The calico cat at the Chibineko Kitchen A novel

When Nagi's mother was dying, she advised her that when she is missing her she should go to the Chibineko Kitchen. Now terminally ill herself, Nagi finds the place, which has a sign saying, "We serve remembrance meals. This restaurant has a cat." She enters and is served her mother's favorite dish. Her mother appears, and they have a reassuring talk until the meal gets cold and her mother must leave. Another day, Keita, who is unemployed and living in his childhood home, finds his mother dead on the floor. This forces Keita to finally get a job, working in a care home where he is known for his kindness to the residents. After turning his life around, Keita goes to the restaurant to have a final meal with his mother; during this cathartic encounter, he thanks his mother for her patience, telling her that he is now married and expecting a child. She tells him that what gives her the most joy is to see that he is happy. Two more moving remembrance meals follow in this magical-realist novel, complete with recipes. VERDICT Following The Curious Kitten at the Chibineko Kitchen, this is the second of eight installments to be translated into English in Takahashi's healing-fiction series, which features cats as wise guides.--Marcia Welsh