The Book Censor’s Library by Bothayna Al-Essa

The Book Censor’s Library

Author: Bothayna Al-Essa

Genre: Fiction, Dystopian

Publish Date: April 2024

Read: June 2025

Favorite Quote: ‘She’s not sick, but there’s no life in her. I don’t know what to do.’

Removing his spectacles, as he always did when he believed that serious matters were at hand, the old man said, ‘Poor child. Reality is poisoning her blood.’

Story Synopsis: A man obtains a highly desired job as a Book Censor where he must read books, make no interpretation of the material, and determine if the book is fit for consumption and follows the rules of the government post-Revolution. Imagination is discouraged, and books that uphold the views and morals of the government are the only ones allowed. After reading Zorba the Greek, the man develops an illegal reading habit, where he consumes book after book. His daughter is reprimanded at school for having an overactive imagination and not adapting to the “real world.” But what actually is the real world without imagination?

Why does this book beguile? As a staff pick from my local bookstore, I was excited to read The Book Censor’s Library. It was fantastic!! It’s a short book and a very easy read (amazing translation work!). I loved the parallels to classic tales like Zorba the Greek, Pinnochio, and Alice in Wonderland. It’s a cautionary tale of what happens when we allow governments to censor and withhold books and information.

Bookshop.Org Link*: The Book Censor’s Library by Bothayna Al-Essa

Amazon.com Link*: The Book Censor’s Library by Bothayna Al-Essa

If you’re interested in this, read*: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - Bookshop.org / Amazon.com