One-Sentence Summary: The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa is a heartwarming, deeply reflective story of a cat and his owner as they embark on a journey that unveils their shared past and the profound bond they share, exploring themes of love, loss, and the enduring connection between humans and animals.
The Travelling Cat Chronicles
Author: Hiro Arikawa
ISBN: 978-0451491336
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Japanese Literature, Animal Fiction, Drama
Published Year: 2012 (original Japanese); 2017 (English translation)
Introduction
The Travelling Cat Chronicles is a Japanese novel written by Hiro Arikawa, an author best known for her warm, human-centered stories that often blend the everyday with a touch of the extraordinary. Translated into English by Philip Gabriel in 2017, the novel quickly became beloved for its simple yet poignant prose, which delivers a deeply emotional tale centered around the bond between a man and his cat.
Told from alternating perspectives, including that of the titular cat, Nana, the book reflects on life’s transient nature, the meaning of companionship, and the emotional baggage we all carry. It is not only a story about the love between an animal and its owner, but also about the larger human connections we form, and how those relationships shape us, often in unexpected ways.
Plot Overview
A Journey Begins
The novel follows Satoru Miyawaki, a kind and reserved man in his thirties, and his streetwise, witty, and fiercely independent cat, Nana. The story starts with Satoru rescuing Nana after a car accident and adopting him, a bond quickly forming between them. Nana is an unusually perceptive cat, often narrating parts of the story with humor and keen insight into human behavior.
Five years later, Satoru must find a new home for Nana, though his reasons are not immediately revealed. Satoru and Nana embark on a road trip across Japan in Satoru's silver van, visiting several of Satoru's old friends to see if one of them can take Nana in. Each stop on this journey is an opportunity for Satoru to reconnect with his past, and through these meetings, both Nana and the readers learn more about his life.
The Friends and Their Memories
The first person they visit is Kosuke, Satoru’s childhood friend. Kosuke is now married and lives in the countryside, surrounded by nature. Their reunion brings back memories of Satoru’s first pet, a cat named Hachi, who mysteriously disappeared when they were children. Kosuke had always felt guilty about this incident, believing he may have caused Hachi's disappearance, though Satoru harbors no resentment. Despite this deep bond, Kosuke's household is not a suitable environment for Nana, and the journey continues.
Next, Satoru and Nana visit Yoshimine, a former high school friend who now runs a farm. Yoshimine, though solitary by nature, fondly remembers his teenage years with Satoru, recalling how Satoru once saved him from a difficult situation involving bullying. Yoshimine offers to take Nana, but his farm dogs make it impractical, and Nana’s journey with Satoru moves forward again.
The third stop is to visit Sugi and Chikako, a married couple from Satoru’s college days. Sugi, a gentle man, and Chikako, an outgoing woman, had been part of a travel club that Satoru joined. Their relationship is warm and full of nostalgia, but Chikako is allergic to cats, making it impossible for them to adopt Nana.
Revealing the Past
Throughout these travels, the novel gradually unveils Satoru’s past. We learn that his parents died in a tragic accident when he was very young, and he was raised by his loving aunt, Noriko. His life has been marked by quiet resilience in the face of adversity, and his calm demeanor hides a deep well of personal loss.
Satoru’s love for animals, particularly cats, stems from his childhood experiences, and Nana’s companionship becomes a vital emotional support for him. It is only later in the novel that the true reason for Satoru’s search for a new home for Nana is revealed—Satoru is suffering from a terminal illness, and he can no longer care for his beloved cat.
Nana’s Perspective
A unique aspect of The Travelling Cat Chronicles is that parts of the novel are narrated by Nana himself. Nana’s voice is snarky, observant, and incredibly loyal. His thoughts provide a humorous yet touching commentary on the humans around him, particularly his deep affection for Satoru, whom he refers to as "my human." Through Nana’s eyes, the bond between humans and animals is explored with depth and sincerity.
As the journey progresses, Nana slowly begins to realize that their road trip is not just about finding him a new home, but about Satoru coming to terms with his own mortality. Nana’s loyalty and love for Satoru only deepen as the truth comes to light.
Conclusion of the Journey
After failing to find a suitable home for Nana, Satoru decides to return to his aunt Noriko, who had raised him. Though initially reluctant, Noriko agrees to take Nana in after Satoru passes away, understanding the profound connection the two share. Their reunion is bittersweet, as Noriko is filled with grief over the impending loss of her nephew, yet she finds solace in the fact that Nana will continue to be loved.
In the novel’s final pages, Satoru’s health deteriorates rapidly, and he passes away in the hospital. Nana stays with him until the very end, providing comfort as Satoru faces his final moments. The last part of the story is told from Nana’s perspective, as he reflects on the love and friendship he shared with Satoru, and the peace he feels knowing that Satoru is finally at rest.
Themes
Companionship and Love: The novel explores the deep emotional connections that people form with animals, particularly how pets can become sources of comfort and companionship during difficult times. Satoru’s bond with Nana is more than just a pet-owner relationship; it is a partnership based on mutual love and understanding.
Loss and Grief: The book poignantly addresses themes of loss, not only through Satoru’s impending death but also through the various memories of childhood friends and past relationships. Satoru’s life is marked by quiet sorrow, and yet he approaches his fate with grace and acceptance.
Memory and Nostalgia: As Satoru revisits old friends, the novel delves into the importance of memory, particularly how the past shapes our present relationships. Each encounter reflects a piece of Satoru’s life and provides insight into who he has become.
The Transience of Life: Central to the novel is the idea that life is fleeting, and the moments we share with those we love are precious. Through Satoru’s journey, the reader is reminded of the impermanence of life and the importance of cherishing our time with loved ones.
Conclusion
The Travelling Cat Chronicles is a deeply moving and reflective novel that weaves together themes of love, loss, and the enduring bonds between humans and their animal companions. Through the lens of Nana, the observant and loyal cat, Hiro Arikawa paints a picture of a man quietly coming to terms with his own mortality while reconnecting with his past. The journey is both literal and metaphorical, as Satoru revisits the key people in his life, bringing closure to unresolved memories and relationships.
The novel’s simplicity in storytelling, coupled with its emotional depth, makes it a poignant meditation on life, death, and the ways in which love endures even after we are gone. Nana’s narrative voice adds a unique perspective, offering both humor and heartfelt reflection, making the reader deeply invested in the bond between him and Satoru.
Final Thoughts
For anyone who has ever loved a pet or experienced the bittersweetness of parting with a loved one, The Travelling Cat Chronicles will resonate on a profound level. It is a gentle reminder of the beauty found in companionship and the inevitability of life’s end, leaving readers with a sense of quiet reverence for both.