LoT Book CLub - Book 2 - Wind Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami

[tracilicious]

Originally Posted by SacTown Chronic

Wait, ya'll started a new book while I was away? Guess I'd better get humping.

It was probably all the humping that distracted you in the first place.

[Not Afraid]

I don't read Japanese and love every single Murakami I've read (I think I'm up to 8), so I'm grateful for any translation. To me, it seems very natural as to what I've experienced visiting contemporary Japan, but I read for visuals and overall story more than I read for language - although language has a lot to do with my enjoyment. I'm just not very interesting in writing in a craft as much as storytelling as a craft.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

\I read for visuals and overall story more than I read for language - although language has a lot to do with my enjoyment. I'm just not very interesting in writing in a craft as much as storytelling as a craft.

And I'm more a "the story is IN the telling," kind of girl. I can love an idea even if I don't care too much for how it's expressed. But I will be left wishing it was expressed differently.

Take "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" and Bladerunner (the film it's based on) for example. The story, in both, is essentially the same, and I LOVE the story. But the film does a much better job at telling the story than Philip K. Dick does, IMO. That's usually not the case with most film adaptations, but I think the screenplay is superior to Dick's writing in a lot of ways.

It's like folk tales, as well. One version of the same folk tale can be a marvel, and another can be a bore. It's all in the telling.

So, though I love the story in The Wind Up Bird Chronicle, I'm sure I'd prefer reading it in its original Japanese, or reading an improved English translation. If he's written a book in English, I'd certainly be curious to read that.

[Not Afraid]

Ou local Borders had three or four copies tonight as well as most of his other translated books. Get thee to another bookstore - stat.

[Alex]

I've been to Borders and Barnes & Noble and the local new/used store with a more eclectic collection. B&N says they have 2 copies but they can't find them.

No biggie. It'll happen or it won't.

[Matterhorn Fan]

I got the last copy at my bookstore. But if a local book club wanted to read Kafka on the Shore, my bookstore's so ready.

[Alex]

Yeah, all of my spots had multiple copies of Kafka on the Shore as well.

[Matterhorn Fan]

Maybe it's a sign that you should read that one instead.

Or Oprah's about to choose it for her book club.

[Prudence]

Originally Posted by Matterhorn Fan

Or Oprah's about to choose it for her book club.

Eeep! I hope not. The LoT selection is really engaging so far, and I'd hate to have to stop reading because another work became an Oprah selection. I refuse to read Oprah books.

[wendybeth]

Originally Posted by Prudence

Eeep! I hope not. The LoT selection is really engaging so far, and I'd hate to have to stop reading because another work became an Oprah selection. I refuse to read Oprah books.

What she said.


I'm sure Oprah is a perfectly nice person and a wonderful judge of .....whatever; I just prefer to pick my reading material the old-fashioned way- without celebrity endorsement.

I still like the story, but I fear it is veering into an area that annoys me greatly: the gratuitous beating- over-the-head with symbolism area. I shall persevere because I really like the style of writing (even though I know it's likely diluted by translation) and the characters thus far. I was surprised by an earlier comment regarding the nature of the prose- it absolutely does not strike me in the same manner. I am used to reading translations, so I suppose I give leeway for any difficulties in that area, but I really like his writing thus far. I am sure I will buy more of his works, and that says something. I seldom purchase modern literature; I tend to either borrow or get from the library, but authors I enjoy I purchase for our own little library.

Thanks to all who recommended this book.