The Library of Shadows (original 2007; edition 2009)

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 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. ( )

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 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. ( )

Brought to the BC-meeting in Castricum for me :-)

This book I finished in nearly one sitting. Usually I'm a bit sceptic when it comes to supernatural phenomena, but somehow it fitted in this book. Not that it is a realistic book like some other thrillers, but it doesn't pretend to be.
The only part I found difficult to digest was the preparation for and the actual reactivation. In combination with the predictability of Paw, the book gets no more than three stars. I loved reading it though: a very nice holiday read:-) ( )

''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 the end, though. ( )

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 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. ( )