Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collections
Publication
Black Swan (2009), Paperback, 432 pages
Description
Imagine that some people have the power to affect your thoughts and feelings when you read, or they read a book to you. They can seduce you with amazing stories, conjure up vividly imagined worlds, but also manipulate you into thinking exactly what they want you to.When Luca Campelli dies a sudden and violent death, his son Jon inherits his second-hand bookshop, Libri di Luca, in Copenhagen. Jon has not seen his father for twenty years since the mysterious death of his mother.When Luca's death is followed by an arson attempt on the shop, Jon is forced to explore his family's past. Unbeknown to Jon, the bookshop has for years been hiding a remarkable secret. It is the meeting place of a society of booklovers and readers, who have maintained a tradition of immense power passed down from the days of the great library of ancient Alexandria. Now someone is trying to destroy them, and Jon finds himself in a fight for his life and those of his new friends.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member alatham
This is an enchantingly unique tale of mystery, romance and supernatural forces brought to fruition by the power of reading. The prose is excellently constructed and fully engages the reader with this extraordinary plot. The translator must be fully commended on capturing the themes and moods laid
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down by the author in what I can only imagine must be a wonderfully crafted Danish original. The middle portions of the story however lacked elements of suspense, for my own personal liking, and I would have preferred for chapters to leave the plot hanging more at the end, rather than following on in real-time from chapter to chapter. However this is a very minor criticism on what is a truly wonderful piece of literature which I fully recommend to fellow bibliophiles and maybe, just possibly any Lectors out there(?)… Show Less
LibraryThing member cameling
It wasn't what I was expecting after reading the jacket cover. I thought it'd be a simple murder mystery surrounding the owner of a bookstore, but it quickly turned out to be much more.
A hidden society of bibliographers with a difference. One where individuals with specific gifts for enhancing the
What if these gifts were to be exploited by the nefarious? Are these gifts and harnessing them important enough to manipulate some and murder others? Will good triumph over the power hungry? Is it even possible that books can be charged with an energy after many readings?
The only negative criticisms I would levy against this book are that I wish the last chapter was a lot stronger and that the author did a better job at describing the conclusion of the final battle.
A hidden society of bibliographers with a difference. One where individuals with specific gifts for enhancing the
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reading experience, whether they be the ones reading out aloud, or the ones listening to something being read. Transmitters, the ones with the gift for accentuating certain words in the text they are reading and receivers, individuals who help focus a transmitter's mind to the images that he creates while he reads, all of which results in holding the audience in their grip, open to their suggestions or swallowed in the story unfolding before them.What if these gifts were to be exploited by the nefarious? Are these gifts and harnessing them important enough to manipulate some and murder others? Will good triumph over the power hungry? Is it even possible that books can be charged with an energy after many readings?
The only negative criticisms I would levy against this book are that I wish the last chapter was a lot stronger and that the author did a better job at describing the conclusion of the final battle.
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LibraryThing member Rubbah
A good book about the power of literature, and some of the ideas were interesting. I found myself wanting to enjoy it so much more than I did though. The plot 'twists' were fairly predictable, none of the characters really appealed to me, and the romantic sub plot felt like it had been shoved in
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because the author thought there should be some romance somewehere in there. Overall this is an ok book, but not one i will be revisiting. Show Less
LibraryThing member Kiwiria
It's always frustrating to read a really good book in Danish, because I know the chances of it getting translated into English are very slim, and I want to recommend it to others and discuss it with them!
And the first half of this book was "really good". The set-up was interesting, the writing
Unfortunately, about half way through the book, a blatant plot-device was used to move the story along. I'd seen it coming a mile off, so it annoyed me that Jon and Katherina hadn't too, and that they were trusting and unsuspecting enough not to see it. The same effect could easily have been achieved in a different way.
The last 100 pages seemed rushed, and not as well thought-out as the rest of the book, leaving me not quite as blown away as I'd expected to be, and with a number of questions left unanswered.
Edit: turns out this book actually has been translated. I stand corrected.
And the first half of this book was "really good". The set-up was interesting, the writing
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captivating, I got really fond of both Jon and Katherina, and I was completely fascinated by the concept of influencing/manipulating others through reading.Unfortunately, about half way through the book, a blatant plot-device was used to move the story along. I'd seen it coming a mile off, so it annoyed me that Jon and Katherina hadn't too, and that they were trusting and unsuspecting enough not to see it. The same effect could easily have been achieved in a different way.
The last 100 pages seemed rushed, and not as well thought-out as the rest of the book, leaving me not quite as blown away as I'd expected to be, and with a number of questions left unanswered.
Edit: turns out this book actually has been translated. I stand corrected.
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LibraryThing member ebyrne41
Too much in the realms of science fiction for my taste, fiction for me has to have some credibility.
LibraryThing member PatMock
Couldn't enjoy this one - central idea that reading books can have supernatural power was just silly, I never got close to any of the characters, and the language (maybe the translation from Danish) was wooden. I guess if you really enjoy mysteries it would have more appeal, but didn't work for me.
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
While the criticism of many others about the ending is quite justified, this story of the power of books to move people caught me up and I had great difficulty letting it go (If the last section had been a bit stronger this would easily have crept into the 4.5 or 5* range)
The story opens up with a
He finds himself caught up in a world he never knew about, a world where people can use books to influence others, to bring pictures in their minds of what's in the book and to sometimes change their minds. However there are the people like those who killed his father who aren't exactly nice about this ability, who want to use it for power and influence.
I really did enjoy this story, the descriptions of reading and being caught up in a book really did reflect the reality of being caught up in a book and ramped it up a bit. A book for book-lovers.
The story opens up with a
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bookseller, Luca Campelli, being literally captivated by a book, followed by his death. Then the focus moves to his son Jon Campelli, a lawyer, who has been estranged from his father for years and now owns his father's bookshop Libri di Luca.He finds himself caught up in a world he never knew about, a world where people can use books to influence others, to bring pictures in their minds of what's in the book and to sometimes change their minds. However there are the people like those who killed his father who aren't exactly nice about this ability, who want to use it for power and influence.
I really did enjoy this story, the descriptions of reading and being caught up in a book really did reflect the reality of being caught up in a book and ramped it up a bit. A book for book-lovers.
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LibraryThing member Toby_Sugden
A readable if somewhat uninspiring mystery/thriller. I never really warmed to any of the characters and felt that the whole premise of the book (that people can affect the emotions of others through reading) was half baked.
LibraryThing member mzieg
When evaluating a book, or indeed any sort of artistic expression, the first and often unconscious step is establishing the thresholds or criteria against which it should be fairly judged. Not all plays ought be held against the standard of Shakespeare, nor all novels Dostoevsky. From the moment
By the end of the first chapter, the experienced reader will have established a ready model of the audience for whom this book was intended, the literary tradition it builds from and chooses to extend, the ancient themes it has picked up and will shortly re-tell with variations anew. Consciously or otherwise, the reader has already begun cross-referencing an index of comparison points: other books with similar style, comparable diction, analogous theme, congruent historical or geographical setting, parallel plot, etc. These will become the benchmarks against which this new entry will be measured -- and the water mark will be high, for indeed "novel" comes from the Latin novus or "new", and readers will expect recent entries to build upon and therefore plausibly surpass the achievements of those who have gone before; mere regurgitation or mimicry merit little praise.
And therein lies my problem with "The Library of Shadows", the latest submission in the subgenre of supernatural literary thriller. The author dearly wishes to be placed on a shelf alongside recent bestsellers such as "The Club Dumas", "The Dante Club", Elizabeth Kostova's "The Historian", and even masters such as Umberto Eco. This categorization is not subjective on my part: Arturo Perez-Reverte is mentioned by name in the text, as is "The Name of the Rose", and special attention is given to a reading of "The Divine Comedy". These unsubtle allusions could be amusingly self-referential in a genuine genre entry, but come across as almost embarrassingly pleading in a novel of this calibre.
For the fact is that "Library" does not measure up to the standards it self-selects and so desperately echos. Its fantastic suppositions beggar belief, lacking even the internal logic so critical to establishing suspension-of-disbelief and effective empathy between reader and text. The "whodunnit" aspect of the mystery, the morality play of motivations, as well as the supernatural element which sets the plot in motion, are all presented with such clumsy cliches that I found myself wondering if this was a book written for children. Indeed, with one or two snips of the editor's scissors, this could make excellent juvenile fiction, an easy on-ramp to spark interest in better books featuring similar themes: dark and dank libraries filled with forgotten folios, musty old tomes of legend and lore whose cryptic secrets spell ecstasy or horror for the unwary reader.
Sadly, this book is unlikely to be ever placed in those hallowed back-rooms, held behind counter and glass for curious cognoscente or discerning dilettante; I fear it is bound to remain ever caged in the sunlit paperback racks fronting friendly High Street shops. At best, it may provide an early map, a hint to precocious young readers that books do exist which can carry the recondite connoisseur down circuitous paths to more vivid visions and rewarding resolutions, when the time is right.
Today, two stars; for too little, too late.
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you first pick up a book, thoughtfully heft its weight in your hand, absorb the cover art and typeface, and casually skim the publisher blurbs and reviewer call-quotes, you begin a process of shaping expectations. These "first impressions" are typically completed -- occasionally refuted, but certainly concluded -- as you slowly begin picking your way through the opening sentence, paragraph, and page.By the end of the first chapter, the experienced reader will have established a ready model of the audience for whom this book was intended, the literary tradition it builds from and chooses to extend, the ancient themes it has picked up and will shortly re-tell with variations anew. Consciously or otherwise, the reader has already begun cross-referencing an index of comparison points: other books with similar style, comparable diction, analogous theme, congruent historical or geographical setting, parallel plot, etc. These will become the benchmarks against which this new entry will be measured -- and the water mark will be high, for indeed "novel" comes from the Latin novus or "new", and readers will expect recent entries to build upon and therefore plausibly surpass the achievements of those who have gone before; mere regurgitation or mimicry merit little praise.
And therein lies my problem with "The Library of Shadows", the latest submission in the subgenre of supernatural literary thriller. The author dearly wishes to be placed on a shelf alongside recent bestsellers such as "The Club Dumas", "The Dante Club", Elizabeth Kostova's "The Historian", and even masters such as Umberto Eco. This categorization is not subjective on my part: Arturo Perez-Reverte is mentioned by name in the text, as is "The Name of the Rose", and special attention is given to a reading of "The Divine Comedy". These unsubtle allusions could be amusingly self-referential in a genuine genre entry, but come across as almost embarrassingly pleading in a novel of this calibre.
For the fact is that "Library" does not measure up to the standards it self-selects and so desperately echos. Its fantastic suppositions beggar belief, lacking even the internal logic so critical to establishing suspension-of-disbelief and effective empathy between reader and text. The "whodunnit" aspect of the mystery, the morality play of motivations, as well as the supernatural element which sets the plot in motion, are all presented with such clumsy cliches that I found myself wondering if this was a book written for children. Indeed, with one or two snips of the editor's scissors, this could make excellent juvenile fiction, an easy on-ramp to spark interest in better books featuring similar themes: dark and dank libraries filled with forgotten folios, musty old tomes of legend and lore whose cryptic secrets spell ecstasy or horror for the unwary reader.
Sadly, this book is unlikely to be ever placed in those hallowed back-rooms, held behind counter and glass for curious cognoscente or discerning dilettante; I fear it is bound to remain ever caged in the sunlit paperback racks fronting friendly High Street shops. At best, it may provide an early map, a hint to precocious young readers that books do exist which can carry the recondite connoisseur down circuitous paths to more vivid visions and rewarding resolutions, when the time is right.
Today, two stars; for too little, too late.
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LibraryThing member Carla_Rees
3.5 stars, could have been 4 if the story was written with a little less filler!
LibraryThing member nicola26
''Texts without a reader can't speak. A reader is required, but then they certainly do speak. They sing, they whisper, they even scream.''
It was fairly decent, but not as good as I expected it to be. The build up of the story was really good, and pretty exciting. It got weak and disjointed towards
It was fairly decent, but not as good as I expected it to be. The build up of the story was really good, and pretty exciting. It got weak and disjointed towards
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the end, though. Show Less
LibraryThing member Ailinel
The Library of Shadows follows Jon Campelli, a rising star in his law firm who is known for remarkable oratory and brilliant closing arguments. After the death of his father Jon inherits his father’s antiquarian bookshop, Libre de Luca, which is has been in the family for generations. As he is
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reunited with old family friends he learns about his father’s Bibliophile Society and a life Luca tried to keep his son separate from. The group is made of Lectors who can change opinions and emotions by reading (transmitters) or connecting with a person who is reading (receivers). For the past twenty years the group has been broken into factions and now the attacks that led to the original fracture appear to be starting again. Jon is drawn into a secret world as he attempts to solve the mystery of his fathers (likely) murder, reunite the Bibliophiles (something his father, respected and admired by both factions, had almost managed before his death), and discern the truth of a secret his father and one other had found-- numerous events pointing to a Shadow Society, a group as well trained and powerful as the Bibliophiles, but who used their powers for personal, economic, and political gain (rather than to promote literature and add to people’s reading experience). The story is filled with action, mystery, and some science fiction elements (similar to a James Rollins novel in that respect). It presents an intriguing tale filled with numerous twists and turns and focusing on a sympathetic and likeable protagonist who, like the reader, finds himself pulled into a strange new world. Show Less
LibraryThing member bcrowl399
I really enjoyed this book. It captivated me from the very beginning, a book fantasy to end all book fantasies. The suspense built to such a spell binding conclusion. It was wonderfully written and translated. The characters were so engaging...clear friends and enemies. Loved it.
LibraryThing member dono421846
For some reason, the tone of this book reminded me of the 1970s TV horror movies: an ordinary person somehow gets drawn into a disturbing situation full of odd happenings and emotional betrayals. In the movies, the evil tended to win the day. That's not the case here.
A lawyer inherits a bookshop
The abilities of Lectors puts a different spin on the imagined influence that libraries can have. While here the power involves actually reading, a different view is offered in the Invisible Library series in which librarians speak The Language to which the world must respond. These descriptions of the power hidden within the library and its books can be captivating to anyone that thinks libraries are special, even without the magic powers.
Plot-wise, the story probably doesn't survive close scrutiny, but that's beside.
A lawyer inherits a bookshop
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from his estranged father, and learns that some people possess strange powers related to reading. Transmitters can influence the listener, while receivers can get inside the head of anyone reading. While the bookstore has been the center of a local group of Lectors, there appears a different organization with malevolent designs. A showdown of readers drives the book toward its conclusion.The abilities of Lectors puts a different spin on the imagined influence that libraries can have. While here the power involves actually reading, a different view is offered in the Invisible Library series in which librarians speak The Language to which the world must respond. These descriptions of the power hidden within the library and its books can be captivating to anyone that thinks libraries are special, even without the magic powers.
Plot-wise, the story probably doesn't survive close scrutiny, but that's beside.
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LibraryThing member bcrowl399
I really enjoyed this book. It captivated me from the very beginning, a book fantasy to end all book fantasies. The suspense built to such a spell binding conclusion. It was wonderfully written and translated. The characters were so engaging...clear friends and enemies. Loved it.
LibraryThing member JBD1
One of those books that might have been excellent, but instead turned out rather meh. There's a bit of really nice description about the power of books and reading, and some lovely, lush bookstore scenery, though, but the main plot line leaves quite a bit to be desired.
While the general premise of
While the general premise of
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the book isn't terrible (that there's a small group of readers who have particular abilities to influence the way other people experience the reading of a book), the way this works out in practice just gets somewhat silly and nebulous, and all breaks down toward the end of the book. Show Less
LibraryThing member Ralphd00d
When I came across this story, and read the basic description, I was a bit excited to start it. The first half of the book kept my attention, and the story seemed to be going well. Then about half way through, I felt it stalled. All the things going on just slammed on the brakes, even though things
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were still be developed leading to the conclusion. Once I got about 3/4 way through, things picked back up. I wasn't overly impressed with the ending, and thought it dragged just a bit (after the climatic finale). Overall, I loved the idea of the story, of how books and reading books create 'energy'. Show Less
Awards
Dublin Literary Award (Longlist — 2011)
Language
Original publication date
2007
Physical description
432 p.; 7.5 inches
ISBN
0552775029 / 9780552775021
Local notes
Jon Campelli inherits his second-hand bookshop in Copenhagen, Libri di Luca, the meeting place of a society of booklovers and readers, who have maintained a tradition of immense power passed down from the days of the great library of ancient Alexandria.
Signed by the author, hardback edition exclusive to Goldsboro books.
Signed by the author, hardback edition exclusive to Goldsboro books.