{"product_id":"the-strange-library","title":"The Strange Library","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFully illustrated and beautifully designed, \u003ci\u003eThe Strange Library\u003c\/i\u003e by Haruki Murakami is a unique and wonderfully eerie tale that promises to captivate and haunt the minds of readers. With Murakami’s characteristic blend of surrealism and dark whimsy, this novella has become a treasure for his fans and a testament to his storytelling genius.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn his way home from school, a young boy finds himself curious about the methods of tax collection in the Ottoman Empire. His innocent inquiry leads him to the local library, believing he can simply borrow a book on the subject. Little does he know, this seemingly mundane visit will spiral into a bizarre and chilling adventure, marking his first grave mistake.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDirected by a peculiar old man to a \"special reading room\" within a labyrinth beneath the library, the young narrator soon realises the true nature of his situation. Imprisoned within this maze, he encounters an enigmatic girl who communicates with her hands and a sheep man who bakes excellent doughnuts. As the hours tick by, his mother's concern grows, and the old man's sinister appetite for the boy’s brains becomes increasingly apparent. How will he escape this nightmarish predicament?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eInterspersed with haunting and evocative illustrations, \u003ci\u003eThe Strange Library\u003c\/i\u003e immerses readers in a world that is both fantastical and macabre. Murakami’s distinctive prose, combined with richly detailed visuals, creates an unforgettable reading experience. This story not only explores themes of curiosity, isolation, and the bizarre but also highlights Murakami's talent for blending the ordinary with the extraordinary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDescribed by \u003cem\u003eThe Observer\u003c\/em\u003e as 'the best novelist on the planet', Murakami continues to enchant and bewilder readers with his unparalleled narrative style. \u003ci\u003eThe Strange Library\u003c\/i\u003e stands as a testament to his ability to weave magic, menace, and mystery into the everyday, turning a simple trip to the library into a darkly fantastical journey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45692496642284,"sku":"9781846559211","price":33.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781846559211.jpg?v=1725564414","url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/products\/the-strange-library","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}