Mr B's review

It takes one of the finest Japanese authors of the twentieth century to make a novella about a cat at the centre of a love triangle into something fizzing with wit rather than something twee. When his second wife becomes jealous of his affection for Lily the tortoiseshell, pliable Shozo is forced to despatch his beloved cat into his ex-wife’s care. As the grown-ups manoeuvre, Lily’s behaviour is perfectly observed and it’s clear she’s the one in control.