If Cats Disappeared From The World cover art

If Cats Disappeared From The World

A moving and thought-provoking tale for fans of cosy Japanese fiction

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If Cats Disappeared From The World

By: Genki Kawamura, Eric Selland - translator
Narrated by: Brian Nishii
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About this listen

The million-copy bestseller, perfect for fans of Before the Coffee Gets Cold.

What would you do if you were told you only had days left to live? And what would you give up for just one more day? Genki Kawamura's If Cats Disappeared From The World is a tender, whimsical tale of love, loss, and the quiet miracles of everyday life.

A thirty-year-old postman lives a simple life, with only his cat, Cabbage, for company. But when an unexpected diagnosis turns his world upside down, he is faced with an impossible choice. The Devil appears to him, dressed in a Hawaiian shirt, and makes an offer: if he makes one thing in the world disappear, he can have an extra day of life.

As the days tick by, and with Cabbage by his side, he begins a journey that might just lead him back to the people he thought he’d lost. Before it’s too late . . .

If Cats Disappeared from the World is a life-affirming meditation on what we leave behind – and what we hold onto until the very end.

‘If you're a fan of The Guest Cat (or even just cats generally), you'll love this’ – The Sunday Times

 Animals Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Magical Realism World Literature Fantasy Cats Magic Heartfelt Feel-Good

Critic reviews

A warm, quirky novel on life, love, family estrangement and what remains when we are gone with a surprising emotional charge.
If you're a fan of The Guest Cat (or even just cats generally), you'll love this.
This brief existential enquiry into life’s priorities is gently charming.
A moral tale.
A poignant, affecting story about facing up to one's mortality, taking responsibility for one's choices and deciding what truly holds value.
Reminiscent of Johnathan Livingston Seagull, this was a quick read – it only took me a few hours – but it will stay with you long after you finish it.
All stars
Most relevant
This is a wonderful book by Genki Kawamura (some people may know him as the producer of the film Your Name and he’s just as talented an author as producer!) -it’s touching and philosophical, and overall just a delight to read/listen to.

Beautiful story

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It's a melancholic story that made me smile, cry, and reflect on some things in my life. While the plot is simple, it surprises with some unpredictable turns. Overall, I enjoyed it, though some parts felt a bit lengthy.
This book will suit more for people who like thinking about life.

Melancholic & heart breaking

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Good points within the story… but could have had a lot more within this story .

Some good points

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Eassy to read / listen to. No revelation, but a nice reminder on what is important in live and death.

feelgood book,

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Clear narrator and a fresh perspective on what it means to be alive, well read.

Interesting think piece as a book

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