Synopsis:
A cat a day keeps the doctor away…

Discover the award-winning, bestselling Japanese novel that has become an international sensation in this utterly charming, vibrant celebration of the healing power of cats.

Tucked away in an old building at the end of a narrow alley in Kyoto, the Kokoro Clinic for the Soul can only be found by people who are struggling in their lives and genuinely need help. The mysterious clinic offers a unique treatment to those who find their way there: it prescribes cats as medication. Patients are often puzzled by this unconventional prescription, but when they “take” their cat for the recommended duration, they witness profound transformations in their lives, guided by the playful, empathetic, occasionally challenging yet endearing cats.

Throughout the pages, the power of the human-animal bond is revealed as a disheartened businessman finds unexpected joy in physical labor, a young girl navigates the complexities of elementary school cliques, a middle-aged man struggles to stay relevant at work and home, a hardened bag designer seeks emotional balance, and a geisha finds herself unable to move on from the memory of her lost cat. As the clinic’s patients navigate their inner turmoil and seek resolution, their feline companions lead them toward healing, self-discovery, and newfound hope.

Review:
“The amount of time you spent together probably matters, but less time doesn’t mean less love. Whether it’s a day or year, human or cat, and even if we may never see them again, there are those who are irreplaceable in our lives.” (Page 268)

This book was so touching! I definitely found myself tearing up at the end. I loved how cats can bring so much joy and change to a person. I felt very reminiscent to when my husband and I got our first two cats together; I had never had cats and thought I was a dog person! Cats may sometimes come across as standoffish or not caring, and their certainly have their own minds, but their love, once given is everything. I loved how cats both made people feel better but want to do better and be different. Oftentimes the cats also reminded people that what they thought they wanted or needed in life wasn’t the case, and if they looked to what they were missing, they would open up a whole new world of opportunities and connections. While the magical realism of this one hit home, especially in our geisha’s case, I would recommend this book to any who love cats; you’ll smile, you’ll cry, and you’ll remember just how lucky you are to have such small perfect family members–challenges and all.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯