Book Review: We’ll Prescribe You a Cat

Author: Syou Ishida
Book Review by: Marlene Caraballo
Buy the book here.

Even though I’ve never cared for a cat, I am genuinely delighted with this novel.

This bestselling and award-winning Japanese novel, translated into English by E. Madison Shimoda, offers an unconventional yet heartwarming study of the power of caring for cats. It is a beautifully written novel that frequently made me think of the quote, “What you seek is seeking you,” a line from a poem by the Sufi poet Rūmī. Sometimes, we don’t know exactly what we need until it shows up in our lives!

Set in Kyoto, Japan, the Kokoro Clinic for the Soul is tucked away at the end of a narrow alley and (magically) can only be discovered by those needing help. The clinic provides a unique and surprising therapy: it prescribes cats as a form of treatment for those who feel lost and need fixing. Although patients initially think taking home a feline as medicine is odd, they soon experience significant changes in their outlook and their lives as the cats work their magic with playfulness, quirks, and unexpected challenges. Much to their surprise, not only do their dilemmas smooth out, but they also become unexpectedly reluctant to let their therapy cat go, leaving us intrigued and curious about this unique form of therapy.

The novel beautifully portrays the deep connection between humans and animals through the stories of different patients, including a down-on-his-luck businessman, another man battling feelings of irrelevance, a bag designer searching for emotional connection, and a geisha mourning the loss of her beloved cat. We get to tag along and witness as they find comfort and growth through their clinic-prescribed cats. As they work through their difficulties, the cats provide them with emotional growth, identity shifts, and the unexpected but much-needed feeling of connection, making us feel profoundly empathetic and connected to their journey.

Bottom line: We’ll Prescribe You a Cat gets a paws-up from me for its slightly supernatural, sweet but not sugary, meaningful message. This cozy fiction gem will appeal to anyone who’s ever wondered about the mysterious ways animals change our lives.

For a joyous read, buy We’ll Prescribe You a Cat.

Ready for book 2? Read the review: We’ll Prescribe You Another Cat.