THE CAT AND THE CITY

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆
𝗕𝘆 𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗲𝘆
𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿: 𝗔𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀
𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸: 𝟑𝟎𝟒
𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱: 𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏
𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿: 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒




Nick Bradley’s The Cat and the City offers a unique tapestry of interconnected short stories set in Tokyo, tied together by the presence of a wandering cat and the city itself. The book reflects the author’s impressions of Japan, where he reportedly spent a decade. Each story introduces a new set of characters, with side characters from one tale stepping into lead roles in another, creating an intriguing web of connections. This approach kept me engaged, trying to piece together who was who, and I appreciated the sense of continuity it brought to the narrative.
Bradley’s vivid descriptions of Tokyo were another highlight. At times, I felt as though I was meandering through the bustling streets, peering into the private lives of its inhabitants. However, while the setting was immersive, I found some characters shallow and lacking depth. Whether this was intentional or not, it made it harder for me to form meaningful connections with them. At times, a few characters even leaned toward being stereotypical, which detracted from the overall experience.

One story that stood out featured Naomi, a young woman who commissioned a traditional tattoo of Tokyo on her back, explicitly requesting that no people appear on the tattoo. The tattooist, however, secretly added a tiny calico cat, setting off a chain of events that linked the lives of various characters in surreal and unexpected ways. Casts include a regretful Rakugo storyteller, a disillusioned taxi driver, an American translator suffering loneliness, and a private detective solving unconventional cases. Despite these intriguing elements, certain characters and scenarios-such as voyeuristic or morally questionable figures-were less appealing and sometimes uncomfortable to read.
Additionally, it is noteworthy that an author from a Western country is writing about Japan. Since I read many translations, I have learned to appreciate each country's distinctive writing styles. I often prefer reading books about Japan authored by Japanese writers, as they provide a more authentic and nuanced perspective. While Bradley might have intended to use Japanese phrases to enhance the narrative's authenticity, at some points it appeared excessive. Some of these phrases could have been conveyed as effectively in English without diminishing the story. I found myself resisting the urge to look up specific terms, which disrupted the flow of my reading. Readers unfamiliar with the language may find this cumbersome and distracting.

It is a mixed bag of a book. Some stories and concepts were compelling, but others left me a little detached. I’m unsure who the target audience might be—perhaps readers seeking light, entertainment-focused tales with an exotic flair for Japan. For those looking to explore Japanese life and culture more deeply, I will recommend works by Japanese authors. Ultimately, the stories range in quality, earning ratings between 2 and 4 stars for me. While I admire the ambition behind the book, it didn’t fully resonate with me as a whole.

My Rating:

3.5/5

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