My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Pages: 140
This novel by the acclaimed Japanese poet, Takashi Hiraide, is a subtle, moving story that could take place anywhere. A couple in their thirties live in a small rented cottage in a quiet part of Tokyo. Since they are both writers and work from home they keep their own hours and are awake when the neighbors have gone to sleep. One day a cat invites herself into their small kitchen. It leaves, but the next day comes again, and then again and again. The couple start leaving a window open for her and start buying treats for the cat. They begin to think of her as their cat, even though they know she belongs to the family next door and always leave in time to see the young boy off to school each morning.The description of how the cat changes their lives is interesting but there are also descriptions of the garden and house in great detail. The details of the visits with the cat are also told in order of their emotional effect more than a strict timeline, which seems fitting as the author is known as a poet.
