I Am a Cat

By: Soseki Natsume, Aiko Ito - translator, Graeme Wilson - translator

Narrated by: David Shih

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

Great performance!

Narrator's performance is great. Many different voices for the characters, such that upon hearing a particular voice, you know which character it is, before the text says who is talking. This adds a lot of interest to the book. His pronunciation of Japanese and Chinese words is also better than many narrators.

The book isn't merely random observations of humans in the Meiji era by a cat, but has a story line throughout. Interesting traditional Japan and its customs, with some outdated views, interesting side stories about various happenings, sometimes even funny. The third part gets very philosophical at times but eventually does returns to the main story, which I think is more interesting.

The cat does have a superhuman knowledge of both the East and West, which had been clarified in the foreword, so that wasn't a problem. The foreword introduces the story well and clears away criticisms and questions a reader might have later.

Mostly 5 stars, spoiler in foreward very annoying

Why would a book include a spoiler in the forward/introduction without a warning? I had never heard of this book until recently and was so excited to listen to it, but knowing a big part of the ending took a little of the enjoyment out of it. So read it after, not before, if you don't know the outcome of the book.

I very much enjoyed this otherwise. Because of the way it was originally published it does seem like it's supposed to end fairly early, but then goes on.

This book has some cat characters, but it is more of a cat's observation of humans. It is often humorous. It is a slice of Japanese life mixed in with the influences of the Western world. Some of the people are so annoying and the cat tells it like it is. The narrator does this all almost perfectly.

I listened to this after several other Japanese books. I'm moving on now, but I'll be back to more Japanese books before too long.

Interesting take on life from a cats point of view

This was a good book I could of been shorter there were parts that I feel it didn't make sence to put in but overall if you want a perspective of early 1900's life in Japan from an outsiders view its a good book I'd recommend it

Great story and very good narration

I am not done yet, but more than halfway past. I believe I began this book in hard copy many years ago. I love it. It is satire in its purest form with all the humor and perspicacity and insight expected in satire. Using a cat as the observer of human behavior is brilliant.

The foreword spoils the ending

I really did enjoy this book and the narrator did an excellent job, but as the header says the foreword of the translator tells you exactly how the story ends and that made it quite hard to enjoy. I'm very firmly in the camp of its not the journey it's the ending so having the whole point of reading a book ruined before it begins put a damper on it. It's a good book, just skip the foreword if you get this.

The narrator was awesome and did such a wonderful performance

The narration was fantastic. The many voices he used were just great and so wonderful

Okay story

Felt long and dragged at some parts. Some parts were quite entertaining. Not too exciting but not too boring. Quite an unexpected and sad ending.

Loving the American-Japanese reader

The book was very well read. And it was nice to have a reader not butchering all of the Japanese words. The cat is hilarious, but you need to be into geeky academics jokes and passions.

Absolute classic

The book is a masterpiece. But what's even better is David Shih's narration, which brings it to life in a masterful way. 10/10, would recommend.

my furry roommates

I found myself inserting my memories of past cats and current cats into this story. and it makes me smile.