Some Japanese fiction for the #1936Club today, in the form of a novella from one of the masters of writing from that country – Jun’ichiro Tanizaki. I’ve owned this particular book for decades (I have a variety of Kodansha Editions books on my shelves), but as far as I can tell, I’ve never read it. So what better time to pick up “A Cat, A Man and Two Women“, translated by Paul McCarthy? My edition is from 1991, and interestingly at that time the trend seems to have been not to mention the translator on the cover of a book – I’m glad this is now changing…
Anyway – in 1936 Tanizaki was working on a massive translation project, that of bringing “The Tale of Genji” into modern Japanese; and as McCarthy’s introduction discusses, the writing of a novella length tale like this must have been a lovely contrast to his larger work. And “A Cat…” is certainly a more modern tale… The story is a domestic one, focusing on Shozo, a lazy man, his ex-wife Shinako, his current wife Fukuko, and the cat Lily. In truth, though, I did think the title might be better given as “A Cat, A Man and Three Women”, as Shozo’s mother does have quite a bit of influence on events…
As the novella opens, Fukuko has been unsettled by a letter from her predecessor, in effect warning her that Shozo loves the cat Lily more than anything else in the world, and to watch out because her days are numbered too. Shinako suggests that Fukuko gets Shozo to hand the cat over to his first wife. Fukuko is supicious and inclined to be dismissive; however, as she observes Shozo with Lily, her jealousy is aroused and a whole series of events are set in motion which will affect all of the participants. Will Shozo part with Lily? Is Fukuko likely to stay in this marriage for long? Will Shinako get Shozo back? And what will happen to the cat?
(She) asked herself how she could ever have hated this lovely, docile little creature. The woman she had been came to seem to her now a very mean and nasty sort of person – a real monster, in fact.
“A Cat…” is a quite brilliantly written book, mainly because of its constantly shifting perspectives. We see a character or event from Fukuko’s point of view and think we have a handle on what’s going on; then the narrative shifts to Shozo’s gaze and suddenly things seem very different. Shinako has a particular take on events, but a return to Shozo’s point of view reveals her as apparently very mistaken. And Shozo’s mother adds another angle to the mix…
It’s a very clever way to tell the story as the changing viewpoints build up a picture of the various participants, and also reveal quite how mistaken many of them are in their perceptions of the other characters. Of course, the one viewpoint we don’t really get is Lily the cat… Various emotions and motivations are ascribed to her by the human characters, but we see her actions rather than thoughts and frankly can’t help feeling sorry for her, being used as a pawn by the humans. However, it does seem that it’s only in relation to Lily that the human characters develop real emotions and empathy, which says much about the tangled web the man and the two women have woven!
Tanizaki is known for producing longer works like “The Makioka Sisters”, so a shorter work like this is perhaps unexpected, and certainly a treat! The novella is very witty in places, with the author regularly skewering his characters’ motivations. It also reveals much about Japanese life at the time, and as McCarthy points out in his introduction, is unusual in that Tanizaki sets his work amongs ordinary, working class people as opposed to the more moneyed classes he often writes about. “A Cat, A Man and Two Women” was a wonderful read, and proof, if it was needed, that I really need to dig more of those unread books off the shelves!
MarinaSofia
Apr 17, 2021 @ 08:33:11
Ah, I didn’t realise this was published in 1936 and I have it on my shelves… tempting. Although, at the moment I have about 3 reviews related to that year wairing to be written…
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 17, 2021 @ 11:38:11
Oh dear! That’s quite a lot of catching up…. ;D This *is* short, though, and very good!
JacquiWine
Apr 17, 2021 @ 09:19:52
Oh lordy, your #1936 Club will be the death of my TBR! Another book that sounds right up my street (I’ve just been reading Ali’s review of Minty Alley, which seems equally tempting, albeit in a different tonal register to your Tanizaki). I’ve done well with 20th C Japanese lit in the past, so I’m sure this would fit right in…
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 17, 2021 @ 11:37:19
Sorry (not sorry)! Truly, though, it really is a bumper year for books – I could easily read from 1936 for a month! I think you would like this – very entertaining (and of course there’s a cat!) 😀
JacquiWine
Apr 17, 2021 @ 12:13:53
Well, the cat is a big selling point, I must admit! X
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 17, 2021 @ 13:08:23
;D I think it will be for many readers!
Tredynas Days
Apr 17, 2021 @ 10:37:03
Like Jacqui, I’ve had good experiences with such authors in the past, so am tempted by this one. Short, too…
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 17, 2021 @ 11:36:05
Short and entertaining and very readable – what’s not to love! ;D
A Life in Books
Apr 17, 2021 @ 11:27:19
I read The Makioka Sisters what feels like eons ago but somehow haven’t got around to any more Tanizaki despite enjoying it. This looks like a good way back in. I wonder why cats appear so frequently in Japanese fiction.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 17, 2021 @ 11:35:48
I have the Makioka Sisters unread, but from what I hear this is quite different (and much shorter!) Nevertheless I loved it, and am definitely keen on exploring further. As for cats – they *do* appear in Japanese fiction a lot (even up to modern times). Interesting that!
MarinaSofia
Apr 17, 2021 @ 12:15:43
Japanese are huge cat lovers – they appear in literature, art, manga, anime, films and everywhere. They have a cat island, they have cat statuettes to bring good fortune (Maneki Neko) and so on. It really is a long-standing love affair. Of course, the classic of modern (or thereabouts) Japanese literature is Natsume Soseki’s I Am a Cat. Another reason why I love Japan!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 17, 2021 @ 13:08:02
Must read I am a Cat….
Janakay | YouMightAsWellRead
Apr 17, 2021 @ 12:08:00
I join the general lament about adding to the TBR, as this certainly sounds enticing. I don’t mean to suggest anything other than a superficial similarity but it did put me in mind of Colette’s La Chatte, in which a cat serves as a serious rival for a husband’s affections.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 17, 2021 @ 13:09:10
Um, yes, this week certainly *has* affected the TBRs… And I thought of the Colette story too – it’s a long time since I read it, but I recall it as being a little more sinister than this…
Liz Dexter
Apr 17, 2021 @ 13:16:49
You have done well with this Week!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 17, 2021 @ 14:52:32
Thank you! I *am* very happy with what I’ve read for 1936 – last post coming up tomorrow!
Anokatony
Apr 17, 2021 @ 15:23:24
I believe I read ‘Quicksand’ by Mr. Tanizaki.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 17, 2021 @ 18:30:29
But did you enjoy it??
madamebibilophile
Apr 17, 2021 @ 16:02:53
I also thought of Colette! This sounds excellent – you’re so right that 1936 has been a bumper year.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 17, 2021 @ 18:30:19
It’s been a wonderful year – so glad we chose it! 😀
heavenali
Apr 17, 2021 @ 19:43:46
Well Tanizaki is not an author I have read. This sounds really interesting and quite quirky. I am more of a dog lover than a cat lover, though I do like cats, and the cat character is an added attraction. Another brilliant selection for the 1936 club.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 17, 2021 @ 20:08:22
This may be my first read of him, although tbh I can’t be sure… I certainly loved it, and I’m more a dog person too. Very cleverly written – 1936 was a hell of a year!
Annabel (AnnaBookBel)
Apr 18, 2021 @ 13:58:17
If I’d have known about the 1936 Club when I read this earlier this year, I would have saved it. Loved this book.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 18, 2021 @ 14:13:36
So did I! Brilliant, and makes me want to read more of his work!
1streading
Apr 18, 2021 @ 15:49:25
This was one of the three books I’d thought of reading for 1936 club (in this case a re-read) – I managed Fires and War of the Newts, but not this, though your review makes me feel I have missed out!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 18, 2021 @ 15:53:04
Well, it’s not long, so you could read it anyway… ;D
buriedinprint
Apr 20, 2021 @ 21:27:05
This is one that I saw was available through the public library but like you (and Liz, but she cheated this time! *winks*) I’ve been trying to focus on my own shelves for events (although abusing my library privileges for all sorts of other reading). I’ve gone back and marked it though, because the idea of the multiple POVs is irresistible for me. (Well, the cat, too, although it sounds like the feline perspective is shortchanged.)
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 21, 2021 @ 11:34:10
It’s a good read – really entertaining, and the switching POV wrong-foots you nicely as you read (well, it did me!) Great fun!
#1936Club – links round-up – Stuck in a Book
Apr 26, 2021 @ 10:40:47
WordsAndPeace
May 13, 2021 @ 04:54:17
Nice presentation. Indeed this author has so many different genres. I really enjoyed this one as well: https://wordsandpeace.com/2021/02/14/sunday-post-38-2-14-2021/
kaggsysbookishramblings
May 13, 2021 @ 11:10:02
Thank you! I really did like his writing and fortunately have a lot more on the shelves!
#JanuaryInJapan: A Cat, a Man and Two Women – findingtimetowrite
Jan 09, 2022 @ 17:15:17