A Cat, a Man, and Two Women (1936)

by Junichiro Tanizaki

A complicated relationship between a man named Shozo, his first wife, and his current wife plays out through their machinations regarding Lily the cat. 

In a society (1930s Japan) where a woman really depended on an advantageous marriage to a successful man, the two women, along with the man’s mother, put a great deal of pressure on him to live up to his responsibilities.

 

Unfortunately for them, Shozo is an amiable shlub without much ambition who takes a great deal of satisfaction from his simple and undemanding relationship with his cat.

 

I suspect that his love for the animal gains more intensity as a refuge from what he sees as the scheming women around him.

 

"The Cat, His Master and His Two Mistresses" (French)

Junichiro Tanizaki writes wonderfully about cats and their relationships with their owners and no less knowingly about his human characters.

 

Junichiro Tanizaki

The first wife, Shinako, becomes particularly sympathetic as her feelings toward the cat evolve. 

"A Cat, a Man and Two Women" (Lithuanian)

Lily is a fully developed character as well.

 

"The Cat, Shozo and the Two Women" (Italian)

This is first-rate literature, but especially if you are a cat-lover.

"A Cat, a Man and Two Women" (German)

"Cats, Shozo and Two Women" (Chinese)

"One Cat, One Man, Two Women" (Turkish)

"One Cat, One Man and Two Women" (Portuguese)

"Cat with Mr. Shozo and Two Women" (Thai)

"Cat and Shozo and Two Women" (Hebrew)

"The Cat and Shozo and the Two Women" (Korean)