The Cats We Meet Along The Way by Nadia Milano

What would you do if you knew the exact time and day the world was going to end? The Cats We Meet Along The Way deals with just that.

The whole of the Earth has been told when the world will end, a asteroid will be striking in the not so distant future and it will wipe the planet clean of all life. In the story, we find that large numbers of people went to pieces with the news, ending their lives before the asteroid could do the honours. But not everyone went off the rails.

The Cats We Meet Along The Way centres wround the main character of Aisha, a young women living with her mother in Malaysia. With tragedy hanging heavy over them from before the announcement, Aisha and her mother try to naviagte this new world. Communities have come together to support each other, growing their own food, trading goods for supplies and utilising their skills for the good of everybody.

With the threat of the world ending, Aisha and her mother confess they have regrets that they would like to rectify before it is too late. Aisha’s mother confesses that she misses Aisha’s sister June, who left the house two years prior on not so good terms and she wishes to make a amends. This conversation sparks the beginning of a journey across Malaysia in the hopes of reuniting with June. With Walter (Aisha’s boyfriend), Walter’s parents and a cat named Fleabag in tow, Aisha and her mother travel in a very colourful camper van through Malaysia. Making stops along the way, Aisha’s mother, along with Walter’s parents reminisce about life in Malaysia and how the places that hold the most memories are those where families were formed.

All through journey, Aisha has to deal with her feelings towards June, the big sister that abandoned her when she needed her the most. The sister that left and never looked back or spared a thought for what she left behind. Aisha holds a lot of resentment for June but what will happen if they are reunited?

A thread that seems to run through the book that doesn’t become apparent until you finish is how Aisha views Fleabag, a mangey stray cat that Walter coaxed Aisha to take in. At first, Aisha sees Fleabag as a nuisance and not worth her time, but as they journey, Aisha’s feelings towards him seem to soften. This is mirrored by Aisha’s emotional journey towards June.

I really loved reading this story. it wasn’t what I expected at all going in, but it was a pleasant surprise to have this deep, meaningful tale that made me think: What would I do if I knew the world was going to end?