Guest Cat by Hiraide Takashi
£9.99 GBP
Skip to product information
Guest Cat by Hiraide Takashi
£9.99 GBP
Reliable shipping
Flexible returns
The Guest Cat
Takashi Hiraide's exquisite novella is a meditation on solitude, quiet joy, and the unexpected intimacy that can bloom between neighbours separated by seemingly unbridgeable distance. When a stray cat begins visiting the apartment of a reclusive couple, it becomes far more than a pet—it becomes a bridge between isolation and connection.
The couple finds themselves drawn into a gentle mystery: whose cat is this? Where does it come from? Why does it choose their home as a sanctuary? Through the cat's presence, the narrative explores themes of loneliness, observation, the unspoken language of animals, and the ways in which small gestures of care can transform an ordinary life into something luminous. Hiraide's prose is spare, precise, and deeply contemplative—each sentence carries weight and beauty.
At just 144 pages, The Guest Cat is a concentrated jewel of a novel. Originally written in Japanese and beautifully translated, it moves with the grace and economy of a poem. Published by Picador, this is a work of genuine literary distinction that rewards slow, attentive reading.
Perfect for readers seeking quiet, philosophically rich fiction; fans of Japanese literature; those who find meaning in small, daily moments; and anyone who understands that the most profound stories are often the gentlest ones.
Publisher: Picador
Date Published: 25/09/2014
ISBN: 9781447279402
Number of pages: 140
Binding:
Book genres:
Target audience:
You may also like...
You may also like...
Literary Cat's A-List
Looking for a second-hand or antiquarian book?
Use the searchbox below to look-up our database of 10,000+ second-hand and antiquarian books.
Can't find the right book?
We've partnered with bookshop.org to provide nearly any book in print, delivered to your door.
Every book purchase supports Literary Cat Books.
Enjoy audiobooks?
Want a guilt-free way of enjoying audiobooks?
Our partner Libro.fm has you covered with a large library and priced competitively.
Use promo code SWITCH for two free audiobooks.
Every subscription supports Literary Cat Books.
Do you like our bookshop?
We would love you to share your experience of our bookshop, or a great book, on Google!
Help independent bookshops stand out on the map.