The cat who saved books Author Sosuke Natsukawa Translated- Louise Heal Kawai

This story revolves around Rintaro Natsuki, a high school student who inherits his grandfather's bookstore. Rintaro, a hikikomori, experiences severe social withdrawal, becoming a recluse within the bookstore. Initially uncertain about his life's direction, he takes each day as it comes. However, he soon discovers a sense of purpose and embarks on a journey of self-discovery.

As Rintaro spends his days in the bookstore, he is visited by a tabby cat named Tiger. Tiger needs Rintaro's help to save books by guiding him through three main labyrinths, culminating in a final challenge. Throughout this adventure, Rintaro uncovers meaning and purpose, with each labyrinth presenting morals and life lessons for everyone involved.

This is a touching narrative about life lessons, friendships, and the way books can support us through life's challenges.

I found it challenging to fully engage with this book, ultimately putting it down for over a year. I've come to realise that my struggle stemmed from not being ready to absorb its content. To truly grasp the story, one needs complete focus rather than just reading for the sake of it. Although I genuinely appreciated the book and its underlying concept, the lessons and morals presented are genuinely inspiring, prompting me to reevaluate some of my own thought processes.

However, I did find the book somewhat lacking. There was an elusive quality that I can’t quite pinpoint—it felt incomplete, possibly due to the translation or perhaps something was simply missing within its pages. On a positive note, I enjoyed how the author portrayed villains and monsters as relatable figures in everyday life. We've all exhibited behaviours similar to these characters, especially in the age of Bookstagram and TikTok, where creators are constantly seeking fresh content for their reels and videos, myself included.

This trend highlights how distorted our world has become. From speed readers to book hoarders, and the perpetual hunt for the next big bestseller, we seldom revisit older books. While we may not embody the extreme traits of these villainous characters, there are elements we can all relate to. By reflecting on my own experiences, I began to recognize that these behaviors may not always be beneficial. Through the stories, pages, and characters, I gained a deeper understanding of this realisation.

One aspect that resonated with me was the main character's struggle with reality, as he sought refuge within the pages of books, avoiding his own life. We all experience moments like this, feeling frustrated and uncertain about what to do or when change will come. I have grappled with this throughout my life, eagerly awaiting the moment when my failures will transform into success, while remaining unsure of what the future holds.

As Rintaro navigated each labyrinth, he learned valuable life lessons that shaped his perspective on the challenges life presents. This important message conveyed throughout the book serves as a powerful reminder for readers to not only understand others but also themselves. It leads me to my final thoughts on the lesson Rintaro comprehended in the end: empathy.

Empathy is a crucial value we need to foster, especially in a society that often lacks it. To empathize with someone is an incredibly powerful way to connect as human beings. It signifies respect for one another, for our world, and for everything within it. By listening and learning from each other, we gain insights that can only be revealed by walking in someone else's shoes. Understanding what a person is experiencing helps us acquire knowledge about the diverse circumstances they face.

This book is a truly beautiful tale. While there were moments when I wasn't entirely captivated by the text, I am ultimately grateful to have encountered such a profound lesson within its pages, especially since it was a cat that guided me through this journey.