Strange Library

Haruki Murakami’s “Strange Library” is a whimsical but also eerie novella that draws me into a surreal adventure.

This review may contain spoilers; read at your own risk.

The story begins innocently enough with a young boy visiting his local library to return and borrow some books. Driven by curiosity, he asks the librarian if they have any books on tax collection in the Ottoman Empire. Little does he know, this simple request will lead him down to a bizarre and unsettling path. Note to self: maybe stick to more mainstream topics next time?

The boy is led to a hidden part of the library by an eerie old man, who instructs him to memorise three books. Before he can protest, he finds himself imprisoned in a cell, guarded by a sheep man and accompanied by a voiceless girl who brings him delicious meals. The old man reveals his sinister plan to eat the boy’s brain once he has memorised the books. He believes this will grant him the knowledge contain within. Talk about brain food!

As the boy forms a bond with his fellow captives and devises a daring escape plan, you can’t help but get sucked into the surreal narrative. Chip Kidd designed the book, and it is gorgeous. You wouldn’t guess the eerie plot inside from the beautiful cover. “Strange Library” has all of Murakami’s signatures of a surreal and whimsical world—a mixture of reality and fantasy that keeps you guessing.

The first thought I had when I finished the book was, “I hope this doesn’t put anyone off libraries.” Or at least, if you’re planning a visit, maybe steer clear of the tax section on the Ottoman Empire to avoid the boy’s fate?

I also discovered that the sheep man is a recurring character in Murakami’s work, although I haven’t read the other books featuring him. For now, I’ll just appreciate his role as a mysterious and somewhat alarming library guard.

Let’s talk about the illustrations in the book. They are beautiful, whimsical, and each illustration page reflects the current action of the story. It feels like reading a picture book for adults, with a sinister twist. Although the illustrations are gorgeous, I found myself wanting every page to have its own unique artwork. Some illustrations are used multiple times, and leaving me wanting more.

The plot, while simple on the surface, offers a depth that you can interpret in numerous ways. You might take it literally as a strange adventure in a hidden part of the library. Or, like me, you might see it as a metaphor for the boy coping with grief. The eerie library becomes a dark world he must navigate, seeking a return to the familiarity and comfort of home and family.

Murakami’s “Strange Library” is a short but deeply atmospheric tale. His characteristic blend of fantasy, horror, and introspection filled this story . It will linger in your mind, much like a strange dream you can’t quite shake. The story leaves readers pondering the thin line between reality and imagination, and the unsettling idea that even the most familiar places can hide dark and mysterious secrets.

In conclusion, “Strange Library” is a hauntingly beautiful read. It captures the essence of Murakami’s unique storytelling, where the ordinary meets the extraordinary in the most unexpected ways. Just remember, the next time you visit your local library, you might want to stick to the fiction section—unless you’re in the mood for an adventure.

About The Author

Murakami Haruki (Japanese: 村上 春樹) is a popular contemporary Japanese writer and translator. His work has been described as ‘easily accessible, yet profoundly complex’. Some of his novels take their titles from songs: Dance, Dance, Dance (after The Dells’ song, although it is widely thought it was titled after the Beach Boys tune), Norwegian Wood (after The Beatles’ song) and South of the Border, West of the Sun (the first part being the title of a song by Nat King Cole).

Rating: 4 muse points. I’ll bring my helmet to the library next time, you know, just in case.