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I am a Cat #1-3
I Am a Cat
I am a cat. As yet I have no name.
So begins one of the most original and unforgettable works in Japanese literature.
Richly allegorical and delightfully readable, I Am a Cat is the chronicle of an unloved, unwanted, wandering kitten who spends all his time observing human nature - from the dramas of businessmen and schoolteachers to the foibles of priests and potentates. From this unique perspective, author Sōseki Natsume offers a biting commentary - shaped by his training in Chinese philosophy - on the social upheaval of the Meiji era.
I Am a Cat first appeared in ten installments in the literary magazine Hotoguisu (Cuckoo), between 1905 and 1906. Sōseki had not intended to write more than the short story that makes up the first chapter of this book. After its great critical and popular success, he expanded it into this epic novel, which is universally recognized as a classic of world literature.
RUNNING TIME ➜ 21hrs. and 50mins.
©1972 Aiko Ito and Graeme Wilson (P)2020 Tantor
So begins one of the most original and unforgettable works in Japanese literature.
Richly allegorical and delightfully readable, I Am a Cat is the chronicle of an unloved, unwanted, wandering kitten who spends all his time observing human nature - from the dramas of businessmen and schoolteachers to the foibles of priests and potentates. From this unique perspective, author Sōseki Natsume offers a biting commentary - shaped by his training in Chinese philosophy - on the social upheaval of the Meiji era.
I Am a Cat first appeared in ten installments in the literary magazine Hotoguisu (Cuckoo), between 1905 and 1906. Sōseki had not intended to write more than the short story that makes up the first chapter of this book. After its great critical and popular success, he expanded it into this epic novel, which is universally recognized as a classic of world literature.
RUNNING TIME ➜ 21hrs. and 50mins.
©1972 Aiko Ito and Graeme Wilson (P)2020 Tantor
Audible Audio
First published January 1, 1906
About the author
Natsume Sōseki
836 books2,910 followersNatsume Sōseki (夏目 漱石), born Natsume Kinnosuke (夏目 金之助), was a Japanese novelist. He is best known for his novels Kokoro, Botchan, I Am a Cat and his unfinished work Light and Darkness. He was also a scholar of British literature and composer of haiku, kanshi, and fairy tales. From 1984 until 2004, his portrait appeared on the front of the Japanese 1000 yen note. In Japan, he is often considered the greatest writer in modern Japanese history. He has had a profound effect on almost all important Japanese writers since.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,840 reviews
February 24, 2017
One of my favourite books of all time, I Am a Cat by Natsume Soseki is a comic masterpiece. Set in Tokyo before the WWI, the primary character is the author's cat who wanders around the neighbourhood picking up bits of conversation and making fun of its owner and his relationship with his wife and neighbours and students. Words escape me to describe how incredibly funny and perceptive this book it and what a pure pleasure it is to read. If you read one Soseki book besides Botchan, make it this one!
June 27, 2008
I've been a cat now for what seems like an eternity. If anyone asks you what it's like to be a cat, hand them a copy of the book and walk rapidly away. Reading the book has been a lot like having a cat as a pet -- occasionally delightful, sometimes insightful, and frequently annoying.
I Am a Cat was written by Japanese author Soseki Natsume at the end of the 1800s and the beginning of the 1900s. It's a gentle satire told from the point of view of a household cat in the home of a teacher of modest means and abilities. Most of the book listens in on the discussions the teacher, his wife, and his friends have about everyday life, love, and bureaucracy. It's more insightful than I feared it might be, but less engaging than I hoped it would be, mostly because the household that the cat occupies is a humdrum one. An occasional visitor provides most of the liveliness; he's a wit with a propensity for telling silly stories that promise a great payoff and usually fail to deliver. If you're curious about Japanese life around 1900 or you really, really, really love cats, then read the first 100 pages of this book. That will give you more than enough of an idea of the book as a whole.
I Am a Cat was written by Japanese author Soseki Natsume at the end of the 1800s and the beginning of the 1900s. It's a gentle satire told from the point of view of a household cat in the home of a teacher of modest means and abilities. Most of the book listens in on the discussions the teacher, his wife, and his friends have about everyday life, love, and bureaucracy. It's more insightful than I feared it might be, but less engaging than I hoped it would be, mostly because the household that the cat occupies is a humdrum one. An occasional visitor provides most of the liveliness; he's a wit with a propensity for telling silly stories that promise a great payoff and usually fail to deliver. If you're curious about Japanese life around 1900 or you really, really, really love cats, then read the first 100 pages of this book. That will give you more than enough of an idea of the book as a whole.
January 4, 2023
“Soy un gato, aunque todavía no tengo nombre.”
Natsume Sōseki es considerado uno de los padres de la literatura moderna del Japón. Con una larga trayectoria literaria, fue reconocido y admirado por sus contemporáneos y tomado como ejemplo a imitar por sus sucesores.
“Soy un gato”, escrita en 1904 y publicada en 1905 fue la primera novela que escribió y le sirvió para ingresar por la puerta grande del ámbito literario japonés. A partir de allí no se detendría. También vendrían obras maravillosas como “Botchan”, la bellísima “Kokoro”, “El minero”, “Sanshiro” y muchas más. Su legado sigue vigente y sus novelas siguen siendo leídas con asiduidad.
Ha sido verdaderamente leer “Soy un gato”. Hilarante, filosóficamente impecable, divertida, paródica y satírica, posee numerosos ingredientes que la hacen amena y disfrutable.
Lo que realmente hace apreciar su lectura es el desarrollo que Sōseki ha hecho de los cuatro personajes principales, siendo el gato sin nombre el narrador que lleva adelante la historia, acompañado por el dispéptico profesor Kushami, su dueño, un profesor de lenguas británicas de su ciudad (quien personaliza la introducción de la cultura occidental que el autor logró introducir en Japón a través de su obra), siguiendo con Metmei, el típico muchacho sabelotodo y verborrágico y sabelotodo que se la pasa hablando en la casa del profesor aunque nunca es invitado y también el joven Misushima Kangetsu, un muchacho que intenta conquistar el corazón de la hija de la familia Kaneda y que aún no ha terminado su tesis.
Acompañan a estos personajes principales otros verdaderamente valiosos como lo son el señor Suzuki, la criada Osan, la esposa del profesor Kushami y otros gatos amigos del narrador llamados Kuro y Mikeko.
Este entrañable gato tiene por objetivo "seguir recopilando material para este libro una monografía sobre ese animal de extrañas costumbres llamado ser humano."
De todas maneras, el gato de Sōseki no es el primero. No olvidemos que E.T.A. Hoffmann escribió en 1886 "Vida y opiniones del gato Murr" del que seguramente Sōseki debe haber tomado ciertas influencias, ya que las similitudes de los personajes, los diálogos y los planteamientos filosóficos son elocuentes.
Otra de las características que posee la novela es la mirada crítica, a través del gato, de la sociedad burguesa de la era Meiji (1868-1912). Aquí, Sōseki desarrolla su visión social, política y filosófica con profundo detenimiento de una época en la que Japón estaba iniciando su desarrollo en todos los ámbitos.
Las innumerables referencias históricas que el autor hace sobre el Japón, los distintos shogunatos, personajes políticos destacados y relaciones con otros escritores clásicos de la literatura occidental es de destacar y remarcar. Su trabajo en esto es por momentos verdaderamente enciclopédico.
También en la novela, Sōseki realiza una auténtica revalorización de la antigua cultura samuráis, las costumbres japonesas y los hábitos de su gente como la comida, la cultura, la vestimenta, etc.
El análisis que el gato desarrolla sobre los seres humanos me recuerda a lo que posteriormente también pondría en obra Franz Kafka con sus inolvidables relatos “Informe para una academia” e “Investigaciones de un perro”, aunque estos asumen posturas y desarrollo humano, la conexión con el gato de esta novela es similar.
La novela también posee, argumental y estructuralmente, referencias insoslayables al “Tristram Shandy” de Sterne o al “Sartus Resartus” de Carlyle, como también similitudes con la narrativa de algunas novelas de Charles Dickens.
Por último, debo reconocer que seguramente Haruki Murakami debe haberse inspirado en este y otros libros de Sōseki para escribir sus novelas, dado que muchas situaciones y especialmente en la características de los personajes algunos parecidos son sorprendentes.
Seguiré leyendo novelas de Natsume Sōseki ya que luego de haber disfrutado tanto de “Soy un gato” sé que este maravilloso autor no me defraudará.
Natsume Sōseki es considerado uno de los padres de la literatura moderna del Japón. Con una larga trayectoria literaria, fue reconocido y admirado por sus contemporáneos y tomado como ejemplo a imitar por sus sucesores.
“Soy un gato”, escrita en 1904 y publicada en 1905 fue la primera novela que escribió y le sirvió para ingresar por la puerta grande del ámbito literario japonés. A partir de allí no se detendría. También vendrían obras maravillosas como “Botchan”, la bellísima “Kokoro”, “El minero”, “Sanshiro” y muchas más. Su legado sigue vigente y sus novelas siguen siendo leídas con asiduidad.
Ha sido verdaderamente leer “Soy un gato”. Hilarante, filosóficamente impecable, divertida, paródica y satírica, posee numerosos ingredientes que la hacen amena y disfrutable.
Lo que realmente hace apreciar su lectura es el desarrollo que Sōseki ha hecho de los cuatro personajes principales, siendo el gato sin nombre el narrador que lleva adelante la historia, acompañado por el dispéptico profesor Kushami, su dueño, un profesor de lenguas británicas de su ciudad (quien personaliza la introducción de la cultura occidental que el autor logró introducir en Japón a través de su obra), siguiendo con Metmei, el típico muchacho sabelotodo y verborrágico y sabelotodo que se la pasa hablando en la casa del profesor aunque nunca es invitado y también el joven Misushima Kangetsu, un muchacho que intenta conquistar el corazón de la hija de la familia Kaneda y que aún no ha terminado su tesis.
Acompañan a estos personajes principales otros verdaderamente valiosos como lo son el señor Suzuki, la criada Osan, la esposa del profesor Kushami y otros gatos amigos del narrador llamados Kuro y Mikeko.
Este entrañable gato tiene por objetivo "seguir recopilando material para este libro una monografía sobre ese animal de extrañas costumbres llamado ser humano."
De todas maneras, el gato de Sōseki no es el primero. No olvidemos que E.T.A. Hoffmann escribió en 1886 "Vida y opiniones del gato Murr" del que seguramente Sōseki debe haber tomado ciertas influencias, ya que las similitudes de los personajes, los diálogos y los planteamientos filosóficos son elocuentes.
Otra de las características que posee la novela es la mirada crítica, a través del gato, de la sociedad burguesa de la era Meiji (1868-1912). Aquí, Sōseki desarrolla su visión social, política y filosófica con profundo detenimiento de una época en la que Japón estaba iniciando su desarrollo en todos los ámbitos.
Las innumerables referencias históricas que el autor hace sobre el Japón, los distintos shogunatos, personajes políticos destacados y relaciones con otros escritores clásicos de la literatura occidental es de destacar y remarcar. Su trabajo en esto es por momentos verdaderamente enciclopédico.
También en la novela, Sōseki realiza una auténtica revalorización de la antigua cultura samuráis, las costumbres japonesas y los hábitos de su gente como la comida, la cultura, la vestimenta, etc.
El análisis que el gato desarrolla sobre los seres humanos me recuerda a lo que posteriormente también pondría en obra Franz Kafka con sus inolvidables relatos “Informe para una academia” e “Investigaciones de un perro”, aunque estos asumen posturas y desarrollo humano, la conexión con el gato de esta novela es similar.
La novela también posee, argumental y estructuralmente, referencias insoslayables al “Tristram Shandy” de Sterne o al “Sartus Resartus” de Carlyle, como también similitudes con la narrativa de algunas novelas de Charles Dickens.
Por último, debo reconocer que seguramente Haruki Murakami debe haberse inspirado en este y otros libros de Sōseki para escribir sus novelas, dado que muchas situaciones y especialmente en la características de los personajes algunos parecidos son sorprendentes.
Seguiré leyendo novelas de Natsume Sōseki ya que luego de haber disfrutado tanto de “Soy un gato” sé que este maravilloso autor no me defraudará.
April 2, 2024
Прекрасный сатирический роман классика японской литературы Сосэки Нацумэ. Критиковал он, безусловно, японское общество того времени, но люди везде и во все времена страдают одними и теми же пороками, поэтому остается только поражаться насколько его роман свеж, современен и актуален для всех. Объектами его критики и высмеивания является и ограниченность людей, и жадность толстосумов, и ура-патриотизм, и военная пропаганда духа Ямато (разве это сильно отличается от сегодняшних реалий?). Писатель размышляет о различии между западной и японской культурой. Он критикует полицейский произвол и слежку. Опять же, наше общество сейчас еще более поражено этим явлением, и уже никто не может этому противостоять.
«Когда у неосторожного вытаскивают из-за пазухи кошелек, — говорит он, — это называется воровством. А когда к неосторожному залезают в душу, — это сыск. Когда тайком забираются в дом и уносят вещи, — это грабеж. А когда тайком извлекают из тебя сведения, — это сыск. Когда с оружием в руках отбирают собственность, — это бандитизм. А когда гнусными словами ломают твою волю и душу, — это сыск».
Нацумэ высмеивает обывательское затхлое болото, нежелание развиваться, думать. «Сыщик — это сыщик. Агент — это агент. Недавно — это недавно. Сегодня — это сегодня. Постоянство мнений свидетельствует об отсутствии умственного прогресса.» Еще одним большим объектом критики является индивидуализм и, в особенности, ницшеанский сверхчеловек.
«Древние учат нас: «Забудь себя». А современная жизнь учит совершенно иному: «Не забывай о себе». Современный человек переполнен сознанием собственного «Я». Это постоянное горение в аду. А ведь нет на свете ничего более прекрасного, чем забыть себя.»
«Когда у неосторожного вытаскивают из-за пазухи кошелек, — говорит он, — это называется воровством. А когда к неосторожному залезают в душу, — это сыск. Когда тайком забираются в дом и уносят вещи, — это грабеж. А когда тайком извлекают из тебя сведения, — это сыск. Когда с оружием в руках отбирают собственность, — это бандитизм. А когда гнусными словами ломают твою волю и душу, — это сыск».
Нацумэ высмеивает обывательское затхлое болото, нежелание развиваться, думать. «Сыщик — это сыщик. Агент — это агент. Недавно — это недавно. Сегодня — это сегодня. Постоянство мнений свидетельствует об отсутствии умственного прогресса.» Еще одним большим объектом критики является индивидуализм и, в особенности, ницшеанский сверхчеловек.
«Древние учат нас: «Забудь себя». А современная жизнь учит совершенно иному: «Не забывай о себе». Современный человек переполнен сознанием собственного «Я». Это постоянное горение в аду. А ведь нет на свете ничего более прекрасного, чем забыть себя.»
March 12, 2022
4,5/5
Natsume Sōseki es uno de los escritores más importantes de Japón, tanto es así que es de lectura obligatoria en la escuela secundaria y el libro japonés más vendido es “Kokoro”, su obra cumbre. Tras haber leído dos de sus novelas sabía que tenia que aventurarme con “Soy un gato”, un libro que parte con una premisa que en el presente puede no parecer demasiado original pero que en la época fue todo un desafío, además no es un gato cualquiera, pero eso tendréis que descubrirlo vosotros mismos.
Esta historia narra las peripecias de un gato que bien podría ser un filósofo que observa, analiza y comenta la naturaleza y conducta de los seres humanos con los que se cruza en su camino. Gran parte de la acción de la novela se desarrolla en la casa del maestro (nuevo amo de este gatuno sin nombre), donde recibe visitas de conocidos, amigos intelectuales extravagantes y se suceden múltiples e incontables conversaciones hilarantes entre este fantástico grupo. Los diálogos toman el mando de la narración, los debates morales, las historias y anécdotas falsas, las burlas y los comentarios de estos resultan aveces absurdos, otros filosóficos pero en general, graciosos y estimulantes.
Pero también debo mencionar a nuestro narrador, es probablemente imposible no cogerle un cariño especial a este minino que seguramente sea el más culto que haya existido pues conoce en profundidad datos históricos, es inteligente y su mente se asemeja más a la de humano que a la de un felino. Incluso hay algunas ocasiones extremadamente graciosas donde este intenta comportarse como debería hacerlo, por ejemplo cazando, pero fracasa en el intento. Su prisma y visión no hace más que realzar y mejorar la narración que ya de por sí es excepcional.
No os voy a negar que la lectura se hace algo lenta en algunos pasajes, pero aun así no resulta pesada, ni logra convertirse en un texto tedioso pues su calidad es indiscutible. Lo ideal supongo que es tomárselo con calma e ir leyéndolo despacio y sin prisas. No tiene una estructura común y se centra en reflejar una época en la vida de estos personajes, sin centrarse en una trama convencional y obviamente de forma encubierta criticar a la burguesía tokiota de la era Meiji.
En conclusión, leer a Soseki es siempre un acierto, es un escritor que sintetiza muy bien los pensamientos y la cultura japonesa de la época. Tiene un sentido del humor muy particular con el que conecto por completo y que ameniza cualquier ratito de lectura. Una joya, que hay que leer si amas la literatura japonesa y obviamente a estos felinos tan curiosos. Tercer libro del autor que leo y que me hace disfrutar, deseando seguir descubriendo sus obras.
Natsume Sōseki es uno de los escritores más importantes de Japón, tanto es así que es de lectura obligatoria en la escuela secundaria y el libro japonés más vendido es “Kokoro”, su obra cumbre. Tras haber leído dos de sus novelas sabía que tenia que aventurarme con “Soy un gato”, un libro que parte con una premisa que en el presente puede no parecer demasiado original pero que en la época fue todo un desafío, además no es un gato cualquiera, pero eso tendréis que descubrirlo vosotros mismos.
Esta historia narra las peripecias de un gato que bien podría ser un filósofo que observa, analiza y comenta la naturaleza y conducta de los seres humanos con los que se cruza en su camino. Gran parte de la acción de la novela se desarrolla en la casa del maestro (nuevo amo de este gatuno sin nombre), donde recibe visitas de conocidos, amigos intelectuales extravagantes y se suceden múltiples e incontables conversaciones hilarantes entre este fantástico grupo. Los diálogos toman el mando de la narración, los debates morales, las historias y anécdotas falsas, las burlas y los comentarios de estos resultan aveces absurdos, otros filosóficos pero en general, graciosos y estimulantes.
Pero también debo mencionar a nuestro narrador, es probablemente imposible no cogerle un cariño especial a este minino que seguramente sea el más culto que haya existido pues conoce en profundidad datos históricos, es inteligente y su mente se asemeja más a la de humano que a la de un felino. Incluso hay algunas ocasiones extremadamente graciosas donde este intenta comportarse como debería hacerlo, por ejemplo cazando, pero fracasa en el intento. Su prisma y visión no hace más que realzar y mejorar la narración que ya de por sí es excepcional.
No os voy a negar que la lectura se hace algo lenta en algunos pasajes, pero aun así no resulta pesada, ni logra convertirse en un texto tedioso pues su calidad es indiscutible. Lo ideal supongo que es tomárselo con calma e ir leyéndolo despacio y sin prisas. No tiene una estructura común y se centra en reflejar una época en la vida de estos personajes, sin centrarse en una trama convencional y obviamente de forma encubierta criticar a la burguesía tokiota de la era Meiji.
En conclusión, leer a Soseki es siempre un acierto, es un escritor que sintetiza muy bien los pensamientos y la cultura japonesa de la época. Tiene un sentido del humor muy particular con el que conecto por completo y que ameniza cualquier ratito de lectura. Una joya, que hay que leer si amas la literatura japonesa y obviamente a estos felinos tan curiosos. Tercer libro del autor que leo y que me hace disfrutar, deseando seguir descubriendo sus obras.
September 8, 2024
Natsume Soseki holds an unparalleled position in both Japanese and world literary history. His masterpiece, I Am a Cat, is undoubtedly a Japanese household name. This satirical work is a classic exploration of the minds of Japanese intellectuals during the Meiji era. Soseki's wit and satire extend far beyond his own time. His penetrating and inquisitive 'cat eyes' seem to continue to observe the bizarre and fantastical aspects of Japanese society even a century later.
The most striking aspect of this book is its rich and varied language. Whether it's the unnamed kitten as the narrator or the characters like Kushami and his friends, they're all masters of conversation. They have a tendency to ramble, going off on tangents, when they could easily convey their points in a few sentences. The book is filled with lengthy monologues and dialogues, expanding both the length and breadth of the text.
It's worth noting that these long-winded discussions are not only a key device in the book’s narrative but also serve to shape the characters. The arrogance and patriotism of intellectuals, the greed and selfishness of capitalists, and the narrow-mindedness of the common people are all clearly depicted. Soseki’s skill in critical realism is evident here.
I Am a Cat is like a sea cucumber, with no discernible head or tail, allowing it to be cut off at any point. It lacks a dramatic plot or a suspenseful structure and relies instead on a continuous flow of language. This was undoubtedly an innovative approach at the time. If I weren't so accustomed to Japanese literature, I probably would have given up reading it.
Soseki wasn't the first to use a cat as a narrator to view the world. This technique is also common among young Japanese writers. However, among all the novels of this type, the kitten in this novel is the most memorable for me. Its constant chatter and exceptional intelligence are both hilarious and impressive. This nameless, faceless feline either delivers grand speeches, satirizing everything in sight, or offers incisive critiques of contemporary issues. What humans take for granted is subjected to the kitten’s playful scrutiny, judgment, and satire. As a result, the familiar world, when viewed through the lens of a cat, reveals a distorted reality that is both startling and thought-provoking.
For instance, the kitten mocks humans for spending so much time and effort on fashion despite being born naked. It also ridicules Kushami for taking a thick book to bed even though he falls asleep immediately. The kitten even goes so far as to claim that God is "ignorant and incompetent" for creating humans with such diverse appearances. Its ability to quote from both Eastern and Western literature with ease is astonishing, making it clear that this is no ordinary feline.
Despite its high opinion of itself and its desire to distinguish itself from other “common” cats, the kitten is also subject to ordinary feline foibles. It gets its mouth stuck in a piece of rice cake due to its gluttony, poses dramatically with a captured mouse as if it were a victorious general, only to be defeated by a swarm of rats. Through the kitten’s short life, Soseki satirically portrays the confusion and helplessness of intellectuals during a period of great cultural change.
His ability to blend high and lowbrow language is evident in the dynamic and expressive nature of his feline narrator. The humor and wit of Edo-period literature, the elegance and strength of classical Chinese literature, and the sharpness and beauty of modern Western literature all converge in this work, providing a solid cultural foundation. Without a deep understanding of these literary traditions, it would be impossible to achieve the kind of timeless satire that Soseki has. This is what I call 'effortless mastery.' Soseki's profound knowledge distinguishes him from those who prioritize superficial entertainment. While crude humor might temporarily appeal to the masses, it ultimately lacks intellectual substance.
Through the cat's lens, he critiques the arrogance and weakness of intellectuals, painting them as linguistic giants but practical dwarfs. While he reserves his harshest criticism for the likes of Kinta, Kushami and Meitei, despite their flaws, value knowledge and justice, despising the corruption of money and power. The nouveau riche, who oppress and marginalize intellectuals, are the true villains of society. As Soseki writes: ”Society is a madhouse... Those who think rationally and empathetically become obstacles, confined to asylums, deprived of the light of day. The great madmen wield money and power, enslaving countless smaller madmen.”
Confronted with the harsh realities of the Meiji era, a time marked by rampant materialism and the collapse of traditional values in the name of "civilization and enlightenment," Soseki undoubtedly felt a deep sense of pain. As a witness to his time, I Am a Cat serves as a powerful testament to his opposition to Japan's wholesale adoption of Western culture. It's worth noting that Soseki himself had studied in England but was unable to reconcile himself with Western society, instead becoming disillusioned by its many flaws. This led to severe neurasthenia, and the bitterness expressed in his debut novel is directed both at his society and at himself.
He knew that the values he held dear were destined to wither away like cherry blossoms, and that materialism would ultimately triumph. His dream of reforming the national character through traditional culture was nothing more than a fleeting fantasy. The clash between the limited power of intellectuals and the boundless influence of capital filled him with resentment and despair. Beneath the seemingly lighthearted and rambling nature of I Am a Cat lies a deep-seated internal conflict.
Through the words of his characters, Soseki expresses his pessimism about the future of humanity: ”Death is painful, but living without the ability to die is even more painful. For a nation suffering from neurasthenia, living is more painful than dying." And, ”A thousand years from now, everyone will commit suicide. Ten thousand years from now, there will be no other way to die except by suicide." These bleak predictions, voiced by his characters, are in fact a reflection of his own observations of society.
Despite its often humorous tone, this book actually concludes on a tragic note. After drinking Kushami's sake and falling into a water tank, the kitten, through its struggles to escape, reaches a profound realization: "It's absurd to struggle to get out when you can't. It's just inviting more suffering." Accepting its fate, the cat bids farewell to the world. The human world loses a witty and insightful observer, and while this loss may seem insignificant, it actually makes the world a more chaotic and hopeless place.
If the kitten had not died, the novel could have continued indefinitely, leaving readers adrift in a sea of endless words. As the cat says before its death, ”Only in death can I find peace. Without death, there can be no peace." This seemingly lighthearted yet deeply pessimistic novel, filled with satire and despair, offers a sobering perspective no matter where one begins reading. It's like a bitter drink, leaving a taste of resignation but also a glimmer of hope. This hope stems from the author's sense of responsibility and mission. Throughout his brief 49 years, he never ceased to criticize his countrymen and ponder the fate of his nation. In the face of societal and moral decay, he refused to conform or compromise.
In an era where literary icons are no longer revered, ”reading the classics" has become a niche pursuit. In contrast, excessive and superficial entertainment has become a dominant force in shaping society. Therefore, I sincerely hope that this review will inspire you to read this timeless classic.
3.8 / 5 stars
The most striking aspect of this book is its rich and varied language. Whether it's the unnamed kitten as the narrator or the characters like Kushami and his friends, they're all masters of conversation. They have a tendency to ramble, going off on tangents, when they could easily convey their points in a few sentences. The book is filled with lengthy monologues and dialogues, expanding both the length and breadth of the text.
It's worth noting that these long-winded discussions are not only a key device in the book’s narrative but also serve to shape the characters. The arrogance and patriotism of intellectuals, the greed and selfishness of capitalists, and the narrow-mindedness of the common people are all clearly depicted. Soseki’s skill in critical realism is evident here.
I Am a Cat is like a sea cucumber, with no discernible head or tail, allowing it to be cut off at any point. It lacks a dramatic plot or a suspenseful structure and relies instead on a continuous flow of language. This was undoubtedly an innovative approach at the time. If I weren't so accustomed to Japanese literature, I probably would have given up reading it.
Soseki wasn't the first to use a cat as a narrator to view the world. This technique is also common among young Japanese writers. However, among all the novels of this type, the kitten in this novel is the most memorable for me. Its constant chatter and exceptional intelligence are both hilarious and impressive. This nameless, faceless feline either delivers grand speeches, satirizing everything in sight, or offers incisive critiques of contemporary issues. What humans take for granted is subjected to the kitten’s playful scrutiny, judgment, and satire. As a result, the familiar world, when viewed through the lens of a cat, reveals a distorted reality that is both startling and thought-provoking.
For instance, the kitten mocks humans for spending so much time and effort on fashion despite being born naked. It also ridicules Kushami for taking a thick book to bed even though he falls asleep immediately. The kitten even goes so far as to claim that God is "ignorant and incompetent" for creating humans with such diverse appearances. Its ability to quote from both Eastern and Western literature with ease is astonishing, making it clear that this is no ordinary feline.
Despite its high opinion of itself and its desire to distinguish itself from other “common” cats, the kitten is also subject to ordinary feline foibles. It gets its mouth stuck in a piece of rice cake due to its gluttony, poses dramatically with a captured mouse as if it were a victorious general, only to be defeated by a swarm of rats. Through the kitten’s short life, Soseki satirically portrays the confusion and helplessness of intellectuals during a period of great cultural change.
His ability to blend high and lowbrow language is evident in the dynamic and expressive nature of his feline narrator. The humor and wit of Edo-period literature, the elegance and strength of classical Chinese literature, and the sharpness and beauty of modern Western literature all converge in this work, providing a solid cultural foundation. Without a deep understanding of these literary traditions, it would be impossible to achieve the kind of timeless satire that Soseki has. This is what I call 'effortless mastery.' Soseki's profound knowledge distinguishes him from those who prioritize superficial entertainment. While crude humor might temporarily appeal to the masses, it ultimately lacks intellectual substance.
Through the cat's lens, he critiques the arrogance and weakness of intellectuals, painting them as linguistic giants but practical dwarfs. While he reserves his harshest criticism for the likes of Kinta, Kushami and Meitei, despite their flaws, value knowledge and justice, despising the corruption of money and power. The nouveau riche, who oppress and marginalize intellectuals, are the true villains of society. As Soseki writes: ”Society is a madhouse... Those who think rationally and empathetically become obstacles, confined to asylums, deprived of the light of day. The great madmen wield money and power, enslaving countless smaller madmen.”
Confronted with the harsh realities of the Meiji era, a time marked by rampant materialism and the collapse of traditional values in the name of "civilization and enlightenment," Soseki undoubtedly felt a deep sense of pain. As a witness to his time, I Am a Cat serves as a powerful testament to his opposition to Japan's wholesale adoption of Western culture. It's worth noting that Soseki himself had studied in England but was unable to reconcile himself with Western society, instead becoming disillusioned by its many flaws. This led to severe neurasthenia, and the bitterness expressed in his debut novel is directed both at his society and at himself.
He knew that the values he held dear were destined to wither away like cherry blossoms, and that materialism would ultimately triumph. His dream of reforming the national character through traditional culture was nothing more than a fleeting fantasy. The clash between the limited power of intellectuals and the boundless influence of capital filled him with resentment and despair. Beneath the seemingly lighthearted and rambling nature of I Am a Cat lies a deep-seated internal conflict.
Through the words of his characters, Soseki expresses his pessimism about the future of humanity: ”Death is painful, but living without the ability to die is even more painful. For a nation suffering from neurasthenia, living is more painful than dying." And, ”A thousand years from now, everyone will commit suicide. Ten thousand years from now, there will be no other way to die except by suicide." These bleak predictions, voiced by his characters, are in fact a reflection of his own observations of society.
Despite its often humorous tone, this book actually concludes on a tragic note. After drinking Kushami's sake and falling into a water tank, the kitten, through its struggles to escape, reaches a profound realization: "It's absurd to struggle to get out when you can't. It's just inviting more suffering." Accepting its fate, the cat bids farewell to the world. The human world loses a witty and insightful observer, and while this loss may seem insignificant, it actually makes the world a more chaotic and hopeless place.
If the kitten had not died, the novel could have continued indefinitely, leaving readers adrift in a sea of endless words. As the cat says before its death, ”Only in death can I find peace. Without death, there can be no peace." This seemingly lighthearted yet deeply pessimistic novel, filled with satire and despair, offers a sobering perspective no matter where one begins reading. It's like a bitter drink, leaving a taste of resignation but also a glimmer of hope. This hope stems from the author's sense of responsibility and mission. Throughout his brief 49 years, he never ceased to criticize his countrymen and ponder the fate of his nation. In the face of societal and moral decay, he refused to conform or compromise.
In an era where literary icons are no longer revered, ”reading the classics" has become a niche pursuit. In contrast, excessive and superficial entertainment has become a dominant force in shaping society. Therefore, I sincerely hope that this review will inspire you to read this timeless classic.
3.8 / 5 stars
May 28, 2024
Well, I loved the narration style, humour, philosophical ramblings of our cat and his amusing habits. Really enjoyed these elements of the book. But otherwise it was quite a slog, a lot of nonsensical conversations(about noses, God!). A meandering narrative, an abrupt end(a very depressing one, contrary to the humorous narrative tone). I do wish it had ended in a better way.
I don't regret reading it, it's not a bad book by any means. I am actually planning to read more from the author. Let's see how that goes.
I loved our narrator a lot! he is a special cat :)
Here are some really insightful observations by our special narrator...
“In the old days, a man was taught to forget himself. Today it is quite different: he is taught not to forget himself and he accordingly spends his days and nights in endless self-regard. Who can possibly know peace in such an eternally burning hell? The apparent realities of this awful world, even the beast lines of being, are all symptoms of that sickness for which the only cure lies in learning to forget the self."
“You must not speak ill of other persons. After all, everyone dies when their allotted span is over.”
“The prime fact is that all humans are puffed up by their extreme self-satisfaction with their own brute power. Unless some creature more powerful than people arrives on earth to bully them, there’s just no knowing to what dire lengths their fool presumptuousness will eventually carry them.”
“The world's evaluations of an individual's social worth, like the slits in my eyeballs, change with time and circumstance. In point of fact my pupil-slits vary but modestly between broad and narrow, but mankind's judgements turn somersaults and cartwheels for no conceivable reason.”
I don't regret reading it, it's not a bad book by any means. I am actually planning to read more from the author. Let's see how that goes.
I loved our narrator a lot! he is a special cat :)
Here are some really insightful observations by our special narrator...
“In the old days, a man was taught to forget himself. Today it is quite different: he is taught not to forget himself and he accordingly spends his days and nights in endless self-regard. Who can possibly know peace in such an eternally burning hell? The apparent realities of this awful world, even the beast lines of being, are all symptoms of that sickness for which the only cure lies in learning to forget the self."
“You must not speak ill of other persons. After all, everyone dies when their allotted span is over.”
“The prime fact is that all humans are puffed up by their extreme self-satisfaction with their own brute power. Unless some creature more powerful than people arrives on earth to bully them, there’s just no knowing to what dire lengths their fool presumptuousness will eventually carry them.”
“The world's evaluations of an individual's social worth, like the slits in my eyeballs, change with time and circumstance. In point of fact my pupil-slits vary but modestly between broad and narrow, but mankind's judgements turn somersaults and cartwheels for no conceivable reason.”
July 9, 2009
"I've had enough of being farted at by weasels and crippled with side-swipes from the fishmonger's pole"
I feel your pain Rickshaw Blacky. I feel your pain!
-----------------
This book is best read with a nice fat cat curled up in your lap purring away... while you are fidgeting, ever so slightly so as not to disturb the cat but attempting to figure out how to comfortably read since the cat is sleeping precisely where you would usually rest this nearly 500 page tome. The cat is sitting there thinking "heh, what a moron!" and before you know it you have been punk'd my friend - suckered in and made a total fool of. You are that feline's bitch! And if you're not careful you just may find yourself the subject of a hysterical book that is a wonderful social satire through the eyes of a cat.
Now you don't actually need to be a cat fancier to enjoy this book. It's simply a device used as an external viewpoint on us crazy humans. While there are occasions where the appreciation of the feline species will give you some extra laughs, the majority of the book feels like an old-fashioned omniscient narrator tale. Even the no-name cat remarks on his uncanny ability to read human minds and decipher the psychology behind our actions.
Soseki studied/taught English literature and spent some time in England and while you never forget that you are in Japan, this reads very much like a turn of the century (19th/20th) British farce à la Oscar Wilde or P.G. Wodehouse. Though some of this could also be due to the translation but the kind of social send-ups seem very anglo-saxon to me - misunderstandings and/or disregard of social rank, malaprops, confused identities... Nearly every page has a juicy quotable tidbit.
It did get unexpectedly slightly heavy at the end which wasn't quite in tune with the tone of the rest of the book but wildly amusing throughout and a perfect summer read.
I feel your pain Rickshaw Blacky. I feel your pain!
-----------------
This book is best read with a nice fat cat curled up in your lap purring away... while you are fidgeting, ever so slightly so as not to disturb the cat but attempting to figure out how to comfortably read since the cat is sleeping precisely where you would usually rest this nearly 500 page tome. The cat is sitting there thinking "heh, what a moron!" and before you know it you have been punk'd my friend - suckered in and made a total fool of. You are that feline's bitch! And if you're not careful you just may find yourself the subject of a hysterical book that is a wonderful social satire through the eyes of a cat.
Now you don't actually need to be a cat fancier to enjoy this book. It's simply a device used as an external viewpoint on us crazy humans. While there are occasions where the appreciation of the feline species will give you some extra laughs, the majority of the book feels like an old-fashioned omniscient narrator tale. Even the no-name cat remarks on his uncanny ability to read human minds and decipher the psychology behind our actions.
Soseki studied/taught English literature and spent some time in England and while you never forget that you are in Japan, this reads very much like a turn of the century (19th/20th) British farce à la Oscar Wilde or P.G. Wodehouse. Though some of this could also be due to the translation but the kind of social send-ups seem very anglo-saxon to me - misunderstandings and/or disregard of social rank, malaprops, confused identities... Nearly every page has a juicy quotable tidbit.
It did get unexpectedly slightly heavy at the end which wasn't quite in tune with the tone of the rest of the book but wildly amusing throughout and a perfect summer read.
Want to read
June 17, 2024i wish
March 17, 2022
A wonderful book that has less and less cat in it as the book progresses.
However, the dialogue and stories told are wonderful and the interactions between the characters are excellent. The human characters are fascinating in their originality and keenly observed by the author.
I would recommend this book to all. As for the ending, well I shouldn't say...
However, the dialogue and stories told are wonderful and the interactions between the characters are excellent. The human characters are fascinating in their originality and keenly observed by the author.
I would recommend this book to all. As for the ending, well I shouldn't say...
May 15, 2022
*بدون خطر لو رفتن داستان*
بعد از چهلوپنج روز استراحت و دوری از کتابها، برگشتم، و به عنوان اولین کتاب، رفتم سراغ این غول ششصدوپنجاه صفحهای!
داستان کتاب خیلی شیرین و نرم شروع شد. روزهای اول به سرعت و با اشتیاق پیش میرفتم، تا اینکه کم کم از اون حالت اولیهاش درومد و هرچی جلوتر میرفتم سختخوانتر و نافهمیدنیتر و حوصلهسربرتر میشد.
بهطوری که روزهای آخر، ادامه دادنش برام به یک چالش تبدیل شده بود! سه چهار روز آخر هم، فقط با خودم تکرار میکردم که ادامه بده، ادامه بده، کوتاه نیا که داره تموم میشه! :))
اسم کتاب، و شروعش باعث شد فکر کنم که تا آخر، من هستم و یک بچه گربه که میخواد منو ببره به دنیای پر رمز و راز خودش!
اما، زهی خیال باطل! هر فصل کتاب اگر پنجاه صفحه بود، شاید یک پاراگرافاش در مورد بچه گربهی داستان بود و بقیهی چهل و نه صفحه، در مورد اتفاقات به شدت حوصلهسربر پیرامون شخصیتها و یا تحلیل فلسفههای صد سال پیش و تاریخ گذشته بود!
این کتاب به من ثابت کرد که ادبیات کلاسیک باب میل من نیست، حالا چه ادبیات کلاسیک اروپایی باشه چه آسیایی و شرقی و ژاپنی!
آره، ژاپن! ژاپنی که من برای موراکامیاش سر و دست میشکنم، اینجوری توی ادبیات کلاسیکاش ناامیدم کرد.
خلاصه که، این کتاب ادبیات کلاسیکه، طولانیه، حوصلهسربره و اصلا نود و نه درصدش در مورد گربه نیست! فریب اسمش رو نخورید! :))
بدون لو دادن اگر بخوام توضیح بدم، این کتاب، داستان یک معلمه و دوستانش، که گهگداری دور هم جمع میشن و در مورد مسائل مختلف با هم بحث میکنن! شوخیهای بیمزه میکنن و گفتگوهایی دارن که هیچ جذابیتی برای خواننده نداره! :))
البته، از حق نگذریم، گاهی اتفاقات ریز و درشتی هم میافته که خوندنش خالی از جذابیت نیست.
ولی هرچی که باشه، این کتاب، ادبیات ژاپنه و همه میدونن که ادبیات ژاپن مسحور کنندهاس، توصیفات زیبا داره، جزییات داره و خیلی وسواسیه، خوندنیه.
برای من، همین خوندن در مورد فرهنگ صد سال پیش ژاپن کافی بود که عاشق کتاب بشم.
کتاب خوبی بود، تا همیشه در ذهنم خواهد موند.
اگر صبر ایوب و گنج قارون و عمر نوح دارید، بخونیدش! :))
بعد از چهلوپنج روز استراحت و دوری از کتابها، برگشتم، و به عنوان اولین کتاب، رفتم سراغ این غول ششصدوپنجاه صفحهای!
داستان کتاب خیلی شیرین و نرم شروع شد. روزهای اول به سرعت و با اشتیاق پیش میرفتم، تا اینکه کم کم از اون حالت اولیهاش درومد و هرچی جلوتر میرفتم سختخوانتر و نافهمیدنیتر و حوصلهسربرتر میشد.
بهطوری که روزهای آخر، ادامه دادنش برام به یک چالش تبدیل شده بود! سه چهار روز آخر هم، فقط با خودم تکرار میکردم که ادامه بده، ادامه بده، کوتاه نیا که داره تموم میشه! :))
اسم کتاب، و شروعش باعث شد فکر کنم که تا آخر، من هستم و یک بچه گربه که میخواد منو ببره به دنیای پر رمز و راز خودش!
اما، زهی خیال باطل! هر فصل کتاب اگر پنجاه صفحه بود، شاید یک پاراگرافاش در مورد بچه گربهی داستان بود و بقیهی چهل و نه صفحه، در مورد اتفاقات به شدت حوصلهسربر پیرامون شخصیتها و یا تحلیل فلسفههای صد سال پیش و تاریخ گذشته بود!
این کتاب به من ثابت کرد که ادبیات کلاسیک باب میل من نیست، حالا چه ادبیات کلاسیک اروپایی باشه چه آسیایی و شرقی و ژاپنی!
آره، ژاپن! ژاپنی که من برای موراکامیاش سر و دست میشکنم، اینجوری توی ادبیات کلاسیکاش ناامیدم کرد.
خلاصه که، این کتاب ادبیات کلاسیکه، طولانیه، حوصلهسربره و اصلا نود و نه درصدش در مورد گربه نیست! فریب اسمش رو نخورید! :))
بدون لو دادن اگر بخوام توضیح بدم، این کتاب، داستان یک معلمه و دوستانش، که گهگداری دور هم جمع میشن و در مورد مسائل مختلف با هم بحث میکنن! شوخیهای بیمزه میکنن و گفتگوهایی دارن که هیچ جذابیتی برای خواننده نداره! :))
البته، از حق نگذریم، گاهی اتفاقات ریز و درشتی هم میافته که خوندنش خالی از جذابیت نیست.
ولی هرچی که باشه، این کتاب، ادبیات ژاپنه و همه میدونن که ادبیات ژاپن مسحور کنندهاس، توصیفات زیبا داره، جزییات داره و خیلی وسواسیه، خوندنیه.
برای من، همین خوندن در مورد فرهنگ صد سال پیش ژاپن کافی بود که عاشق کتاب بشم.
کتاب خوبی بود، تا همیشه در ذهنم خواهد موند.
اگر صبر ایوب و گنج قارون و عمر نوح دارید، بخونیدش! :))
August 9, 2020
ویرایش شده(پینوشت اضافه شد☺)
این رمان از زبان یک بچهگربه تعریف میشه که در خونه یک آقای معلم تنبل و بداخلاق زندگی میکنه. این آدم که به شدت زشت هم هست چون آبلهروعه اسمش آقای بدترکیبه 😂 کتابی پر از طنازی 😍😍😍 اکثراً موقع خوندنش لبخند به لب داشتم بسکه لبریز از طنز بود و نمکدون بود ���� روح ناتسومه سوسهکی شاد♥️
پ.ن
این کتاب از انتشارات نگاه به اسم "من یک گربه هستم" با ترجمهی آقای پرویز همتیان بروجنی هم در بازار موجوده اما به نظرم اینکه آقای علیقلیان به صورت جمع این کتاب رو ترجمه کردن باعث تاکید و تقویت طنزش شده چرا که گربهی داستان خودشو خیلی باهوشتر و فهمیدهتر از انسانها میدونه و این جمع بستن در سراسر داستان نشاندهنده احترامی هست که برای خودش قائله 😏😏
به نقل از مترجم محترم کتاب آقای علیقلیان:
داستان زندگی بچهگربهی طرد شده و سرگردانی که تمام وقت خود را صرف مشاهدهی انسانها و ماهیت زندگی آنها میکند - ��ز ماجراهای بازرگانان و معلمین گرفته تا نقاط ضعف کشیشان و قدرتمندان. ناتسومه سوسهکی تفسیری گزنده - که متاثر از آموزش او در فلسفه چینی است - در مورد تحولات اجتماعی دوره مجی در ژاپن ارائه میدهد. این شاهکار طنز، حماقت جامعه ژاپنی طبقه متوسط را در دوره مجی به تمسخر میگیرد. سوسهکی با شوخطبعی ، ماجراهای غریبانه یک بچه گربه ولگرد و خسته را دنبال میکند که پیرامون حماقتها و ناسازگاریهای افراد اطراف خود اظهار نظر میکند.
این رمان از زبان یک بچهگربه تعریف میشه که در خونه یک آقای معلم تنبل و بداخلاق زندگی میکنه. این آدم که به شدت زشت هم هست چون آبلهروعه اسمش آقای بدترکیبه 😂 کتابی پر از طنازی 😍😍😍 اکثراً موقع خوندنش لبخند به لب داشتم بسکه لبریز از طنز بود و نمکدون بود ���� روح ناتسومه سوسهکی شاد♥️
پ.ن
این کتاب از انتشارات نگاه به اسم "من یک گربه هستم" با ترجمهی آقای پرویز همتیان بروجنی هم در بازار موجوده اما به نظرم اینکه آقای علیقلیان به صورت جمع این کتاب رو ترجمه کردن باعث تاکید و تقویت طنزش شده چرا که گربهی داستان خودشو خیلی باهوشتر و فهمیدهتر از انسانها میدونه و این جمع بستن در سراسر داستان نشاندهنده احترامی هست که برای خودش قائله 😏😏
به نقل از مترجم محترم کتاب آقای علیقلیان:
داستان زندگی بچهگربهی طرد شده و سرگردانی که تمام وقت خود را صرف مشاهدهی انسانها و ماهیت زندگی آنها میکند - ��ز ماجراهای بازرگانان و معلمین گرفته تا نقاط ضعف کشیشان و قدرتمندان. ناتسومه سوسهکی تفسیری گزنده - که متاثر از آموزش او در فلسفه چینی است - در مورد تحولات اجتماعی دوره مجی در ژاپن ارائه میدهد. این شاهکار طنز، حماقت جامعه ژاپنی طبقه متوسط را در دوره مجی به تمسخر میگیرد. سوسهکی با شوخطبعی ، ماجراهای غریبانه یک بچه گربه ولگرد و خسته را دنبال میکند که پیرامون حماقتها و ناسازگاریهای افراد اطراف خود اظهار نظر میکند.
July 8, 2017
El libro trata de un gato sin nombre que nos relata, armado con gran sarcasmo y un aparente desprecio por la humanidad, su punto de vista respecto de la sociedad japonesa de la era Meiji en especial para con los intelectuales y la burguesía. He aquí uno de los mejores pasajes del libro:
Me encanta este tipo de sarcasmo y leer críticas a la humanidad. Tengo un gato y, a veces, cuando éste me mira fijamente, como observando todo el ambiente que lo rodea, no puedo menos que indagarme en qué piensa. Creo que gracias a Soseki ahora puedo hacerme una ligera idea de lo pasa por la mente de mi gato (y esto es un sarcasmo).
No obstante, la lectura me costó bastante y explicaré la razón (y ello igualmente explica las tres estrellas con las que he calificado este libro). Los primeros capítulos, no sabría decir si los cinco o seis primeros, se han pasado rápidamente y fueron de agradable y divertida lectura, pero luego el libro se ha complicado. Con mucho esfuerzo logré superar la mitad del mismo, y me costó pura fuerza de voluntad resistirme a abandonarlo. Soy un gato a pesar de ser un libro brillante y una ácida crítica a las actitudes de la sociedad japonesa y aunque muchas de sus reflexiones puedan ser aplicadas a nuestra sociedad occidental, es un libro con una historia cuasi estática, desprovista de dinamismo, sobre todo en los divagues de los personajes que se tornan en exceso largas y monótonas.
En su búsqueda de retratar el día a día de la sociedad de la era Meiji, Natsume Soseki no establece un punto de conflicto principal (siquiera el interés matrimonial de uno de los personajes es una trama principal aunque es un tema recurrente en toda rla extensión del libro), sí establece varios focos de conflictos secundarios pero que resultan de escaso interés. Los personajes llegan a resultar cansinos e incluso el sarcasmo del gato – el verdadero punto alto del libro – se hace menos presente y disminuye en intensidad. En realidad, el mismo se hace más humano cuanto más avanza el libro y llega casi a pensar de la misma manera que su amo.
De ahí las tres estrellas. Otro punto alto de la lectura de este libro ha sido, sin lugar a dudas, la magnífica edición de esta obra de la literatura japonesa.
"¿Por qué usan sólo dos piernas para caminar cuando resulta que tienen cuatro extremidades disponibles? ¡Qué enorme desperdicio de recursos naturales! Si utilizasen las cuatro patas podrían andar mucho más aprisa, sin embargo, insisten en seguir usando solo dos y llevar las otras dos colgando de los hombros como si fueran un par de bacalaos secos. De todo esto solo se puede deducir que los seres humanos, con bastante más tiempo para desperdiciar que los gatos, combaten su aburrimiento congénito dedicándose en cuerpo y alma a actividades que les hacen perder el tiempo. Pero lo más curioso del asunto es que cada vez que no de ellos se encuentra con otro no hacen más que hablar de lo tremendamente ocupados que están…En ocasiones, he tenido la fortuna de que se fijen en mí, le he oído hablar de como envidian la vida tranquila y relajada de los gatos. ¡Pero podrían llevar una vida así si quisieran!...Ellos son los que se sobrecargan de tareas que no pueden atender. Si uno prende una hoguera, que luego no se queje del calor que hace. Incluso nosotros, los gatos, si tuviéramos que dedicarle el mismo tiempo que ellos a pensar en las diferentes formas de cortarnos el pelo, no podríamos seguir llevando la despreocupada vida que llevamos”
Me encanta este tipo de sarcasmo y leer críticas a la humanidad. Tengo un gato y, a veces, cuando éste me mira fijamente, como observando todo el ambiente que lo rodea, no puedo menos que indagarme en qué piensa. Creo que gracias a Soseki ahora puedo hacerme una ligera idea de lo pasa por la mente de mi gato (y esto es un sarcasmo).
No obstante, la lectura me costó bastante y explicaré la razón (y ello igualmente explica las tres estrellas con las que he calificado este libro). Los primeros capítulos, no sabría decir si los cinco o seis primeros, se han pasado rápidamente y fueron de agradable y divertida lectura, pero luego el libro se ha complicado. Con mucho esfuerzo logré superar la mitad del mismo, y me costó pura fuerza de voluntad resistirme a abandonarlo. Soy un gato a pesar de ser un libro brillante y una ácida crítica a las actitudes de la sociedad japonesa y aunque muchas de sus reflexiones puedan ser aplicadas a nuestra sociedad occidental, es un libro con una historia cuasi estática, desprovista de dinamismo, sobre todo en los divagues de los personajes que se tornan en exceso largas y monótonas.
En su búsqueda de retratar el día a día de la sociedad de la era Meiji, Natsume Soseki no establece un punto de conflicto principal (siquiera el interés matrimonial de uno de los personajes es una trama principal aunque es un tema recurrente en toda rla extensión del libro), sí establece varios focos de conflictos secundarios pero que resultan de escaso interés. Los personajes llegan a resultar cansinos e incluso el sarcasmo del gato – el verdadero punto alto del libro – se hace menos presente y disminuye en intensidad. En realidad, el mismo se hace más humano cuanto más avanza el libro y llega casi a pensar de la misma manera que su amo.
De ahí las tres estrellas. Otro punto alto de la lectura de este libro ha sido, sin lugar a dudas, la magnífica edición de esta obra de la literatura japonesa.
June 29, 2017
5/5 stars | Favorite Standalones
Decided to bump this up because it's definitely a book that's stuck with me and has a firm place in my heart. Still deciding whether or not to deem it as an official fave or not though!
4/5stars
Now, that rating might seem a bit low considering how, if you've spoken to me or seen my videos, you know I was obsessed while reading this book. But I shall explain.
Let me begin with I LOVED the idea of this book. Anyone who knows me knows I ADORE cats - my cat Cody is the light of my life, I coddle him and love him more than anything. So when I heard about a novel that is literally told from a cat's POV, I HAD to get it. This story is a bind up of 3 volumes told from a stray tabby cat with no name who wanders into the mansion of a professor who decides to let him stay and live there. It is about his years living with his owner and all the drama and adventures throughout his life. I really enjoyed this whole idea because it was basically just a very unique way for the author to poke fun at the human race and all our flaws because mostly this little unnamed tabby cat would watch his owner do something and then make witty comments about how stupid and horrible humans are - such as how heartless they are when the unnamed cat's friend had kittens and her humans killed them all, how abusive they can be to animals who they think are lesser than them by not feeding this little cat, how stupid they are for walking on two legs when they have four available to them, and how they selfish they are.
This book is 100% for any cat owner because, at least personally, I found myself laughing outloud at some of the comments this cat made, but also staring at the page in awe realizing I did the same things that this cat was pointing out were so horrible. I also thought the cat's voice was wonderful - because he sounded exactly how I imagine my cat, Cody, sounding if he was every able to speak.
The reason this wasn't a 5/5stars was simply because, by the end, I was skimming through PAGES of this novel because I was so bored with the human's drama. There were very long winded paragraphs and pages detailing the tabby's owner's life and drama with his friends, and most of their stories were very boring and I found myself just not caring to read them and skipping to when the tabby was going on his own adventures. Therefore, since I skimmed a good chunk of pages, I felt it wasn't right giving it 5/5stars.
Also, that ending though, wtf Natsume Soseki that was fucking uncalled for.
Amazing book! Highly recommend!!
Decided to bump this up because it's definitely a book that's stuck with me and has a firm place in my heart. Still deciding whether or not to deem it as an official fave or not though!
Now, that rating might seem a bit low considering how, if you've spoken to me or seen my videos, you know I was obsessed while reading this book. But I shall explain.
Let me begin with I LOVED the idea of this book. Anyone who knows me knows I ADORE cats - my cat Cody is the light of my life, I coddle him and love him more than anything. So when I heard about a novel that is literally told from a cat's POV, I HAD to get it. This story is a bind up of 3 volumes told from a stray tabby cat with no name who wanders into the mansion of a professor who decides to let him stay and live there. It is about his years living with his owner and all the drama and adventures throughout his life. I really enjoyed this whole idea because it was basically just a very unique way for the author to poke fun at the human race and all our flaws because mostly this little unnamed tabby cat would watch his owner do something and then make witty comments about how stupid and horrible humans are - such as how heartless they are when the unnamed cat's friend had kittens and her humans killed them all, how abusive they can be to animals who they think are lesser than them by not feeding this little cat, how stupid they are for walking on two legs when they have four available to them, and how they selfish they are.
This book is 100% for any cat owner because, at least personally, I found myself laughing outloud at some of the comments this cat made, but also staring at the page in awe realizing I did the same things that this cat was pointing out were so horrible. I also thought the cat's voice was wonderful - because he sounded exactly how I imagine my cat, Cody, sounding if he was every able to speak.
The reason this wasn't a 5/5stars was simply because, by the end, I was skimming through PAGES of this novel because I was so bored with the human's drama. There were very long winded paragraphs and pages detailing the tabby's owner's life and drama with his friends, and most of their stories were very boring and I found myself just not caring to read them and skipping to when the tabby was going on his own adventures. Therefore, since I skimmed a good chunk of pages, I felt it wasn't right giving it 5/5stars.
Also, that ending though, wtf Natsume Soseki that was fucking uncalled for.
Amazing book! Highly recommend!!
November 19, 2008
"I am a cat" is a "slow-reading" book. There's not much action in it and it's all about the cat's opinion on everything: especially people. It actually speaks, in a very particular way, of mediocrity. The cat describes the routine of its master, a japanese man that teaches english in 1904 Japan, and the way he deals with life. The descriptions are very rich and the references to other works are diverse and intriguing, compelling you to know more about japanese classic literature. All things considered, it's an entertaining read with substance. Good for reconsidering your self-image.
February 7, 2020
I just loved I Am a Cat. I recommend reading a bit each night, before sleep, for hilarious dreams. It took me ages to read because I decided that one can have too much of this very good thing — it is most potent in small doses, which is how it was originally read, since it was published in installments. Admittedly, the translation is a bit disconcerting because it reads as if the Japanese have been cross-bred with the Victorian English. I would be very happy to read a fresh translation which relies on footnotes rather than Anglicized phrases, names, and vocabulary. I got confused at the beginning thinking that the Anglicized names were English people living among the Japanese. Took me awhile to catch on! Also it sometimes seems to transfer us from a Japanese family home to an English second-rate gentleman's club. Nevertheless, it's a thoroughly enjoyable read even if (being a cat lover) I would have liked a different ending.
July 29, 2018
This book was a DRAG. I was recommended this book by one of the funniest people I have ever met while I was touring Vietnam so I assumed this book would therefore follow his humor and also be hilarious. Boy, was I wrong.
The book is described as a "satire" but only 15% of the book is from the cat's perspective. The rest is just drawn out conversations which are hard to follow between old Japanese men. Occasionally, the author reminds the reader that the cat is in fact telling the story but only rarely which is a shame because that is how the book is marketed.
Overall, I'm pretty disappointed and am happy to be done with it.
The book is described as a "satire" but only 15% of the book is from the cat's perspective. The rest is just drawn out conversations which are hard to follow between old Japanese men. Occasionally, the author reminds the reader that the cat is in fact telling the story but only rarely which is a shame because that is how the book is marketed.
Overall, I'm pretty disappointed and am happy to be done with it.
March 19, 2015
Humour, autodérision, satire et ouverture d'esprit.
J'aime beaucoup ce roman.
November 11, 2011
Cinque stelle perché nonostante non ci sia praticamente azione e l’intera vicenda abbia il setting di un unico quartiere, le quattrocento e passa pagine del romanzo scorrono via in maniera estremamente piacevole e divertente. C’è un’ironia che non credevo familiare alla letteratura orientale (di cui peraltro non ho mai letto niente, quindi era solo un pregiudizio) e un inaspettato ma continuo riferimento alla cultura occidentale: mi sono stupita di sentir parlare di greci, romani, inglesi da un autore di inizio Novecento, ma la quarta di copertina mi ha giustamente illuminato sul fatto che è ambientato nell’era Meiji, famosa per l’apertura al mondo aldilà dell'Oceano. Per il resto si tratta di un espediente per riflettere su tutto – ma veramente tutto – con gli occhi disincantati di un gatto intelligente e la pigrizia flemmatica di un professore debole di stomaco, alle prese con amici culturalmente elevati (proporrei ad uno studente di Biologia il seguente titolo di tesi: “L’effetto dei raggi ultravioletti sulla funzione galvanica del globo oculare della rana”), matrimoni da combinare e una moglie dotata di parola tagliente che non si lascia certo mettere i piedi in testa dal consorte. Gente rigorosamente vestita in kimono, seduta sui talloni sui tatami (lo sapevate che è un’unità di misura per l’ampiezza delle stanze?) e a mangiare quintali di riso, a ogni pasto. Il tutto reso con una scrittura estremamente brillante e vivace, con dialoghi da sketch cabarettistico e lunghe digressioni da monologo del varietà. Una bellissima scoperta.
November 1, 2020
Un gato sin nombre se hace hueco en la casa de un profesor japonés y nos cuenta las conversaciones y sucesos de los que será testigo.
Lo más interesante de esta novela son los personajes que se cruzan en ella, que se reúnen en el cuarto de invitados del maestro, todos tan diferentes entre sí pero compartiendo amistad.
Tenemos al maestro que va de intelectual, pasivo, reflexivo, cerrado y extraño. Meitei en cambio es bromista, superficial y no se toma nada en serio, además de que tiene un morreo que se lo pisa. Kangetsu, joven idealista en busca del doctorado. Toito, aspirante a poeta, amante del arte y de la belleza. Dokusen, muy versado en el zen y en la enseñanzas de los sabios ancestrales, o al menos de boquilla. Y algunos más.
Entre todos tendrán conversaciones y discusiones super interesantes acerca de muchos aspectos de la vida, algunos de sucesos concretos que ocurren en la novela pero otros de temas mucho más profundos y transcendentales de la vida humana. Y sobre todo, con el estilo irónico de Soseki, veremos que se ríe precisamente de todas estas formas de pensar y de estar en el mundo.
He soltado unas cuantas carcajadas con el libro. Las conversaciones de los personajes son estupendas. Las bromas de Meitei son épicas. Las excentricidades neuróticas del profesor ante las faenas que le hacen los alumnos del colegio de al lado son muy cómicas. Y cómo sacan de quicio a Dokusen riéndose del zen es para partirse de risa.
Echaré mucho de menos la reuniones de esta cuadrilla tan peculiar. Soseki era genial. Amo los libros escritos desde el humor pero que critican de forma tan inteligente la sociedad y la naturaleza humana.
Lo más interesante de esta novela son los personajes que se cruzan en ella, que se reúnen en el cuarto de invitados del maestro, todos tan diferentes entre sí pero compartiendo amistad.
Tenemos al maestro que va de intelectual, pasivo, reflexivo, cerrado y extraño. Meitei en cambio es bromista, superficial y no se toma nada en serio, además de que tiene un morreo que se lo pisa. Kangetsu, joven idealista en busca del doctorado. Toito, aspirante a poeta, amante del arte y de la belleza. Dokusen, muy versado en el zen y en la enseñanzas de los sabios ancestrales, o al menos de boquilla. Y algunos más.
Entre todos tendrán conversaciones y discusiones super interesantes acerca de muchos aspectos de la vida, algunos de sucesos concretos que ocurren en la novela pero otros de temas mucho más profundos y transcendentales de la vida humana. Y sobre todo, con el estilo irónico de Soseki, veremos que se ríe precisamente de todas estas formas de pensar y de estar en el mundo.
He soltado unas cuantas carcajadas con el libro. Las conversaciones de los personajes son estupendas. Las bromas de Meitei son épicas. Las excentricidades neuróticas del profesor ante las faenas que le hacen los alumnos del colegio de al lado son muy cómicas. Y cómo sacan de quicio a Dokusen riéndose del zen es para partirse de risa.
Echaré mucho de menos la reuniones de esta cuadrilla tan peculiar. Soseki era genial. Amo los libros escritos desde el humor pero que critican de forma tan inteligente la sociedad y la naturaleza humana.
September 24, 2016
Cuối cùng cũng xong . Đây là cuốn ebook dài nhất mà mình từng đọc . Cuốn này phải đọc chậm , lâu lâu giở ra nhấm nháp vài chương thì thấy rất thú . Cứ đọc nhanh thì thấy chẳng ra sao vì cuốn này chẳng có diễn biến cao trào gì cả . Nói gọi lại , cuốn này là nhật ký của một con mèo nói nhảm về cuộc sống và những con người xung quanh nó .
Một con mèo nói nhảm mà cân nguyên quyển sách dài mấy trăm trang là điều vô cùng độc đáo trong văn học . Quan trọng là , con mèo này nó cực kỳ mất dạy . Nó không nghĩ nó như người , nó nghĩ nó hơn con người kìa . Mà xét tổng thể giữa những con người được miêu tả trong truyện thì mèo ta đúng là khôn ngoan nhất , biết lý lẽ nhất và do đó , người nhất . Nhưng cũng đoòng thời , rất mèo . Ai nuôi mèo mà đọc cuốn này sẽ thấy rất thú vị , vì liên tưởng đến mèo nhà mình . Rồi tự nhiên tự hỏi có khi nào nó khinh bỉ , chửi mình ngu trong bí mật như cái con mèo mất dạy này không ? =)) . Nói chung là thú vị . Cuốn này có những triết lý hay ho , đọc rất thấm , nhưng nhiều lúc nhảm nhảm dài dòng quá nên thấy cũng mệt . Ngoài ra , ai muốn biết về cuộc sống con người nước Nhật cuối thế kỷ 19 thì đọc cuốn này rất được .
Điểm trừ là cái kết chuối và tư tưởng coi thường phụ nữ của tác giả . Nhưng cho rộng tay thì 4.5 sao cũng được
Một con mèo nói nhảm mà cân nguyên quyển sách dài mấy trăm trang là điều vô cùng độc đáo trong văn học . Quan trọng là , con mèo này nó cực kỳ mất dạy . Nó không nghĩ nó như người , nó nghĩ nó hơn con người kìa . Mà xét tổng thể giữa những con người được miêu tả trong truyện thì mèo ta đúng là khôn ngoan nhất , biết lý lẽ nhất và do đó , người nhất . Nhưng cũng đoòng thời , rất mèo . Ai nuôi mèo mà đọc cuốn này sẽ thấy rất thú vị , vì liên tưởng đến mèo nhà mình . Rồi tự nhiên tự hỏi có khi nào nó khinh bỉ , chửi mình ngu trong bí mật như cái con mèo mất dạy này không ? =)) . Nói chung là thú vị . Cuốn này có những triết lý hay ho , đọc rất thấm , nhưng nhiều lúc nhảm nhảm dài dòng quá nên thấy cũng mệt . Ngoài ra , ai muốn biết về cuộc sống con người nước Nhật cuối thế kỷ 19 thì đọc cuốn này rất được .
Điểm trừ là cái kết chuối và tư tưởng coi thường phụ nữ của tác giả . Nhưng cho rộng tay thì 4.5 sao cũng được
June 21, 2020
Reading this 470-page novel by Natsume Soseki was undeniably tough and its readers' concentration reasonably required. I didn't think I'd finish reading within a definite plan since I've usually regarded my reading, especially in search of enjoyment and consolation from some novels by my favorite authors, as something I can keep going whenever I want to. This idea might look boring to some readers, however, I found reading his biography and some of his shorter works like his "The Tower of London", "Botchan" or "Sanshiro" stimulating, earthbound and witty. Furthermore, we may start by reading this informative website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natsume_... to have an overview background about his literary life and some related details worth knowing and keeping in mind while reading any novel/short story of his with respect and understanding.
I think this is my preamble to my brief review on "I Am a Cat" after I finally reached its final page. As always, I thought I'd like to say something (2-3 points) about it, my advice, my ideas, etc. to share with my Goodreads friends who keep reading/supporting me via the internet unimaginable for this worldwide communication some 15 years ago. First, I found reading 'one of the most original and unforgettable works in Japanese literature' (backcover) quite tedious, wordy and unnecessarily lengthy regarding innumerable narrations by the master's friends (i.e. the master of the cat); some went to more than 2 and 3 pages. I knew such length is rare and we need to respect and admire his writing fluency but it's a bid hard for me to keep reading some pages WITHOUT a paragraph, just imagine and you'd see what I mean.
Second, while reading this subtly-amused novel, its readers also gain more information and knowledge on various famous English literary men. For instance, "When Carlyle was presented to the queen, he, being an eccentric and anyway a man totally unschooled in court procedures, suddenly sat down on a chair. All the chamberlains and ladies-in-waiting standing ranged behind the queen began to giggle. Well, not quite. They were about to start giggling when the quen turned around toward them and signaled them also to be seated. Carlyle was thus saved from any embarassment. ..." (p. 443) Or "Sir Francis Bacon observed in his Novum Orgnum that one can only triumph over nature by obeying the laws of nature. ..." (p. 443) And "This stage of the literary figure is already evidenced in England where two of their leading novelists, Henry James and George Meredith, have personailties so strong and so strongly reflected in their novels that very few people care to read them. ..." (p. 457)
Third, I found the quotes on a variety of complaints about women interesting and humorous since I've never read them anywhere before. For example:
"Next comes Diogenes who, when asked at what age it was best to take a wife, replied, 'For a young man, not yet; for the old man, never.'" (p. 459)
"The Emperor Marcus Aurelius compares women to ships because 'to keep them well in order, there is always somewhat wanting.'" (p. 460)
" ... Valerius Maximus who answered his own question about the nature by saying, 'She is an enemy to friendship, an inevitable pain, a necessary evil, a natural temptation, a desired calamity, a honey-seeming poison.'" (p. 460)
Finally, I think reading this homorous novel based on the Japanese context in the Meiji era is worth reading provided that its readers should have sufficient literary background on Natsume Soseki as well as their time, sense of humour and persistence regarding reading this lengthy novel the author's hoped to be. There're still more interesting points to raise and discus in which, I think, we leave the task to those eminent Soseki scholar worldwide. As for me, I can't help admiring his genius ( as well as the two translators') in that this dialog deeply suggests a unique cultural way of respecting her (I mean Japan's) honourable practice between the teacher and his/her students. The section concerned is as follows: "Revered teacher," he muttered from his broken trance, "I'm worried sick. What, what, shall I do?" (p. 395) Compared to Thailand, we also have our ways of addressing to show respect to our teachers but I think it's a bit difficult to find a Thai equivalent with equal linguistic and aesthetic meaning when the boy said, "Revered teacher", I wonder if there're other countries having such a respectful address like this. If any, I'd appreciate your information.
I think this is my preamble to my brief review on "I Am a Cat" after I finally reached its final page. As always, I thought I'd like to say something (2-3 points) about it, my advice, my ideas, etc. to share with my Goodreads friends who keep reading/supporting me via the internet unimaginable for this worldwide communication some 15 years ago. First, I found reading 'one of the most original and unforgettable works in Japanese literature' (backcover) quite tedious, wordy and unnecessarily lengthy regarding innumerable narrations by the master's friends (i.e. the master of the cat); some went to more than 2 and 3 pages. I knew such length is rare and we need to respect and admire his writing fluency but it's a bid hard for me to keep reading some pages WITHOUT a paragraph, just imagine and you'd see what I mean.
Second, while reading this subtly-amused novel, its readers also gain more information and knowledge on various famous English literary men. For instance, "When Carlyle was presented to the queen, he, being an eccentric and anyway a man totally unschooled in court procedures, suddenly sat down on a chair. All the chamberlains and ladies-in-waiting standing ranged behind the queen began to giggle. Well, not quite. They were about to start giggling when the quen turned around toward them and signaled them also to be seated. Carlyle was thus saved from any embarassment. ..." (p. 443) Or "Sir Francis Bacon observed in his Novum Orgnum that one can only triumph over nature by obeying the laws of nature. ..." (p. 443) And "This stage of the literary figure is already evidenced in England where two of their leading novelists, Henry James and George Meredith, have personailties so strong and so strongly reflected in their novels that very few people care to read them. ..." (p. 457)
Third, I found the quotes on a variety of complaints about women interesting and humorous since I've never read them anywhere before. For example:
"Next comes Diogenes who, when asked at what age it was best to take a wife, replied, 'For a young man, not yet; for the old man, never.'" (p. 459)
"The Emperor Marcus Aurelius compares women to ships because 'to keep them well in order, there is always somewhat wanting.'" (p. 460)
" ... Valerius Maximus who answered his own question about the nature by saying, 'She is an enemy to friendship, an inevitable pain, a necessary evil, a natural temptation, a desired calamity, a honey-seeming poison.'" (p. 460)
Finally, I think reading this homorous novel based on the Japanese context in the Meiji era is worth reading provided that its readers should have sufficient literary background on Natsume Soseki as well as their time, sense of humour and persistence regarding reading this lengthy novel the author's hoped to be. There're still more interesting points to raise and discus in which, I think, we leave the task to those eminent Soseki scholar worldwide. As for me, I can't help admiring his genius ( as well as the two translators') in that this dialog deeply suggests a unique cultural way of respecting her (I mean Japan's) honourable practice between the teacher and his/her students. The section concerned is as follows: "Revered teacher," he muttered from his broken trance, "I'm worried sick. What, what, shall I do?" (p. 395) Compared to Thailand, we also have our ways of addressing to show respect to our teachers but I think it's a bit difficult to find a Thai equivalent with equal linguistic and aesthetic meaning when the boy said, "Revered teacher", I wonder if there're other countries having such a respectful address like this. If any, I'd appreciate your information.
January 24, 2024
Natsume el terco. Sōseki es su seudónimo literario y significa eso. Me lo puedo imaginar completamente, porque aunque esta es una obra de ficción, quizás haya algo (o bastante) de su autor en el narrador-testigo, el gato, y en su dueño, el maestro Kushami, al rededor de quien giran el resto de personajes.
La trama es simple en apariencia: un maestro de inglés, Kushami, quien pasa la mayor parte del tiempo en su casa y padece de dispepsia, recibe constantes visitas de sus amigos y de algunas gentes que, según se dan los acontecimientos, aparecen en su puerta trayendo noticias, o historias, o nada. Allí llegan los recurrentes: Kangetsu, un licenciado en óptica que está haciendo su doctorado sobre un tema tan disparado como para pasarse horas puliendo una esfera de vidrio, lo cual le tomará según sus cálculos, diez años, y ello es requisito para casarse con la hija del señor y la señora Kaneda, la de larga y absurda nariz. Otros habituales son Meitei, el charlatán de las historias jocosas y algo poeta; Dokusen, el lúcido filósofo zen chalado; Toito, el literato y poeta modernista; Suzuki, el chismoso y metenarices que saca ventaja de donde puede...
Todos estos personajes envueltos en situaciones externas que confluyen como anécdotas que le cuentan al maestro Kushami y que resultan de lo más disparatadas e hilarantes, así como la interacción entre todos estos personajes resulta en comedia. Pero, aunque el tono es de sátira (con personajes hiperbolizados y situaciones exageradas), no llega a convertirse en un teatro del absurdo o en una farsa grotesca, pues, junto a todo ese humor satírico está un profundo análisis de la condición humana, el sentido de la existencia y el fin del hombre (y de la mujer, la cual no sale muy bien parada). Esto desde la voz de sus personajes que constantemente aluden indirectamente al choque cultural que se estaba produciendo en la cultura japonesa debido al proceso de occidentalización y modernización promovido por el emperador japonés Meiji entre 1869 y 1912.
A esta época se le conoce como el período Meiji; esta obra es un reflejo, aunque bufo y deformado (por fines cómicos) de aquello que estaba sucediendo en la sociedad japonesa en ese tiempo. No obstante, toda filosofía, toda creencia, toda posición frente a la realidad es ridiculizada y debatida por los personajes, pero sobre todo por el gato, quien es el narrador y observador de todo lo que sucede en esta especie de sitcom literaria (en la que entran y salen personajes constantemente en una casa), aunque también se da sus paseos por el barrio para recoger más chismes, y que es quien da la última palabra.
En suma, una obra original, sobre todo tomando el cuenta el año de su publicación, 1906, en la que confluyen la tradición literaria japonesa y los nuevos bríos narrativos occidentales (de hecho, hay constantes referencias a escritores sobre todo ingleses y europeos, tomando en cuenta que Sōseki vivió algunos años en Inglaterra en los que pasó bastante mal), con un fuerte componente filosófico y de cuestionamiento existencial, y con una prosa fluida pero a la vez con mucho detalle, pero no al nivel de la escritura japonesa clásica, sino con un ritmo y una intención más modernista, aunque con su propio color.
Es por ello que no podemos esperar una estructura narrativa aristotélica por completo, hay cabos sueltos que no interesa resolver porque la dinámica japonesa literaria es otra. Por eso es que por momentos ciertos pasajes se empantanan y resultan más pesados de leer, pero en seguida la chispa y el motor del humor hacen que se retome el ágil ritmo. Incluso, poniendo a prueba la paciencia del lector en un juego de espejos en el que el hastío o aburrimiento que se puede experimentar por la anécdota infinita es tomado por el autor y satirizado en la boca de sus personajes. Es decir, nos toma el pelo. En resumen: recursos ingeniosos, oriente versus occidente, el absurdo del vivir y la trascendencia de la existencia, si es que hay alguna. Recomendado, porque hay que darle un golpe al gato a ver si maúlla ;).
La trama es simple en apariencia: un maestro de inglés, Kushami, quien pasa la mayor parte del tiempo en su casa y padece de dispepsia, recibe constantes visitas de sus amigos y de algunas gentes que, según se dan los acontecimientos, aparecen en su puerta trayendo noticias, o historias, o nada. Allí llegan los recurrentes: Kangetsu, un licenciado en óptica que está haciendo su doctorado sobre un tema tan disparado como para pasarse horas puliendo una esfera de vidrio, lo cual le tomará según sus cálculos, diez años, y ello es requisito para casarse con la hija del señor y la señora Kaneda, la de larga y absurda nariz. Otros habituales son Meitei, el charlatán de las historias jocosas y algo poeta; Dokusen, el lúcido filósofo zen chalado; Toito, el literato y poeta modernista; Suzuki, el chismoso y metenarices que saca ventaja de donde puede...
Todos estos personajes envueltos en situaciones externas que confluyen como anécdotas que le cuentan al maestro Kushami y que resultan de lo más disparatadas e hilarantes, así como la interacción entre todos estos personajes resulta en comedia. Pero, aunque el tono es de sátira (con personajes hiperbolizados y situaciones exageradas), no llega a convertirse en un teatro del absurdo o en una farsa grotesca, pues, junto a todo ese humor satírico está un profundo análisis de la condición humana, el sentido de la existencia y el fin del hombre (y de la mujer, la cual no sale muy bien parada). Esto desde la voz de sus personajes que constantemente aluden indirectamente al choque cultural que se estaba produciendo en la cultura japonesa debido al proceso de occidentalización y modernización promovido por el emperador japonés Meiji entre 1869 y 1912.
A esta época se le conoce como el período Meiji; esta obra es un reflejo, aunque bufo y deformado (por fines cómicos) de aquello que estaba sucediendo en la sociedad japonesa en ese tiempo. No obstante, toda filosofía, toda creencia, toda posición frente a la realidad es ridiculizada y debatida por los personajes, pero sobre todo por el gato, quien es el narrador y observador de todo lo que sucede en esta especie de sitcom literaria (en la que entran y salen personajes constantemente en una casa), aunque también se da sus paseos por el barrio para recoger más chismes, y que es quien da la última palabra.
En suma, una obra original, sobre todo tomando el cuenta el año de su publicación, 1906, en la que confluyen la tradición literaria japonesa y los nuevos bríos narrativos occidentales (de hecho, hay constantes referencias a escritores sobre todo ingleses y europeos, tomando en cuenta que Sōseki vivió algunos años en Inglaterra en los que pasó bastante mal), con un fuerte componente filosófico y de cuestionamiento existencial, y con una prosa fluida pero a la vez con mucho detalle, pero no al nivel de la escritura japonesa clásica, sino con un ritmo y una intención más modernista, aunque con su propio color.
Es por ello que no podemos esperar una estructura narrativa aristotélica por completo, hay cabos sueltos que no interesa resolver porque la dinámica japonesa literaria es otra. Por eso es que por momentos ciertos pasajes se empantanan y resultan más pesados de leer, pero en seguida la chispa y el motor del humor hacen que se retome el ágil ritmo. Incluso, poniendo a prueba la paciencia del lector en un juego de espejos en el que el hastío o aburrimiento que se puede experimentar por la anécdota infinita es tomado por el autor y satirizado en la boca de sus personajes. Es decir, nos toma el pelo. En resumen: recursos ingeniosos, oriente versus occidente, el absurdo del vivir y la trascendencia de la existencia, si es que hay alguna. Recomendado, porque hay que darle un golpe al gato a ver si maúlla ;).
March 10, 2024
আই অ্যাম আ ক্যাট বইটি মেইজি যুগের (১৮৬৮ থেকে ১৯১২) শেষ দিকের সময়কালের প্রেক্ষাপটে লেখা। টোকিওর একজন শিক্ষকের বাড়িতে থাকা একটি বিড়ালের পয়েন্ট অভ ভিউ থেকে কাহিনী এগিয়েছে। সে মানুষের আশেপাশে ঘুরে বেড়ায়, নানান বাড়িতে ঢুকে পরে, সেসময়ে নানান বিষয়ে মানুষের কথোপকথন শোনে, কান্ডকারাখানা দেখে এবং সেখানে নিজে��� মতন করে মন্তব্যও করে। বিষয়টা মজার কিন্তু আদতে এই ঘটনাগুলোর মাধ্যমে সমাজের, পরিবারের, ব্যক্তির অন্তঃসারশূন্যতা প্রকটভাবে ফুটে উঠেছে।
বইটা পড়ার সময়ে বারবার রাশান লেখক মিখাইল বুলগাকভের ’মাস্টার ও মার্গারিতা’ বইটির কথা মনে পড়ছিলো। দুই লেখকই যেন সাট্যায়ারের গ্র্যান্ডমাস্টার।
বইটা পড়ার সময়ে বারবার রাশান লেখক মিখাইল বুলগাকভের ’মাস্টার ও মার্গারিতা’ বইটির কথা মনে পড়ছিলো। দুই লেখকই যেন সাট্যায়ারের গ্র্যান্ডমাস্টার।
April 25, 2015
Cosa pensano i nostri amici animali? Quali sono i loro pensieri? Le loro emozioni? Cosa sognano? Molti si saranno posti questa domanda. Ebbene, la risposta la fornisce Soseki dando voce a un gatto. E' proprio attraverso la figura di questo gatto, che non ha un nome e che svolge il ruolo di narratore, ma anche di colui che vede e vive tutto in prima persona, che impariamo a conoscere il Giappone del XX secolo e i suoi abitanti. Il gatto filosofo, con le sue massime zen, ci invita alla scoperta del popolo giapponese, mostrandoci tutte le bizzarrie, ma anche la stupidità degli esseri umani.
Il lettore vede il mondo giapponese, e non solo, attraverso gli occhi di questo gatto, poco considerato dal resto della famiglia, che ci descrive con sguardo critico e attento, la società, i suoi usi e costumi.
Il finale, un po' troppo affrettato, ma molto malinconico, come tipico di molta letteratura orientale, lascia un senso agrodolce, ma anche tanta poesia.
Il lettore vede il mondo giapponese, e non solo, attraverso gli occhi di questo gatto, poco considerato dal resto della famiglia, che ci descrive con sguardo critico e attento, la società, i suoi usi e costumi.
Il finale, un po' troppo affrettato, ma molto malinconico, come tipico di molta letteratura orientale, lascia un senso agrodolce, ma anche tanta poesia.
May 14, 2018
‘I am a Cat’ is a little sad and a bit farcical at the same time, kind of like an American television family sitcom if the show was written by doctorate candidates of philosophy, the arts and literature. Written by Japanese author Soseki Narsume in 1904, it is a wordy intellectual essay about family, society, and ideas clothed over by a story of what a nameless cat observes.
The neglected kitty, who narrates the story, is never given a name, but he has a bird’s eye view, so to speak, of his Japanese 'master', Sneaze, and his master's wife and children, Tonko, Sunko, and a baby (the oldest is six), his neighbors and university friends.
The novel is not about the cat, but instead about the scholastic ideas of school teacher Sneaze, and his old university friends who visit and discuss academically the neighbors, each other and society. A few mild absurd domestic incidents and squabbles occur, and the friends discuss these ordinary mundane affairs with humor and intellectually facile joking or insight. Eventually, their discussions wander into more bookish and philosophical aspects of the intellect (Japanese and British), some of which are vaguely related to their original conversation subjects.
Avalon Coldmoon and Waverhouse (my favorite human character) most often visit Sneaze, but drop-ins include Beauchamp, Madame Goldfield (a neighbor businessman's wife who hates Sneaze), Suzuki Tōjūrō (Mr. Goldfield's right-hand man but still a friend, having gone to university with Sneaze), and Tatara Sampei, mining company lawyer, who asks if he can cook and eat the cat after a burglary (the cat failed to stop a burglar).
The cat has a few adventures in his backyard and in the yards of his neighbors, overhearing sometimes human conversations of servants and neighbors as well as those of his master's. This sometimes leads to his own opinionated and educated discourses on what he has heard for the edification of us readers on the cat viewpoint - never very far from the human viewpoint, actually.
Clearly this novel will not be to the taste of many readers, even those who enjoy literary reads. There is not much action, and almost every scene is involving pages of intellectual conversation inside the Sneazes' Tokyo home. If one enjoys reading The Atlantic Magazine, or books of essays, this is a good read. If you love your kitty dearly, this book will definitely not satisfy you. The cat is a literary paw for the author, and regretfully, does not matter to anyone much especially in the end. Despite the cat's erudition, it is all for nought.
Just for fun:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiji...
The neglected kitty, who narrates the story, is never given a name, but he has a bird’s eye view, so to speak, of his Japanese 'master', Sneaze, and his master's wife and children, Tonko, Sunko, and a baby (the oldest is six), his neighbors and university friends.
The novel is not about the cat, but instead about the scholastic ideas of school teacher Sneaze, and his old university friends who visit and discuss academically the neighbors, each other and society. A few mild absurd domestic incidents and squabbles occur, and the friends discuss these ordinary mundane affairs with humor and intellectually facile joking or insight. Eventually, their discussions wander into more bookish and philosophical aspects of the intellect (Japanese and British), some of which are vaguely related to their original conversation subjects.
Avalon Coldmoon and Waverhouse (my favorite human character) most often visit Sneaze, but drop-ins include Beauchamp, Madame Goldfield (a neighbor businessman's wife who hates Sneaze), Suzuki Tōjūrō (Mr. Goldfield's right-hand man but still a friend, having gone to university with Sneaze), and Tatara Sampei, mining company lawyer, who asks if he can cook and eat the cat after a burglary (the cat failed to stop a burglar).
The cat has a few adventures in his backyard and in the yards of his neighbors, overhearing sometimes human conversations of servants and neighbors as well as those of his master's. This sometimes leads to his own opinionated and educated discourses on what he has heard for the edification of us readers on the cat viewpoint - never very far from the human viewpoint, actually.
Clearly this novel will not be to the taste of many readers, even those who enjoy literary reads. There is not much action, and almost every scene is involving pages of intellectual conversation inside the Sneazes' Tokyo home. If one enjoys reading The Atlantic Magazine, or books of essays, this is a good read. If you love your kitty dearly, this book will definitely not satisfy you. The cat is a literary paw for the author, and regretfully, does not matter to anyone much especially in the end. Despite the cat's erudition, it is all for nought.
Just for fun:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiji...
January 13, 2018
Dichiaro ufficialmente la mia resa, mi sono spinta ben oltre la metà di questo romanzo ma proprio non mi prende. Il gatto che dovrebbe essere l'elemento principale è pedante e saccente, anziché concentrarsi sulle faccende da gatto si focalizza sulle "disavventure" del suo padrone ed anche quest'ultimo non brilla certo per delle spiccate qualità... La narrazione è monotona, manca di mordente e ci si dilunga troppo in discorsi evanescenti senza capo né coda.
November 19, 2014
Ojalá hubiera tenido la mitad de páginas. Tiene momentos brillantes, pero se me ha hecho increíblemente pesado… Llegó un punto que iba saltando párrafos ya. :(
May 15, 2017
Reading Challenge Pop Sugar 2017
10. Un libro con un gato en la portada
21. Un libro desde una perspectiva no humana
Siento que literalmente tardé años leyendo esta novela. Se me hizo pesadísimo, a pesar de que el lenguaje y la estructura son sencillos. La premisa es muy buena, pero fue demasiado. Le sobran páginas, situaciones y divagaciones.
Soy un gato es la historia de un gato, sin nombre, que llega a vivir a la casa del maestro Kushami (ya ni recuerdo cómo llegó allí). Desde ese lugar se relacionará con otros gatos (no mucho, la verdad) y con las amistades (si se pueden llamar así) del maestro. Busca mostrar desde su perspectiva (satírica y llena de humor) la sociedad japonesa de aquella época (principios del siglo XX). Todo muy bien, los personajes están desarrollados sin ser caricaturescos, aunque sí graciosos. Pero son taaaaan insoportables, fastidiosos y arrogantes, que de verdad me da miedo pensar que los seres humanos seamos realmente así. Creo que se salva un poco la señora Kushami, porque me causaba gracia el hecho de que le respondiera al esposo y, de cierta forma, no se dejara amedentrar. De resto, un montón de hombres divagando sobre nada.
Como ya he dicho, no es difícil de leer, pero sí se vuelve denso por tanta divagación, que está allí por un motivo, pero me resultó demasiado superflua. Cada vez que tomaba el kindle para leer, leía unas 10 páginas y en seguida me entraba sueño. Es un poco soporífero. Y es una lástima, porque el humor y la sátira dan un estilo fresco y desenfadado, que se trastoca por tanta divagación y cháchara insoportable.
Me alegra haberlo terminado.
10. Un libro con un gato en la portada
21. Un libro desde una perspectiva no humana
Siento que literalmente tardé años leyendo esta novela. Se me hizo pesadísimo, a pesar de que el lenguaje y la estructura son sencillos. La premisa es muy buena, pero fue demasiado. Le sobran páginas, situaciones y divagaciones.
Soy un gato es la historia de un gato, sin nombre, que llega a vivir a la casa del maestro Kushami (ya ni recuerdo cómo llegó allí). Desde ese lugar se relacionará con otros gatos (no mucho, la verdad) y con las amistades (si se pueden llamar así) del maestro. Busca mostrar desde su perspectiva (satírica y llena de humor) la sociedad japonesa de aquella época (principios del siglo XX). Todo muy bien, los personajes están desarrollados sin ser caricaturescos, aunque sí graciosos. Pero son taaaaan insoportables, fastidiosos y arrogantes, que de verdad me da miedo pensar que los seres humanos seamos realmente así. Creo que se salva un poco la señora Kushami, porque me causaba gracia el hecho de que le respondiera al esposo y, de cierta forma, no se dejara amedentrar. De resto, un montón de hombres divagando sobre nada.
Como ya he dicho, no es difícil de leer, pero sí se vuelve denso por tanta divagación, que está allí por un motivo, pero me resultó demasiado superflua. Cada vez que tomaba el kindle para leer, leía unas 10 páginas y en seguida me entraba sueño. Es un poco soporífero. Y es una lástima, porque el humor y la sátira dan un estilo fresco y desenfadado, que se trastoca por tanta divagación y cháchara insoportable.
Me alegra haberlo terminado.
January 21, 2024
Se trata de una obra original e hilarante. En ella se muestran historias dentro de otras historias. Todas éstas bajo la mirada crítica y reflexiva de un gato, que a la vez, es el narrador y el protagonista del relato.
Este gato, con aires de grandeza y de superioridad intelectual realiza reflexiones muy filosóficas acerca de las diferentes situaciones que experimenta, de las familias, sus visitas, la sociedad japonesa y la misma raza humana.
Es una lectura llena de diálogos descabellados, por momentos, un poco ridículos que suscitan sonrisas porque se combinan con distintos tipos de aventuras.
Este gato, con aires de grandeza y de superioridad intelectual realiza reflexiones muy filosóficas acerca de las diferentes situaciones que experimenta, de las familias, sus visitas, la sociedad japonesa y la misma raza humana.
Es una lectura llena de diálogos descabellados, por momentos, un poco ridículos que suscitan sonrisas porque se combinan con distintos tipos de aventuras.
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