A Total Downer: Not for the Faint of Heart (or Bookworms)

Honestly, I just don't get the rave reviews about this book. It's even more puzzling when you consider there's nothing educational, kind, or remarkable about it. To be honest, this book didn't exactly impress me. I feel bad for the trees they chopped down to make it. I mean, there are other stories out there that do a better job of tugging at your heartstrings.

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The Chronicles of a Travelling Cat. Hiro Arikawa.

The narrative is told from the cat's perspective, but not consistently. This isn't a new trick in literature, and I've come across plenty of books that use a similar approach. The only difference is that in most of those books, the narrative stays consistent throughout. In this one, the author switches between the cat's perspective and third-person narration at random.

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The Chronicles of a Travelling Cat. Hiro ArikawaIt's clear the author intended this to be a tearjerker, so the cat's first misadventure is what sets the story in motion. This leads to the cat's meeting with its new owner.xa0

The character of the cat in the story is pretty rough around the edges and underdeveloped. When compared to something like Weber and his majestic cat, the difference is night and day. The cat in Weber may be a handful, but it's a unique and well-defined character with its own feline logic and morality. The cat in this story is a pale imitation, and you could easily substitute the word 'cat' with 'boy' and not notice a difference in terms of its actions and logic.

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The Chronicles of a Travelling Cat. Hiro ArikawaThe author's writing style is dense and heavy, and when combined with the uneven narrative structure, it makes the book a chore to read. The author jumps back and forth in time, sometimes telling the story from the cat's perspective, sometimes from a third-person perspective, and sometimes from the owner's past or even their pet's thoughts. It's disorienting and confusing.xa0

The language used in the narrative is dry and uneven. Even a scene like the one with the owner's grandfather is told in such a way that it's dull and unengaging. And the owner's behavior is just plain strange. I mean, it's weird for someone who loves their cat to leave it in a car for hours on end without even opening the window. Maybe the cat is just magical or something. There are plenty of other inconsistencies and plot holes throughout the story.

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The Chronicles of a Travelling Cat. Hiro ArikawaIn Japan, pets are still a luxury and a rarity, especially when you consider the taxes you have to pay for them. But the owner's behavior in this story is just unbelievable. I mean, it's like something out of a soap opera. It's not like they're struggling to make ends meet or anything. They're just... weird. And it's not like the author is trying to convey some deeper message through their struggles. It's just... strange.xa0

Story.

I was really disappointed with the storyline. The book is divided into several parts, each representing a journey from point A to point B with a cat in the car. Each part is centered around a significant chapter in the owner's life, but these chapters are pretty depressing. Every single one of them.

I get that childhood can be tough, especially when they take your pet away, and you might get a little emotional. But each chapter is designed to make you feel sorry for the main character and all the injustices he faces. Even when he visits his friend who has a pet-friendly hotel, it's still a journey into the past, and it's all so depressing.

Chronicles of a Traveling Cat. Hiro ArikawaIt's not just the main character who suffers; even his friend is stuck in a rut, feeling sorry for himself. It's weird, considering he's a successful, married guy. He's got a life, but he's still stuck in the past, dwelling on the past:Chronicles of a Traveling Cat. Hiro ArikawaThe situation is just not that dramatic, and I found myself wanting to skip through all the emotional drama. It's one thing to read about it once, but when every few pages someone's just sitting there feeling sorry for themselves, it gets old.

I found myself getting more and more frustrated with the book, the main character, and even his aunt, who writes a message that's five pages long, and it's just unnecessary. You'd think a simple smiley face at the end would suffice, but no, it's all so complicated, and it's hard to move on from it.

By the way, the book is all about how something terrible is going to happen to the main character, and the author just can't help but rub it in your face. At first, it's just hints, but then it's right out there in black and white:

Chronicles of a Traveling Cat. Hiro ArikawaIt's like, come on, I get it, but do I really need to be reminded every five pages that everything is terrible and sad? It's just too much.

Chronicles of a Traveling Cat. Hiro ArikawaIt's like, yeah, I remember, everything is terrible and sad. Can we just move on already?

Total.

I didn't enjoy the book. The storyline is way too predictable, and it's hard to read because it's all over the place. We're jumping from the past to the present, and sometimes it's hard to keep track of what's happening. The main characters are all pretty bland and annoying, and there are just too many minor characters who are equally uninteresting.

I have to admit, each chapter is designed to pull at your heartstrings. I mean, who doesn't feel bad for that poor cat? And to make matters worse, the owner goes and kicks it. It's like, they're already standing there, and then they get kicked. It's a real tear-jerker. I'm not sure where the author found the wisdom and compassion to write this, but it's something to think about. If you're feeling down, you might find some solace in this book. The way the author portrays the relationship between the main character and the cat is really touching. It's clear that the cat brings a sense of comfort and companionship to the main character's life. If you're looking for a good cry, this book is definitely worth checking out. However, the pacing can be a bit slow at times, and the narrative can get a bit convoluted. But hey, if you're in the mood for a good sob fest, this book is definitely worth a read.

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Personally, I found the book to be a bit of a mixed bag. The writing is engaging, but the story can be a bit hard to follow at times. The author's use of language is vivid and evocative, but the plot can be a bit predictable. That being said, the book does have its moments, and I found myself getting invested in the characters and their stories. If you're a fan of character-driven fiction, you might enjoy this book. Just be prepared for an emotional rollercoaster.

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Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good cry. Just be warned: it's not for the faint of heart. The author doesn't hold back when it comes to depicting the harsh realities of life. But if you're up for the challenge, this book is definitely worth checking out.

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Thanks for reading my review! Maybe it was helpful.