Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Publication
Harvill Secker (2014), Hardcover
Description
In a fantastical illustrated short novel, three people imprisoned in a nightmarish library plot their escape.
Media reviews
Haruki Murakami’s “The Strange Library” is a short story, not a novel. So why, one might wonder, has it been published as a single volume?
User reviews
LibraryThing member Stbalbach
I've never read Haruki Murakami and this is recommended as Murakami in miniature. The story is a creepy nightmare told in a fairy-tale like structure, it's like clouds forming and disappearing you can see things but they don't stay for long. I can see the appeal, a sort of day dream, but it's not
Show More
high on my list - right now - to read more. Show Less
LibraryThing member nkmunn
I'm not sure what I thought of the story - it was complemented but at the same time overwhelmed by the book itself which was a treasure to hold and read - just the right size - not too tall and not too wide, just the right length, not too long and not too short - most conveniently bound with a
just like goldilocks tried the chairs and then the porridge and finally the beds finding the perfect fit for her at each turn, I worked my way forward and back thru the story delighting in the girl's visits, the delightful fairy food and refreshments, relishing yet dreading each revelation from the sheepman, yet upon being awakened from the story I remember most of all the waiting mother, the missing starling and the black dog.
Show More
handy over-flapped book jacket that doubles as the perfect book mark. just like goldilocks tried the chairs and then the porridge and finally the beds finding the perfect fit for her at each turn, I worked my way forward and back thru the story delighting in the girl's visits, the delightful fairy food and refreshments, relishing yet dreading each revelation from the sheepman, yet upon being awakened from the story I remember most of all the waiting mother, the missing starling and the black dog.
Show Less
LibraryThing member kaylaraeintheway
This was a fun, strange little story about a boy who gets lured into the basement of a library and is told by an old man that he must memorize a book before he can leave. While there, he meets a sheep man (a man dressed in the skin of a sheep) and a strange, beautiful girl. The boy plans to escape
The short story itself it not all that memorable, but I loved the presentation of it. There are flaps on the cover that you have to move in order to open the book, and there are surrealistic pictures on every other page that depict the things the boy experiences and sees. An enjoyable super quick read.
Show More
once he realizes why the old man wants him to memorize books...The short story itself it not all that memorable, but I loved the presentation of it. There are flaps on the cover that you have to move in order to open the book, and there are surrealistic pictures on every other page that depict the things the boy experiences and sees. An enjoyable super quick read.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Eyejaybee
This long short story (or novella? - I am not sure where one ends and the other begins) was very disappointing.
This edition was sumptuously produced, though now I am wondering whether the elaborate packaging was a ruse to try to hide the weakness of the story itself. It certainly fell far short of
If this had been the first Murakami work that i had read it is extremely unlikely that I would have gone on to try anything else by him, which would have been a great shame given the mastery of his novels such as '1Q84' or 'Kafka on the Shore'
This edition was sumptuously produced, though now I am wondering whether the elaborate packaging was a ruse to try to hide the weakness of the story itself. It certainly fell far short of
Show More
the very high expectations I now have of Murakami's works. I imagine he probably just dashed this off in a hurry one morning, probably rushing to meet a publisher's deadline, and never got around to polishing it. We all have bad days at the office, but most of us don't broadcast them to the world.If this had been the first Murakami work that i had read it is extremely unlikely that I would have gone on to try anything else by him, which would have been a great shame given the mastery of his novels such as '1Q84' or 'Kafka on the Shore'
Show Less
LibraryThing member thornton37814
This is a very unusual story about a boy who goes to the library seeking information on taxes in the Ottoman empire. Instead he has a nightmarish experience and ends up a prisoner at the hands of an old man with some strange companions. It's not my typical genre, and I'm not sure that I even
Show More
understood what Murakami intended. I do not think I would encourage children or young teens to read this because they might find a reason not to visit their own public libraries. The book does have interesting illustrations. The format of the book, with fold-up flap covers, is quite unusual as well. It's a quick read, demanding less than 30 minutes of one's time. Show Less
LibraryThing member Fliss88
The Strange Library is a strange book! I'm sure there is something I'm not getting behind this tale as the Murakami books I've read so far have not been whimsical. Hmmm, a strange one indeed.
LibraryThing member AnnieMod
When a little boy returns his books to the library, he does not expect anything weird to happen - he does that often. But something is off this time and the librarian sends him to the basement, to room 107 when he asks for some new books. And the everyday life of our protagonist is changed forever.
Magical object, a weird librarian, a Sheep Man, a girl with no voice and a labyrinth - not things you expect to find in a public library basement. I suspect that I can spend the next 10 days trying to figure out what allegory Murakami put behind any of the object and actions. Because even if that is a children novella, it is using images from the Eastern myths and layers of meaning (plus somehow he manages to sneak in parallel realities).
It is a very short story, complemented by the pictures - and it is depressing. But the world is so bright (and the pictures convey that as well as the words; combine the two and the things are even brighter) and that is in stark contrast with the main topic of the little tale - loneliness. The end of the book, set in a different font - a lot smaller, a lot less colorful finishes the story in a way I wish was not written. But it was inevitable.
I liked the story enough although I doubt that I will want to reread it.
Show More
Magical object, a weird librarian, a Sheep Man, a girl with no voice and a labyrinth - not things you expect to find in a public library basement. I suspect that I can spend the next 10 days trying to figure out what allegory Murakami put behind any of the object and actions. Because even if that is a children novella, it is using images from the Eastern myths and layers of meaning (plus somehow he manages to sneak in parallel realities).
It is a very short story, complemented by the pictures - and it is depressing. But the world is so bright (and the pictures convey that as well as the words; combine the two and the things are even brighter) and that is in stark contrast with the main topic of the little tale - loneliness. The end of the book, set in a different font - a lot smaller, a lot less colorful finishes the story in a way I wish was not written. But it was inevitable.
I liked the story enough although I doubt that I will want to reread it.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Carmenere
Creepy little tale of a young boy held hostage by an unusual old man in the basement of the boys local library and forced to memorize 3 books in 3 days a a subject he is interested in, Tax Collection in the Ottoman Empire.
Weird, amusing, dreamlike, thought provoking and above all, befuddling.
Weird, amusing, dreamlike, thought provoking and above all, befuddling.
Show More
What's it all mean? This book will have readers debating the intention for years to come. Show Less
LibraryThing member lgaikwad
This book is aimed toward 10-13 year olds and can be read in about 30 minutes. The book design is unique, artsy...and that is fun. I kept thinking I would understand the "point" of the story, but as is typical of Murakami, a "point" seems unnecessary. It is more of an experience.
As an adult, the
As an adult, the
Show More
book was just "okay," and gets 3 stars for design and graphics. Show Less
LibraryThing member dono421846
"Strange" is right. I'm not sure what lesson, if any, the reader is intended to walk away with. While normally the library is a locus of liberation and enlightenment, here it becomes an institution of evil metaphysical cannibalism. The boy has his adventure, and then it ends, that's it. While we
An beautiful, interestingly constructed book with great art, the tale itself is, well, strange.
Show More
expect the hero to be better off in some way, here he is actually worse off, and in the most regrettable way: he will never go into a library again. An beautiful, interestingly constructed book with great art, the tale itself is, well, strange.
Show Less
LibraryThing member debnance
What a fun little read! It’s the usual unusual but it’s in a classy package and with a gentle kid-friendly story. And, hey, it’s centered on a library. Not that it’s a library I’d ever want to visit, but it’s a library. And the packaging is fabulous. Yes, take a look at this one.
LibraryThing member Niecierpek
Beautifully illustrated by Chip Kidd with big full colour plates resembling Japanese graphic from the 1920s and 30s, and cleverly packaged with the cover opening up like a box and its flaps serving for oversized bookmarks. This is what a paper version of the book should look like nowadays, in my
What about the story? It's short, very short - it took me me about twenty minutes to read through it all. But, I enjoyed it. It's typically Murakami- a bizarre combination of everyday elements, but quite hypnotic in the end. No surprises. On reading.
Show More
opinion. Otherwise why should we buy paper books? This one is quite a work of art.What about the story? It's short, very short - it took me me about twenty minutes to read through it all. But, I enjoyed it. It's typically Murakami- a bizarre combination of everyday elements, but quite hypnotic in the end. No surprises. On reading.
Show Less
LibraryThing member pgmcc
I have just finished reading Haruki Muakami's Strange Library. It is a very interesting little tale that, like all the Murikami I have read, can be interpreted in different ways. Themes I found in it include the effect of one's upbringing; loneliness; reaction to authority; abuse of authority;
Apart from the story the physical book is beautiful. I would suggest it is experimental. It is a small, hardback book containing a short story. The book layout and images make for an interesting reading experience. Format wise it is short story edging towards illustrated rather than graphic novel, albeit using several elements drawn from graphic novels.
I would suggest it is a book for people familiar with Murikami's work or as a gift to others. I enjoyed it.
Show More
fear; resilience of youth; focus on trivia; loss.Apart from the story the physical book is beautiful. I would suggest it is experimental. It is a small, hardback book containing a short story. The book layout and images make for an interesting reading experience. Format wise it is short story edging towards illustrated rather than graphic novel, albeit using several elements drawn from graphic novels.
I would suggest it is a book for people familiar with Murikami's work or as a gift to others. I enjoyed it.
Show Less
LibraryThing member LibraryGirl11
In the same category as Dance Dance Dance--lots of really obscure imagery and bizarre happenings. Interesting use of image and text.
LibraryThing member loosha
Well. I've heard so much about this author, tried to read one of his other works, and since this 'book' is so short, determined to give it a go.
When I taught elementary school, every now and then I became captivated by the imaginative writing of a student, so much that I took the story to the staff
When I taught elementary school, every now and then I became captivated by the imaginative writing of a student, so much that I took the story to the staff
Show More
room to share. This story reminds me of that. A bit naive, weird, choppy, simple imagery, but somehow wildly creative. It gave me a smile and a chuckle, and the pictures were good, but I'm not going to be a fan. Show Less
LibraryThing member rmckeown
An interesting sort of books these days are those with something more than printed words on the page. These books have nooks and crannies for peeks into some secret worlds. Sometimes they have strange and bizarre art work. I am not talking about graphic novels.
Nick Bantock has created a series of
The story takes numerous twists and turns over the three volumes which follow, including, Sabine’s Notebook, The Gryphon, and The Golden Mean. They all take the story on twists and turns around the globe with a quite mysterious ending.
Haruki Murakami adds to this genre with The Strange Library. This unusual volume has flaps which fold over the top and bottom, and it only needs a wax seal to complete the strangeness of this story. A child who loves books, returns a few to the local library with the intention of borrowing several others. Then a slightly strange and scary man invites the boy to look at some interesting books he might like in Room 107 in the basement of the library. The boy is locked in a room with four folio sized books about taxation in the ottoman empire – a topic he inquired about for his next borrowings. The librarian tells him he must memorize all four volumes, or he would suffer unspeakable pains. A friendly jailer visits him and fills in some information, but he encourages the boy to memorize if her ever wants to escape Room 107. The a mysterious, ethereal young girl approaches and offers a means of escape.
Together these three attempt to escape this nightmare. The young boy who narrates the story frets about his mother who expects him home for dinner and his pet starling. The ghostly girl delivers gourmet meals to the boy, and another weird character, the “Sheepman” brings donuts for an afternoon snack.
The circulation librarian checks in his returned unusual books – How to Build a Submarine and Memoirs of a Shepherd. The woman directs him to the basement and room 107. In his typical style, Murakami describes the strange librarian. “A little old man sat behind a little old desk in the middle of the room. Tiny black spots dotted his face like a swarm of flies. The old man was bald and wore thick lenses. His baldness looked incomplete; he had frizzy white hairs plastered against both sides of his head. It looked like a mountain after a big forest fire. // ‘Welcome my boy, […] How may I be of assistance?’ […] ‘I want to learn how taxes were collected in the ottoman Empire’” (Part 2, no pagination).
Although not described as YA fiction, this tale seems appropriate for older children. All these books are wonderfully creative excursions into an uncommon literary genre. They offer a pleasant afternoon of reading. 5 stars
--Jim, 12/20/14
Nick Bantock has created a series of
Show More
four books beginning with Griffin and Sabine. Griffin receives a strange and beautifully decorated post card with an exotic postmark from Sabine. Naturally intrigued, he writes back and thus begins a correspondence every bit as strange, beautiful, and exotic as the first post card. Some pages have envelopes attached. Lifting the flap reveals a folded letter. This window into the mysterious Sabine made me feel as though I had eavesdropped on a growing romance.The story takes numerous twists and turns over the three volumes which follow, including, Sabine’s Notebook, The Gryphon, and The Golden Mean. They all take the story on twists and turns around the globe with a quite mysterious ending.
Haruki Murakami adds to this genre with The Strange Library. This unusual volume has flaps which fold over the top and bottom, and it only needs a wax seal to complete the strangeness of this story. A child who loves books, returns a few to the local library with the intention of borrowing several others. Then a slightly strange and scary man invites the boy to look at some interesting books he might like in Room 107 in the basement of the library. The boy is locked in a room with four folio sized books about taxation in the ottoman empire – a topic he inquired about for his next borrowings. The librarian tells him he must memorize all four volumes, or he would suffer unspeakable pains. A friendly jailer visits him and fills in some information, but he encourages the boy to memorize if her ever wants to escape Room 107. The a mysterious, ethereal young girl approaches and offers a means of escape.
Together these three attempt to escape this nightmare. The young boy who narrates the story frets about his mother who expects him home for dinner and his pet starling. The ghostly girl delivers gourmet meals to the boy, and another weird character, the “Sheepman” brings donuts for an afternoon snack.
The circulation librarian checks in his returned unusual books – How to Build a Submarine and Memoirs of a Shepherd. The woman directs him to the basement and room 107. In his typical style, Murakami describes the strange librarian. “A little old man sat behind a little old desk in the middle of the room. Tiny black spots dotted his face like a swarm of flies. The old man was bald and wore thick lenses. His baldness looked incomplete; he had frizzy white hairs plastered against both sides of his head. It looked like a mountain after a big forest fire. // ‘Welcome my boy, […] How may I be of assistance?’ […] ‘I want to learn how taxes were collected in the ottoman Empire’” (Part 2, no pagination).
Although not described as YA fiction, this tale seems appropriate for older children. All these books are wonderfully creative excursions into an uncommon literary genre. They offer a pleasant afternoon of reading. 5 stars
--Jim, 12/20/14
Show Less
LibraryThing member SqueakyChu
What a gruesome story! It's the tale of a boy who was drawn deeper and deeper and deeper into a strange library where he met an old man, a sheep man, and a disappearing beautiful girl. The boy only wanted to return to his mother and his pet starling and avoid being bitten by a black dog which had
Show More
bit him once before. The ending is frightful, but I loved the artwork which accompanied this story and opening this book in such an odd way. The donuts looked tasty! The artwork was by Chip Kidd. The book was printed in China. Show Less
LibraryThing member MillieHennessy
From the back of the book: A lonely boy, a mysterious girl, and a tormented sheep man plot their escape from the nightmarish library.
Let me just say right off, I didn't understand this book. Or to clarify, I didn't understand the ending or overall message. This is only the second Murakami I read,
The story is brief, at most it takes up half of the 96 pages. The lonely boy becomes trapped in the library because of his inability to stick up for himself, and perhaps that's the lesson to be learned. Honestly, I finished the story scratching my head and wondering if maybe Murakami's work is too deep for me. I'm glad I purchased this on Amazon, because the cover price is $18.00 and there's no way I could justify that price for this book, even though it is cool to look at. I think it would be better off packaged in a short story collection, or sold at half the price. Had I paid full price, I would be very disappointed.
Let me just say right off, I didn't understand this book. Or to clarify, I didn't understand the ending or overall message. This is only the second Murakami I read,
Show More
the other being the intimidating 1Q84, and I can't say I really understood that book either. He may not be for me, or I may have started out by reading the wrong books. Honestly, I bought this book because of the unique format and visuals. The story is brief, at most it takes up half of the 96 pages. The lonely boy becomes trapped in the library because of his inability to stick up for himself, and perhaps that's the lesson to be learned. Honestly, I finished the story scratching my head and wondering if maybe Murakami's work is too deep for me. I'm glad I purchased this on Amazon, because the cover price is $18.00 and there's no way I could justify that price for this book, even though it is cool to look at. I think it would be better off packaged in a short story collection, or sold at half the price. Had I paid full price, I would be very disappointed.
Show Less
LibraryThing member edparks
Another "ruined" American edition of a Haruki Murakami book by a ridiculously absurd design by Chip Kidd.
LibraryThing member cattylj
The Strange Library has all of (or almost all of) the elements of a Murakami story that I love, distilled into one quick read. The illustrations and the recurrence of familiar Murakami themes and characters/character-types serve to elevate the story's dreamlike atmosphere. It was made both familiar
I haven't quite worked out exactly what he's saying, I only just finished it 20 minutes ago. But I suspect that as with any other parable, or any other Murakami story for that matter, its meaning will become clear (and change and evolve) the longer I sit with it. What I do know is that I had an immediate emotional response and that's usually the first phase in understanding Murakami for me. I think those writing The Strange Library off as a failed attempt at scaring children into behaving are missing the point - taking it too seriously and too literally. I think it was originally published for adolescents, but being familiar with Murakami's decidedly NOT kid-friendly work makes this of interest to adults too.
Show More
and strange, as the best/worst dreams often feel. That said, those unfamiliar with his work will probably finish this with a sense of "what the f did I just read". It would be unfair to compare this to his novels. It's an experiment and a way for Murakami to play with new formats and new methods of expression. I for one really enjoyed it and hope he takes the experiment further next time.I haven't quite worked out exactly what he's saying, I only just finished it 20 minutes ago. But I suspect that as with any other parable, or any other Murakami story for that matter, its meaning will become clear (and change and evolve) the longer I sit with it. What I do know is that I had an immediate emotional response and that's usually the first phase in understanding Murakami for me. I think those writing The Strange Library off as a failed attempt at scaring children into behaving are missing the point - taking it too seriously and too literally. I think it was originally published for adolescents, but being familiar with Murakami's decidedly NOT kid-friendly work makes this of interest to adults too.
Show Less
LibraryThing member TheWasp
Short story on loss and separation. Reads like a children's book and is interspersed with illustrations but i'm not sure if children would get it. I'm not sure i got it
LibraryThing member sbluerock
What does it all mean? I have no idea. Maybe some day, a more enlightened reviewer will fill me in on....what the shoes left behind means, or how the sheep guy and his bad teeth mean anything...
In any case, it was a quick read with an interesting layout/illustration style.
In any case, it was a quick read with an interesting layout/illustration style.
LibraryThing member MarthaJeanne
A rather pointless nightmare.
LibraryThing member Kristelh
Typical with young girl, moon, labyrinth, lost, isolation. "Our worlds are all jumbled together-your world, my world, the sheep man's world." "At that time, my anxiety had turned into an anxiety quite lacking in anxiousness. And any anxiety that is not especially anxious is, in the end, an anxiety
Book was translated by Ted Goossen and art direction and design by Chip Kidd. This book is illustrated but by several people. Published 2014, a short story.
Show More
hardly worth mentioning." The story of a young boy's visit to the strange library. Mostly picked this up because of the interesting cover. Book was translated by Ted Goossen and art direction and design by Chip Kidd. This book is illustrated but by several people. Published 2014, a short story.
Show Less
LibraryThing member sszkutak
What a strange and wonderfully creative story. I have heard a lot about this author and the crazy marvelous things he does in his writing and I was not let down by The Strange Library. This short story only took me about 30 minutes to read through while having lunch and it was beautifully
A boy goes to the library for some books and is held captive by a strange old man. During his imprisonment he meets a few other unlikely characters and then the twists and turns are more pronounced.
I had a lot of questions after reading this book - mostly about how this poor boy can now never go into a library without feeling fear and entrapment. And that is NOT what you want to feel in a library (at least it isn't for me). The joys of knowledge are a wonderful thing and this story takes a macabre turn with them instead.
I really enjoyed this book in all its weird, convoluted events and will be picking up more books by this author.
Show More
illustrated. Murakami's story is one of a library that holds secrets in its depths, and not just secrets of learning but of the more sinister.A boy goes to the library for some books and is held captive by a strange old man. During his imprisonment he meets a few other unlikely characters and then the twists and turns are more pronounced.
I had a lot of questions after reading this book - mostly about how this poor boy can now never go into a library without feeling fear and entrapment. And that is NOT what you want to feel in a library (at least it isn't for me). The joys of knowledge are a wonderful thing and this story takes a macabre turn with them instead.
I really enjoyed this book in all its weird, convoluted events and will be picking up more books by this author.
Show Less
Language
Original publication date
1982 [Japanese]
2005 [illustrated edition]
2014-12-02 [English]
2015-11-17 [Italian]
Physical description
5.31 inches
ISBN
1846559219 / 9781846559211