The Book Review: The Strange Library by Haruki Murakami.

IMG_0616

Hello and Happy Sunday!

“The old man came to check on me that evening. He was delighted to find me lost in my book. Seeing how happy he was made me feel a little happier. No matter what the situation may be, I still take pleasure in witnessing the joy of others.” 

Knowledge is good but it might be dangerous sometimes. I fell in love with Murakami after I read his novel After Dark a long time ago. I remember the day when I purchased this book so clearly. I liked the cover and needed a book to kill some time at a café. Well, three hours and five lattes later, I still sat there reading this book. I also really enjoyed this, this and that one. I have always been eager to read more from Japan’s famous author. When I found The Strange Library at a Vintage Bookstore in the East Village in New York I was as happy as a kid in the candy store. Well, bookstores are my candy stores anyway but you get the picture.

This gem of a book is wonderfully written, beautifully illustrated and shrink wrapped when I purchased it. I love the old-fashioned library card wallet attached to the cover that reminds when I used to take out books at my local library as a child. How unique and special. Besides this I have to tell you that the entire book is slightly strange and different from any other book you might have read. It is filled with amazing photographs, graphics and art work that all adds to the weirdness of the story. Most of these illustrations come from old books that have been found in The London Library and included and mixed  in an unusual  way with the story. 

“All I did was go to the library to borrow some books. “If you don’t know something, go to the library to look it up.”

This story of this novella takes place at The Strange Library. The narrator (a young boy) is on his way home from school and finds himself wondering about the Ottoman Empire’s tax system and how taxes were collected. [Have you ever thought about this? Well, I have not!] He walks into the local library to ask if there are any book available on this subject. The librarian, an old man, helps him and finds three huge books. He also tells the narrator that he has to read those books in a special “reading room” and cannot take them home. The boy agrees, even though his mother waits for him at home and the library closes soon. He follows the old man who leads him to a maze underneath the library that is in complete darkness and guide him to this strange reading room. Here, the narrator soon finds himself imprisoned with a little person who is a sheep man. Sheep man makes the most delicious doughnuts, soups and other dishes.  Weird enough at this point? Let me continue. Now a girl walks into the “prison room” where the narrator is attached to a chain just long enough to go to the table to read the books. This girl only talks with her hands. Now, sheep man and girl tell the boy that the old man seems to have a huge appetite for smart brains – especially smart boy brains and has no intentions of letting him out any time soon. Even worse, as soon as the boy read the books (which should take him approximately one month) the old man will kill him – and eat his brain. 

Will the narrator be able to escape? What else will happen? 

IMG_0650

IMG_0655

Actually, I would describe this book as nightmarish, thought-provoking and interesting. Murakami surely has a wild imagination but I loved all the symbolism that just kept my attention throughout the book. I always dreamt to be at a library over night and locked in at some point but not anymore, hah! However, after re-reading the book I felt that  there is so much more to discover. 

Read this book if you are a fan of beautiful illustrated books and a lover of novellas.  Also of course if you like Murakami and his amazing surreal imagination. I would not suggest getting this book on e-readers, simply because of all the art work in it. This is a book to touch, hold and smell. And also, please continue going to your local library. Unless you find this wooden door that leads to total darkness and down a serial staircase  to a suspicious reading room. 

Order this book here. Enjoy! 



Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.


Follow by Email
LinkedIn
Instagram