I Am a Cat in its purest version is a rewrote tale of Soseki Natsume's first short story. The original story made up only the first chapter of the epic. When Natsume's first attempt became a hit, he expanded the story into 3 volumes with 11 chapters. A classic Japanese literature, the novel portrays an honest view of an unnamed cat which sometimes funny, sometimes philosophical. At some points, the novel is a satire which reflects the author's personality and Japanese society.

The main character; an orphaned kitten and unnamed stumbled to a teacher's house in hope for food after being discarded by a previous owner. Luckily the poor kitten earned its place in the house, thanks to the teacher's compassion and its determination not to leave the kitchen even after some tossing from the servant. From that fateful day, the kitten grew up into a fine tabby, so 'fine' that he never caught a mouse but watching and critically commenting human's behavior.

I Am a Cat has no main plot; it simply tells everyday activities of the cat and his observation on humans. As the story proceeds, the cat's viewpoint became more human-like. I guess it's hard for a human author to keep opinions like a feline. However, his conclusions are witty although some of them have deeper meanings and worth of further thought. The cat's observations are clearly described; like watching from its point of view. On the downside, his views are constantly obstructed by detailed analogy and philosophy. I could say the diversion is long enough to make another subject's discussion. Sometimes, I also felt lost and clueless in the midst that I had to backtrack the main point.

On being an observer, the cat spends most of his time by Mr. Sneaze. So, the teacher becomes the main subject of the cat's critics. The teacher is perceived as silly and lazy. But, Mr. Sneaze is a simple man who holds firmly on his words. Other people who also being targets are the master's regular visitor like Waverhouse. The man is lack of manners as he always barged in Sneaze's house without proper greetings and throws crude remarks. Even so, Waverhouse is a funny character which I always wait for his appearance in the story.

Like his master, the tabby has taken into disliking rich people, as they are so proud and degrade people who are not on their side. One particular rich lady even got a pet name due to the largeness of her nose. It seemed not only the tabby has the thing with the lady's nose, but also Mr. Sneaze and his friends who even make silly and hilarious ranting. Of course, the nose's owner is none of being happy knowing it from her spies.

After observing much human dramas which mostly revolving around his master, the ending is tragic for the unnamed cat. The old-saying 'curiosity killed the cat' heavily applied here. I feel sorry for the cat because he is alone as much as the beginning of his life. Come to think of it, the cat is actually insignificant to the human characters although he's the main subject in the novel. How ironic.


Recommended: Yes