The Cat Who Saved Books is a very interesting divergence from my normal reading, as of late. I generally enjoy magical realism, but this was unique even within the genre. The author's writing style has a far different tone and pace than most Western authors. The characters are refreshingly direct and sincere, and the plot handles grief and the differing reactions one can have to grief with grace and humor. I greatly enjoyed following Ringtaro's journey through the labyrinths and seeing him grow to understand that people care about him and figure out that he cares for them in return. I also enjoyed learning more about the concept of hikikomori, and I appreciate the efforts through which the translator went in order to retain the author's message and the nuances of the Japanese language as they differ from English.