Scan barcode
stheyphanie's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
spenkevich's review against another edition
3.0
‘Why did something like this have to happen to me? All I did was go to the library to borrow some books.’
Haruki Murakami has a fascinating ability to break open the natural world and let loose all the magic that we hope and suspect is lurking right under the surface. The Strange Library is a cause for celebration in the Murakami ouveur, even just for the simple fact that its existence signals that the well-respected novelist has achieved a superstar status in the world of reading; even more worth celebrating as this status is not commonly held these days by an author with such literary chops and depth of heart. It is also satisfying to see the novel used as an art-form beyond the printed word as Chip Kidd has done here (this is nothing new or groundbreaking, such as B.S. Johnson's book-in-a-box [b:The Unfortunates|90992|The Unfortunates|B.S. Johnson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1171225534l/90992._SY75_.jpg|87800], but still refreshing). In an age of digital books it is relieving to see publishers producing a reason to go out and buy the physical copy, offering so much more than just the story for those who still enjoy the tangible paper. Though the book is merely a single short story¹—a story that works like a microcosm of all that is Murakami even if a bit watered-down—with a cover price just above a standard novel, it is a gorgeous work of art to support the content and proves that Murakami is enough of a household name to be able to release such an exciting collectors piece.
Flourishing under the art direction of Chip Kidd, the physical book itself is as whimsical as the story within and is truly something to take down from your shelf so you and your friends can marvel at it. The back cover folds over the top and bottom of the book, creating a slip-case like box out of the book itself, and each page corresponds to a full-color image that reflects the current actions of the story. These illustrations create a multi-media experience that drives the book along and returns the reader to their childhood of being just as drawn in by the pictures as the story. Plus the text is set in ‘Typewriter’, which is sure to tickle any fan. While the illustrations are fun, some are used multiple times and some of it left me desiring a little more. The effort is there, the result is beautiful, but somehow it seems like it could have been easily taken to higher heights.
‘Like a blind dolphin, the night of the new moon silently drew near’
The story itself is simple: a young boy gets locked in a library’s reading room by an evil librarian who will eat his brains if the boy cannot memorize three thick books on Ottoman tax collection. It is the type of plot you would find in a children’s book, and what I enjoyed most was the way the story seems to play on the irrational fears you have as an over-imaginative child, always wondering how even the most mundane events could suddenly break into a life-or-death fantasy full of heros and villans. This is what Murakami does best in his works, particularly Wind-Up Bird Chronicles. He allows the reader to have all the fun of a children’s book without sacrificing the literary merit or writing caliber. All the Murakami trademarks are within, from oversensitive and passive protagonists and the alluring and mysterious women who aid them, to labyrinths and parallel worlds. There is even an appearance by the Sheep Man from his early book [b:A Wild Sheep Chase|46134|A Wild Sheep Chase|Haruki Murakami|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1377257806l/46134._SY75_.jpg|2057170]. Particularly intriguing is the girl he meets in the prison who ‘talks with her hands’, Murakami making something more magical than just meaning sign-language as the hands are described as bearing a distinct, audible voice and her dialogue is denoted by blue ink.
Often, especially towards the beginning, the language feels a bit juvenile and flimsy, though it is key to remember that the narrator is a young teen. Murakami has done well to keep an authentic atmosphere with this style instead of being unable or unwilling to separate himself and his voice from his characters. The character of the narrator reflects many of Murakami's common motifs, especially the boy's passive nature. As the Sheep Man and the boy are both those who do what they are told, especially if doing so will earn them praise despite not actually agreeing with their actions, they have been led into the servitude and imprisonment of the evil librarian. However, they realize they deserve more than to be pushed around and the boy, Sheep Man and the mysterious girl unite with one another to escape and overthrow their oppressors. This all makes for a wonderful statement about not sitting silent under the authority of tyranny, finding your voice and forging your own way in the world even if it means overthrowing those above you. The epilogue-of-sorts that appears in small print on the final page is a devastating little paragraph that sinks the reader in melancholy yet reminds them of Murakami’s ultimate message: that it is through meaningful human interaction, friendship, love and bravery that we conquer the darkness of the world. We all must care for one another, like the narrator cares for his parakeet and his mother cares for him.
While the content of the book is a bit slim and reads more like a children’s novel, all the hallmarks of classic Murakami are within. This is not a book for everyone, mostly those already fascinated by the worlds of it’s author and I would not recommend it as a starting point for those wishing to take their first dip into Murakami's words. However, it is a book to hold and marvel, and if you allow yourself to, it sure is a hell of a lot of fun. This was the perfect companion for a day stuck in bed with a savage bout of flu, and for those needing a brief little smile of a book to brighten the day and return them to the emotions and actions that first connected them with loving books as a child, then this is a perfect choice.
3.5/5
¹ Apparently The Strange Library is occasionally categorized as Children's Literature (that you to Praj for the insight!). While reading the book, I was under the impression Library published solo with Kidd's artistry as an excuse to put it out without need of a full-fledged short story collection. While the story would have felt at home between the covers of [b:The Elephant Vanishes|9555|The Elephant Vanishes|Haruki Murakami|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1642991320l/9555._SY75_.jpg|693417], it also works quite well as a children's novel. This would account for the slender standard Murakami themes, and also why this book is general devoid of the sex scenes and sexuality that is usually present within his work, as well as the more novel-like plot complete with problem and climax as opposed to a slice-of-life short story structure.
Haruki Murakami has a fascinating ability to break open the natural world and let loose all the magic that we hope and suspect is lurking right under the surface. The Strange Library is a cause for celebration in the Murakami ouveur, even just for the simple fact that its existence signals that the well-respected novelist has achieved a superstar status in the world of reading; even more worth celebrating as this status is not commonly held these days by an author with such literary chops and depth of heart. It is also satisfying to see the novel used as an art-form beyond the printed word as Chip Kidd has done here (this is nothing new or groundbreaking, such as B.S. Johnson's book-in-a-box [b:The Unfortunates|90992|The Unfortunates|B.S. Johnson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1171225534l/90992._SY75_.jpg|87800], but still refreshing). In an age of digital books it is relieving to see publishers producing a reason to go out and buy the physical copy, offering so much more than just the story for those who still enjoy the tangible paper. Though the book is merely a single short story¹—a story that works like a microcosm of all that is Murakami even if a bit watered-down—with a cover price just above a standard novel, it is a gorgeous work of art to support the content and proves that Murakami is enough of a household name to be able to release such an exciting collectors piece.
Flourishing under the art direction of Chip Kidd, the physical book itself is as whimsical as the story within and is truly something to take down from your shelf so you and your friends can marvel at it. The back cover folds over the top and bottom of the book, creating a slip-case like box out of the book itself, and each page corresponds to a full-color image that reflects the current actions of the story. These illustrations create a multi-media experience that drives the book along and returns the reader to their childhood of being just as drawn in by the pictures as the story. Plus the text is set in ‘Typewriter’, which is sure to tickle any fan. While the illustrations are fun, some are used multiple times and some of it left me desiring a little more. The effort is there, the result is beautiful, but somehow it seems like it could have been easily taken to higher heights.
‘Like a blind dolphin, the night of the new moon silently drew near’
The story itself is simple: a young boy gets locked in a library’s reading room by an evil librarian who will eat his brains if the boy cannot memorize three thick books on Ottoman tax collection. It is the type of plot you would find in a children’s book, and what I enjoyed most was the way the story seems to play on the irrational fears you have as an over-imaginative child, always wondering how even the most mundane events could suddenly break into a life-or-death fantasy full of heros and villans. This is what Murakami does best in his works, particularly Wind-Up Bird Chronicles. He allows the reader to have all the fun of a children’s book without sacrificing the literary merit or writing caliber. All the Murakami trademarks are within, from oversensitive and passive protagonists and the alluring and mysterious women who aid them, to labyrinths and parallel worlds. There is even an appearance by the Sheep Man from his early book [b:A Wild Sheep Chase|46134|A Wild Sheep Chase|Haruki Murakami|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1377257806l/46134._SY75_.jpg|2057170]. Particularly intriguing is the girl he meets in the prison who ‘talks with her hands’, Murakami making something more magical than just meaning sign-language as the hands are described as bearing a distinct, audible voice and her dialogue is denoted by blue ink.
The sheep man has his world. I have mind. And you have yours,too...just because I don’t exist in the sheep man’s world, it doesn’t mean that I don’t exist at all.With as simple of a discussion as that, Murakami lightly paints in parallel worlds and fantasy, keeping them vague enough to provoke the imagination and making them feel plausible in the world we live in.
Often, especially towards the beginning, the language feels a bit juvenile and flimsy, though it is key to remember that the narrator is a young teen. Murakami has done well to keep an authentic atmosphere with this style instead of being unable or unwilling to separate himself and his voice from his characters. The character of the narrator reflects many of Murakami's common motifs, especially the boy's passive nature. As the Sheep Man and the boy are both those who do what they are told, especially if doing so will earn them praise despite not actually agreeing with their actions, they have been led into the servitude and imprisonment of the evil librarian. However, they realize they deserve more than to be pushed around and the boy, Sheep Man and the mysterious girl unite with one another to escape and overthrow their oppressors. This all makes for a wonderful statement about not sitting silent under the authority of tyranny, finding your voice and forging your own way in the world even if it means overthrowing those above you. The epilogue-of-sorts that appears in small print on the final page is a devastating little paragraph that sinks the reader in melancholy yet reminds them of Murakami’s ultimate message: that it is through meaningful human interaction, friendship, love and bravery that we conquer the darkness of the world. We all must care for one another, like the narrator cares for his parakeet and his mother cares for him.
While the content of the book is a bit slim and reads more like a children’s novel, all the hallmarks of classic Murakami are within. This is not a book for everyone, mostly those already fascinated by the worlds of it’s author and I would not recommend it as a starting point for those wishing to take their first dip into Murakami's words. However, it is a book to hold and marvel, and if you allow yourself to, it sure is a hell of a lot of fun. This was the perfect companion for a day stuck in bed with a savage bout of flu, and for those needing a brief little smile of a book to brighten the day and return them to the emotions and actions that first connected them with loving books as a child, then this is a perfect choice.
3.5/5
¹ Apparently The Strange Library is occasionally categorized as Children's Literature (that you to Praj for the insight!). While reading the book, I was under the impression Library published solo with Kidd's artistry as an excuse to put it out without need of a full-fledged short story collection. While the story would have felt at home between the covers of [b:The Elephant Vanishes|9555|The Elephant Vanishes|Haruki Murakami|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1642991320l/9555._SY75_.jpg|693417], it also works quite well as a children's novel. This would account for the slender standard Murakami themes, and also why this book is general devoid of the sex scenes and sexuality that is usually present within his work, as well as the more novel-like plot complete with problem and climax as opposed to a slice-of-life short story structure.
rachelyn83's review against another edition
4.0
He intentado leer a Murakami sin éxito pero
Este relato corto me ha fascinado. Sub realista, extraño, original…
Este relato corto me ha fascinado. Sub realista, extraño, original…
courtneyajw's review against another edition
5.0
I should note that I am, more or less, a bleeding heart Murakami fan. That being said, I can acknowledge that [b:Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage|19288239|Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage|Haruki Murakami|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1409000450s/19288239.jpg|24593525] was not (in my opinion) a masterpiece. One reviewer said this was a gift for the [English-only-reading] fans that were disappointed by that one. That is absolutely true.
This is the story of a library with a hidden secret and a boy who falls into that secret simply by desperately wanting to please everyone he meets. The magical realism and fantasy aspects of it are the essence of Murakami that suck you right into even the shortest of his works. As anyone familiar with this author would also expect, the ending is desolately sad. One paragraph and my heart lurched.
I have the paperback version and it is, by far, the most interesting artwork I have seen in a book since I was a small child. Even the binding lends itself to the story and allows you to literally immerse yourself in the colors, pieces and pages.
You can easy read this in 1-2 hours but if you have it, might as well spend a little extra time really absorbing this peak outside of everyday life.
This is the story of a library with a hidden secret and a boy who falls into that secret simply by desperately wanting to please everyone he meets. The magical realism and fantasy aspects of it are the essence of Murakami that suck you right into even the shortest of his works. As anyone familiar with this author would also expect, the ending is desolately sad. One paragraph and my heart lurched.
Spoiler
The boy's main focus was getting back to his mother and his starling and now his mother is dead... the injustice!I have the paperback version and it is, by far, the most interesting artwork I have seen in a book since I was a small child. Even the binding lends itself to the story and allows you to literally immerse yourself in the colors, pieces and pages.
You can easy read this in 1-2 hours but if you have it, might as well spend a little extra time really absorbing this peak outside of everyday life.
hauntedashouses's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
kristenbooks's review against another edition
2.0
I think I'd have to reread this before determining a rating, because I feel pretty meh *shrug* about it, but I think a reread would reveal deeper details about the story that you can't catch on the first read.
wiki765's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
bamjas's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
anteus7's review against another edition
4.0
What a bizarre little story. I liked it and might even read it again before I return it to the library.
I'm pretty sure that everything in this slim volume is symbolic or representative or allegorical or something along those lines. It will take a little digging on my part to nail some of it down, I'm sure. The story is completely absurd, which I like. I don't know if there are different versions of this, but mine has a bunch of vibrant illustrations that sometimes matched exactly what was going on in the text and sometimes (seemed) not so much
Anyway, this was a fun literary puzzle for me to poke at before I take it back to its home. I'm glad I checked to see what Murikami my library had today.
I'm pretty sure that everything in this slim volume is symbolic or representative or allegorical or something along those lines. It will take a little digging on my part to nail some of it down, I'm sure. The story is completely absurd, which I like. I don't know if there are different versions of this, but mine has a bunch of vibrant illustrations that sometimes matched exactly what was going on in the text and sometimes (seemed) not so much
Anyway, this was a fun literary puzzle for me to poke at before I take it back to its home. I'm glad I checked to see what Murikami my library had today.