This was an easy to read story about a talking cat and books. I was perhaps hoping for a little more than it gave me, but a cosy read.

A really fun concept for a book and I loved it message how books are important and can save you, but the characters didn’t hit for me and it made it hard to connect. I don’t know if it was the writing or the translation but they felt a bit awkward and 2D.

A great translated novel, different to many I’ve read. It’s kind of fantasy feel with the talking cat and travel. I did pick this due to the title and I loved the idea and that on the front. I couldn’t wait to finally pick it up.
I will say I don’t know why all translated novels have super long chapters, as they are the bane of my life and I really don’t like them. This one was no acception.
I found the quests to be tedious, and very long and sometimes I got bored feeling it could have been summarised a lot sooner. I also sometimes found the quests alittle boring but that’s just my personal opinion.
I will say the descriptions and details were brilliant and I really felt like I was there going on these quests with the characters.

Overall a good book but if you don’t like long chapters this really isn’t for you. But the detail and concept is brilliant and unique.

I adored this book. There's something about translated cat books that just pull me in, and this one was no exception.
I simply didn't want to put it down.

This is a heartwarming and philosophical tale that revolves around the transformative power of literature. The novel tells the story of Rintaro Natsuki, a shy high school student who inherits his late grandfather’s small, used bookshop. Struggling with grief and uncertainty about his future, Rintaro is ready to close the shop. But when a talking cat named Tiger appears and asks for his help to save books trapped in various "labyrinths," Rintaro is drawn into a fantastical adventure.

Each labyrinth represents a different problem with how books are treated in modern society. From thoughtless collectors who hoard books without reading them, to those who reduce literature to mere commercial products, Rintaro and Tiger encounter people who have lost the true essence of reading. Through these challenges, Rintaro learns not only to stand up for the value of books but also to find his own inner strength.

The book is infused with a deep love for literature, making it resonate with bibliophiles. Natsukawa's narrative seamlessly blends fantasy with introspective, life-affirming themes. While the magical elements involving the talking cat and surreal labyrinths are whimsical, the heart of the story lies in Rintaro’s emotional journey and personal growth.

The prose is simple yet poetic, and the novel carries an air of quiet wisdom, reminiscent of Haruki Murakami's style of magical realism but with its own distinct flavor. At times, the plot can feel a bit predictable or overly sentimental, especially for readers expecting more complex storytelling. However, the charm of The Cat Who Saved Books lies in its earnest message about the irreplaceable power of literature to change lives and expand minds.

For readers who enjoy gentle, thoughtful stories about books, relationships, and self-discovery, this novel is a delightful and touching read. It’s a love letter to the literary world, reminding us that books are not just objects but gateways to new perspectives and deeper understanding.

Overall, The Cat Who Saved Books is a tender, imaginative novel that celebrates the magic of reading, perfect for anyone who has ever felt the profound impact of a good book.

This book was lovely, very easy to recommend to anyone picking up before the coffee gets cold or the Kamogawa food detectives. Feel good Japanese novel for people who do not want anything too heavy.

I really enjoyed this book, and felt that the message in it is an extremely important one. While it can be read as a nice story around friendship, I think there are much deeper meanings within, and this is definitely a book I would like to reread again in the future.

Thoughtful and heartwarming story of loss, friendship and bravery.

When Rintaro's grandfather dies, he feels alone and fears he will have to give up the small bookshop, packed full of myriad treasures.

Being somewhat reclusive, Rintaro doesn't think anyone will miss him at school. He receives three visitors. Two he knows from school. The third is a talking cat called Tiger, who has come to ask for his help on three quests to rescue books.

The fourth quest is for Rintaro alone and could be the key to unlocking his future.

Wonderful book with a hidden moral story about enjoying things as they are although life may change and modern practices may be enforced, simplicity is most often the best way!

Booklover Natsuki inherits his grandfather's bookshop which he finds houses a lot more than just literature!

If you are a fan of books and cats then this is the perfect novel for you

What a heartwarming, cute fantastical tale about a grieving boy, a talking cat, and a whole lot of books! When Tiger the Tabby cat turns up in the bookstore that Rintaro has just inherited from his grandpa, he is pulled into a series of labyrinths where the aim is to rescue books that are being locked away or cut up.. Along the way Rintaro makes new friends, finds his voice, and teaches the reader a few things about what it means to love reading, and why books are still important in today’s world.

I adored it! Very easy to read, and with that winning combination mentioned above, I can’t see how one could fail to enjoy it, particularly if you’re a lover of books. Sometimes I feel like the obvious is stated a bit much, such as during dialogue exchanges, but that might just be a translation thing. Overall, if you love cats, books and translated fiction, then The Cat Who Saved Books is one for you ☺️

Our hero is Rintaro, a high school student whose beloved grandfather had just died and left him his second hand bookshop. The trouble is, Rintaro is also going to have to close it down because his aunt is his new guardian and wants him to move in with her. Rintaro is shy and would rather be reading books in the shop than talking to other people or going to school. Then a talking cat appears in the bookshop and tells him he needs his help to save books. What happens next sees Rintaro and Tiger entering different labyrinths to try and free the books.

This is about a teenager and a cat and the friends he makes along the way as he tries to rescue books from people who are misusing and mistreating them. Rintaro has to debate the value of books and reading against people who are diminishing them. That might sound a little heavy but it’s actually a charming story about how a love of books and reading can help you in difficult times and is important in a world where things are changing fast. It’s not a massively long book but I read it in one sitting and was very sad it was over so fast. A treat for the bookish and something a little bit different.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Such a delightful read and perfect for book and cat lovers as it is about a talking cat and a bookstore, which opens your mind to asking yourself questions about why we do the things we do.

There were a lot of mixed reviews on goodreads about this book however I found it very appealing - especially as a lover of books and cats! Rintaro inherits a bookstore when his grandfather dies which he isn't particularly pleased with at first as it feels like a burden especially as he is still in school however he then meets Tiger ( a talking cat) who sets him on a mission to save books. What's not to love!

I did enjoy this light hearted read and despite its low reviews on GR I think it is important to take into consideration that this is a story that is translated into English from Japanese so the style of writing won't be exact - but for me thats what made it all the more interesting to read.

Review: The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa
Rating: 3.5 Stars
A heartwarming translated fiction about cats and BOOKS. Sign me up.
‘Books have tremendous power. But take care. It’s the book that holds the power, not you.’
The Cat Who Saved Books is a heart-warming story about finding courage, caring for others – and the tremendous power of books. It starts off being set in a tiny second hand bookshop (I imagined it like Armchair Books in Edinburgh), with books stacked up to the ceiling. Rintaro Natsuki loved this space that his grandfather had created. He spent many happy hours there, reading whatever he liked. It was the perfect refuge for him. After his grandfathers death he felt alone, and thought he’d have to close down the top. Then, a talking tabby cat called Tiger appears and asks him for help. The cat needs a book lover to join him on a mission. This odd couple will go on three magical adventures to save books from people who have imprisoned, mistreated and betrayed them. Finally, there is one last rescue that Rintaro must attempt alone . . .
I loved the overall message this book had, and love any book that combines talking cats and books. This one is incredibly easy to read and can be done in one sitting as it’s not too long too. I loved the adventure aspect with a dynamic duo and quests and going to different places and seeing different readers, and this book is quite charming at times. The quests range from people getting too lost on their books, seeing them as a decoration and kind of flex, or the publishing industry not seeing the value of books and just seeing sales targets. It was bizarre at times and king of weird, but I loved the vibe so enjoyed reading it.
What I didn’t like was that I felt like the cat and the vibe of this book was shaming readers in some of their habits, and Tiger was kind of mean at times, but I did enjoy their relationship with one another.

I really enjoyed this book
It was different to the books I would usually pick up but I enjoyed it all the same

I loved this book! We follow Tiger and Rintaro as they try to save books from misguided book lovers. It's whimsical, magical and sassy and if you love cats read this!
Thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan in return for an honest review.

Rintaro spends a lot of time at his grandfather’s bookshop, helping out, but when he dies, Rintaro is visited by a very unusual cat who can talk and who takes him on adventures in a mission to save books.

This is a shortish story but packs quite a punch about how we all individually read and deal with books. It reminded me a little of Alice in Wonderland as it definitely takes the reader on a journey down the rabbit hole! It’s a magical and whimsical little tale. Never underestimate the power of books - what do books mean to you, that is the question. Quite thought provoking in its way. An enjoyable, delightful, quick and easy little read. The translation flows well, too.

I love cat books, so I was eager to read this. While it is a charming and wholesome read, the story is not one that will stick with me, unfortunately. I really wanted to love this. It has all the components of a story I should love: books, cats and a perilous quest. Yet, something was missing for me. It sometimes seemed a little cliché regarding book lovers, and perhaps that is the puzzle piece that threw this off-kilter for me.
It was an enjoyable, quick read, but ultimately forgettable.

A lovely, heart warming and fun story with a message full of hope and healing, but also the importance of books, as a big cat lover I was always going to love this, an enthusiastic 5 stars

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A simply beautiful fable about the power of books and finding oneself in the modern world. It’s a modern classic. A must-read for book-lovers!

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Please look for the blurb of the book elsewhere here are my thoughts only.

Not gonna lie, I picked up the book based on the name and the cat on the cover, as it looks just like one of my faithful companions. I was expecting to follow a cat in his adventures, but I got to follow Rintaro guided by snippets of a cat, which was a little disappointing, and is as hopping to see more cat action.

I loved that the cat is genderless, I made it a boy as my own ginger cat is a boy, but the personality can easily been read as anything you’d like. Also was very interesting reading from a hikikomori perspective which isn’t very common in novels. I’ve seen more of those kinds of characters in Manga or in short stories, or even a background character within a novel, but I was happily surprised to follow Rintaro and read his point of view and how his own mind work and his social withdrawal was an important part of the story.

I’d love to recommend this book to any book lover, people who love reading and love Japanese literature. Having said that, this book is not for everyone, the translation reads a little slow, and it can get on the way and it might feel clumsy at times, often the sentence construction is a little strange, but now that I’m more used to Japanese writing style, I can see that translator is keeping a big part of the essence of the Japanese culture and language.

If you’d like to start reading Japanese translated book this one might be a good place to start, as Japanese pop culture and the intersection with wester books mixed pretty well during Rintaro’s quests to save the books.