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Haruki Murakami - 8/6/2007 9:41:20 PM   
Grunny

 

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Is Haruki Murakami any good?

I saw a selection of his books and read the back they all sound really intressting and different!

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RE: Haruki Murakami - 9/6/2007 12:11:10 AM   
mjwicks


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From: Kernow, UK
 He's my favourite author ever, i wont go into the whole describing his style etc, becasue its nice to discover it for yourself, but i'll just say, yes read his work, read it all and enjoy 

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RE: Haruki Murakami - 10/6/2007 9:02:36 PM   
Casserine


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Yes, yes he is.

I've read "Norweigean Wood", "The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle" and "Kafka on the Shore" and I'd reccommend them all highly. The "Chronicle" is considered by many to be his masterpiece, and I'm inclined to agree. His prose is unlike a lot of things you've read before, it's a simple blend of the mundane facts of every day life and warped dream logic. I always feel really calm and soothed when I'm reading him, even when he's describing scenes of intense torture or sex or death. I'm looking forward to reading more of him!


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RE: Haruki Murakami - 12/6/2007 4:50:39 PM   
HarryCaul

 

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He is my favourite author of all time too.

I've read a hell of a lot of books over the years, but no author comes close to Murakami for style, comfort reading and just pure brilliance.

Start at the start and let yourself get involved in Murakamiworld

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RE: Haruki Murakami - 8/7/2007 2:04:06 PM   
Zatoichi


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Reading a Murakami book, it's as if David Lynch decided to write novels instead, except made them far more accessible and quite frankly more enjoyable. "The Wind-up Bird Chronicle" was the first of his I read, and admittedly I got a bit impatient with it at first, but by God was I glad I read through to the end. An incredibly imaginative book.

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RE: Haruki Murakami - 8/7/2007 2:28:06 PM   
ila.aoki


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From: Gion, Kyoto
 love him more than any writer ever
i've been a fan since 'Kaze no oto wo kike' - Hear the Wind Sing and '1973 nen po pinbohru' - Pinball, 1973 

beautiful, mediatitive, lyrical. he writes of lonliness and surrealism, connects with and makes connections of japan's state of mind and emotional impassivity. he's a millions times better read in japanese but the translaters do a fantastic job in conveying the heart of Murakami-sensei.

ooooh, i feel all gushy!

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RE: Haruki Murakami - 8/7/2007 3:37:27 PM   
Grunny

 

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I'm half way into read the The Elephant Vanishes

Very surreal, witty, weird yet extremly easier to connect with on a realistic and personal level.



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RE: Haruki Murakami - 9/7/2007 8:02:08 AM   
Juror Number 8


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I was blown away by Cloud Atlas a couple of years ago, and through that found out about Mitchell's influences, mainly Murakami.

He is supoib.  A literary Kurosawa, in that he bridges the gap between typically Western and Japanese styles, his work is accessible but somehow, infuriatingly and rewardingly elusive.

Eeek, artsy nonsense.  Erm, tits.

Anyway, thoroughly recommended.

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RE: Haruki Murakami - 19/9/2007 9:08:41 PM   
G.O.B


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 I bought "Hard boiled wonderland and the end of the world" and "The wind-bird Chronicle" and i can't wait to read them thanks to this thread,any other Murakami books i should pick up if i like them? i've heard good things about "Norwegian wood"

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RE: Haruki Murakami - 4/10/2007 8:26:51 AM   
hozay


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From: the long,dark teatime of the soul
quote:

ORIGINAL: G.O.B

I bought "Hard boiled wonderland and the end of the world" and "The wind-bird Chronicle" and i can't wait to read them thanks to this thread,any other Murakami books i should pick up if i like them? i've heard good things about "Norwegian wood"


You've got yourself  arguably his best two books right there.I loved both of them and Wind-Up Bird is my favourite book by any author.Sputnik Sweetheart and Blind Willow,Sleeping Woman and South Of The Border,West Of The Sun are all worth a read but I'd suggest your next one be Kafka On The Shore,especially if you enjoy the two you have.If you need a little break between Murakami novels but wish to maintain that unique Japanese atmosphere I'd suggest either of the following two books....
The Woman In The Dunes - Kobo Abe
The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With The Sea - Yukio Mishima (Mishima,like Murakami, will also having you rushing out to find everything else he's written.)

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RE: Haruki Murakami - 4/10/2007 8:59:38 AM   
belluccisbra


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 I keep meaning to read something by Murakami- which book would be the best introduction?

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RE: Haruki Murakami - 4/10/2007 9:44:34 AM   
hozay


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From: the long,dark teatime of the soul
 The Wind-up Bird Chronicles,without a doubt but make sure it's the full novel translated by Jay Rubin,not the short story poorly translated by someone else (forgot their name).I read A Wild Sheep Chase first and was hungry for more but having read nearly all of his books I would (and often do) suggest Wind-up as a good starting point.
His short stories are contained in Blind Willow,Sleeping Woman or The Elephant Vanishes if you'd like to start that way.

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RE: Haruki Murakami - 13/11/2007 1:29:52 PM   
dh_19


Posts: 607
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I've just read Norwegian Wood which was pretty cool. From reading this thread, it looks as if i should read the Wind-up Bird Chronicles next! I hope there is less sex with an incredibly wrinkly woman named Reiko in that one. Uuurrrghhh!

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RE: Haruki Murakami - 9/12/2007 4:14:26 PM   
mikioninja


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I read Kafka on the Shore in the summer and was amazed. Definatley a new favourite author for me, any suggestions on which of his books would be good to read next?

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Post #: 14
RE: Haruki Murakami - 10/12/2007 10:57:25 AM   
vernieboy


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I'm a big fan with Norweign Wood, Kafka on The Shore and Dance, Dance , Dance being personal favourites

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RE: Haruki Murakami - 2/1/2008 10:40:07 PM   
DaveNewman18


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From: Brighton
 Im getting through Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman slowly but surely, it is unlike anything I have read before, and it is simply delightful to read a short story or two of his before hitting the sack, very dream stimulating.

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RE: Haruki Murakami - 27/9/2008 11:36:16 AM   
Jim


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I just finished Kafka on the Shore, first book I've read by him. Really enjoyed it, so I'll follow-up on the suggestions here and get the Wind-Up Bird Chronicles next.

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RE: Haruki Murakami - 29/9/2008 3:39:50 AM   
ilovebeerme


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From: Magic Beans
 Just finished Wind Up Bird for the first time and loved it. He seems to manage to project his characters emotions and mind set onto the reader incredibly well. You can't help but relax into it and just go with the flow. Hard Boiled Wonderland next.

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RE: Haruki Murakami - 30/9/2008 7:14:40 PM   
Mikey C


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 I'm about 5 pages from the end of After Dark. I've not decided whether I like it or not though... 

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RE: Haruki Murakami - 30/9/2008 8:15:55 PM   
Filmfan 2


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Reading The Wind Up Bird Chronicle at the moment. Enjoying it so far.

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RE: Haruki Murakami - 4/10/2008 4:24:39 PM   
Sumintelligentguy


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quote:

ORIGINAL: Mikey C

I'm about 5 pages from the end of After Dark. I've not decided whether I like it or not though... 


i read that - great atmosphere but i thought it was abit weak.

luckily its a short read.


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RE: Haruki Murakami - 18/10/2008 6:35:39 PM   
Mikey C


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 I enjoyed Norwegian Wood... I like the sense of nostalgic melancholia and the themes of death and madness and stuff. But not the constant references to handjobs.

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Post #: 22
RE: Haruki Murakami - 29/10/2008 9:15:07 AM   
Jim


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I'm almost done with The Wind-Up Bird now, really enjoyed it again, so I was thinking of getting either Norwegian Wood or Sputnik Sweetheart. Any thoughts?

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RE: Haruki Murakami - 10/11/2008 12:52:37 PM   
Acho


Posts: 3903
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From: Dublin, Co. Ireland
 I have a book/film club that meets once a month in my house and I'm going to pick a Murakami book for next month. After re-reading this thread, I think I'm going to go with The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle to start (they'll kill me - they were hoping for a nice easy read over Christmas!), but will be reading Kafka on the Shore myself first (for the Empire Book Club!). I'm really looking forward to both. It's been a while since I've consciously started reading a specific author's works. If the comments on this thread are anything to go by, I'm in for a treat!

I do have a film question though. I was going to pick a Kurosawa film anyway, to have a Japan theme. Juror Number 8's comment above re-inforced that for me ("A literary Kurosawa, in that he bridges the gap between typically Western and Japanese styles"), but I'm just not sure what one to pick. I reckon one of Seven Samurai, Ran or Ikiru might be best. I'm just wondering, for those who are familiar with Murakami's books, is there a Kurosawa film that you feel would make a complementary partner? Be it similar themes, tones, plot, etc. Any comments/suggestions appreciated!

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RE: Haruki Murakami - 12/11/2008 3:50:16 PM   
Acho


Posts: 3903
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From: Dublin, Co. Ireland
 Shameless, selfish bump to try to bring a bit more attention to this!

In brief: does anyone know if there is a particular Kurosawa film which would complement Murakami; more specifically, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle?

I figure a book thread on a film forum is the best place to ask!

Ta!

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RE: Haruki Murakami - 12/11/2008 6:08:20 PM   
rupert303


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 Read Norwegian Wood or Hard Boiled Wonderland at the End of the World - those are his two best, IMO

will try and think of some films, too

< Message edited by rupert303 -- 12/11/2008 6:12:28 PM >

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RE: Haruki Murakami - 16/11/2008 1:33:14 PM   
Circe


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From: The Netherlands
 I've read Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World and it blew me away. I also read Kafka on the Shore, which is probably slightly more accessible, but I thought it went on a bit too long.

All the same - great books, fantastic prose and a sense of otherworldliness made more believable than any other author I've ever heard of.


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RE: Haruki Murakami - 26/11/2008 7:36:57 PM   
Larry of Arabia


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From: Turtle Island
 Finished reading Kafka On The Shore yesterday, best book I've read in a while. Can't decide what's next, Hard Boiled Wonderland At The End Of The World, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle or Norwegian Wood. I've got a feeling Norwegian Wood may be more accessible, and I'm going to be taking a break inbetween Murakami's anyway so it might be better to ease back in.

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RE: Haruki Murakami - 24/2/2009 6:41:53 PM   
Larry of Arabia


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 Just finished The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle and for me it tops Kafka On The Shore by quite a margin. Norwegian Wood next I think, Murakami's becoming one of my favourite authors.

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RE: Haruki Murakami - 24/2/2009 6:48:29 PM   
sanchia


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 I am halfway through Hard Boiled Wonderland At The End Of The World and I think I have just got the idea of what it is about.

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