Review | The Cat Who Saved Books

Grandpa used to say it all the time: books have tremendous power. But what is that power really?

Author: Sosuke Natsukawa

Translated by: Louise Heal Kawai

Published: 16th September 2021

Publisher: Picador

If you’re searching for your next fantasy escape in the form of a magical acceptance and self-discovery adventure featuring a mysterious talking ginger cat, then you’ve certainly come to the right place.

Set primarily in Natsuki Books, a haven for rare, out-of-print and long-lost literary treasures, the story centres around shy and reserved high-school student Rintaro who is navigating the world shortly after losing his grandfather. 

Quietly overwhelmed by everything that is happening in his life, Rintaro is shocked to see a straight-talking ginger tabby enter the shop. The cat convinces him to embark on quests through strange labyrinths to save books from a number of otherworldly foes.

We meet four adversaries, each of whom challenges the status quo of reading, publishing and learning from books. The narrative plays perfectly into the labyrinth trope of personal development, stemmed from Greek mythology, as it alters the characters’ understanding of the importance of the written word. I really appreciated the central theme of Rintaro’s grandfather’s key quote which steered the plot into its climax.

The book works well to portray Rintaro as a hikikomori, a term which is difficult to directly translate from Japanese but which represents someone who is drawn in on themselves and rarely leaves their comfort zone. The translator has kept the word in its original form throughout the novel, which sprinkles added authenticity and keeps the reader grounded to the setting.

The Translator's Note is a great addition to the book and spotlights Kawai's creative choices when working with the book's root language, including respecting the lack of pronouns used for the cat to encourage the reader's own imagination.

Natsukawa effortlessly weaves an air of romance into the story through Rintaro’s fellow student and class rep Sayo. Although the foundation of their relationship seems to be built around Sayo’s homework deliveries to Rintaro, they soon grow closer through a shared fascination of the bossy little tabby and the end goals of changing the outlook of each adversary. Working to highlight Rintaro’s personality and his grief, Sayo provides a perspective which is well-received.

Overall, this book is a cosy, thought-provoking and well-paced tale of love, loss, adventure and magic. Currently available in hardcover, e-reader and audiobook formats, The Cat Who Saved Books is a joyous addition to my ever-growing collection of Japanese cat novels.