Just finished “The Library at Mount Char” by Scott Hawkins. For me, it was absolutely incredible. Didn’t know what to expect, but so glad I got the recommendation from goodreads after reading an almost as impressive novella called “Sour Candy”, by Kealan Patrick Burke. Though this is about the novel.
A bizarre mix of depravity and surrealities. Both simple in writing style, and thought-provoking. At least it was for me.
Not sure what it should be categorized as. Maybe urban fantasy, alongside Gaiman’s works, and his contemporaries. Some bits feel like SF fantasy too, so it’s kind of mixed bag, but it doesn’t come off as unfocused. And unlike many novels that drop you off directly into a different world with a smattering of its own vocabulary, it’s not overwhelming, and really does make for one hell of a page turner. Starts really strong, right out of the gate. Had no real lull in the pace either. Finished it in a day. Just couldn’t put it down.
Though you will see some of the twists coming, you cannot possibly see them all. It is really a twisted universe that old Hawkins set up. Some young children get orphaned, and then get taken in by a mysterious fellow, who they all come to call Father. Father has a library, filled with many, many books. Each must learn their own “catalog” of knowledge. Endowing them with certain powers/skills, and many more responsibilities, such as never venturing into each other’s catalogues. For Father has a plan for them, and all must play a role, or suffer dire consequences. To say more would really spoil the fun of it all. Don’t be fooled though, it is definitely not a kids book, both due to the graphic nature of some of the deaths and a tad bit of torture, and the concepts used throughout. Ending was good also. Didn’t tie up everything, but it did enough to satisfy, and make all the parts come together enough to understand the point, if not how all the sausage is made. Though this book was never meant to reveal everything anyway. Regression Completion, as Father would say...
One last thing about it, and maybe someone out there has read it too and might agree. It had the best epilogue title ever. It was exactly what I was thinking. 9/10