What a book. Not my usual romantasy, HEA, pick. I was first enamored by the title and cover, which to me are so reminiscent of a lot of the other cat type books popping up these days (‘We’ll Prescribe You a Cat’, ‘Full Moon Cat Cafe’, ‘Before the Coffee Gets Cold’, etc.) Afterwards it was the description which caught my attention.

The stories were poignant and moving, without any of the ‘gloss’ found in many other books I read. As enchanting as the cats were (and they really were), it is the characters lives expressed so deeply in so few pages which will stay with me for a long time.

Would recommend.

Thank you NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Putnam Books for an e-ARC of Blanket Cats!!

Blanket Cats is a collection of 7 short stories/ novellas about individuals who rent a pet cat for 3 days. All of the characters in the story are going through some sort of dilemma (be it cancer, fertility problems, bullying/ suicide, home/ family problems, marriage issues, etc.) and use the rental of the cats to sort of put a band-aid on their issues while they attempt to remedy the situation in whatever way they see fit.

While this book did take me quite a while to read, I did enjoy it. The Blanket Cats opened a door for the characters to figure out the issues in their lives, giving closure, or whatever they needed. I think the concept of renting a pet for a few days is really cute, I don’t think it would work in America. The overall story was a powerful read, and at many points I found myself on the verge of tears. A lot of these problems the characters faced are very real issues for many people and families in any country (sickness, financial problems, family issues, and more). I think the story was translated well, I enjoy Jesse’s translations, and I actually really like how each novella ended in a sort of “limbo” where us, the readers are left to draw our own conclusions.

The more Japanese fiction I read, the more I am enjoying the genre. Thank you again for this opportunity to read the e-ARC!

A sweet story about cats that emotionally support the people whose lives they walk into. A beautiful story of vignettes of people touched by the blanket cats. I will say it was a bit slow at times, and I may have enjoyed it more on audio, but still recommend! I gave it 3.5 stars! Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the E-ARC.

Book Review: The Blanket Cats by Kyoshi Shigematsu
⭐️ (1/5)

As a fan of Japanese translated fiction and someone who adored We’ll Prescribe You a Cat, I was immediately drawn to The Blanket Cats. The premise—a heartwarming collection of stories about cats being lent out to humans in need—sounded right up my alley. Paired with an irresistibly cute cover, I couldn’t wait to dive in. Unfortunately, this book was a huge disappointment.

The concept of “blanket cats”—cats who carry small blankets for comfort—felt underdeveloped and ultimately pointless. The blanket aspect is barely explained and seems more like a gimmick than something integral to the stories. What’s worse, the book leans heavily into melancholy, touching on sensitive topics like infertility, bullying, and other struggles, without offering much in the way of resolution or hope.

Instead of heartwarming or whimsical moments, the stories focus on the darker, often cruel sides of human nature. As a cat lover, I spent most of the book worrying about the cats’ well-being rather than connecting with the human characters. The tone is overwhelmingly bleak, and the stories feel incomplete, often ending abruptly without meaningful conclusions.

If I’m being honest, this would have been a one-star read for me. But the cover is so charming that I’ll give it an extra star just for that.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This is one of the few books containing cats I was not entirely pleased with. First of all it was short stories, which in not much into. I enjoy longer plotted out tales. And second it just wasn't that happy good feeling most quirky Japanese takes are.

This was such a quirky compilation of short stories, bound together by the titular blanket cats. I think something may have been lost in translation, given some of the cultural attitudes that informed these characters decisions, so I may not have fully grasped the narrative as the author intended. But overall it was a sweet, quick read.

What is it about cats that makes them so incredibly intuitive? In The Blanket Cats, Shigematsu sets out to explore how the lives of several individuals are changed by cats from a special kind of pet store accompanied by their own special blanket.

I’m giving this interesting novel three points for the unique premise somewhat similar to “ We’ll prescribe you a cat. “ However, I found this book really hard to get into and was not able to finish. I just couldn’t connect with the characters and maybe it was the translation, but that is just my opinion.

The Blanket Cats seemed like it could be another cozy Japanese novel with the cats taking on cutesy, whimsical roles but instead it presented opportunities to reflect on the many types of grief we as humans can experience. It addressed the grief of knowing your life will be cut short; the grief of being unable to create life; the grief of relocation; the grief of disconnection; and so much more. The cats themselves serve as the odd vehicles for addressing the grief except for the final bit that is told from a cat's perspective. I liked that part best as the shift in viewpoint allowed for a different kind of examination of grief.

Oof... I'll preface with the fact this book was really good, just not what I expected. I thought it would be something along the lines of "We'll Prescribe You A Cat" in the feel-good vibe it gave, but I was far from correct. The premise you could rent a cat for three days for one reason or another seems like a heartwarming concept. However, for majority of the stories I found myself on edge and truly fearing for the cats. This could be chalked up to me being a sensitive cat lover, but i had to step away from the book on a few occasions because I thought I'd be sick with worry. That being said, the writing captured my attention and had me so enthralled that it invoked that deep of a emotional and physical response; a task that so few authors can accomplish. I'd say this was more of 4.5 stars, only because I wish a trigger warning was included to prepare me for the heart racing situations that occurred in the novel.

I absolutely adored this beautiful collection of stories that showed how knowing a cat can change anyone’s life for the better (even knowing the cat for only three days).
These characters are all beautifully flawed and human so they’re relatable and I found myself tearing up during a few memorable heartwarming endings.

My favorite story was the one from Tabby the cat’s POV. In Tabby’s story, he feels called to venture away from the relative safety of his blanket and ends up befriending some kids who are going through a really difficult situation. Tabby helps the kids find their way and then leaves and we’re left assuming he is on his way to help the next person.

Tabby’s story was one I connected with because I was saved by a special cat showing up at just the right moment. I truly believe I would not be here today to share this review with you had this stray cat not shown up and decided that I was her human. We didn’t end up having a long time together but it made ALL the difference to me.

I can’t recommend this book enough. I’m so grateful for my e-copy provided in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Putnam books and NetGalley!

This was not what I expected, some ways, good and some ways bad. First of all, be warned that it is a book of stories, not a novel. I am usually not a fan of stories, because when I read, I just want to delve in to the plot and be with it until it ends. Also, be warned even more that it is not a collection of cute, whimsical stories like the cover potrays. All of the stories deal with people who have problems (don't we all) and there's a recurring theme of sadness.
That being sad, I really did like the concept of the whole blanket cat. It takes imaginiation to come up with that. Also, one of the stories DID actually move me to tears. I guess what I am really trying to say is just because something is not what you expect, don't be too quick to toss it aside. I almost did with this, because it some places it dragged, but overall, I am glad I didn't put it down and stuck with it. If I hadn't, I would have missed the story that was extremely moving. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley.

I was really hoping for something cozy and this was not that. I think I’m taking it harder than I normally would because that seasonal depression already has a chokehold on me. 🥴 I just found the treatment of the Blanket Cats utterly despicable. 3/10 did not have fun.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am not sure what it is about this one, but something about it felt stilted. I'm assuming it was the translation. It seemed to lack the lyrical feel of previous cozy Japanese stories that I have read. The magic was there in concept but the execution really left me wanting more... It was a bit of a disappointment and much darker then I expected. This one wasn't for me.

Aw this was such a special read. I loved getting a glimpse into the lives of these individuals and watching their journey with their rented cats. The premise of this was just so whimsical and heartwarming. This got pretty deep and emotional at some points because it dealt with real life experiences and trauma

A collection of short stories titled The Blanket Cats delves into the intricate struggles faced by both humans and felines across various stages of life. Within its pages, some characters may come across as distant and underdeveloped, while others captivate the reader with their depth and complexity. The cats within the stories often embody the essence of underdogs, overshadowed by the human characters and their intricate dilemmas. The narrative, although at times unclear, attempts to navigate through challenging themes, yet the visualization of the settings and atmosphere remains elusive.

Throughout the book, the author bravely tackles tough subjects such as infertility, grief, loneliness, bullying, and memory loss. While the intention is to shed light on these sensitive topics, the execution may fall short, leaving the reader feeling uneasy. For instance, a story addressing bullying raises awareness about its detrimental effects on adolescents, yet fails to provide a satisfying resolution to the underlying issues.

The potential for The Blanket Cats to evolve into a remarkable collection of short stories is evident. With meticulous attention to detail, each narrative could be enriched with resolutions that not only confront the challenges presented but also contribute to character growth and story cohesion. By refining the storytelling and addressing the complexities within each tale, the collection could truly shine as a cohesive and impactful work of literature.

At times aloof, more than a little mischievous, and unpredictable to the core, blanket cats are rented out from a pet shop for three days at a time. While three days might not seem like long, it is enough. Enough to spark hope. To give closure. And - at least temporarily - to see the world with new eyes.

Reading this book, I almost felt like I had taken one of the blanket cats home myself - flipping through the pages, I didn't realize what I needed from a book until it found me.

Insightful, moving, and delightfully original, these chapters could almost be read as short stories.

Recommended to those who enjoyed 'A Man Called Ove' and 'The Cat Who Saved Books.'

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Blanket Cats.

I love the title and was intrigued by the premise so I was eager to dive into this cozy read.

After my usual reads of murder, mayhem, and blood, Blanket Cats fit the bill.

There's an unique pet shop in Tokyo that offers customers the opportunity to take home one of seven blanket cats whose magic enables the customers to deal with a particular obstacle or challenge in their lives at the moment.

Readers are introduced to seven customers who adopts a cat for three days helps them to resolve or come to terms with a personal issue in their lives; for example, a couple dealing with infertility, a teenage boy dealing with peer pressure, and a family coping with their matriarch's dwindling health.

Some of the chapters resonated with me but nothing stood out.

Many readers can relate to some, if not all, of the personal issues the characters are going through.

I think caring for a pet, however briefly, is valuable self care and may help put things into perspective.

Of course it helps that the cats are magic, too!

The blanket cats is not a direct sequel to We’ll Prescribe You A Cat. The same characters — the doctor and his nurse — do not show up. Instead it’s a shop keeper who rents out cats to a variety of customers, and like the customers, the stories are also varied. From a wistful, childless couple finding themselves brought together by a cat to a story about a demon cat, or the story straight from the cat’s mouth.

I enjoyed some of the stories are better than others, and didn’t find that this collection flowed together as well as the first book. I didn’t really have a favorite out of this collection, and don’t think any of them will linger. That said, I did enjoy what I read. The translation is good and reads smoothly, and I did like that the stories are open ended, hopeful without spelling everything out.

I do wonder how the stories would read to someone more familiar with or a member of a Japanese culture, if they would take away more than I did. I want to thank Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me the ARC.

The sweetest literary story for you! A pet shop located in Tokyo has seven very special cats. The cats have a peculiar magic as long as you care for them. Like a library, you sign the cats out and must follow the care instructions. Do not feed them any of your own food! Do not take away their special blankets. Before you know it, your personal story has changed - maybe for the better or maybe your own perspective has been altereed.

This is such a fun book. I love guessing what would happen with each cat and how the family would change. Because there are some cultural differences the answers were always interesting and surprising and not immediately obvious. If you like cats, special book or just stories in Japan this is an amazing book for you!

Sign me up! I want a blanket cat too. #kiyoshishigematsu #blanketcats #penguinbooks