I Am a Cat cover art

I Am a Cat

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I Am a Cat

By: Soseki Natsume, Aiko Ito - translator, Graeme Wilson - translator
Narrated by: David Shih
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About this listen

Written over the course of 1904-1906, Soseki Natsume's comic masterpiece, I Am a Cat, satirizes the foolishness of upper-middle class Japanese society during the Meiji era. With acerbic wit and sardonic perspective, it follows the whimsical adventures of a world-weary stray kitten who comments on the follies and foibles of the people around him.

A classic of Japanese literature, I Am a Cat is one of Soseki's best-known novels. Considered by many as the greatest writer in modern Japanese history, Soseki's I Am a Cat is a classic novel sure to be enjoyed for years to come.

©1972 Aiko Ito and Graeme Wilson (P)2020 Tantor Animals Asian Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literature & Fiction Satire World Literature Comedy Cats Witty Japanese Cats

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All stars
Most relevant  
While Natsume’s originality and wit shines through, this version is hampered by an awkward translation and narration. For me, the book is made to feel tight and uncomfortable and I was unable to warm to the characters.

Performance and Translation Neuter a Good Tale

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one of the classic in Japanese literature. Personally I was finding it difficult to follow the story and I didn’t find any of the characters likeable. But I think that fine I am not Japanese so I’m sure I didn’t pick up the cultural nuances and the stories just is what I am are used to as a European and that is okay. I still very much enjoying having read this masterpiece.

One of the big literary works in Japanese history

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the book was an interesting read on the time period and was quite funny the narrator did a fantastic job

Good book

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Interesting criticism on Japanese culture from the view point of a cat ... I wish it ended differently

A cultural criticism from a novel perspective

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Entertainingly whimsical and also an interesting peek into a different society (or is it that different?). David Shih's reading was superb.

Entertaining and interesting

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I did not like how it's read, it's not clear. the reader even mispronounced the authors name multiple times in the entro.

it's a classic book

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Awesome read, very funny :)

This is a great book, both funny and insightful take on culture.

Awesome read, very funny :)

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This is a strange look at Japanese life seen through the eyes of the family cat, interesting but not compelling, I wouldn't listen to it again, put it like that🤔

Strange tale

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While true that, at times, the narrative amongst the humans upon which the cat comments can drag somewhat, this remains a marvelous and rather unique novel. David Shih narrates this book beautifully, his performance including apt and distinguishable voices for the whole cast of characters. Like Natsume's readers in early 20th century Japan who first encountered this work in serialised form, I too only wish there were more to come! Cat lovers in particular will enjoy this humorous, biting commentary on humanity itself from a feline observer!

Utterly delightful, magnificently narrated

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This book jumps between making me laugh and making me think deeply about a matter. It’s an exceptional piece of literature!

Funny, insightful

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