scheme against one another. In a way the cat is a pawn - a piece in an unpleasant chess game that continually shifts and evolves. However, the cat is just as chanegeable as the humans, and this leads to some very interesting shifts in power.
I honestly couldn't put this down, and I think there's a real magic in what Tanizaki achieved in so few words. It's a short, but powerful book that will linger in my mind for a long time to come.
As a huge fan of this very specific genre, I must admit that many Japanese cat books tend to err on the side of sweet or twee. This really isn't the case here. Instead we're presented with quite a unique novella that explores how people punish each other emotionally, especially when hearts have been broken and expectations are changed.
To say any of the three main chaarcters is likeable would be untrue - they are all flawed in their own ways and each have motives that link to the cat in the way they scheme against one another. In a way the cat is a pawn - a piece in an unpleasant chess game that continually shifts and evolves. However, the cat is just as chanegeable as the humans, and this leads to some very interesting shifts in power.
I honestly couldn't put this down, and I think there's a real magic in what Tanizaki achieved in so few words. It's a short, but powerful book that will linger in my mind for a long time to come.
abbeleas's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
magicat's review against another edition
5.0
Peccato solo che è uno di quei finali un po' sospesi che lasciano domande ma nel complesso mi è piaciuto 3.5/4
habituallyheidi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
anishachana's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
112211llllllllllllll's review against another edition
4.5
I hope the cat lived a nice life!!!! Please tell me she lived a good life!!!
giuliakyj's review against another edition
1.0
Nonostante sia corto ho fatto fatica a finirlo. Sono andata avanti solo perché volevo capire dove sarebbe andata a parare la storia, ma è stata una delusione. Non mi ha detto nulla, non lascia nulla. I personaggi sono tremendi, delle caricature stereotipate di personalità infami. Non so, forse aveva senso quando è stato scritto, ma è invecchiato proprio male.
Io ho anche una grandissima affinità con i gatti (questo il motivo che mi ha spinto a leggerlo), ma non c'è stato un momento in cui abbia sentito una connessione con la storia.
Un punto che mi preme particolarmente sottolineare è che nella copertina c'è scritto "Tanizaki si addentra con indiscutibile maestria nella psicologia femminile". Leggendo questa frase ero un po' scettica ma visto il successo del libro ero anche curiosa di vedere questa sua acclamata maestria. Se per chi ha scritto la descrizione questo vuol dire addentrarsi abilmente nella psicologia femminile, mi chiedo quanto deve essere ristretta, stereotipata e irrispettosa l'idea che ha delle donne. A lettura finita quella frase diventa offensiva e onestamente dimostra di capirne gran poco.
Io ho anche una grandissima affinità con i gatti (questo il motivo che mi ha spinto a leggerlo), ma non c'è stato un momento in cui abbia sentito una connessione con la storia.
Un punto che mi preme particolarmente sottolineare è che nella copertina c'è scritto "Tanizaki si addentra con indiscutibile maestria nella psicologia femminile". Leggendo questa frase ero un po' scettica ma visto il successo del libro ero anche curiosa di vedere questa sua acclamata maestria. Se per chi ha scritto la descrizione questo vuol dire addentrarsi abilmente nella psicologia femminile, mi chiedo quanto deve essere ristretta, stereotipata e irrispettosa l'idea che ha delle donne. A lettura finita quella frase diventa offensiva e onestamente dimostra di capirne gran poco.
linniekin's review against another edition
3.0
Started slowly, but was very touching and beautifully poised towards the end.