The Cat Who Saved Books

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The Cat Who Saved Books blends a quiet story about grief with fantastical, magical realism elements. Did you find this combination effective in telling Rintaro’s story?

2. What did you think of the book’s gentle, fable-like quality? How does it compare to other allegorical stories you’ve read, such as Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince, which Tiger himself quotes?

3. Which of the book’s messages about reading and human connection resonated most strongly with you after you finished the last page?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Rintaro’s grandfather taught him that books can be “like friends to you” (12). Have you ever felt a similar personal connection to a book, and does the idea of books as “friends” resonate with your experience?

2. The second labyrinth critiques the modern desire for speed and efficiency by “streamlining” reading. Do you feel the pressure to read quickly or consume content faster in your own life? If so, how do you handle this?

3. The novel portrays Natsuki Books as a sanctuary. What role have bookstores or libraries played in your life? Have modern trends affected them? If so, how have you reacted to this?

4. Rintaro’s passion for books ultimately helps guide him out of his grief. Can you think of a time when a hobby or a passion helped you navigate a difficult period?

5. The novel champions the value of reading challenging books, comparing it to climbing a mountain. What’s the most recent book you read that felt like a rewarding challenge?

6. Tiger explains that cherished books can gain a soul. What do you think makes a particular book feel “alive” or powerful to a reader?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The novel centers on Rintaro, a hikikomori, a term for someone experiencing acute social withdrawal. In what ways does Rintaro’s journey reflect the broader pressures that young people face today regarding school, social life, and finding their place in the world?

2. The president of World’s Best Books argues for publishing only what sells. How does his philosophy mirror current trends in the media and publishing industries?

3. What does the struggle of an independent shop like Natsuki Books say about the value that society places on commerce versus culture or on efficiency versus community? What might help resist such trends?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Which of the three main labyrinth masters (the Imprisoner, the Mutilator, or the Seller of Books) presents the most compelling or frightening vision of how the modern world corrupts reading? Why did that particular philosophy stand out to you?

2. How did you interpret the character of Tiger? Did you see him as a straightforward mentor, the personification of literature’s soul, or something else entirely?

3. Rintaro’s motivation evolves throughout the novel, shifting from defending his grandfather’s ideals to rescuing Sayo. What does this change reveal about his character arc and the theme of The Courage to Emerge From Isolation?

4. What is Sayo’s role in the story beyond being a friend to Rintaro? How does her character development reinforce the novel’s central theme that books cultivate empathy?

5. Were you satisfied with Rintaro’s decision to stay and run the bookshop? What do you think this choice signifies for his future and his grandfather’s legacy?

6. The final antagonist isn’t a person but the despairing soul of a forgotten book. What is the significance of this choice for the novel’s message about literature?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Tiger recruits Rintaro to save books from people who mistreat them. If you could rescue one book from a specific kind of modern mistreatment (like turned into a disappointing movie), which book would you choose, and why?

2. What might a fifth labyrinth, representing a contemporary threat to reading not covered in the book, look like? Who would be its master, and what would their flawed philosophy be?

3. Rintaro’s journey shows him the power of books to teach empathy. If you could give one of the labyrinth masters a book to help them on their new path, which master would you choose, what book would you choose for them, and why?