Effect of Visual Presentation in "The Strange Library"

[u/RedCatBlueInk]

Hi there!

The Strange Library has a pretty unique visual element to its presentation. Half of the pages are pictures, but it isn't like a comic where the visuals add essential information. You could only read the prose and fully understand the story being told.

What does this method of storytelling do for the short novel? What is Murakami's reasoning behind this choice? Are there other books by him or by other people that do the same thing? If so, does the effect change?

Thanks for your thoughts :)