Who Would Like This Book:
This is a delightful little oddity from Murakami - part fairytale, part fever dream. The physical book itself is stunning: full of surreal illustrations and inventive design, making it a treat for anyone who loves unique, art-infused books. If you appreciate magical realism, quirky stories that blur the line between reality and imagination, or just want something different you can devour in a single sitting, you'll be charmed. Existing Murakami fans will recognize his signature blend of whimsy and melancholy, but newcomers looking for a quick taste of his style might also enjoy dipping in.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers find it too strange, unsettling, or a bit too shallow - there's a lack of clear answers, and the story can feel more like a bizarre dream you can't quite interpret than a satisfying narrative. Those who expect a satisfying plot arc or deep character development may be left scratching their heads. It’s also quite short, which leaves some feeling like they missed out on the depth found in Murakami’s longer novels. And if you’re not a fan of surreal or ambiguous storytelling, this may not be your cup of tea.
About:
"The Strange Library" by Haruki Murakami is a surreal and dreamlike tale about a young boy who gets imprisoned in the labyrinthine bowels of his city's library. The story involves encounters with mysterious characters like a mute girl, a tormented sheep man, and a jailer in a sheep suit, all set in a matter-of-fact narrative style. is filled with enigmatic illustrations that add to the strange and surreal events that unfold in a short span.
The plot revolves around the boy's quest to escape the library with the help of unusual allies, all while exploring themes of isolation, loss, loneliness, and existential ennui. The writing style is described as straightforward yet evocative, reminiscent of a fairy tale but with darker undertones, leaving readers puzzled yet intrigued by the bizarre and haunting narrative.
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Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of fear, isolation, and psychological intensity, as well as the depiction of a creepy and potentially threatening environment.
From The Publisher:
From internationally acclaimed author Haruki Murakami-a fantastical illustrated short novel about a boy imprisoned in a nightmarish library.
Opening the flaps on this unique little book, readers will find themselves immersed in the strange world of best-selling Haruki Murakami's wild imagination. The story of a lonely boy, a mysterious girl, and a tormented sheep man plotting their escape from a nightmarish library, the book is like nothing else Murakami has written. Designed by Chip Kidd and fully illustrated, in full color, throughout, this small format, 96 page volume is a treat for book lovers of all ages.
Ratings (18)
Incredible (3) | |
Loved It (5) | |
Liked It (5) | |
It Was OK (2) | |
Did Not Like (3) |
Reader Stats (40):
Read It (19) | |
Want To Read (19) | |
Not Interested (2) |
4 comment(s)
This book gives off vibes of a studio Ghibli film in a way I can’t explain. It is super fast paced and easy to read, the writing is magical realism and abstract as well. This was such an interesting read, can’t wait to read more of Murakami’s works
Read this in a very short time and I really enjoyed the bizarre writing Murakami delivers. Set in a library a boy is captured by a sinister old man, weirdness ensues.....
"The Strange Library" is a quick, quirky novel that occurs in during a boy's visit to his local library. Through "The Strange Library," the reader follows a nameless narrator as he returns his library books to his city library and the bizarre situation he finds himself in after asking for help finding more library books.
The book begins with the narrator entering the library and his worry of breaking the silence of the library space since he is wearing new, squeaky shoes. After the narrator returns his library books and they are stamped by the librarian, he asks for assistance with finding more books. The unnamed librarian instructs the narrator to go room 107. As the narrator travels to room 107, he is curious since the room is located in an previously unknown area of the the library.
Upon entering room 107, the narrator encounters an old male librarian and after a brief conversation, the old man brings the narrator the books he has asked for. When the narrator attempts to leave the room with the books, the old man informs him that the books are for internal use only and therefore, he can't leave the room.
After hearing the news that he can't leave the room, the narrator becomes worried about his mother and pet and tries to reason with the old man to no avail. Eventually, the narrator is lead to an even more hidden area of the library and is given an ultimatum by the old man. The remainder of "The Strange Library" focuses on the narrator plotting his escape from the old man's prison.
The "Strange Library" is book is interesting due to the way in which the book cover is presented with a seal and top and bottom book laps instead of the traditional front book cover that opens from right to left. I also liked the way in which the book is presented as a library book with wording on the side which says "for internal use only." Lastly, although the book is sparsely illustrated, the images that the author uses are powerful in that to me, the images work to support the overall storyline.
Probably not the best choice for my first Murakami book. It certainly makes you think, almost each sentence it's own allusion to a different possibility, though maybe I just don't like the translation (Ted Goossen) because it's. . . dry at best. Might be biased since I just came off finishing a much more emotionally engaging book.
Overall feelings: Eh.
What can you read after
The Strange Library?
About the Author:
HARUKI MURAKAMI was born in Kyoto in 1949 and now lives near Tokyo. His work has been translated into more than fifty languages, and the most recent of his many international honors is the Hans Christian Andersen Literature Award in…
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