In this guest post, author Megan Okonsky reviews Syou Ishida’s international bestseller, We’ll Prescribe You a Cat. Based in Austin, Texas, Megan is a skilled novelist and writer with a passion for crafting compelling narratives. With over nine years of experience, her work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and on Amazon bestseller lists, alongside writing for YouTube channels with millions of followers. Her debut novel, The Barefoot Followers of Sweet Potato Grace, is set for publication in August 2025. When she’s not writing, Megan enjoys hosting murder mystery parties, gardening, and knitting – all while celebrating the power of storytelling.
You can follow Megan here:
Instagram: @meganokonsky
Substack: Writing, Naturally
Website: www.meganokonsky.com
When I picture my perfect day,
…I picture the green velvet chair in my living room, my white brick fireplace, and my Russian Blue, Funny Business. Funny Business likes me best when I’m reading, because I’m sitting still and he can jump up on my lap and enjoy some pets. No book has been better for making this perfect day a reality than Syou Ishida’s We’ll Prescribe You a Cat. Cat lovers and book lovers, this one is for you. This sweet, quick read will have you in happy tears before you can say, “Shorthair.”
About We’ll Prescribe You a Cat
We’ll Prescribe You a Cat was published in the United States in September 2024. The book is translated from its original Japanese version, which was released 18 months prior. The book has seen massive success and has been translated into over 17 languages. In the US, it made the USA Today Bestseller list.
The book tells the story of five “patients” who visit the Kokoro Clinic for the Soul in Kyoto. Each “patient” has a different source of stress, and although they have hesitations about receiving care, the clinic comes highly recommended to them. When they arrive, they encounter a strange doctor and receptionist who end up quickly prescribing them a cat. The cats are all very different, but picked out perfectly for the patient and their source of stress.
The cats’ names are:
- Bee
- Margot
- Koyuki
- Tank and Tangerine
- Mimita
Adjusting to life with a new cat is tough for the patients, especially because many have never owned a pet cat before. Some make attempts to return the cat to the clinic. In the end, having the cat provides each person with a lesson that they can apply to their source of stress.
Initial Impressions and Overall Opinion
Upon reading the first story, I was pleased with the book. The story was pretty straightforward. It was pleasant and you could see where the story was going (especially as someone who knows the benefits of owning a cat!) I assumed that the book would just be a wholesome, sweet book of similar stories.
By the last two stories, however, I started to get a sense that there was more than meets the (cat) eye. The story goes deeper than the idea that cats find their way to the people who need them most. The existence of the magical Kokoro Clinic for the Soul, and its quirky employees, are explained in a way that left me on my couch crying. I hugged my cat a little tighter after reading this one.
Of everything I read in 2024, this was one of five or so books that received a five-star rating.
The Cat Distribution System: The World’s Greatest Gift
If I could summarize We’ll Prescribe You a Cat in three words, I would say, “Cat Distribution System.”
What Is The Cat Distribution System?
If you have a cat, you may be familiar with the term “cat distribution system,” or CDS. The “cat distribution system” is the magical, unexplainable phenomenon that brings a cat to your door.
Is The Cat Distribution System Real?
Only 3% of cat owners go to a breeder for a cat. Over ⅓ of cat owners adopt strays who seem to appear out of nowhere. Many cat owners would say their stray cat appeared just at the right time in their life. This happens again and again in We’ll Prescribe You a Cat. Each person featured in the story learns an important lesson from the cat (or cats) they are “prescribed.”
This book is a lovely tribute to pet cats and all of the joys, laughs, and routine they bring us.
We’ll Prescribe You a Cat Is Perfect For You If…
You want a quick read to enjoy with your cat. We’ll Prescribe You a Cat is broken up into five short stories. Each can be enjoyed in a short amount of time, and is best enjoyed with your feline friend sitting next to you.
You do not have to have a cat to like this book. In each story, the “patients” deal with relatable problems. One man is so stressed out by work that he ignores spending time with his family. Another woman is grieving the loss of a previous cat. There are themes of pet loss in this book, but the story is so comforting and heartwarming that it may help you soothe any grief you may be experiencing in your life.
You’re interested in Japanese fiction. We’ll Prescribe You a Cat was originally written in Japanese, but due to its worldwide success, was translated into English. You can find it on shelves next to other Japanese fiction:
- Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s Before the Coffee Gets Cold series
- Sayaka Murata’s Convenience Store Woman
- Haruki Murakami’s Norwegian Wood
You want a happy tear-jerker! I won’t spoil the ending of this book, but I will tell you that this book left me crying on my couch. The book ties itself together in an unexpected and sweet way. If you are feeling stressed about the world around you and just want to cozy up with your cat and a happy book, I absolutely recommend We’ll Prescribe You a Cat.
This is a book that you can read by yourself or in a book club. If you have children, you can read this to them!
Where To Find We’ll Prescribe You a Cat
If you want to read this book for yourself, stop by a local bookstore and see if they have it. (You might even meet a cat there, like Reverie Books’ “Washer” in Austin, Texas.) We’ll Prescribe You a Cat is also available on websites like:
When You’re Finished Reading We’ll Prescribe You a Cat
We’ll Prescribe You a Cat is not a long book; the hardcover version is less than 300 pages. If you find yourself sad to finish the book, keep the conversation going with fellow cat lovers.
Share the book with friends. This is a great book to discuss in book clubs. Get your friends together and discuss the following questions:
- Which story was your favorite to read?
- Which cat do you think would be prescribed to you if you visited the Kokoro Clinic for the Soul?
- What lessons have your feline friends taught you?
- Have you ever been given a cat by the “Cat Distribution System?”
- What lessons might people learn in We’ll Prescribe You a Dog?
Buy the sequel! Syou Ishida has another book coming out in the United States in October 2025. It’s got the perfect name – We’ll Prescribe You Another Cat! Before it’s released, you can pre-order the book on all of the sites where you can find We’ll Prescribe You a Cat
Amazon Affiliate Disclaimer
Please note that links from Cats-Magazine.Com to Amazon.Com are affiliate links. This means that if you click on the link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support our work and allows us to continue providing valuable content. Thank you for your support!
