The Book Censor’s Library was a clever and deliciously delirious satire of government censorship and restriction.

The newest book censor had thought his job would be simple and boring: he just has to sit at his government office and comb through books line by line, marking anything unfit for the people to read (per the System). He’s not permitted to interpret, oh no. Just note down inappropriate references to religion, sex, queerness, and anything from the Old World.

He certainly never thought he'd be lured into the world of reading. But the first illicit book he picks up starts to infect him, putting his unobtrusive life with his wife and daughter at risk. 

The revolution is calling him, but he also fears for his daughter's life as she starts showing signs of an imagination that cannot be controlled. The book censor slowly starts to descend into literature and resistance, but he has so much to lose. 

It's an outpouring of love to stories and words and their power. It's filled with winks and allusions and metaphors that mix with reality.

It's a condemnation of literary censorship, but also an acknowledgement that restriction to that extent simply isn’t possible. Storytelling and dipping below the surface of language is so very human. Words as resistance can never be taken away.

It’s an intense journey with meta twists and turns, but it does still keep a bit of levity. Play and imagination are resistance here, so the book is playful as well. It’s got some great little illustrations, too!

It’s hard not to love a book that loves books so much, y’know? 

CW: death (child), child abuse, forced institutionalization, homophobia, police brutality, gaslighting, animal cruelty, bullying, dementia, fire, grief, suicide

Follow me on social media for book recommendations!

(I received a free copy of this book; this is my honest review.)