Ms. Hen reviews The Cat Who Saved Books

The Cat Who Saved Books

Soske Natsukawa

HarperVia

2021

Translated from the Japanese by Louise Heal Kawai

Ms. Hen happened to find this book at a Little Free Library near where she lives. She read the back, and when she realized that it is translated from Japanese, and it about a talking cat, she knew she was meant to read this, and she took the book home. She didn't realize at first that the book is an uncorrected proof, and it is not available in bookstores yet. She isn't sure who would put a book like this for anyone to take, but she's happy this person did.

This novel is like a children's book, or a fairy tale. It's about a teenage boy named Rintaro whose grandfather dies suddenly. His grandfather owned a bookstore, and Rintaro spent all his time with his grandfather there. Rintaro gets depressed after his grandfather dies, and is visited by a cat who talks, who tells the boy that they have to save books. 

They go on adventures through the wall in the bookstore that only appears when the cat is there. They save books from being destroyed or abused in different ways. Sometimes the cat and Rintaro are joined by Sayo, his class rep who brings him his homework because he is not going to school. The cats saves books, but also saves Rintaro.

This book reminds Ms. Hen of Haruki Murakami in the way that it is strange, and a talking cat appears. The story is very simple, and is like a quest story, such as THE WIZARD OF OZ, or THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA. Ms. Hen is not sure if this is meant for young adults, but she thinks it could be read by anyone.

This novel is about the love of books, and why they should be saved. Rinato explains to the woman he meets in the empty bookstore, " 'I think the power of books is that - they teach us to care about others. It's a power that gives people courage and also supports them in turn.' " Ms. Hen has known this fact for a long time.

Ms. Hen enjoyed this book, but she thinks it might not be for everyone. It's a little preachy, and is meant to teach readers the importance of books. Ms. Hen is not a hen that needs to be taught this, for she knows this is true.