Darko Majcenović reviewed We'll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida
Easy going short stories with a hint of supernatural
4 stars
These five short stories offer a reflective look at life, inviting readers to consider their own experiences if they find themselves relating to the characters. I particularly resonated with the first story, about the challenges faced by a young salaryman, due to some of my own life experiences. Cats appear in each story, intertwined with the characters' troubles, but their presence is never supernatural or beyond what one would expect from a cat. I saw the cats as more of a supporting element, a helpful nudge prompting the characters to re-evaluate their lives. The hint of the supernatural, mentioned in the title, comes from the doctor and nurse and the sometimes accessible, sometimes inaccessible nature of their office. I shouldn't say more about this, to avoid spoiling the ending. I enjoyed the book and the writing, though I felt something may have been lost in translation. I suspect this type …
These five short stories offer a reflective look at life, inviting readers to consider their own experiences if they find themselves relating to the characters. I particularly resonated with the first story, about the challenges faced by a young salaryman, due to some of my own life experiences. Cats appear in each story, intertwined with the characters' troubles, but their presence is never supernatural or beyond what one would expect from a cat. I saw the cats as more of a supporting element, a helpful nudge prompting the characters to re-evaluate their lives. The hint of the supernatural, mentioned in the title, comes from the doctor and nurse and the sometimes accessible, sometimes inaccessible nature of their office. I shouldn't say more about this, to avoid spoiling the ending. I enjoyed the book and the writing, though I felt something may have been lost in translation. I suspect this type of literature translates better in its native Japanese, as I felt I was missing some cultural nuances and subtleties in the writing style. Still, a very enjoyable read.
