The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa
“The Cat Who Saved Books,” a translated work by author Sosuke Natsukawa, uses magical realism to reflect on the role of literature for the greater good of society. Natsukawa deftly blends realism and the fantastical to create an endearing story about finding new meaning in life after loss.
Rintaro Natsuki’s grandfather has passed away. Left alone to manage the family business, a secondhand bookstore called Natsuki Books, Rintaro stops attending high school classes to work and keep the store running. Complicating his grief, Rintaro is faced by the need to close his grandfather’s business and move in with his aunt. Here our straightforward story takes a hard turn into the surreal, as a talking cat enters the store entreating Rintaro for help, and soon they embark on various quests to save books.
Each adventure is a labyrinthine journey wherein Natsuki must help the cat, Tiger the Tabby, overcome a series of foes: an “imprisoner of books,” a “mutilator of books” and a “seller of books.” Natsukawa uses fantastical adventure to probe at deeper ontological concerns of books and literature. Is reading for the accumulation of knowledge alone a worthwhile pursuit? Is condensing literature into easily digestible summations a good thing, or does it devalue literature in some way? Should salability be the chief driving factor for what gets published, or is there a moral imperative to support good literature simply for the great good of us all?
“The Cat Who Saved Books” is a fantastical, fun and cozy romp that also wades deeply into some larger philosophical pools. It should appeal to readers of magical realism, stories about books and Japanese literature. Visit wcls.org to find “The Cat Who Saved Books” and other similarly themed stories.
“The Cat Who Saved Books” is the January selection for the Books and Bites book group. Join Books and Bites at the Blaine Public Library at 1 p.m. Friday, January 17 for a time of community and lively conversation. For more information, visit bit.ly/3YoVC2d.
Jonathan Jakobitz is an avid reader and the branch manager of the Blaine Public Library.
(Originally published in The Northern Light, Wednesday, January 15, 2025.)