What We Are Reading Today: ‘If Cats Disappeared from the World’
Beautifully written and emotionally moving, it is also a testament to the power of storytelling and reminds people of the deep impact of making personal choices and connections
Updated 18 May 2024
Haifa Alshammari
Author: Genki Kawamura
“If Cats Disappeared from the World” is a novel written by Japanese author Genki Kawamura. The book was published in 2012 and was rated 4/5 by over 75,000 readers worldwide.
Kawamura is a worldwide bestselling author. “If Cats Disappeared from the World” was his first novel, which sold over 1 million copies in Japan and was translated into over 14 languages.
In this novel, Kawamura tells the story of a postman who is diagnosed with an uncurable illness. However, when he accepts his destiny, the Devil appears to him with an unusual proposal. The postman must choose one thing to eliminate from this world for him to live one more day. During his journey, the postman then starts examining the true value of everything he owns.
Kawamura’s writing style is simple yet evocative, inviting readers to dive deep into the layers of their own emotional journey with every page. The narrative provides a delicate balance between moments of happiness and sorrow, using cats as a symbol of companionship and joy.
Moreover, the book allows readers to reflect on the value of relationships and experiences. It raises questions regarding the decisions people make, the legacies they leave behind, and the core meaning of everyday moments, which eventually shape people’s characters and how they think.
The novel encourages people to take a deep breath and reflect on the blessings people have, yet neglect, due to their busy lives.
With Kawamura’s thoughtful message and memorable characters, this novel is a compelling exploration of the human experience, providing comfort and inspiration, and a new appreciation for the beauty and brevity of life.
Beautifully written and emotionally moving, it is also a testament to the power of storytelling and reminds people of the deep impact of making personal choices and connections.
REVIEW: Zelda’s ‘Echoes of Wisdom’ brings puzzle magic
Updated 06 October 2024
James Denselow
LONDON: Nintendo’s biggest release of 2024 brings us back to the rich world of “The Legend of Zelda” series, but with a fresh perspective.
For the first time, Princess Zelda steps into the spotlight, taking charge of the adventure in a bold 2D experience that occasionally switches to side-scrolling segments.
Directed by Tomomi Sano — the first female to do so in the “Zelda” series — the game balances a love for nostalgic gameplay with clever, innovative mechanics, although some aspects feel more limited compared with its open-world predecessors like “Breath of the Wild” and “Tears of the Kingdom.”
While the series is known for its combat and exploration, “Echoes of Wisdom” shifts focus to something more puzzle oriented. Players will rely on Zelda’s new weapon, the Tri Rod, which creates echoes of objects or enemies previously encountered. This opens the door to creative gameplay, where using everyday items such as beds, pots and meat to solve puzzles feels just as rewarding as traditional swordplay. For instance, beds are cleverly used as stairs, pots disguise Zelda from enemies, and meat can distract foes, allowing for stealthier approaches.
This change in combat design might feel odd for diehard fans expecting direct sword-to-sword battles, but it makes for a refreshing take that emphasizes strategy over brute force. There is still a sword, but it is available only for limited stretches of time, making you think more carefully about when to use it. The shift to problem-solving does make the game feel slightly less challenging; the difficulty never feels overwhelming, and getting stuck is almost impossible due to its tight design.
The game plot’s mysterious force — the purple space-like rifts — steal people away, including Link himself. Zelda’s journey involves collecting spirits to repair these rifts, leading to an emotional narrative with plenty of text-heavy storytelling. As you progress, you’ll encounter an evil version of Link, adding intrigue and raising the stakes. While some may find the abundance of dialogue a bit heavy handed, it contributes to a deeper, more fleshed-out story.
The world map is expansive and includes eight dungeons, although it is not on the huge scale of the open-world adventures from previous entries. The structured world feels more like a throwback to older titles in the series, but it lacks the same sense of vastness and discovery that made “Breath of the Wild” a fan favorite. However, the charm lies in its design, with each area offering something unique, like the option to ride a cute horse that makes traversal more fun.
From a visual standpoint, “Echoes of Wisdom” stays true to the series’ roots, blending familiar 2D graphics with occasional side-scrolling moments. The art direction is simple yet effective, evoking a sense of nostalgia while still feeling modern enough to keep players engaged. The same goes for the music, which echoes classic “Zelda” themes while introducing a few new tracks that complement the gameplay beautifully.
Yet there are moments where the game struggles, particularly when several enemies flood the screen, leading to a noticeable drop-in frame rate. This does not ruin the experience but can be jarring during more chaotic moments.
With a playtime of about 12 to 16 hours, “Echoes of Wisdom” delivers a tightly crafted adventure that feels like a tribute to the old-school “Zelda” games. It may not have the enormous scope or freedom of recent entries, but its creative puzzles, clever use of objects, and a compelling story starring Princess Zelda make it a worthwhile journey for fans of the series.
While not perfect, “Echoes of Wisdom” is a charming addition to the “Zelda” legacy, offering a different kind of adventure that feels at once nostalgic and fresh, with a few surprises along the way.
“Bodypedia” is a lively, fact-filled romp through your body, from A to Z. Featuring almost 100 stories on topics ranging from the beastly origins of goosebumps to the definitive answer to the Motown classic “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted,” these fascinating tales from your entrails explore the wonders of anatomy, one body part at a time.
With a keen scalpel, Adam Taor peels away the layers to bring your under appreciated insides to light.
Nizar Kabbani’s book “Arabian Love Poems” (1998), translated by Palestinian scholars Bassam Frangieh and Clementina R. Brown, takes readers on an emotional journey driven by the power of love and grief.
Legendary poet Kabbani (1923-1998) was born in Damascus, Syria, and was one of the most popular Arab poets of the 20th century.
During his lifetime, Kabbani was a diplomat, poet, writer and publisher. Inspired by his surroundings, Kabbani’s collection anthology explores the themes of love, religion, grief, as well as Arab and women empowerment.
As the title of the book suggests, “Arabian Love Poems” has a theme of love embedded in each poem. Kabbani gives readers a glimpse of his romantic mind through his poetry that pierces the soul.
Unlike many popular poets who write poetry in traditional forms such as sonnets, Kabbani uses a flexible style of writing called “free verse poetry,” resulting in an effortlessly flowing piece consisting of uncensored thoughts.
Although Kabbani uses simple and direct language in his poetry, he never fails to capture the depth of his emotions. If anything, the simplicity of his poetry is what makes it resonate with most readers.
What makes this book a standout is the sensory imagery, providing the reader with a beautiful visualization through his carefully crafted words.
“I hadn’t told them about you.
“But they saw you bathing in my eyes.
“I hadn’t told them about you.
“But they saw you written in my words.
“The perfume of love cannot be concealed.”
Translated books can often fail to capture the essence felt in the original text, but the translation from Arabic to English in “Arabian Love Poems” is truly superb. It gives the English reader the chance to dive into the rich world of Arab poetry.
What We Are Reading Today: How the New World Became Old
How the New World Became Old tells the extraordinary story of how Americans discovered that the New World was not just old—it was a place rooted in deep time
Updated 04 October 2024
Arab News
Author: Caroline Winterer
During the 19th century, Americans were shocked to learn that the land beneath their feet had once been stalked by terrifying beasts. T. rex and Brontosaurus ruled the continent.
North America was home to saber-toothed cats and woolly mammoths, great herds of camels and hippos, and sultry tropical forests now fossilized into massive coal seams.
How the New World Became Old tells the extraordinary story of how Americans discovered that the New World was not just old—it was a place rooted in deep time.
Authors: Meredith May, Claire Jones, Anne Rowberry, & Margaret Murdin
Beekeeping is a popular pastime that more and more people are taking up for fun or even modest profit.
Today, you will find hives not only in large fields or rural spaces, but also in city gardens and on rooftops—to the benefit of both bee and beekeeper.
If you’re at the early or middle stages of your beekeeping journey and need a go-to guide on establishing and maintaining your hives, “The Beekeeper’s Guide” is the perfect companion.
