By Ariana Carpentieri:
Mr Katō—a curmudgeon and recent retiree—finds his only solace during his daily walks, where he wonders how his life went wrong and daydreams about getting a dog (which his wife won’t allow). During one of these walks, he is approached by a young woman. She calls herself Mie, and invites him to join her business Happy Family, where employees act as part-time relatives or acquaintances for clients in need, for whatever reason, if only for a day.
At first reluctant, but then intrigued, he takes the job without telling his wife or adult children. Through the many roles he takes on, Mr Katō rediscovers the excitement and spontaneity of life, and re-examines his role in his own family. Using lessons learned with his “play families,” he strives to reconnect with his loved ones, to become the father and husband they deserve, and to live the life he’s always wanted.
Mr Katō Plays Family is an excellent choice for your next book club discussion. Here’s a breakdown on what to watch, what to eat, what to drink, what to listen to, and what to discuss while you read it!
WHAT TO WATCH
With the best timing imaginable, A Man Called Otto was recently released (and is very much trending!) on Netflix and would be a perfect fit for this book. When a lively young family moves in next door, grumpy widower, Otto Anderson, meets his match in a quick-witted, pregnant woman named Marisol, leading to an unlikely friendship that turns his world upside down. This poignant tale will pull at your heartstrings in the best possible way, so be sure to have some tissues on hand! Otto and Mr. Katō would definitely be a couple of curmudgeonly friends.
WHAT TO EAT
Kaiserschmarrn is a traditional Austrian dessert consisting of a fluffy, pancake-like batter containing fruit and nuts and topped with powdered sugar in excess. It’s served in bite-sized pieces on a large platter and often dipped in apple sauce. Not only is Kaiserschmarrn delicious, but it is PERFECT for sharing. This is a dish meant to be set in the middle of the table, hands bumping as everyone reaches in for a piece or two. Kaiserschmarrn is so widely regarded as a “sharing” food, that every year at the annual Film and Food Festival in front of Vienna’s City Hall, Kaiserschmarrn is prepared in a huge pan and sold to the public. I imagine that while you and your bookclub sit down to share a big platter of Kaiserschmarrn, Mr. Katō and all of his family, found or otherwise, will be sitting around their own table passing the apple sauce and powdered sugar.
WHAT TO DRINK
Give a toast to the wonderful novel Mr. Katō Plays Family by raising a glass and sipping on some Glühwein (mulled wine). The word “Glühwein” roughly translates to “glow wine.” A traditional Glühwein typically includes a variety of spices such as cinnamon, clove, and star anise. This German mulled wine also features citrus, vanilla, and sugar. It is most often made with red wine, although you can use white wine if you prefer. It’s deep yet still has hints of lights flavors, which is a perfect parallel for the story of Mr. Katō.
WHAT TO LISTEN TO
If you’re someone who’s into classics, then you’re definitely going to want to turn on the record player and whip out the Fleetwood Mac vinyl to play Landslide. Sung by rock goddess Stevie Nicks, this ballad is about the challenges of life and contemplating the hardships you face as you age, much aligned with what Mr. Katō faces in the book. But If you’re looking for a song that’s a bit more modern, then Getting Older by Billie Eilish is another stellar fit. In this vulnerable track, Billie covers various sensitive subjects including a growing sense of responsibility, personal revelations, and past trauma. It’s a reflection of the self, as well as what it means to change and wisen as you get older.
WHAT TO DISCUSS
Download the Mr Katō Plays Family Reading Group Guide for insightful questions to get the discussion going!
Mr Kato Plays Family RGGClick below to pre-order your copy of Mr Katō Plays Family, available 6.20.23!
