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If Cats Disappeared From The World
- Author
- Genki Kawamura
- Narrator
- Brian Nishii
- Publisher
- Pan Macmillan
- Publish Date
- 20 September 2018
- Run Time
- 4 hours 50 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
- Genre
- Magical realism, Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general, Fiction in translation, Narrative theme: health and illness, Narrative theme: animals, Narrative theme: death, grief, loss, Narrative theme: interior life / psychological fiction, Narrative theme: sense of place, Cats as pets
- Rating
- 4.0 (2 reviews)
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What to expect
The million-copy bestseller, perfect for fans of Before the Coffee Gets Cold.
What would you do if you were told you only had days left to live? And what would you give up for just one more day? Genki Kawamura's If Cats Disappeared From The World is a tender, whimsical tale of love, loss, and the quiet miracles of everyday life.
A thirty-year-old postman lives a simple life, with only his cat, Cabbage, for company. But when an unexpected diagnosis turns his world upside down, he is faced with an impossible choice. The Devil appears to him, dressed in a Hawaiian shirt, and makes an offer: if he makes one thing in the world disappear, he can have an extra day of life.
As the days tick by, and with Cabbage by his side, he begins a journey that might just lead him back to the people he thought he’d lost. Before it’s too late . . .
If Cats Disappeared from the World is a life-affirming meditation on what we leave behind – and what we hold onto until the very end.
‘If you're a fan of The Guest Cat (or even just cats generally), you'll love this’ – The Sunday Times
Critics Review
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A warm, quirky novel on life, love, family estrangement and what remains when we are gone with a surprising emotional charge.
The Observer
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If you're a fan of The Guest Cat (or even just cats generally), you'll love this.
Sunday Times #StyleReads
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This brief existential enquiry into life’s priorities is gently charming.
The Skinny
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A moral tale.
The Express
See more reviews See fewer reviews
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A poignant, affecting story about facing up to one's mortality, taking responsibility for one's choices and deciding what truly holds value.
The Herald
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Reminiscent of Johnathan Livingston Seagull, this was a quick read – it only took me a few hours – but it will stay with you long after you finish it.
My Weekly
User Reviews
Book 4.0
Narration 5.0
-
4.0 5.0
4.5⭐️ =Good.
What a little gem this was. A very unusual storyline, and to be honest, if I described it to you, you’d probably think it wouldn’t be for you.
Quirky, sad, funny and thought provoking, and at one point, I had a tear in my eye.Julie7 2025-02-12 -
4.0 5.0
A quirky fable that manages to be both highly personal and philosophical.
TB 2024-10-20
Details
- Author
- Genki Kawamura
- Narrator
- Brian Nishii
- Duration
- 4 hours 50 minutes
- Release Date
- 20 September 2018
- ISBN
- 9781509889198
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Pan Macmillan
- Genre
- Magical realism, Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general, Fiction in translation, Narrative theme: health and illness, Narrative theme: animals, Narrative theme: death, grief, loss, Narrative theme: interior life / psychological fiction, Narrative theme: sense of place, Cats as pets
- Rating
- 4.0(2 reviews)
- Narration
- 5.0(2 reviews)
Synopsis
The million-copy bestseller, perfect for fans of Before the Coffee Gets Cold.What would you do if you were told you only had days left to live? And what would you give up for just one more day? Genki Kawamura's If Cats Disappeared From The World is a tender, whimsical tale of love, loss, and the quiet miracles of everyday life. A thirty-year-old postman lives a simple life, with only his cat, Cabbage, for company. But when an unexpected diagnosis turns his world upside down, he is faced with an impossible choice. The Devil appears to him, dressed in a Hawaiian shirt, and makes an offer: if he makes one thing in the world disappear, he can have an extra day of life.As the days tick by, and with Cabbage by his side, he begins a journey that might just lead him back to the people he thought he’d lost. Before it’s too late . . .If Cats Disappeared from the World is a life-affirming meditation on what we leave behind – and what we hold onto until the very end.‘If you're a fan of The Guest Cat (or even just cats generally), you'll love this’ – The Sunday Times
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