{"title":"Hiro Arikawa","description":"\u003cp\u003eHiro Arikawa’s novels gently explore the bonds between humans and animals, weaving heartfelt tales that blend warmth and introspection. With a delicate touch, her stories invite readers into quiet moments of companionship, often captured through the eyes of cats and the people they touch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRooted in \u003cem\u003egeneral fiction\u003c\/em\u003e, her works offer a soothing blend of everyday life and subtle emotion, perfect for those who cherish narratives about connection, kindness, and the simple beauty found in unexpected journeys.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-travelling-cat-chronicles","title":"The Travelling Cat Chronicles","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eThe Travelling Cat Chronicles\u003c\/em\u003e by Hiro Arikawa, readers embark on an extraordinary journey through Japan, guided by the unique perspective of a streetwise cat named Nana. Found injured and taken in by a kind-hearted man named Satoru, Nana's life is transformed. When Satoru decides to visit three of his old friends from his youth, Nana joins him on a road trip across the picturesque landscapes of Japan. The two traverse the country in Satoru's trusty silver van, each stop on their journey revealing more about Satoru's past, and the depth of the bond they share.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTranslated by Philip Gabriel, known for his translations of Haruki Murakami's works, this tender and uplifting narrative is a celebration of companionship and the simple, yet profound, connections that shape our lives. Set against Japan’s changing seasons, the story navigates themes of friendship, love, and the poignant impermanence of life. Nana's observant and humorous narration adds a unique charm to this heartwarming tale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt's not just the physical journey that captivates readers, but the emotional landscapes explored along the way. Satoru's visits to his old friends are filled with nostalgia, reflection, and revelations, each encounter offering glimpses of his past while progressively unveiling the reasons behind his journey. Through Nana’s eyes, we witness the beauty in everyday interactions and the silent yet profound ways in which love and kindness manifest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Travelling Cat Chronicles\u003c\/em\u003e is more than a story about a man and his cat; it is a beautifully woven narrative about life’s unexpected detours, the essence of true friendship, and the comforting solace found in companionship. Arikawa’s storytelling, coupled with Gabriel’s masterful translation, creates an emotionally resonant experience that lingers long after the final page is turned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCritics and readers alike have praised the novel for its heartwarming and insightful narrative:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Bewitching... as self-possessed and comforting as - well, a cat\" - Sunday Telegraph\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"A book about kindness and love, and how the smallest things can provide happiness\" - Stylist\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eReaders love \u003cem\u003eThe Travelling Cat Chronicles\u003c\/em\u003e:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Delightful, insightful, full of warmth with plenty of humour\" – 5 stars\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Uplifting and heart-wrenching in equal measure\" – 5 stars\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"It had me in floods of tears but filled me with hope too\" – 5 stars\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you're a cat lover or simply a lover of beautifully told stories, \u003cem\u003eThe Travelling Cat Chronicles\u003c\/em\u003e promises to be the perfect curl-up read, offering both a tender reflection on life and a profound message about the enduring power of kindness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e Includes a sneak preview from the author's new bestseller, \u003cem\u003eThe Goodbye Cat\u003c\/em\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House Distribution","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45658349207788,"sku":"9780857524195","price":23.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780857524195.jpg?v=1724851981"},{"product_id":"the-goodbye-cat-by-hiro-arikawa-9780857529138","title":"The Goodbye Cat","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeven uplifting tales of warm, wise and sarcastic cats set in modern Japan through the changing seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe uplifting new cat novel from the million-copy bestselling author of \u003cem\u003eThe Travelling Cat Chronicles\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'Quirky and life-enhancing'\u003c\/em\u003e THE TIMES Biggest Books of the Autumn 2023\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAgainst changing seasons in Japan, seven cats weave their way through their owners' lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eA needy kitten rescued from the recycling bin teaches a new father how to parent his own human baby.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAn elderly cat hatches a plan to pass into the next world as a spirit so that he and his owner may be together forever.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eA colony of wild cats on a holiday island shows a young boy not to stand in nature's way.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eA family is perplexed by their cat's devotion to their charismatic but uncaring father.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eA woman curses how her cat constantly visits her at night.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBursting with empathy and love, \u003cem\u003eThe Goodbye Cat\u003c\/em\u003e explores the unstoppable cycle of life, showing how the steadiness and devotion of a well-loved cat never lets us down.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA huge bestseller in Japan, every page is a joyous celebration of cats and how we cannot resist sharing our lives with them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'A book for every cat lover. An enchanting insight into the mysterious world of cats and their humans'\u003c\/em\u003e CELIA HADDON, author of \u003cem\u003eBeing Your Cat\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIncludes seven beautiful cat drawings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eREADERS ADORE \u003cem\u003eThe Goodbye Cat\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e'Wonderful! These cats are charming and truly come alive. The book is full of human — or rather, cat kindness' \u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e*\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e'Irresistible. This is the first time since \u003cem\u003eThe Travelling Cat Chronicles\u003c\/em\u003e that I cried my eyes out over a book' \u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e*\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e'I'm glad I didn't read it outside because I couldn't stop crying. 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Trundling through the scenic countryside of Kyoto and Osaka is the Hankyu line, a burgundy-coloured electric train that has been carrying its commuters to their destinations for decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOver the course of a single journey in springtime, and the return journey six months later just as the leaves begin to fall:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eA young man meets the woman who happens to take out the last copy of the library book he was about to borrow;\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eAn angry wedding guest dresses in a white gown to upstage the bride;\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eA university student leaves home for the first time;\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eA twenty-something finally grows the courage to walk away from an abusive partner;\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eA widow learns independence, as she and her granddaughter meet their new dog.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs the seasons change and the landscapes change, passengers jostle and connect, as this gentle, timeless train carries each one forward towards the person they intend to become.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House Distribution","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46364108292332,"sku":"9781529934915","price":33.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781529934915.jpg?v=1746444807"},{"product_id":"the-travelling-cat-chronicles-by-hiro-arikawa-9780857526335","title":"The Travelling Cat Chronicles","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeautiful new hardback edition including a ribbon, illustrated coloured endpapers and luscious finishes on the front - perfect for gifting at Christmas for new and existing \u003ci\u003eThe Travelling Cat Chronicles\u003c\/i\u003e fans.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSTUNNING HARDBACK GIFTING EDITION, INCLUDES A RIBBON and SIX LINE DRAWINGS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRECOMMENDED BY THOUSANDS OF READERS\u003c\/strong\u003e - the uplifting story of a journey around Japan with a cat by your side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Bewitching... as self-possessed and comforting as - well, a cat' - \u003cem\u003eSunday Telegraph\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt's not the journey that counts, but who's at your side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNana is on a road trip, but he is not sure where he is going. 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It shows, above all, how acts of love, both great and small, can transform our lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Arikawa has a lightness of touch that elevates her story to a tale about loyalty and friendship ... while speaking to our basic human need for companionship' - \u003cem\u003eJohn Boyne, Irish Times\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Anyone who has ever unashamedly loved an animal will read this book with gratitude, for its understanding of an emotion that ennobles us as human beings, whether we value it or not' - \u003cem\u003eLynne Truss, Guardian\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'It has the warmth, painterly touch, and tenderness of a Studio Ghibli film - and it is a delight to read' - \u003cem\u003eFinancial Times\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWHAT READERS ARE SAYING-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e'I devoured this in just four days. Read it and weep'\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e*\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e'What an astounding book'\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e*\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e'Totally enchanting and delightful' \u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e*\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e'Full of hope. Just as good for non-cat-owners as well'\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e*\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e'Absolutely amazing. I read it in a couple of days'\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e*\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e'One of the best little books I have ever read'\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e*\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46490938343660,"sku":"9780857526335","price":26.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/8188883482493.jpg?v=1748392029"},{"product_id":"the-passengers-on-the-hankyu-line-by-hiro-arikawa-9781804994870","title":"The Passengers on the Hankyu Line","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the authentic and original healing fiction author of \u003cem\u003eTravelling Cat Chronicles\u003c\/em\u003e comes a 1.4-million-copy bestseller - set on a famously scenic railway line in Japan, following key emotional dramas for five commuters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTHE INSTANT TIMES BESTSELLER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDISCOVER YOUR NEXT FEELGOOD JAPANESE NOVEL, BY THE AUTHOR OF THE TRAVELLING CAT CHRONICLES\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOver 1.4 million copies sold in Japan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'You will be wrapped in laughter and tears' Reader review\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e*\u003cbr\u003e\n'What I love about it is its Kindness' Reader review\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e*\u003cbr\u003e\n'I wanted to tap the shoulders of the characters' Reader review\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e*\u003cbr\u003e\n'Imagine \u003cem\u003eMurder on the Orient Express\u003c\/em\u003e without the untimely fatalities and you'll be halfway towards this cosy and affecting read' Harper's Bazaar\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe contents of each traveller's heart is a mystery known only to themselves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTrundling through the scenic countryside of Kyoto and Osaka is the Hankyu line, a burgundy-coloured electric train that has been carrying its commuters to their destinations for decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOver the course of a single journey in springtime, and the return journey six months later just as the leaves begin to fall:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003ea young man meets the woman who happens to take out the last copy of the library book he was about to borrow;\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003ean angry wedding guest dresses in a white gown to upstage the bride;\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003ea university student leaves home for the first time;\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003ea twenty-something finally grows the courage to walk away from an abusive partner;\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003ea widow learns independence, as she and her granddaughter discuss their new dog.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs the seasons and the landscapes change, passengers jostle and connect, as this timeless train carries each one forward towards the person they intend to become.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47582734549228,"sku":"9781804994870","price":28.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781804994870-the-passengers-on-the-hankyu-line.jpg?v=1777438600"},{"product_id":"the-travelling-cat-chronicles-and-the-goodbye-cat-by-hiro-arikawa-9781529959871","title":"The Travelling Cat Chronicles and The Goodbye Cat","description":"Fabulous double volume of THE TRAVELLING CAT CHRONICLES and THE GOODBYE CAT, two sensational global bestsellers showing the irresistible bond between human and cat.\n\n**THE SPECIAL EDITION HARDBACK FOR ALL CAT-LOVERS !**\n\nDiscover the fabulous new double volume hardback gifting edition containing two bestsellers by Hiro Arikawa: The Travelling Cat Chronicles and The Goodbye Cat.\n\nThis edition includes extra sparkle and elegance, with brand new front-cover illustrations, full-colour inside endpapers and sprayed edges\n\n'Bewitching... as self-possessed and comforting as - well, a cat' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH\n'A book about kindness and love, and how the smallest things can provide happiness' STYLIST\n'Quirky and life-enhancing' THE TIMES\n___\n\nSet against the backdrop of Japan's changing seasons and narrated with a rare gentleness and humour, The Travelling Cat Chronicles explores the wonder and thrill of life's unexpected detours. 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