The Cat Who Saved Books: The heartwarming Japanese sensation adored by book lovers everywhere Paperback – 29 Sept. 2022

Rintaro Natsuki has experienced a lot of grief in his young life. His parents separated when he was a baby, his mother died not long after. He then found stability with his grandpa, but sadly, his grandpa has just died too. Rintaro seems fated to live with his aunt, a stranger to him; until his plight is changed by Tiger, a ginger talking cat. Yes, a ginger talking cat!I find that if I read Japanese translated books too literally, all I will gain is bewilderment. So I let the words wash over me, soak into my mind, then see how I feel. Below is what I felt.I found myself thinking about readers, authors and publishers.How readers use books as a status symbol. Having read certain books, they feel superior over other readers, who, in their mind, read less worthy books. All readers, and their reading material are valid, and have merit.I felt for authors having their works cut short, having their carefully crafted words abridged, dumbed down, losing the very essence of the book.I thought of publishers who release books that we all know are heavily ghost written, but have someone else’s name in big, shining letters on the front. How those names receive huge advances, and the books are given eye watering marketing budgets. While less well known names, authors who have poured themselves into their work, have to self publish or fight to be seen even with a publisher.Also of AI “written” books, which are monstrosities I will never read. I want to read of the human experience, and their imagination.This story is a love letter to books. It is subtle and gentle, kind and courteous. This book reminds that it is ok, in fact better than ok, to say how much you love books. I’m very much looking forward to reading The Cat Who Saved the Library, written by the same author, very soon. I adored this short, but very sweet, abstract tale.

The Cat who Saved Books was chosen by my Book Club, and it is a really sweet read.Rintaro is a boy who lived with his grandfather and spent many hours in the bookshop, reading and helping the loyal customers. After the death of the grandfather, Rintaro turns inwards even more and even stops going to school, thinking nobody would miss him. A relative comes to help sort things out and prepares Rintaro for leaving the bookshop and going to live with her. Before Rintaro can close the shop and leave, he meets a talking cat who needs help with rescuing books from their current sad fates.This is not the type of book I would have chosen myself, but it was really engaging. Even though I read it after translation to English, the translator kept some of the Japanese words, which helped the book remain in the setting it should. I liked the development of the character of Rintaro as the book progresses, and seeing how he deals with his grief. There are only a few characters in this book, and they all add something to the story. The ending, too, was fitting to the story and I came away very glad that I had read it.I'd say this book is suitable for any age. I can imagine a child from 7upwards enjoying being read this book, and from 10+ enjoying reading it themselves. As a 40yo woman I enjoyed it too. A short, sweet story.

I just loved this book. It, to me, between the story of Scrooge and Willy Wonka.I would love to see this on screen. Perfect for the younger generation.

A short sweet book a simple book to read heart warming a beautiful story line let me feeling happy at the end

‘“‘Books have tremendous power.’ That was his grandfather’s mantra.” - ‘The Cat Who Saved Books’ by Sosuke Natsukawa.This novel was originally published in Japan in 2017 and now translated from the Japanese by Louise Heal Kawai. I combined reading with listening to its unabridged audiobook edition for an immersive experience.A tabby cat, a bookshop and many books: elements that add up to what I consider a perfect novel. It is both wise and whimsical, beautifully written and thought provoking.Rintaro Natsuki has always considered Natsuki Books, his grandfather’s tiny, second-hand bookshop, a place of wonder and the perfect refuge for a reclusive boy. He has spent many happy hours there reading.Then his grandfather dies leaving Rintaro grieving and alone. It seems that the shop will have to close. Then a tabby cat named Tiger wanders in, apparently from the rear of the shop, and asks Rintaro for help. Tiger explains that he is able to be understood by certain people and that he needs a book lover to accompany him on a mission to save books from people who have imprisoned, mistreated and betrayed them. Tiger leads him through a number of labyrinths and subsequent book themed adventures.Sayo Yuzuki, a strong, no nonsense girl that Rintaro has known since primary school, also drops by Natsuki Books; mainly to bring him homework but also because she is quite concerned about his increased reclusiveness. According to the Translator’s Note, Rintaro is a ‘hikikonori’, a Japanese term that indicates someone who has consciously separated themselves from society.In the course of the narrative there are discussions about various books and the power of books throughout the centuries. I appreciated Rintaro response to Sayo when she finds a certain novel challenging: “If you find it difficult it’s because it contains something that is new to you. Every difficult book offers us a brand-new challenge.’This was a wonderful novel and given its themes of the relevance and power of books I feel that it will be a great choice for reading groups. I have already put it forward to members of my own group as an upcoming selection.Very highly recommended.