Not Afraid
02-02-2006, 05:56 PM
This is a cross post from MC Book Clib, but it probably will be more in interest here.
I discovered Haruki Murakami (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=books&field-author-exact=Haruki%20Murakami&rank=-relevance%2C%2Bavailability%2C-daterank/104-9620204-9286314) last year when doing research for my Japan trip. I have a tendency to "get into" literature from other cultures in an attempt to better understand contemporary cultures through the world. I have read and loved quite a few contemporary Indian authors over the past few years and delved a bit in Japanese lit, but I had never read Murakami.
Murakami has been described at the author who has filled the empty spot left by great Japanese author Yukio Mishima. (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=books&field-author-exact=Yukio%20Mishima&rank=-relevance%2C%2Bavailability%2C-daterank/104-9620204-9286314) I read Mishima long ago and loved what I read, so I was intrigued. I've also read Banana Yoshimoto (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=books&field-author-exact=Banana%20Yoshimoto&rank=-relevance%2C%2Bavailability%2C-daterank/104-9620204-9286314)- who is a pop-culture goddess in Japan. So, I've had a cursorary introduction to contemporary Japanese lit culture, but nothing prepared me for the wonders of Murakami.
After reading one book, Sputnik Sweetheart, (not even his best) I went out a purchased his entire library. I'm trying not to go through all of it too fast because I want to savor it all - and I don't every want to be done. He's that kind of author for me.
Both Chris and I have become, as we jokingly call it, "Murakami Evangelists". We purchased numerous copies of arguably his best book, "Wind Up Bird Chronicles" for gifts and have at least 3 friends reading it at the moment.
I just finished his latest book, "Kafka on the Shore" and my love for this man is on fire! I would love to attempt to describe the book, but I fear my trite observations would only pigeonhole the book into narrow places it doesn't belong. It's a wonderful as my all time favorite book "One Hundred Years of Solitude" with references and atmospheres reminiscent of Greek Tragedies and David Lynch all the while keeping his unique Japanese voice..........see, I knew it couldn't be done.
We had a brief discussion the other day about this book with myself, Chris and Tracilicous which was intensely satisfying. It is a book that begs discussion and sharing. It's one of those books that after you finish, you just begin to uncover the secrets held within. It is all about discovery, metaphors, relationships and growth.
I ran into a chocolatier in Chicago to pick up some lusciousness to take back with me to LA and saw a copy of "Wind Up Bird Chronicles" sitting on the back counter. One of the shop girls had just finished and another was starting it. There was an immediate kinship and shared understanding between us. It was almost magical - like his writing.
I discovered Haruki Murakami (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=books&field-author-exact=Haruki%20Murakami&rank=-relevance%2C%2Bavailability%2C-daterank/104-9620204-9286314) last year when doing research for my Japan trip. I have a tendency to "get into" literature from other cultures in an attempt to better understand contemporary cultures through the world. I have read and loved quite a few contemporary Indian authors over the past few years and delved a bit in Japanese lit, but I had never read Murakami.
Murakami has been described at the author who has filled the empty spot left by great Japanese author Yukio Mishima. (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=books&field-author-exact=Yukio%20Mishima&rank=-relevance%2C%2Bavailability%2C-daterank/104-9620204-9286314) I read Mishima long ago and loved what I read, so I was intrigued. I've also read Banana Yoshimoto (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=books&field-author-exact=Banana%20Yoshimoto&rank=-relevance%2C%2Bavailability%2C-daterank/104-9620204-9286314)- who is a pop-culture goddess in Japan. So, I've had a cursorary introduction to contemporary Japanese lit culture, but nothing prepared me for the wonders of Murakami.
After reading one book, Sputnik Sweetheart, (not even his best) I went out a purchased his entire library. I'm trying not to go through all of it too fast because I want to savor it all - and I don't every want to be done. He's that kind of author for me.
Both Chris and I have become, as we jokingly call it, "Murakami Evangelists". We purchased numerous copies of arguably his best book, "Wind Up Bird Chronicles" for gifts and have at least 3 friends reading it at the moment.
I just finished his latest book, "Kafka on the Shore" and my love for this man is on fire! I would love to attempt to describe the book, but I fear my trite observations would only pigeonhole the book into narrow places it doesn't belong. It's a wonderful as my all time favorite book "One Hundred Years of Solitude" with references and atmospheres reminiscent of Greek Tragedies and David Lynch all the while keeping his unique Japanese voice..........see, I knew it couldn't be done.
We had a brief discussion the other day about this book with myself, Chris and Tracilicous which was intensely satisfying. It is a book that begs discussion and sharing. It's one of those books that after you finish, you just begin to uncover the secrets held within. It is all about discovery, metaphors, relationships and growth.
I ran into a chocolatier in Chicago to pick up some lusciousness to take back with me to LA and saw a copy of "Wind Up Bird Chronicles" sitting on the back counter. One of the shop girls had just finished and another was starting it. There was an immediate kinship and shared understanding between us. It was almost magical - like his writing.