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jennyshelby's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
When a person loses their own heart, they can't feel another's pain.
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief
the_reading_wren's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book feels like a children’s book in the way things are over-explained (possibly the translation), and it seems like it was written simply for the author to get a message across. But the points made were interesting, particularly the discussions around the publishing industry and social status attached to reading. I’m glad I stuck with the book because it grew on me as the mystery developed and the background to the magic revealed near the end made me reflect on the story in a more heartfelt way.
“Reading a book is a lot like climbing a mountain.”
The overall messages I took away from this book were the one stated clearly - the power of books is to help us feel empathy and teach us to turn that into compassion. And not to resign myself to “it’s just how the world works” but to act true to myself.
“Reading a book is a lot like climbing a mountain.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Fatphobia and Ableism
ninamanon's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
What an adventurous way to discuss the importance of books. Definitely made me think. The demonstration of idealism vs reality was very well done. And of course, a whole star in my rating is attributed to the wonderful talking cat.
I did, however, find fault with the idea that classic western literature or philosophers are inherently better than every new book published today. Classics are usually full of discrimination and outdated views; it’s important to read them and reflect on the content, but to put them on a pedestal like this bothers me. Also, books are more accessible than ever before: not everyone who reads is a scholar nowadays. There’s a book for everyone, and I think that’s wonderful!
I did, however, find fault with the idea that classic western literature or philosophers are inherently better than every new book published today. Classics are usually full of discrimination and outdated views; it’s important to read them and reflect on the content, but to put them on a pedestal like this bothers me. Also, books are more accessible than ever before: not everyone who reads is a scholar nowadays. There’s a book for everyone, and I think that’s wonderful!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief
megj23's review
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Death
jaredt's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
An adventure lead by a cat to save books is also about the introspection of grief over a love one who has passed.
A shut-in who can't express his grief, can't move forward, is pushed to by a talking cat. The cat wants to save books, and uses Rintaro to get that mission done, but there's more to it. The cat wants Rintaro to save books, who is leaving the bookshop his grandpa ran, who raised Rintaro and died pretty recent.
This is a story of Rintaro on an adventure, and how being pushed out of his shell changes him along the way. How he remembers his grandpa, the routine he had, the love he put into the bookshop.
This is a good book to see how grief can essentially stop a person, especially if they're already someone who keeps to themself. And for that kind of person to slowly step out of that corner when nudged. In this case, it was Rintaro's love of books and his grandpa that helped push him see the folks around him, cat included, who want him to grow and find his place.
This is not an over the top adventure, and Rintaro isn't some hero character. He has a passion, and its that passion that fuels him to change instead of stop completely.
I liked the story overall. It took me a while to get through it, and it wasn't until Sayo's integration into the plot did I feel more engaged. The cat was definitely a highlight, though I wish we got more time sitting with the cat's thoughts and feelings. It felt more like a tool used to support Rintaro verses another character, but I still enjoyed their presence when they were there.
A short story, a speck of introspection, and while I felt kinda ehh about the overall message on books with what they used to represent in the past compared to now, I think it had a decent message overall in regards to connection and support.
A shut-in who can't express his grief, can't move forward, is pushed to by a talking cat. The cat wants to save books, and uses Rintaro to get that mission done, but there's more to it. The cat wants Rintaro to save books, who is leaving the bookshop his grandpa ran, who raised Rintaro and died pretty recent.
This is a story of Rintaro on an adventure, and how being pushed out of his shell changes him along the way. How he remembers his grandpa, the routine he had, the love he put into the bookshop.
This is a good book to see how grief can essentially stop a person, especially if they're already someone who keeps to themself. And for that kind of person to slowly step out of that corner when nudged. In this case, it was Rintaro's love of books and his grandpa that helped push him see the folks around him, cat included, who want him to grow and find his place.
This is not an over the top adventure, and Rintaro isn't some hero character. He has a passion, and its that passion that fuels him to change instead of stop completely.
I liked the story overall. It took me a while to get through it, and it wasn't until Sayo's integration into the plot did I feel more engaged. The cat was definitely a highlight, though I wish we got more time sitting with the cat's thoughts and feelings. It felt more like a tool used to support Rintaro verses another character, but I still enjoyed their presence when they were there.
A short story, a speck of introspection, and while I felt kinda ehh about the overall message on books with what they used to represent in the past compared to now, I think it had a decent message overall in regards to connection and support.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief
In relation to death of parent, this is more of death of 'grandparent', who took on the role of parent to raise Rintaro. The death has already happened in the opening of the book, and is integral to the disposition of the main character. The nature of the death is also looked back on a bit further in to the story.dexkit10's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
rahrahjay's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Death of parent
abookwormspov's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
ollie_again's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Death and Death of parent
fiercereadsfiction's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief