Tabby cat Fuuta has passed into the afterlife and will do anything to see his human again . . . if only he can not disrupt the balance of the universe.
Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.
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| February 2026; G.P. Putnam's Sons; 979-8217048106 audio, ebook, print (256 pages); xenofiction |
I've read quite a few of these Japanese translated books that are kind of vignettes that usually tie together to some extent. The most popular is probably Before the Coffee Gets Cold. I love Japanese literature because the writing often feels lyrical - I often find beauty in the simplicity of the storytelling.
This book was different in several ways from the other books I've read. First, most of them have used magical realism, whereas this one is more fantasy.
In the late 1980s or early 1990s, movies featuring the afterlife were popular, and I was immediately reminded of those movies when I started this book. The first chapter was difficult to read as the main character cat, Fuuta, is talking with another newly arrived cat, and they are talking about missing their people. I almost never read a book with animals in them because the animal always dies, and it is sad. I thought this would be okay as the cats were already dead. Thankfully, once passed that first part, their death wasn't really mentioned.
The book also seemed to be a little more about the cat rather than the characters featured in each vignette, which is different than the other books I've read.
I was looking forward to this unique take on this popular story type. It is a positive book, maybe even uplifting. A daughter wishes her father were able to see her art exhibit, and the messenger cat is able to give her a message from her late father. A couple who lost their newborn baby gets a glimpse of who she might have grown up to be and receives comfort that she is okay in the afterlife. A teacher who played favorites gets a taste of his own medicine. A woman who wonders if she should have taken another path gets closure.
While the stories are sweet, I struggled with the writing. At times, it read like a children's book. I get that, having a cat as the main character, there is to be some childishness. After all, most cats act like 2-year-olds (at least my 7 cats do). It was the overexplanation that bothered me. We would get an explanation, and then the cat would basically say "in other words" and recap the info as if the original explanation would be hard for the reader to understand. I have to wonder how it read in the original Japanese and if the translation had anything to do with the style.
The world-building was a little bumpy, too. At times, it felt like the author had to re-explain something to make it work in the new situation, particularly in relation to the soul the cat carried.
It is a quick, heartwarming read. If you like the idea of those love ones who have passed on are able to send messages to the living, then you will enjoy this book.
Buy Messenger Cat Café at Amazon
Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.
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