So, any one into Haruki Murakami? He's one of the few modern authors I've read nearly everything by. Although he is Japanese, he is also a translator and knows English, and he also reads his own English translated books - this makes me feel more secure because it seems the English translations really do him justice.
However, I find it difficult to explain why I like him so much. I think it's because he writes so casually about such weird/existential/magical topics?
If you are interested I recommend starting off with a few short stories first. My favorite short story collection by him is:
The Elephant Vanishes
it gives you a taste of his style for sure.
I had a friend beg me to read Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World which I did and enjoyed. I eventually ended up reading Kafka on the Shore, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, and 1Q84 (his best work, imo, and if someone can successfully make this into a film I'd be stunned), and Men Without Women.
I was mildly disappointed with Killing Commendatore but one out of 5 isn't bad.
I have issues with his depictions of women but that's for another thread. He's a great storyteller.
bootiesrus (02-19-2020)
i read Norwegian wood in english and i liked it very much. It helped visualising the characters as manga heroes too.
bootiesrus (05-09-2020)
I've recently been gifted a few of his books, which one should I read first? I've got 1Q84, Kafka on the Shore, and Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage.
I have never really gotten into Murakami but he is certainly very popular here in my country. I just saw this tweet about his books the other day that made me laugh: (you need an account to see links)
bootiesrus (05-09-2020),gjniev (05-09-2020)
Oh I didn't know he does his own translations. Even though I'm not reading his books in English nor Japanese.
There are some books I was really excited about like Kafka On the Shore and some I was a bit disappointed by like Norwegian Wood. His writing kinda reminds me of 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
bootiesrus (05-09-2020)