The Cat Who Saved Books

Rintaro lives alone. He has just lost his grandfather who raised him since his parents' death and finds himself unable to process the feelings that pass through him.
So, he locks himself at home and stops going to school, slowly turning to a hikkikomori. All day long, Rintaro stays in the second-hand bookshop his grandfather was taking care of with absolute love. The aisles of the shop remain vacant of customers, matching the emptiness of the boy's heart.

Except one day, a strange talking tabby cat appears and takes the boy on multiple missions, to save books. Three labyrinths, three men, who turned their love for books into madness. The sharp tongue of the cat defies Rintaro, bringing him out of this comfort zone. Soon, the bright and blunt Sayo, Rintaro's class president joins them in their weird but functioning trio.
Through those labyrinths, Rintaro rediscovers his profound love for books and literature he shared with his grandpa. He recalls the man's strong words, words that can change someone's perception on matters.

By trying to save the books, Rintaro will understand that the truth is sometimes far from being simple, especially in our world where being fast, having a status and making money is considered the most important. The boy will also go on a journey to find himself and to understand the power that books really give people. The power that we all have inside of us but that we chose to put aside for petty reasons. The power to care. To feel for others.

The more I was reading Rintaro's adventures, the more I was feeling like I was standing next to him. Listening to the words each character was holding and trying to deliver. Words of truth, words of wisdom, twisted words, harsh words but also caring and loving words. The Cat Who Saved Books really is one of those books that heals and lets strands of magic enter one's world.

Un livre écrit par un amoureux des livres. Un quidam pourrait peut être par ce biais comprendre ce qu'une personne qui aime profondément les livres et s'y perdre peut y trouver. Un bel ouvrage, poétique, philosophique, profond.
L'origine japonaise de l'ouvrage n'est en rien un barrage à la compréhension et l'identification au héros.
A découvrir.