READERS GUIDE
Readers GuideThe Travelling Cat Chronicles
Hiro Arikawa
Translated from the Japanese by Philip Gabriel
1. The Travelling Cat Chronicles exemplifies the idea that life isn’t about the destination; it’s about the journey. How do both Satoru and Nana show us that life is what we make of it?
2. Friendships come and go, as we all know. Yet friendships are everlasting in this book, despite the years that go by without any contact. Do you think this is true in real life? Aided by social media and how fast communication is now—via e-mail, chat programs, and text messages—have you reached out to someone you were close to many years ago but were no longer in touch with? Did this book make you want to reach out to someone?
3. The idea of being saved is a theme in this book—whether it’s Nana literally being saved from homelessness and hunger by Satoru, or Satoru feeling saved by Nana as Nana brought love into his life. Is there someone in your life, a furry friend or a person, who has saved you?
4. Japanese culture is predominant in the book. Were there aspects of the culture you found particularly fascinating, especially in regard to how Japanese people love their cats? Do you find that the same is true in America?
5. Both Nana and Satoru hold strong memories of enjoying nature together during their travels. Why was it important for Satoru to share these experiences with Nana? What did Nana learn from them?
