As always, don’t expect an in-depth character review or story synopsis. I try, with these, to tell whoever wants to read, what has stayed with me and to a lesser extent, why.
I’m writing this review just after I’ve written the review for ‘The Bad Place’. This story is also a bit random and that is why it came to me. It is unique and very entertaining.
We have the second world war, Area 52, Monks and the thing that had me intrigued is what I fucking missed!!
The book is called ‘Library Of The Dead.’ by Glenn Cooper.
The story goes back yonks to when a monk started writing names and two dates beside each name. At a certain time of his life a girl was brought to him who he raped. Her kids, who were all males, when they were able, they started writing dates. This went on for hundreds of years.
They all wrote with a quill and one day, they all stopped and stuck the quill through their eyes and died.
The library was found and the story was all about the investigator trying to find out why and who wanted this information.
And that is what stuck with me – It was so obvious it was insulting that I never got it.
The question that roamed around my head for most of the book was ‘Who would benefit from knowing someone’s date of birth and their date of death?
I ain’t going to tell you!!
Either read it or work it out. Honestly, the answer is so simple…But it fucking alluded me!
This book is really a page turner. It is well written, has pace and a real depth when it delves into days gone by.
At the end you eventually realise that it is worrying that they stopped. There is no time frame so that adds to the unease.
I think there is another book or so that are related to this but even though I have wanted to, I’ve not got around to reading.
Again, like ‘The Bad Place’, the inventiveness in this story is infectious. And the obvious, that wasn’t obvious to me, was fucking annoying!!
literally stories 
Hugh
You excel at the spirit of this feature. Arrgg, the quill thing makes me nervous, but the idea of the tale is intriguing. As it goes with everything that appears in this feature, I will add it to my always lengthy reading list!
Leila
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Hi Leila,
Thanks as always!
Trust me, the wondering who would want the list is so annoying throughout and frustrating. It is a touch of genus by Mr Cooper!
Anyone who writes, looks for that idea that hasn’t been done before but what I have found is when we read something and think ‘Why the fuck didn’t I see that or think of that’, that is also something special.
Hugh
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Good review and teaser. Thanks for the tip, Hugh.
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Hi Dave,
It’s always a pleasure.
If you ever get around to reading it, please let me know what you think.
I reckon a man of your imagination would take a lot out of this book, it is inventive but obvious in equal measure!!
Hope all is well with you and yours my fine friend.
Hugh
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OK Hugh, I’m hooked.
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Hi Mick,
Another one that has quite a bit of history in it.
As I’ve said to Dave, if you do have a read, please let me know what you think.
I love to read folks opinions on books.
Weirdly one of my favourites is a book that Gwen found very boring. We normally have the same taste but ‘The Traveller’ by John Katzenbach split our opinion. Thankfully, even though she hated it, she bought me a signed first edition a few years back. (I reckon this book could make a cracking film.)
Stay happy, healthy and inspired my fine friend.
Hugh
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Another one I’ve never heard of, but definitely intriguing and wild sounding. Will look out for it. Thank you.
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