Looking for an unsettling book to curl up with during the waning of the year? Come browse the secret stacks of The Library at Mount Char! First-time novelist Scott Hawkins was partly inspired by a librarian friend who was tired of the stereotypes surrounding portrayals of her profession. Just once, she wanted to read something where librarians were homicidal nutjobs. If that sounds like a must-read, place a hold right now on this deeply strange and compelling book.
Twelve children are adopted by their not-so-friendly neighbourhood nutjob after a mysterious tragedy leaves them all orphans. Their new Father possesses godlike powers and the world's most unhealthy barbecue grill, and rules over a vast library existing outside of time and space. The young librarians begin their studies under his cruel tutelage, each focusing on learning a "catalogue," such as language, healing and war. (Studying outside of your catalogue is strictly forbidden and severely punished.)
One day, Father goes missing and the librarians find themselves locked out of their home. As adults completely unfamiliar with navigating the outside world, they must venture out among regular humans and attempt to find Father… but not all of them are on the same page where that's concerned. Meanwhile, the government and Father's ancient allies and enemies are closing in, with the fate of the earth at stake.
This is a very violent book, so reader discretion is advised with trigger warnings for: blood and gore, murder, rape, animal death. (Do you like dogs? Bad things happen to dogs. Think lions are cool? There are cool lions in this book, but some bad things happen to them as well.) At the same time, a dark vein of humour runs through the story. The protagonists narrate with ironic wit, and there is an extended, occasionally laugh-out-loud sequence where a character has to call a hapless taxi driver to get him and the aforementioned lions out of a zombie-occupied, dog-surrounded house — exactly as weird and wonderful as it sounds.
Booklist called The Library at Mount Char "an extravagant, beautifully imagined fantasy" and Library Journal compared it to Neil Gaiman's work (it definitely has an American Gods vibe, and the horror is right out of early Sandman). If you want to be disturbed, enthralled and moved, pick up this book. You'll never see your friendly neighbourhood librarian in the same light again.
One thought on “Visit The Library at Mount Char”
Thanks for the heads up about this book — it’s going on my reading list for sure. Like the author’s friend, I, too, have been craving a librarian character who gets a chance to chew the scenery up — without wearing glasses!