Reviews

Kočičí host by Takashi Hiraide

lalaboots's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

1.0

What details of Japanese life that were included were interesting but that's all.  The rest of it was very dull.  The anthropomorphism of the cat's behaviour was cringeworthy for me.  Sentimental and saccharine. 

aljavi's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

lilyphilia's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Such a comfy, relaxing read that I wouldn't mind going back to from time to time. 

joymargot's review against another edition

3.5

I read this when it was first published in English and remembered absolutely nothing about it, but I’ve been on a bit of a Japanese-books-with-cats-on-the-covers spree recently and picked up a another copy.

Since reading it for the first time, I have adopted and had to say goodbye to my feline soulmate so I found the sadder moments all the more difficult,

especially the neighbours’ refusal to let them pay their respects to Chibi and the ambiguous implication that the book ends on.

With that said, it’s a cosy and charming “slice of life” novella but I’d say it focuses more on home and the passage of time than cats. If you’re looking for a more feline-focussed cosy Japanese read, I highly recommend “She and Her Cat” by Makoto Shinkai and Naruki Nagakawa.

marieandherbooks's review against another edition

emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

molbing's review against another edition

relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

emilyhartley's review against another edition

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

sophieguillas's review against another edition

4.0

Very little happens in this book but in a nice way. It's just a soft little exploration of the roots you put down living in places temporarily. The meaning you ascribe to a tree or a house or a cat can say as much about you as it does about whatever you're looking at. Makes me want to give my cats a big hug ❤️

devlavaca's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

ellathelibrarian's review against another edition

3.0

Beautifully composed but ultimately a bit bland.