Contemporary Fiction: The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa

Coming across this book's sequel in the 'New Releases' section of a bookstore is what eventually led me to today's review. Sosuke Natsukawa's The Cat Who Saved Books is the first of two books in a series (so far) and is about exactly what the title suggests. As a young man prepares to close up and leave his grandfather's bookshop, he is visited by a strange talking cat that presents him with a bizarre mission.

The Situation: The two constants in young Rintaro's life were his grandfather, and his grandfather's secondhand bookshop, Natsuki Books. But now Rintaro's grandfather has passed away, and the young high schooler has begun skipping school, instead focusing on closing up the shop, and moving in with his Aunt who lives out of town. Everything is moving along more or less as expected, until Rintaro hears someone speaking to him from inside of the shop, but no one other than himself is inside, and an orange tabby cat. 

The Problem: The cat, which insists its name is 'Tiger,' says it needs Rintaro's help, but remains somewhat cryptic about the details. Before agreeing to follow Tiger, all Rintaro knows is that there are some books that have been imprisoned, and the cat needs his help setting them free. This initial decision to follow the cat will lead Rintaro on a series of adventures, all involving books. His grandfather always said that books hold tremendous power, and it is this truth that will help propel Rintaro forward through every adventure, no matter how puzzling.

Genre, Themes, History: This book is a work of fiction set mostly in a small bookshop in Japan called Natsuki Books. A young highschooler, Rintaro, has recently lost his grandfather, the man that raised him, and now must close up the shop and prepare to move away. While he was always a slightly awkward kid, he worries how his grief will affect him, or if he is not reacting appropriately to his loss. When the strange talking cat appears, Rintaro is shocked, but adapts quickly, as every adventure involves books, something his grandfather taught him all about. He must face down monsters who abuse books through a series of labyrinths, while also learning about himself.

My Verdict: As a book lover, I was immediately enchanted by the setting of a well-loved secondhand bookshop, though I felt for Rintaro and his loss. The young man's experience with grief is relatable and realistic, as grief affects everyone differently, and Rintaro is no exception. When the talking cat enters the scene, it feels like the perfect moment, while still being strange and exciting. This is an incredibly short read, coming in at less than 200 pages, but the adventures are complex and thought-provoking, and I look forward to reading the second book.

Favorite Moment: The cat is snarky, and a little insulting, but Rintaro is eventually able to converse with him on his level.

Favorite Character: Rintaro's classmate Sayo is cheery and helpful, and genuinely concerned about her fellow student's well-being.

Recommended Reading: I recommend A Wild Sheep Chase by Haruki Murakami, which is perhaps my favorite book by the beloved Japanese author.