The Procrastinators Book Club discussion

Welcome to the The Travelling Cat Chronicles Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on May 24th and anyone can join at any time. Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days can be used to catch up!

Each day we will be reading by chapters or page numbers. Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Goodreads. The suggested Buddy Read discussion schedule is as follows:

Week of 05/24
24 May: Prologue & The Husband Without a Wife
25 May: The Unsentimental Farmer
26 May: Sugi and Chikako's Hotel for Pets & Between Friends
27 May: How Noriko Learned to Love

PARTICIPANTS
~ Melanie
~ Rosina

Got my reading done for today.

I am enjoying the story it is different kind of writing than what i normally read. Interesting to have the cat as the main character. I am wondering why Saturo is making these trips to interview people to take care of his cat. Is he dying? Is he moving to another country?
I found reading about his elementary years with his best friend Kosuke interesting. The story about Hachi was interesting. I like how Nana's thoughts get put in the story and adds commentary.
Couple of sad things (view spoiler)[ Nana being hit by the car and having a broken leg. I dont like it when animals get hurt.
So sad that Saturo's parents were killed when he was young and then he had to find a home for Hachi when he had to move.
I wonder if Kosuke and his wife will get back together. (hide spoiler)]

I agree with everything you said 100%.

One weird thing. Do you know how some people have face blindness? They can't recognize people they've seen because their brains don't allow them to recall faces? I feel like sometimes when I'm reading a book and the names of the characters are so unfamiliar to me -- usually because they are from another culture from my own -- I struggle to keep the characters straight. I kept having to look back to remember whether it was Kosuke or Saturo who originally found Hachi. Which of the two of them lost their parents. Who found Nana and was driving him around in the silver van. I finally just wrote some character and name notes down on a 3 x 5 card. I get so frustrated with myself.

Also, I love the lyrical quality of the language in this book so far. It almost has kind of a poetic rhythm to it. I really am finding loveliness in reading this book. I'm so glad you recommended it. I don't think it would have come across my radar in any other way. Thank you.

Melanie wrote: "I agree with everything you said 100%.

One weird thing. Do you know how some people have face blindness? They can't recognize people they've seen because their brains don't allow them to recall f..."

Yup I watched a movie that had a character that had face blindness...I agree with you about the names from other cultures I find it difficult and sometimes I end up renaming them with names I am familar with...I also find it slows down my reading because I keep flipping to reread or look for some info....

I am glad you are enjoying the story and the writing....its nice to read something different or from a different perspective....kind of a refresher for the reading palate....especially if I read the same type repeatedly

Day 2
That was an interesting read. Got to learn more about Saturo and his life living with his aunt while in junior high. He makes friends with Yoshimine who is now a farmer. They had the greeenhouse to bond over and also their family life in not having parents around.
I enjoyed the scenes where Nana was teaching the kitten how to fight and be a hunter. When they visited the sea I can imagine that the sea sounds could be overwhelming to Nana as cats hearing is so sensitive.
I still not sure why Saturo is wanting to rehome Nana as he seems to really love cats and misses his former cat Haichi.

It’s clear that Saturo loves Nana and I’m getting a little nervous that his need to rehome him is going to be something really sad.

I was disappointed to learn that Saturo’s aunt was not a loving care giver, but I’m glad he had Yoshimine’s grandmother. Both boys were very lucky to have her.

Oh my that was quite the read. Chapter 3.5 was so full of emotion and descriptions. I really enjoyed reading about the wildlife, trees and flowers. I sure like the thoughts that Nana puts forth.
I am wondering more now that perhaps this is a final road trip for Saturo but still wonder what will happen to Nana.

I am away tomorrow its our grandson grad....I will post on Saturday...

I'm late posting for today. I was thinking today about all the themes of loneliness in this book. Saturo is such a considerate friend all throughout the book. He is always thinking of others. I was so deeply moved when during the ferry ride the chinchilla says, "Don't you understand? It's his master who's the lonely one." I mean I cried. And even as it seems he may be making his final journey to say goodbye to his friends, he doesn't unburden himself with any of them. He's still just thinking of Nana and trying to rehome him. It makes me sad that none of his friends are so bold as to try and find out why Nana needs to be rehomed so that they can reach out and really recognize what a gift having Saturo as a friend has been. I mean it's really kind of heartbreaking and I don't even know what is going to happen yet. Today was a lot of tears.

Okay. I'm not even a cat person, but this book was so lovely. Saturo is one of the loveliest human beings I've ever met in literature. I was heartbroken. He had an ability to love others that had me really awestruck. As I was weeping tears for him, I was also taking stock of how transactional love and affection can feel sometimes. We love people because they love us. But Saturo loved people and served them even when they didn't fully see him. I'm wrecked. This was a 5-star read for me. Thank you so much for recommending it.

I am so glad that you enjoyed this story. It too was a 5 star read for me. The writing was magical and I was so sad with the ending. I was crying because of sadness but because of the love that was conveyed by both characters.. I know I hugged my cats a bit more when I was done reading. Really makes me wonder what they are thinking now.