Invisible Kitties is very loosely about a women, her husband, and the cat that they welcome into their lives.

Each chapter is a quirky little insight into individual cat behaviours, with a magical realism edge that’s dialled up and down. For instance, there’s ponderings on how they charge themselves up in sun spots, tail chasing, and their hot water bottle like nature.

As a cat lover myself, I definitely found this book quite whimsical and sweet at times, but other times it was just slightly too surrealist for me. It also sometimes edged into grotesque imagery. I was quite perturbed by the ‘cat-ball planets’, and the hairball, chapters in particular. The amount of oddities was just a little too much for me.

I will say that it’s very lovingly presented, with crayon-like cat doodles dotted throughout the book. If you love cats, and don’t mind a fresh (and maybe slightly unhinged) view of cat behaviours, this might be the book for you.

Thank you to the publishers, and netgalley, for the copy to review.

3.5

If you've ever owned a cat you will recognise lots of cat behaviours and cat/human interactions in this book. It really is exactly what it says in the title. It is simply the story of a couple who get a cat and then a kitten.

There are some extremely strange parts - the hairball that turns into a kitten; the cats dissolving in water - that I really didn't understand but mostly it's just a lyrical description of how strange but addictive owning a cat can be.

I'd definitely recommend it for cat lovers but I think I was expecting more (although I don't quite know what). The little illustrustrations which adorn nearly all the pages are very sweet though.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Harper Collins for the advance review copy.

A delightful story.
I loved the images created by the narrative of these invisible cats and the fun they have in their world, with or without, their humans. The story is filled with fantastical goings on which somehow become believable. We even have humans vomiting up fur balls which turn into cats.

It is quite a unique story and a book which every cat lover would understand and enjoy.

This charming book is a must-read for cat lovers, offering an irresistible blend of humour and insight into feline quirks. Presented in 60 concise chapters, the author playfully "explains" various traits and behaviours typical of cats. The narrative begins with the author's family acquiring a cat—though, as any cat owner knows, it is truly the Cat who adopts them. Soon, a second feline, Kitten, joins the household.

Each chapter features a delightful illustration that captures the essence of its theme. These simple yet witty drawings complement the author's sharp observations and often bring an extra layer of humour. Whether depicting Cat as a parkour enthusiast or engaging in other "extreme sports," the illustrations add charm and personality to the narrative, making the book a joy to read and revisit.

Yu Yoyo’s unique blend of imagination and keen observation provides fresh, inventive explanations for classic cat behaviours—such as the real reason cats purr or the mystery of hairballs. This combination of whimsy and humour makes the book a treasure for cat enthusiasts, filled with both wit and warmth.

http://thesecretbookreview.co.uk

🐈‍⬛

This was a pleasant, insightful read about the nature of having a cat as a pet (or vice versa).

There is lots of little cute, hand-drawn cat pictures throughout the book that enhance the overall reading experience.

I think if you have ever had a cat you will be more able to relate to the author’s poetic thoughts about the diverse, nuanced and very special interactions.

Another important point is that the author has produced a unique, creative novel like no other. Full credit is deserved for having the ability to do that.

A delightful and truly amusing book that revolves around cats. It seems straightforward, doesn't it? I couldn't stop giggling and time passed in an instant. This book is definitely a must-read for cat lovers, but as a dog-owner, I found it absolutely charming. I give it 3 stars because it also felt a little like I didn't get the entire story, and I wished that it could be a little longer.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

as much as i want to love it 100% bc duh cats???? but maybe bc i still don't own one myself and get to experience the chaotic life of being a cat parent but allas im sure cat owners and fans will like this!

Invisible Kitties is a quirky and charming collection of short stories about life with cats. Each of the 60 chapters focuses on the funny and strange behaviors of the author's cat, mixing real-life observations with a sprinkling of magical realism. There’s no real plot, but the book offers a delightful look at the bond between cats and their humans.

This book is best suited for cat lovers who will relate to the funny and familiar moments. It's a great gift for anyone who loves cats, though readers wanting a strong storyline may not find it as engaging.

Invisible Kitties is an artful exploration of life with cats. The narrator presents her life with cats in small vignettes which read as little thought trains or memories. Some are more mundane and highly recognisable and others are more philosophical or just plain strange and made me laugh out loud. The writing is easy to follow and has an innocent quality to it.

The illustrations help to tie the book together. It felt as though I was reading a cat owner's diary of their inner thoughts and little doodles of their cats. I thoroughly enjoyed this and wouldn't hesitate to buy it as a gift for friends with cats as I'm sure they would also recognise many of the cat behaviours Yoyo describes.

"Invisible Kitties" by Yu Yoyo is a whimsical exploration of imagination and friendship. The story follows a young protagonist who discovers a world of invisible cats, each representing different emotions and experiences. The enchanting illustrations complement the narrative, creating a magical atmosphere that captivates readers. Themes of empathy and the importance of seeing beyond the surface shine through, making it a delightful read for children and adults alike. Overall, it’s a charming tale that encourages creativity and emotional understanding.

Thank you to NetGalley and Fourth Estate for the arc.
This is a really difficult book for me to review as it is one of those books that really defies definition and pigeonholing. It’s billed as “a meditation on the quiet moments of everyday life and a celebration of cats in all their many forms”, but it seems to be just a series of 60 short chapters obsessively describing the minutiae of life with a cat - whether real or imaginary.
I do like cats, but I have to admit I struggled with this.
The book is beautifully presented with cute drawings and if you just want something light and aesthetically pleasing - and you really like cats- then this could be the book for you. Unfortunately it wasn’t a book for me and I ended up skim reading the last 50% and feeling very happy that I own a (much less demanding) dog.

Published 1st October 2024. A cute little novel - quite short, translated from the Chinese and all about cats. As someone who has owned 4 cats so far - I'm between cats at the moment -these short little chapters transported me back to my own relationship with my cats. The actions that the author describes, I remembered my own cats doing exactly the same things. There is also a touch of magical realism in some of the vignettes as my cats never stretched out to many metres in length (although sometimes it felt like it), nor did inflate like a balloon. However, the descriptions of them chirping at the window as they watch the birds are just so accurate. The author describes the way that she and her husband interact with Cat and latter with Kitten, too. This is like a love song to cats and she often writes/describes almost as if she is dreaming - there is an other-worldly quality to what she describes. There is no plot here, she does not even explain what is going on in the little vignettes, she is purely observing and taking immense pleasure in her cats - and so, as a cat lover and a read - I do too.

A funny and bizarre love story and ode to cats and the process of becoming a cat ‘owner’ (not that a car could ever be owned!)

One word .. quirky. A real treat for cat lovers and anyone that has ever been own by cat. Truly delightful.

I'm not sure what this book was about. It's basically a collection of dozens of snippets of the protagonist's life with her husband and their Cat (with a capital 'C'). Each snippet is basically a stand-alone story that describes some aspect of Cat's behaviour, and the impact it has on his owners. There is a smidgeon of magical realism here, but it's not really what the stories are about.

I did finish this book, but I did so constantly wondering - "what am I missing". I was constantly confused about what I was reading and why I was reading it. I kept telling myself - "this can't be all there is to it", "there must be something there - maybe a reflection on otaku culture, maybe a critique of modern life and the loneliness embedded in it, maybe an ode to the healing power of cats". Alas - no. It's just what it says on the box - a weird love letter to cats.

While not a cat lover myself, this is not why I disliked the book so much. I disliked it because I felt cheated of a few hours of my life - it wasn't even bad enough to dislike. It's just completely devoid of any meaning. As I mentioned in one of my previous reviews - I no longer wallow in self doubt when I encounter books like this, asking myself again and again whether I missed something only visible to a select few.

Honestly - staring at a wall would have been a better way to spend the time. Can't recommend to anyone.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an early copy of this book in return for an honest review.

The intricacies of having a cat, or rather being owned by a cat!

Everyone who has ever had a cat will be able to relate to this book. The author goes into depth about everything, 'cat': how their eyes look like marbles, their secret stash of things from around the house, their gurgling purrs, the intense bird watching from the window, how they silently judge you and how you can never find them when you want them.

Invisible Kitties is charming and has some really cute illustrations as well.

I was offered this ARC because I had previously rated ‘Butter’ favourably but uhh I really don’t think they’re comparable at all. Also, “books written by East Asian authors” is hardly a genre and it’s quite reductive (and frankly insulting) to assume that all translated works by East Asian authors can be lumped into the same category.

My annoyance aside, I did try to give this novel a chance and I read it to the end. I can’t say that it’s for me. I do like cats and I have two of my own, so I did enjoy most of the observations made by the narrator. My cats do all that too. However, the book is just that—a collection of observations. There is no plot to speak of, which is honestly okay sometimes like if the author is trying for modernism or even postmodernism, but this novel isn’t and each chapter is just a short vignette of the narrator’s cat doing something and making her feel happy. That’s all. I wish I were exaggerating.

The one thing I did like was the translation. It wasn’t clunky, the tone was consistent, and it managed to be poetic from time to time, which I think is no mean feat given the fluffy (haha) nature of the content. Another thing that helped break the monotony of ‘my cat is so cute i’m glad i’m alive’ is the magical realism. Not every chapter, but most of them had some element of magical realism, e.g., the cat growing huge, stretching metres long, expanding and deflating like a balloon, disappearing, etc. There’s no deeper meaning behind these magical acts, and the narrator doesn’t question them. They just are. Her cats just are otherworldly creatures with wacky abilities. I guess this makes the novel a little zany.

This book is the equivalent of that person at work who keeps showing you pictures of their baby unprovoked.

Thank you to NetGalley, Fourth Estate & author Yu Yoyo for this eARC

Invisible Kitties is a charming, whimsy love letter from the author to their cat.
In 60 short chapters we are taken on a journey of a cat moving in, how they change our lives and their little quirks and habits. Absolutely adorable for any cat lover!

A novella arranged in 60 short chapters chronicling the arrival of Cat into the lives of Wife and Husband who live in a small apartment on a high floor. How to describe this book? Surreal would be my take. How can cats jump so high? They’re a literal spring. Why are cats so warm? They’re a inexhaustible kettle of hot water. How are cats so good at hiding? They can become invisible… And so our novella continues. There’s no plot as such, just 60 vignettes on life with a cat and some of the musings which may or may not come from this.

The translation has kept the author’s illustrations throughout of cats and cat-like objects to keep the air of whimsy going.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.