We'll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

Tucked away on the fifth floor of an old building at the end of a narrow alley in Kyoto, the Nakagyō Kokoro Clinic for the Soul can be found only by people who are struggling in their lives and who genuinely need help. The mysterious clinic offers a unique treatment to those who find their way there: it prescribes cats as medication. Patients are often puzzled by this unconventional prescription, but when they “take” their cat for the recommended duration, they witness profound transformations in their lives, guided by the playful, empathetic, and occasionally challenging yet endearing cats.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

September 2024; Berkley; 978-0593818749
audio, ebook, print (304 pages); translated fiction

A while ago I saw a meme that showed a daily pill box with cats and it said "A cat a day keeps the doctor away". After that, I told people that's the reason I have seven cats - one for each day. Then months later I saw the book We'll Prescribe You a Cat. I was curious because I love Japanese literature but I don't typically read books featuring animals because I always wind up crying. But I just couldn't pass it up.

If you enjoy the popular Japanese series Before the Coffee Gets Cold, then you will want to read this book. 

There is a note of magical realism within the pages, which seems to be part of every Japanese book I've read. The book is comprised of 5 short stories that feature a mental health clinic that isn't always there, but is always there when the person needs it. The only characters that appear in each story are the doctor and the nurse. But this doctor and nurse aren't like any you have ever met. 

Whatever the issue that the person is dealing with the prescription is always the same - a cat. 

The cats in each story are different as well. And they aren't purebred cats trained as therapy animals. Right from the first story, we get a cat who will be returned to the animal shelter after the 5-day prescription runs out and unfortunately, it will be euthanized because its adoption period has run out. There is a very frank conversation between the patient and the clinic doctor about the state of animal shelters and pet overpopulation.

But don't worry - I didn't shed a single tear throughout the book.

If you are an animal lover who knows the healing powers of the animal-human bond, then this is a pick you don't want to miss this book.

Buy We'll Prescribe You a Cat at Amazon

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour. 

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