Mission Impossible

Mission Impossible at Evanston Public Library is a community-driven reading challenge where participants are invited to tackle some of the most challenging books ever written. Designed to encourage readers to step out of their comfort zones, this program fosters a love for literature, promotes critical thinking, and creates a shared experience around thought-provoking, often complex texts.

The 2024-2025 selection is The Tale of Genji by Marasaki Shikibu, translated by Royall Tyler, unabridged.

The Tale of Genji is a classic Japanese literary work written by Murasaki Shikibu in the early 11th century. Often considered the world's first novel, the story is set in the Heian period and delves deeply into court life and the lives of women at that time. The novel is known for its rich character development and poetic language.