A lot of Murakami readers keep recommending these two books, read them both. They were the slowest, hardest reads. My two least favorite books. What did you all like about it? Why were they your favorites?
As boring as the story was, I am glad the book fully explained how the mysterious town works and gave it a fitting ending. Everything else was like watching paint dry...Anyone else feel the same?
This may be a hot take here, but my favorite Murakami by far is The Rat trilogy. Hear the Wind Sing was great, Pinball was a bit of a low point in the trilogy for me but still good, and Wild Sheep Chase instantly became one of my favorite books of all time.
That being said, the other Murakami I've read doesn't hit the same, not even Dance, Dance, Dance.
Aside from this trilogy, I've read:
I'm looking for suggestions similar to the Rat Trilogy specifically. Doesn't have to be by Murakami (in fact I'm thinking it's better if it isn't, since none of the other works I've read have especially interested me.) Any ideas?
just read Kafka and it truly changed me. my bf died 6 months ago and I found so much comfort in ms saeki’s story and all the spiritual elements of the forest city. when I suddenly lost my love, I know I felt desperate to find him again, and it felt very unrelatable so I felt held by this book. I know I could just pick up another murakami book but I’m specifically looking for something that would scratch the same itch if that’s possible so I wanted to see if anyone has any suggestions. Thank you.
I recently ventured back into the Rat series. Starting with Hear the Wing Sing, Pinball 1973, Wild Sheep Chase and Dance Dance Dance.
Since my first encounter decades ago, I noticed I've missed a few worthy works that I think fans would appreciate. I was aware of them but it wasn't exactly easy to find back then.
Does anyone know if I am missing anything else? I really enjoyed this period of his work, as it's semi-autobiographical and then pivots to fiction that many of us have come to appreciate.
Do you think a film adaptation of Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World could work? If so, would it be better live-action or animated? Who would you like to see direct it? Any actors you could see in it?
Q129
I am in my first year of junior high.
I want to read your books, but I haven’t because my father, who is a fan of yours, says I am still too young.
What should I do?
(7th Grade Girl, female, 13 years old, student)
A129
I get this question from a lot of people around your age. If you’re in your first year of junior high, personally, I think that should be OK. Just hide from your dad and read through them. There are some lewd scenes, but just skip those. If you do want to read them, just read them. It doesn’t cause any particular harm. I don't worry too much about those kinds of things when I write, so you should read it without worrying too much either. It’s not as if I am writing anything untrue, so it works out. Try your best to read something, if you’d like. I hope you enjoy the book!
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Hi everyone, I have set up a kofi at https://ko-fi.com/xijalu in case anyone would like to donate. It’s also for things like if you have anything you’d like translated from Japanese to English.
I’m not expecting donations, but I think it’s a good idea to start a kofi just in case 😄
Thank you for reading!
Is it a sin to split and bookbind 1Q84? I want to know your thoughts. As a frequent traveller, I'm struggling to commit to this book because it is thick af.
Done reading those! What do you recommend next knowing that my favorite is The wind-up bird chronicle and my least favorite is Norwegian wood
I don't know if this is an unpopular opinion but I really dislike Murakami's short stories. I love his novels, he is my favourite author but... I can't get around enjoying the short stories. For starters, every time I seem to be enjoying one, it suddenly ends. My biggest complaint is the lack of character and world building alongside the intricate plots that make me love his novels. Does any Murakami fan share the same opinion?
Jun Ichikawa's vision of Tony Takitani is hauntingly beautiful: masterful cinematography, grading, and pacing. Sakamoto's soundtrack is just about the perfect pairing.
So, I'm listening to 1Q84 for the millionth time and find myself loving the "gumshoe" aspect of the Ushikawa storyline more and more. I've also come to the conclusion that Ushikawa is, hands down, my favorite character of his. I just love the pavement pounding, working with 'Bat' and even the descriptions of his makeshift surveillance digs in Tengo's apt complex. I find myself even skipping the Aomami sections just to get back into the thrill of the hunt 😂
Anyway, I had a thought; what if Murakami made a dedicated mystery novel? I mean, most of his works have us trying to figure out what the hell is going on in general, but it would be great fun to see how a mystery would go as only Murakami could do. Hell, Ushikawa could even be the main protagonist as he's already appeared in other works.
Would you be into it? Would it work? Has he done something like this already (I haven't read everything he's done yet)?
I am a huge fan of both writers. Murakami really liked Brautigan's work and it strongly influenced his first two books.
Not new to Murakami either. Read virtually all of his 21st century stuff and a few of the rest. Dance×3 is the oldest one I've read though.
A wild sheep chase is my second murakami book first was men without woman
When I started it I just thought it was so fun to read and kinda reminded me of the writing style that I was familiar with, and then when I turned the page and saw the author, well no wonder! (Kafka on the Shore)
I am concerned about the translation since I do not agree with Jay Rubin's philosophy on translation.
Is there an analysis of what paragraphs Jay Rubin removed and how much was changed.
For context I have studied Japanese on and off for about 14 years but my Kanji is pretty terrible without a dictionary. I don't mind looking at the Japanese text.