Description

The highly anticipated sequel to the international bestseller “The Cat Who Saved Books” returns readers to Sosuke Natsukawa’s enchanting world, once again highlighting an inspiring narrative from Japan centered around a talking feline, a young girl who adores books, and the transformative power of literature.

Thirteen-year-old Nanami’s battle with chronic asthma keeps her from playing sports or spending leisure time with classmates after school. Despite this limitation, her passion for reading remains unstoppable. Nanami spends most afternoons immersing herself in stories, tucked away comfortably among the towering shelves in her favorite local library.

One afternoon, Nanami realizes, to her surprise, that several treasured classics—including “Anne of Green Gables” and “Arsène Lupin, Gentleman Thief”—have begun to vanish from the library. When she voices her concerns, the library staff dismisses them, assuming she is mistaken. Undeterred, Nanami soon spots a suspicious man dressed in a strange gray suit lurking nearby. Determined to investigate, she attempts to trail him—but suddenly experiences a severe asthma attack. By the time she recovers her breath, the mysterious man has vanished, leaving only an eerie glowing light behind in the familiar library corridor.

Just as Nanami’s concern grows, an unlikely ally appears: Tiger, the brave talking tabby whose mission has always been to protect the world of books. Together, can Tiger and Nanami confront the ominous challenges awaiting them? Who are the faceless gray soldiers setting books ablaze inside a forbidding stone castle? And what has become of Rintaro, the socially withdrawn boy who once helped Tiger rescue literature in an old, second-hand bookstore?

Set against the backdrop of rising worldwide censorship and increased book bannings, Sosuke Natsukawa’s heartfelt tale emphasizes the essential role literature plays in safeguarding our intellectual freedom. Beautifully translated from Japanese by Louise Heal Kawai, this compelling novel urges readers not only to appreciate powerful stories, but also to courageously defend the right to choose them.