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Haruki Murakami

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Sallamandrina
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15 Oct 2010, 7:45 am

Shadwell wrote:
Anybody read Haruki Murakami? I feel like his characters are fairly aspergarian in their own ways. Especially in the book Kafka on the Shore. Ryu Murakami is also a very good writer.


I am so glad you've made this thread! I've stumbled upon Kafka on the Shore almost 2 years ago and became a true fan of Murakami. Most of my favourite writers are dead and it's so good to find one who's still writing... :)


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Kaybee
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15 Oct 2010, 7:51 am

Sallamandrina wrote:
I am so glad you've made this thread! I've stumbled upon Kafka on the Shore almost 2 years ago and became a true fan of Murakami. Most of my favourite writers are dead and it's so good to find one who's still writing... :)


Ooh, I can agree with that sentiment! I have one author I like who's current (Augusten Burroughs), and it's so exciting waiting for a new book.


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Aimless
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15 Oct 2010, 7:51 am

Kaybee wrote:
Aimless,

I haven't seen the movie based on the book, no. Is it any good?

I started reading Spring Snow once, but it didn't immediately grab me, and before I knew it I was off an a Kawabata Yasunari obsession and there went the brief Mishima kick. I was particularly fond of Mishima's The Sound of Waves, Patriotism, and, of course, The Temple of the Golden Pavilion. I loved the idea of being obsessed with something so much that you just have to burn it down. Not sure I would appreciate that one as much as an adult, though--don't think I'm angry and bitter enough.

I haven't read any Oe (shameful, I know), but he is on the long list of things to read. That sounds like an interesting book. I've been considering re-visiting this particular special interest. Perhaps I should start with a little Oe.


Basically the books following Spring Snow are about Honda's relationship with reincarnations of Matsugae. He is identified by an unusual pattern of moles under his arm. Some books flow easily and some you have to attend to. I have to be in the right frame of mind to read these kinds of books as I tend towards hyperlexia and miss things. Robertson Davies is like this too.

Here's the trailer for Woman in the Dunes
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7GGitdLJBk[/youtube]



Aimless
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15 Oct 2010, 7:55 am

Kaybee wrote:
Sallamandrina wrote:
I am so glad you've made this thread! I've stumbled upon Kafka on the Shore almost 2 years ago and became a true fan of Murakami. Most of my favourite writers are dead and it's so good to find one who's still writing... :)


Ooh, I can agree with that sentiment! I have one author I like who's current (Augusten Burroughs), and it's so exciting waiting for a new book.


Did you know that Augusten Burroughs is John Robison's brother?



Kaybee
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15 Oct 2010, 8:45 am

Aimless wrote:
Kaybee wrote:
Sallamandrina wrote:
I am so glad you've made this thread! I've stumbled upon Kafka on the Shore almost 2 years ago and became a true fan of Murakami. Most of my favourite writers are dead and it's so good to find one who's still writing... :)


Ooh, I can agree with that sentiment! I have one author I like who's current (Augusten Burroughs), and it's so exciting waiting for a new book.


Did you know that Augusten Burroughs is John Robison's brother?


I did indeed, except I know it the other way around (John Robison is Augusten Burroughs' brother). I've been a fan of Augusten Burroughs since his first book came out in 2000, and Look Me in the Eye didn't come out until seven years later.

And thanks for sharing the video. I'll have to watch the movie some time.


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Shadwell
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15 Oct 2010, 8:07 pm

Kobo Abe is very good and is a definite precursor to Haruki. Both authors were/are very influenced by Kafka and very surreal. Murakami's characters are aspegarian in the sense that they are often strange, isolated, some downright obsessed with interesting information and telling people about it.



Kaybee
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15 Oct 2010, 9:02 pm

Shadwell wrote:
Kobo Abe is very good and is a definite precursor to Haruki. Both authors were/are very influenced by Kafka and very surreal. Murakami's characters are aspegarian in the sense that they are often strange, isolated, some downright obsessed with interesting information and telling people about it.


Abe is definitely Kafkaesque (another author of whom I'm fond). I see the influence of Kafka on Murakami, but I would say that his works do not share the sort of tone that Kafka's and Abe's do.


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Bandini
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12 Mar 2012, 2:28 pm

I have read everything he has written, Norwegian Wood a few times. Just picked up 1Q84 from the library.

The prolonged, lucid dreamlike atmosphere that envelops his writing (what I think many slightly dissatisfied readers describe as emptiness or lack of structure) is something I really enjoy. A subtle, all encompassing brilliance.

Ryu Murakami's work is fun as well, although a different thing entirely.

Also enjoyed Soseke and Kawabata, especially Kokoro and Scarlet Gang of Asakusa.



Last edited by Bandini on 12 Mar 2012, 8:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Jory
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12 Mar 2012, 5:00 pm

I've had A Wild Sheep Chase and Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World on my shelf for a few years. Knowing how long it takes me to get around to reading anything, it'll be at least a few more.