If Cats Disappeared From The World Audiobook By Genki Kawamura, Eric Selland - translator cover art

If Cats Disappeared From The World

A moving and thought-provoking tale for fans of cosy Japanese fiction

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The million-copy bestseller, perfect for fans of Before the Coffee Gets Cold.

What would you do if you were told you only had days left to live? And what would you give up for just one more day? Genki Kawamura's If Cats Disappeared From The World is a tender, whimsical tale of love, loss, and the quiet miracles of everyday life.

A thirty-year-old postman lives a simple life, with only his cat, Cabbage, for company. But when an unexpected diagnosis turns his world upside down, he is faced with an impossible choice. The Devil appears to him, dressed in a Hawaiian shirt, and makes an offer: if he makes one thing in the world disappear, he can have an extra day of life.

As the days tick by, and with Cabbage by his side, he begins a journey that might just lead him back to the people he thought he’d lost. Before it’s too late . . .

If Cats Disappeared from the World is a life-affirming meditation on what we leave behind – and what we hold onto until the very end.

‘If you're a fan of The Guest Cat (or even just cats generally), you'll love this’ – The Sunday Times

 Literary Fiction World Literature Cats Fiction Magical Realism Animals Genre Fiction Fantasy Magic

Critic reviews

A warm, quirky novel on life, love, family estrangement and what remains when we are gone with a surprising emotional charge.
If you're a fan of The Guest Cat (or even just cats generally), you'll love this.
This brief existential enquiry into life’s priorities is gently charming.
A moral tale.
A poignant, affecting story about facing up to one's mortality, taking responsibility for one's choices and deciding what truly holds value.
Reminiscent of Johnathan Livingston Seagull, this was a quick read – it only took me a few hours – but it will stay with you long after you finish it.
All stars
Most relevant
A story about a small family, their cats and life itself. Quite amusing as well.

I loved the book ❤️❤️❤️

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a short, and worthwhile book .
it could have been longer ,but the 2 first hours of the book was the best .

thought provoking

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I loved how casual the story was told for some deep thoughts of personal issues. Also reminders for readers on how we place importance on certain things in life over the trivials. Loved it

Deep thoughts yet casual storytelling

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A deep story, lots of thinking, several funny moments, fewer cats. :)
Recommended if you liked Travelling Cat Chronicles.

Love these stories with cats. :)

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As I got into this book I assumed I knew what I could expect, but it turned out to be so much more. While the premise of the story is a game of dare with the devil, the actual story is a philosophical consideration of what matters in life, set against loss, love and the company of cats. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

A philosophical journey

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