A cat, never given a name, lives in the house of Mr. Kushami, a schoolteacher in Tokyo during the Meiji era. The cat observes with sarcasm the people who visit: Kushami's friends, who talk about philosophy and science, his wife, his neighbors, and a rich businessman nearby. Natsume Soseki uses the animal's viewpoint to mock the pretensions of the educated middle class, with long conversations and sharp comic scenes. The narrator's own fate is not a happy one, but the tone is humorous throughout.
It suits readers who like satire, early modern Japanese fiction, and observational humor. The book is long and episodic, so it is best enjoyed in small portions. Readers new to the author or subject should find it a manageable place to begin.
Deep, contemplative, open-ended and thought-provoking; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Deep Diver. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 1906
- Language
- EN
