Reviews

Die unheimliche Bibliothek by Ursula Gräfe, Kat Menschik, Haruki Murakami

timlarsson's review against another edition

5.0

It's Murakami. Weird, mystical and surreal in a perfect blend. This is a short story, read it in an hour, but it was still very rewarding. Love the artwork as well, and the front flaps gives a cosy and yet a mild claustrophobic feel while reading.
Highly recommended!

ellipsiscool's review against another edition

4.0

I read this book all in one sitting and it was engrossing. I enjoyed the weirdness, the imagery, and the little boy character. However, I'm not really sure what it was "all about." Is it meant to scare people away from going to the library? I promise we don't lock people in dungeons and force them to read books about tax collecting in the Ottoman Empire. Promise! I think it may have been a representation of how things tend to go wrong in a domino like way and even when we fight to escape one battle another appears in its place. Or maybe it's about escaping real problems by imagining worse, adventure-like ones. Or maybe it isn't supposed to have a "point" and that is ok too.

It may look like a children's book, but it's not. It's a bit too dark and strange, but maybe there are older kids who would really enjoy it.

Overall, it was a good time.

the_sunken_library's review against another edition

4.0

Aesthetically beautiful, delightfully translated, hauntingly written but lacking a decent finish.

miss_kaktu's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

cs4_0reads's review against another edition

mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

nerdie_kitten's review against another edition

4.0

Oops!!!

evafrouz's review against another edition

3.5

I liked how short it was, appreciated the illustrations and the whole composition of the book. The ending seemed a bit unexpected, given the fact that it almost seemed like a story for children.

copascribe's review against another edition

3.0

I mean...I guess I get it? If you dig deep enough, I suppose this could be about overthrowing tyrants and the importance of strangers working together to...put a stop to oppression...maybe? I've heard this isn't the best Haruki Murakami book to start with, but I was looking for something short having come off a Stephen King novel.
2.5 stars because...I have questions.
***Okay, just saw this is sometimes referenced as children's lit and I suppose it has those creepy warning/fairytale vibes for kids. Bumping it to 3 stars. Definitely not a read for everyone.

sydvoss's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.5

What a strange book. I think I loved it? I don’t understand how to rate it properly? 

cadenceboudreaux's review against another edition

4.0

sheep goat man so babygirl