By A.J. Griffiths-Jones: Set against the backdrop of Japan’s beautiful changing seasons, from pink cherry blossoms to autumn leaves, rippling streams to snow-capped mountains, this is a wonderful tale of friendship and hope.

At the start of the story, we meet our two main characters, Nana the street cat and a quiet studious young man named Sartoru Miyawaki. It’s a timid and nervous connection for both feline and human, both unsure of the other and neither with a plan to invade the other’s daily life, but it’s one that is meant to be and a relationship that will prove to endure.

Sartoru has no reason to adopt a cat, he has far greater things on his mind, but he is drawn to Nana and begins leaving out food for him, giving the occasional fuss and watching out for the little cat who seems to have taken up residence under Sartoru’s silver van.

After a near brush with death, Nana is taken inside Sarturo’s apartment to recover and so begins an unbreakable bond. For five years man and cat live in companionable harmony, keeping each other company, until one day Sarturo tells Nana that they’re going on a journey.

The trek across his homeland is one that Sarturo takes in his stride, stopping off to visit old schoolfriends but always taking care to ask the favour that he desperately needs out of earshot of his beloved Nana. Time and again his hosts shake their heads, they would love to help Sarturo of course, but for this reason or that they are unable to comply.

There are some light and humorous moments as the pair travel together, cat sitting upright as Sarturo takes the wheel, enjoying every detour as they meet some lively characters, and pets, that cause more than a few hairy moments, quite literally.

Each is content in the silence of such a trip, wrapped in their own thoughts yet aware of the love and affection that gradually builds between them. Despite the solitary task that Saturo needs to undertake, his heart is full of love towards Nana, making his decisions unbearable at times, knowing that one day they will forever be parted from one another.

For the most part, the reader is left guessing why Sarturo is intent upon his task, but as it slowly becomes apparent that the young man holds a dark secret, far beyond his control, the true impact of the story begins to take hold. Finally, on reaching the home of his Aunt Noriko, Sarturo is able to open up and be honest, share his burden and allow the heavy weight that has been pulling him down to be lifted from his shoulders.

This is an unusual book in that it is told from the perspective of Nana, the adopted cat who is more streetwise than many of his feline counterparts, and it is interesting to see how he is affected by his new owner’s decisions, despite truly understanding the implications.

The author made a clever decision when conjuring up this plot, as somehow being able to reflect on the feline point of view gives great insight and empathy. However, it is not just a book for animal lovers, but will suit anyone who enjoys tales about friendship, acts of kindness and the importance of giving far more than we take.

It’s a precious story that imparts the true meaning of loyalty and how fragile hearts really are, both human and creature alike. It’s hard not to shed a tear as Sarturo’s quest becomes clear and his reasons for having to abandon feisty and adorable Nana are finally revealed.

Finishing the book is like saying goodbye to a close friend, suffice to say that, just like the back cover blurb quotes, ‘Hiro Arikawa truly understands how acts of love, both great and small, can transform our lives.’

Translated from the original Japanese, the language is not complex, yet it really packs a punch as you feel the relationship slowly building in each chapter.

You are also able to feel a great sense of the land’s culture in its pages too, through the descriptions of how each character treats the other with propriety and respect, the different cuisine and ceremonies surrounding meals, and the way in which the younger generation look up to their elders. It is a story that is timeless, but also one that deserves to be appreciated slowly, just the same way in which it unfolds.