The Book that No One Wanted to Read

Description

The Book that No One Wanted to Read

Richard Ayoade, illustrated by Tor Freeman

(Walker)

The Book that No One Wanted to Read is hidden ‘on a high-up shelf, on its own, leaning against a rusting book-end’. Although it is in a library, it’s secreted away in the Miscellany section for books that ‘don’t seem to belong anywhere else’. It seems that these books are uncategorisable. Despite giving every impression that it might never be found, somebody has located it.

However, the book’s determined to make detection and then identification very difficult. What’s more, in a telepathic conversation with this would-be reader, it seeks to put her off. Nevertheless, she is curious and inspired. Then again, she, and we, detect some sense of loneliness in this book’s responses.

Alongside the telepathic conversation that develops between the two, we’re treated to a history of books and then of libraries. Then again, our book’s keen to examine itself and its place in the world. Therefore, by the time we intrude on this conversation, we are intrigued. Why is it hidden? Then again, what does it hold? Furthermore, what is its fascination to this reader?

Richard Ayoade offers a travelogue experience of reading and books. Why do we read? Then again, how much do we need books in our lives? Further, what happens to books that are not wanted? What is their purpose. Throughout The Book that No One Wanted to Read I was left gasping for breath from laughing out loud. A lot of that is due to Tor Freeman’s brilliant pictures, just as we enjoyed her work in Bricks.