“Wholly original . . . the work of the newest major talent in fantasy.”—The Wall Street Journal“Freakishly compelling . . . through heart-thumping acts of violence and laugh-out-loud moments, this book practically dares you to keep reading.”—Atlanta MagazineA missing God.A library with the secrets to the universe. A woman too busy to notice her heart slipping away. Carolyn’s not so different from …
A woman too busy to notice her heart slipping away.
Carolyn’s not so different from the other people around her. She likes guacamole and cigarettes and steak. She knows how to use a phone. Clothes are a bit tricky, but everyone says nice things about her outfit with the Christmas sweater over the gold bicycle shorts.
After all, she was a normal American herself once.
That was a long time ago, of course. Before her parents died. Before she and the others were taken in by the man they called Father.
In the years since then, Carolyn hasn’t had a chance to get out much. Instead, she and her adopted siblings have been raised according to Father’s ancient customs. They’ve studied the books in his Library and learned some of the secrets of his power. And sometimes, they’ve wondered if their cruel tutor might secretly be God.
Now, Father is missing—perhaps even dead—and the Library that holds his secrets stands unguarded. And with it, control over all of creation.
As Carolyn gathers the tools she needs for the battle to come, fierce competitors for this prize align against her, all of them with powers that far exceed her own.
But Carolyn has accounted for this.
And Carolyn has a plan.
The only trouble is that in the war to make a new God, she’s forgotten to protect the things that make her human.
Populated by an unforgettable cast of characters and propelled by a plot that will shock you again and again, The Library at Mount Char is at once horrifying and hilarious, mind-blowingly alien and heartbreakingly human, sweepingly visionary and nail-bitingly thrilling—and signals the arrival of a major new voice in fantasy.
Praise for The Library at Mount Char
An engrossing fantasy world full of supernatural beings and gruesome consequences.”—Boston Globe
“Vivid . . . the dialogue sings . . . you’ll spend equal time shuddering and chortling.”—Dallas Morning News”
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Read this book a while ago, but it popped up in my mind today. I personally enjoyed this novel. It reminds me of Neil Gaiman’s American Gods…Maybe that’s why I like it. There is some gore/horror, action, realistic…ish fantasy, and appropriate humor in this one. I highly recommend if you’re a fan of Neil Gaiman’s novels.
A work of amazing imagination. I can’t talk about the story/plot – it would take too long because it’s not like anything you’ve read. (Well, at least not like I’ve read.) Its influences come from all directions: the Old Testament to Kipling’s “The Jungle Book” to regression analysis and beyond. Carolyn, the central character, is unconventional, fascinating, and frightening; she hides her real self and motives from everyone, even herself. Steven is the book’s normal guy. And then there’s Irwin, who’s a total hoot. Be warned: there’s unflinching violence here; you can skim those passages, but you probably shouldn’t; they’re important. Hawkins has created a wildly imaginative chimerical beast of a novel, a beast he was not able to tame completely. But that only adds to the charm.
This is the strangest book that I have read yet. I waited anxiously to get this into my hands, and it was worth the wait!! I am a unique person, so I appreciate the weirdness of these characters! It starts off making you question what the hell is going on, and how did this little girl end up covered in blood, to WOW I wish there were more of this book to read!! I am definately going to start reading more fantasy books!
The most original book I have read in a good while – even racing with China Mieville for wierdness but with heart wrenching characters and situations in a godless world growing its own god.
Unlike any book I’ve ever read.
This was such a find! Loved the bizarre characters and twisted world this author created. My only complaint? It’s the authors only book so far. Desperate to read more.
This was a very entertaining read. The characters are fun (despite one or two stereotypes), dialog is great (again, stereotypical dialogue with one character), the pace is good, and the plot is interesting. Most of my complaints about stereotypical treatment revolve around the character Erwin, and despite this complaint, I loved the character, so take it with a grain of salt. Hawkins displayed great imagination in the descriptions of both setting and in making characters quirky and fun. The book bogs in a one or two places, but recovers quickly enough.
I’m happy to have read it, and recommend it to anyone who likes dark fantasy.
Scott Hawkins has written a story that blends brutality, savagery, madness, beauty, compassion, self-sacrifice, duty, courage, friendship and wisdom in one book.
I have no hesitation in recommending this book to others.
A couple of things to note.
First, it is somewhat narratively complex, and requires careful reading, especially in the first half as the world of The Library at Mount Char is built. I missed a key aspect of the main character early in the story and then almost convinced myself there was a huge logic hole about half way through, but given that everything else was so good, I couldn’t believe it, so I searched back through the story for what I must have missed – and found it.
Second, it sometimes describes very brutal and savage acts. If you are put off by violence and gore, probably not a good book for you. If on the otherhand, you don’t have to look away, the violence is very well contexted by the overall meaning of the story and is not the least bit gratuitous.
The story stands alone and is a stunning work of imagination.
Awesome.
Interesting Neil Gaiman-y feel (which I love). I did find myself bored at times though. The world was interesting and the characters were unpredictable. It felt like the author left it open for a sequel, which I would definitely read.
This was one of the most unique books that I have ever had the pleasure to read. The book is categorized as fantasy but The Library at Mount Char is so much more. In my opinion, it is a love story, an adventure, a comedy, a mystery, a fable, and a creation myth all rolled into one very readable story.
I must admit, when I first began this book, I was completely lost. Everything about the story seemed nonsensical. The story was so mesmerizing that I was unable to put it down however. Eventually some details began to become clear and the story itself started to take shape. The writing is excellent and the character development is astounding. I feared David, sympathized with Carolyn, was appalled and impressed by Father, and was amused and awed by Steve. There were times that I laughed aloud while reading this book, and other times when I was simply horrified. I am not a reader who can usually tolerate any type of animal killing and there are plenty of animals (especially dogs) that die in this book and yet the writing was so good that I understood the necessity of it. It also helped that Hawkins added a touch of dark humor to some of the killing scenes which took the edge off as well. This book was outside of my normal reading genre (and comfort zone to some extent) but it was so well done that I felt that it was one of the best reading experiences I have had in some time.
I look forward to future works by Hawkins and would definitely recommend this book to others.
This book is unlike anything I’ve ever read before and have yet to see it’s equal since. This is darkly twisted but you’ll find yourself invested in the story and enjoying the characters eventually. The audio version of this book is superbly done as well and should be listened to as well as read. When the story ends be prepared for a reading slump as nothing else compares to this one.
In my entire life, The Library at Mount Char is THE most imaginative, original work of fantasy/science fiction that I have read. I’m not just saying that—in my entire life, it’s THAT book. A colleague, who also read and loved it, said, “What the fuck was up with that book?” and I knew exactly what she meant.
Blackly humorous at times, this is a dark, weird, twisted, tale set in modern day America—and not—is about a woman who can speak every language ever known after studying under the often violent whim of Father, along with her brothers and sisters. Each of them have their own catalogue of study and expertise within the library. Father might just be God..no one is really sure. As she navigates her way through her unusual upbringing, and the intrigues of power and ambition while she tries to puzzle out the confusing customs of ‘Americans,’ the cast of characters—a lion named after an atomic bomb, a tutu-clad psychopath who knows all the arts of warfare, a plumber, a veteran and Department of Homeland Security agent, a woman who walks the Forgotten Lands, and the dead ones—you will be sucked into this compulsively readable/listenable tale.
The narration of the audiobook by Hillary Huber is superb. Her characterization is wonderful; her performance flawless. I’d say more, but I’d just be repeating myself… She’s that good.
I’ve both read (several years ago) and listened to the audiobook (just now). When I finish a good book, I often think, “I wish I’d written that,” but not with this one. There is no way in my wildest fantasies that I could have written this book…my imagination just isn’t that good. And it’s pretty good, but this is a whole other level.
A letter to the author….
Oh my God Scott!
This was by far one of the craziest, yet wonderful books I have ever read!
I usually have issues being patient enough to try and figure out exactly what the hell is going on in books that don’t want to at least start trying to explain things within the first few chapters, but I was so caught up in the sheer delightful mindf*ck of not being able to even guess what the hell was going to happen next, that I didn’t care.. I just wanted to know what these characters could possibly show us next.
Everything that happened was vividly described yet not superfluous in any way. Such a rare treat in fantasy/sci-fi writing.
I also laughed out loud in many places, which is something I rarely do when reading.
The characters were wonderful, the story was batsh*t crazy yet somehow made perfect sense, and all I feel now after finishing it is disappointed because you HAVEN’T WRITTEN ANY MORE BOOKS!
However, after stalking you on your website and blog, and understanding the reason why you haven’t yet released any more fiction, all I can say is thank you.
Thank you for not only taking the time to make sure this was right before you released it, but also for not jumping into production line mode and releasing hollow, cookie cutter stories for the sake of making a quick buck.
Because of that, I can safely say you have a definite sale here for whatever you do end up releasing next (if anything), no matter how long it takes to be ready.
Thank you again for the journey you just took me on.
This still sticks in my mind years after I read it. Super original and dark.
I have mixed feelings about this book because for me I had a difficult time imagining the characters as adults, as the story bounces back and forth with past, present, possible futures, and alternate realities. I did not like the main character Carolyn. It took me until about the end to sort of understand why she is how she is. Given that, I didn’t find her to be a believable character, especially after some deeply traumatic experiences while studying her catalog at the library. The story jumps right in to the action as Carolyn puts her plan into motion, using/taking advantage of Steve, that seems to be full of coincidences which always work out. Reminding me of Dirk Gently; everything is connected. With all of the apprentices’ interesting ‘skills’ gained by studying their catalog, I still found myself invested in the story and enjoying the adventure. I really liked it and would recommend this book.
One of the best most original fantasy novels ever. Where is the next book.
Attempting to describe what this book is about is basically impossible – just read it, you’ll be consumed.
In all fairness, this is a joint review: I started “The Library at Mount Char” two years ago, and found it to be both pleasingly well written and unusual in premise. Unfortunately, I have a weak stomach, and was done by chapter 2. This year I mentioned it to my husband while we watched Umbrella Academy, who found the premise intriguing and is also unbothered by gory details. He finished the book and reports that it was everything he wanted it to be.
It is original. A page turner which makes me want to read more
of this authors work.
Deceptively easy in the initial pages, this story just keeps getting deeper, more twisted, and horrifying. Every time I thought I had figured it out—every time!—it took an unexpected turn downwards and inwards and sideways. It won’t go into my Little Free Library until I’ve had a chance to read it again. A dozen times.