These five short stories are incredibly sweet and moving. It was the cutest, PURest and emotional thing I’ve read in a long time. This wasn’t what I expected from be title “We’ll prescribe you a cat”, which was silly of me because this book is exactly that. The main characters go to a clinic where they’re prescribed a cat. Even though I was a bit naive going into this book, I found myself pleasantly surprised and happy. This read exceeded any expectations I had and more

People who are struggling in their lives seek out the Clinic for the Soul in Kyoto, a mysterious place which cannot always be found. This series of vignettes is about the clinic's clients, and how each is prescribed a special cat by the attending physician, who may or may not be a human doctor. This charming book has a unique slant, and shows how each cat has helped to change a person's life, and was very different from anything I've read before. Recommended for cat lovers and aficionados of whimsical fantasy. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

“The amount of time you spent together probably matters, but less time doesn’t mean less love. Whether it’s a day or year, human or cat, and even if we may never see them again, there are those who are irreplaceable in our lives.”

I love a quiet Japanese slice of life book, and if there is an element of magic involved, even better! This book fit perfectly into this category, with each chapter focusing on a different person seeking to improve something about their life. We see Kyoto-based vignettes about overworked employees, perfectionistic employers, parents struggling to relate to their kids, and more. Most importantly, we see how cats, with all of their many personalities, are perfectly matched with each skeptical patient and how this brings insight and optimism into each individual’s life.

As with many stories of this kind, the language is simple and direct. You won’t find flowery exposition in this novel, but you really don’t need it. It’s easy to connect and empathize with each character anyway, and I found myself wanting the best for each of them. There is also a bit of mystery about the clinic itself, and I loved putting the little clues from each vignette together as we moved toward the conclusion.

If you love heartwarming stories, quiet slice of life vignettes, and/or reading about the shenanigans of cats, this book might be perfect for you!


Content warnings: Grief, mental health stigma, animal death

Thanks so much to Netgalley and Berkley for this advanced copy of the book!

I liked this idea of this more than the execution. I often find it hard to enjoy or connect with anthology/short-story style books, and this was the same. It wasn’t until the last story that the messages really started to hit home (I was SOBBING). It made me miss my cat so much. I appreciate the story as a whole, but wasn’t a big fan of the writing style.

I knew that I would love this book even before I had the pleasure of reading it. I love Japanese translated stories and of course I love cats. This amazing book is whimsical and also a bit emotional at times.

We’ll Prescribe You a Cat is comprised of five short stories that feature characters from all walks of life. Each character seeks out (what they believe to be) psychiatric services based on a referral from a friend. After explaining their situation to the doctor, they are prescribed a cat “dose” for a certain about of time and sometimes a “fast acting” cat. I giggled so much while reading this just from the pure cuteness of that.

Usually the character is bewildered and reluctantly brings the cat home with them. The cats then teach each character whatever lesson they were meant to learn.

I suspect I will return to this book again and again. Each story is filled with healing and personal growth- especially the last story which beautifully ties it all together.

If you’ve ever loved or lost a cat, this one’s for you

From the very beginning, the title of this book drew me in. “We’ll prescribe you a cat.” Tuens out, the book is exactly that. Different short stories about different people with different problems who are all prescribed cats as their solutions.
Not only do you get to experience the emotional and physical healing that cats can bring, but you even learn a little about the clinic that prescribes the cats and how it came to be.
The stories leave you with such a warm, feel-good emotion while reading that it’s hard to put the book down. I truly think that even non animal lovers will enjoy reading this and absolutely recommend it.
Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC!

Thank you to #netgalley for providing this ARC.

The book is extremely sweet and moving. There are 5 stories that are minimally connected all centering on people going through a challenging time that are “prescribed a cat.”

I loved the fantasy aspect and exploration of using animals to support mental health. It was great how the author touched on the stigma related to mental health, how different genders and generations have different opinions, and the wide variety of people depicted. It is a quick and engaging read.

Book recommendation: We'll Prescribe You A Cat

What if instead of apples, a cat a day could keep the doctor away?

This book has it all. Beautiful personal stories, prescription cats, a magically appearing doctor's office (and is the doctor kind of a cat too?!), and a touch of humor.

Each chapter is a story of a different person seeking help with their own mental struggles. From unhappiness at work to troubles connecting to teenage kids, the stories span multiple human experiences with the same heartwarming solution: five to ten days of a cat. Each person walks into the doctors office thinking they're going to talk to a psychiatrist and maybe get some depression meds, but they walk out with a cat carrier and instructions on how to care for a cat. Of course, everyone is skeptical; they weren't expecting to be forced to take home a pet, but what they find is a new kind of healing they weren't expecting.

This little collection of stories was quick to get through, and beautifully written. This is is a translated work of fiction, and I feel the story comes across really well. After living in Japan and seeing the stray cats and the way Japan loves cats, it was fun to read this book and see a deeper connection between cats and people!!

Thank you Netgalley and the author for this free digital book in exchange for my honest feedback.
I'll have a full, in depth review and literary analysis on my blog very soon!

The short stories in this book were a delight to read. Cats are prescribed as “medicine for the soul“. Each cat is chosen specifically for the patient. The last story especially had some elements of magical realism.

This book is a collection of short stories involving the bonds between owners and their cats, and ends — as many such collections do — with an owner coming to terms with the loss of her cat. If, like me, you’re a sap when it comes to your own pets … be prepared to maybe sniffle a bit.

Somewhere in Kyoto, Japan is the Nakagyo Kokoro Clinic for the Soul, down a narrow alley, through a heavy door and up on the fifth floor where an aloof and indifferent nurse and a cheerful doctor prescribe their patients cats. One man wants to quit his job, and is given Bee, who leads him down a path to an entirely new life. Margot helps her owner find his lost connection to his family while Koyuki helps a mother struggling with her daughter come to terms with her own fraught relationship with her mother.

Tank and Tangerine is a cute story, but not my favorite, and seems to serve mostly as a segue into the final story, Mimita. This story deals with loss, grief, and forgiveness as Abino has to make peace with losing her first cat, a weak and ill calico used in a breeding/hoarding situation. She loved her cat, did everything to keep her safe, to help her get well, but one night her cat vanished out the window and Abino not only mourns her pet, but blames herself for leaving the window open. The doctor gives her Mimita, a cat she doesn’t want to get close to, reluctant to be hurt again … and you can guess the rest.

Because this is a translated work from Japanese it reads somewhat more distant. There’s more exposition and spare prose, leaving a reader to fill in the emotional beats on their own. However, the themes are universal enough that I don’t think that would be an issue for most readers.

If this were to become a series, I’d be there for every book, and I want to thank Net Galley and Penguin for allowing me the advanced reader copy.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

This was lovely. I really enjoy this genre of books that "prescribes" exactly what the person is looking for, in this case, a cat! I think my own experience with pet ownership, especially having a cat, has been such a huge mental boost for me. These little vignettes really highlight the love and care a cat can bring into so many different lives!

I was lucky to be given access to an E-ARC sample of this book and it was great!

The book is about a secret clinic down a narrow and hard to find path in Kyoto. We meet many different people who go to this clinic upon the idea that it’s a mental health clinic, only to find out it’s run by a quirky Doctor and his standoffish nurse. To make things even stranger the doctor prescribes cats instead of medication.

This book has funny moments, sweet/heartwarming moments and a little drama/bittersweetness to it. The story really highlights how cats are great for mental health, happiness, and how taking care of another being such as an animal makes you realize things you never knew about yourself. I’m giving this book 5 stars as of now even though I’ve only read half just because it hits every mark I love in a book it’s a short, bittersweet, slice of life, that made me tear up. I’m looking forward to the full release so I can finish this wonderful story!

If you love cats, and Japanese literature this one is definitely for you! Release date is September 3, 2024.

This novel was perfect. Perfect characters, a heartwarming story, and I didn't want it to end. Loved it so very much

We'll Prescribe You a Cat shares four stories focusing on four people who go to the Kororo Clinic for the Soul. After a consultation with the doctor each person gets prescribed a cat (yes, an actual cat, whiskers and all) for about ten days. Initially, the patients are confused as to why they are prescribed a cat, but follow the doctor's and nurse's orders anyway. Over time, each patient experiences how their life is changing (mostly for the better) after caring for a cat - some even end up adopting one after they come back to the clinic. Overall, the book provides stories of healing, hope, and probably a hint of magic (if you look closely). The characters were well written and interesting, and the setting reminds me of previous trips to Japan. The book is "purrfect" for cat lovers who believe their feline friends have the power to heal.

this book was a DELIGHT.

as a cat lover, i knew i had to request this ARC from netgalley (thank you berkeley pub). the book was hopeful, sweet, and oh did it hit me in the feels.

my cat was recently diagnosed with cancer and the final chapters really got to me. i won’t spoil anything but you may want to keep tissues handy.

this is a short read with multiple point of views and i read it in a few hours. i enjoyed the different perspectives and unique elements that this book featured.

highly recommend for cat lovers!

"We Prescribe You a Cat" is an absolute delight for cat aficionados! This charming book beautifully portrays the magical bond between humans and their feline companions. Each page is filled with heartwarming anecdotes and captivating narratives that perfectly capture the joy, comfort, and humor that cats bring into our lives. As a devoted cat lover, I found myself completely engrossed in the stories, eagerly flipping through each page to uncover more tales of feline antics and unconditional love. I've already recommended it to several fellow cat enthusiasts, and I can't wait to see if there's a sequel in the works! If you're a cat lover looking for a heartwarming read that celebrates the special relationship between humans and cats, "We Prescribe You a Cat" is a must-read.

4.5 stars rounded up

We’ll Prescribe You A Cat by Syou Ishida is exactly what you would expect it to be.

Tucked in an old building in an alley of Kyoto, Japan is the Kokoro Clinic for the Soul that can only be found by those that genuinely need help. For the people that stumble upon the clinic, the help that is provided is out of the ordinary. Rather than medication or therapy, our characters are each prescribed a cat.

Each chapter of this book follows a different character who has their own personal and work troubles. For each chapter we get to see them experience life with a cat, or two, and how it influences their life for the better. This story was cozy and felt like a warm hug.

As a cat mom to two kitties of my own, this story made me think about my relationship with my own cats and appreciate them more

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Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

We see the restoration of people who seek help from the Kokoro Clinic for the Soul in Kyoto, when they are prescribed a cat for their ailments. As a confirmed Cat Lady, this poignant and uplifting story truly made my day. Recommended for all cat lovers and those who know how healing feline companions can be.

I loved this heartwarming book! I’m sure all cat lovers will enjoy it as well. It might even have the power to get some non-cat lovers to open their hearts. Highly recommended!