Yan and The Pike 　　　　　　

Sapienzas' Verdict:　　　　　　　　　

I am so impressed by this book in all ways and means. I have never come across such a different and original author such as Jun Machida.
The story is a very unusual one, where one fine day a cat called Yan, is visited in his small den in the forest by a fish called Pike. A friendship is immediately born between the two.
Jun Machida in this brilliant story tries to capture the moments between friends and how at times the simplest of talks and visits can make us happier people. Also, in my opinion, he tries to bring up the factor of how two friends coming from different cultures and backgrounds (i.e. a cat and a fish) can teach each other to see the world through each others eyes. And how, we can all learn by sharing our lives together and how these things will make us live a better and more colourful life.
What really struck about the book though, is how at the end, the author actually discusses the book with you and he gives his own views on the story itself. So far I have never encountered anything like this! It is a work of art in all senses since Jun Machida illustrates the book with his own paintings of Yan and Pike. It is actually his paintings that made him famous and that is when he decided to write this story.

Rachel
27/05/04