Publisher: New Directions
Language: English
Translator: Eric Selland
Cover art: Léonard Tsugouharu Foujita “Chat Couturier”
Design: Erik Rieselbach
ISBN: 978-0-81-122150-4
Paperback, 144 pages
$14.95 USA　$16.00 CANADA

“An unusually intimate, detailed and vivid picture of a place that is simultaneously private and open.” —The New York Times Book Review

“It’s clear there is a tradition of literary works centering on or featuring cats in modern Japanese, and we now have from New Directions a translation of a splendid addition to that list. … a work of subtleties revealed only with repeated readings. I recommend it unreservedly to the general reader.” —Paul McCarthy, The Japan Times

“The little feline sets off a chain of disquisitions on nature, destiny, joy, pleasure, and sorrow.” —Huffington Post

“This is a beautiful, ornate read, brimming with philosophical observation, humor and intelligence, leaving the reader anticipating more translated works of Hiraide.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“A wonderful tale about the desire to possess and the pain of absence. And such writing! Precise, delicate, enchanting.” —Atmospheres

“A seemingly endless string of shape-shifting objects and experiences, whose splintering effect is enacted via a unique combination of speed and minutiae: what initially reads like free association turns out to be a near-microscopic record of emotions and phenomena.” —Alan Gilbert, The Believer

“Hiraide’s work really shines” —Kenzaburo Oe

“The Guest Cat is a rare treasure.” —NPR

Interview: BOMB MAGAZINE