When I saw this book in my Amazon feed I immediately knew I was going to buy it. The title is not only cute but I believe if doctor's prescribed cats instead of meds, we all would recover from whatever ails us. I knew the story would be good. It was! I loved this novel written in the 1970s in Japan and translated into English in 2024. It has now been translated into seventeen languages.
The publisher's summary:
A cat a day keeps the doctor away…Discover the award-winning, bestselling Japanese novel that has become an international sensation in this utterly charming, vibrant celebration of the healing power of cats.Tucked away in an old building at the end of a narrow alley in Kyoto, the Kokoro Clinic for the Soul can only be found by people who are struggling in their lives and 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, occasionally challenging yet endearing cats.Throughout the pages, the power of the human-animal bond is revealed as a disheartened businessman finds unexpected joy in physical labor, a young girl navigates the complexities of elementary school cliques, a middle-aged man struggles to stay relevant at work and home, a hardened bag designer seeks emotional balance, and a geisha finds herself unable to move on from the memory of her lost cat. As the clinic’s patients navigate their inner turmoil and seek resolution, their feline companions lead them toward healing, self-discovery, and newfound hope.
The book contains five short stories about a Kyoto psychiatrist who prescribes a cat to every patient as a unique form of therapy for people with life problems. The prescription is always for ten days after which the cat must be returned to the doctor. The stories showcase the healing power of animals with a touch of fantasy thrown in for good measure. As the summary above states, only people in deep emotional pain can open the door to the clinic and this is where the fantasy comes in. Not everyone can see the alleyway where the business practice is located.
Some of the characters are in more than one story but each features a new patient. Every story begins the same with a frazzled employee receiving a referral to a mental health clinic from a friend of a friend of a friend.The clinic is run by Doctor Nikke and Nurse Chitose. And SPOILER, they're cats that have taken human form. Chitose and Nikke were born in a breeding house in terrible conditions and were saved by Dr. Suda of the Suda Animal Hospital. The hospital is located down the same street as the Clinic. Both are in every story. The plot premise for each story are mentioned above and do not need to be repeated.
We'll Prescribe You a Cat is a must read! I cannot recommend it more highly. 5 out of 5 stars.
