Life isn’t easy. On the contrary, it’s quite rough, and sometimes, all we need is someone or something that communicates an understanding of our emotions and that is relatable to our experience. That is why many of us find solace in reading, whether it is poetry or novels, experiencing the same feelings but through different words. “She and Her Cat” was such a story for me, a sweet little pick-me-up.
“She and Her Cat” by Makoto Shinkai is a collection of four short stories about the relationship between cat and owner. It dives into the lives of four women who are struggling in different ways, and the narration is shared by those women and their respective cats. Goodreads describes the book as a “unique and sly commentary on human foibles and our desire for connection,” which “effortlessly demonstrates that even in our darkest, most lonesome moments, we are still united to this wonderous world—often in ways we could never have expected.” The story has also been turned into a manga as well as an anime, spreading through various mediums.
The book was very easy to digest, mainly because of its separation into four forty-page stories, but also through its use of language. Shinkai used very simplistic but beautifully phrased language in this book, opting for a grounded approach that was centered on theme and phrasing rather than the use of complicated words. Even the short story titles, “Sea of Words,” “First Blossoming,” “Slumber and Sky, “ and “The Temperature of the World,” all speak of the beauty of the language used in the book, hinting at creativity and a poetic atmosphere.
While the literature itself was simple, the themes were not quite. It was amazing to me how such simple writing can communicate so much emotion and generate deep thought in the reader. One of my favorite quotes from the book is, “I didn’t understand the meaning behind the sea of words; I just kept drifting on the surface.” (p.31) These words are uttered by the first story’s main character, Miyu, as she relates to how she sees herself interacting with the world and her understanding thereof. She feels lost and confused, not seeming to be able to understand how to differentiate what the people around her are saying versus what they really mean. Many of us can relate to this feeling when faced with so many different worldviews and perspectives. This feeling of confusion when faced with the grandness and bustle of the world is just a small sub-theme; the stories touched on grief, heartbreak, a quest for identity, and feeling like an outsider, including relatable elements that are inherently part of the human experience.
The stories don’t stop at the sadness, though. Instead, we see the relationship between the owners and their cats evolving as the main characters learn from their past mistakes, usually through the cats’ eyes. The beautiful alternation between human and feline perspective adds a lot to the story as we see the women through a different pair of eyes. I loved this aspect so much because it rendered the story much more three-dimensional. We had the opportunity to step out of the main character’s head and to see them through the eyes of someone else. The relationship itself between cat and human is beautiful to observe, the cats becoming valuable and loving companions to their owners, encouraging them in their own little way.
As a cat lover, this book really hit the spot, engaging with human emotions and the human experience in such a beautiful, intimate, and poetic way, all while adding cats to the narrative. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to delve into a quick read that still engages deeply with the human psyche and leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy inside.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.