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

Natsuki Books was a tiny second-hand bookshop on the edge of town. Inside, towering shelves reached the ceiling, every one crammed full of wonderful books. 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 a boy who tended to be something of a recluse.

After the death of his grandfather, Rintaro is devastated and alone. It seems he will have to close the shop. Then, a talking tabby cat called Tiger appears and asks Rintaro 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 purchased a copy of this book for my own reading.

Following on from The Passengers on the Hankyu Line, this was my next choice of book from a Japanese author. And this novel offered something different, this time diving into the worlds of magical realism.

Following the death of his grandfather, Rintaro is devastated and lonely, taking comfort in the second-hand bookshop he had owned. Withdrawn from school and his peers, he takes solace in the books. Then he discovers a talking cat whose sole purpose is to protect books. The pair embarked on a series of quests to rescue the books. They meet a man who hoards books to read once, then puts them on display, never to be read again. Another is working on a method to speed up the consumption of books. Only when Rintaro does the same to his beloved music does he see the error of his ways.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read. It wasn’t overly challenging, yet the message that books are intended to be treasured and to be read rings through loud and clear. A lovely book that was an ideal cosy read.

My rating: