South of the Border, West of the Sun: A Novel by Haruki Murakami Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of South of the Border, West of the Sun: A Novel
Book Review: Excellent
Summary: 5 Stars
Murakami deals with themes of romance, longing, marraige, and sadness in this story about a a past romance. I think this is definitely more in line with Sputnik Sweetheart and Norwegian Wood, that is to say is more grounded in reality rather than surreal wit. In any case this novella captures the feelings of sadness and love really well, as the main character sits there looking out of the car window, we are there with him. I've come to the conclusion his writing style is a bit like a semantic Edward Hopper painting. In any case, this is a beautiful book which left a resonance with me when long after I finished it. A great novella that is written concisely and intelligently. Book Review: Truth often hurts.
Summary: 5 Stars
As always with a Murakami story echoes of the experience reverberate through the mind long after the last word has been read. And the experience is truly mesmerizing. Okay the plot is familiar but Murakami manages to invest it with a timeless quality that illuminates the human condition only too well: we experience the everyday suffering life has to offer when we're full of apparent weakness, hopelessness and despair as well as those transcendent moments that enable us to pull through and ultimately survive. There are no false moments in this short tale that can easily be read in one sitting: but however long it takes the time will be well spent since it borders on perfection.Book Review: 5- for story, 1+ for translation
Summary: 3 Stars
Just finished this book, and while I was very sceptical (and rightly so) about the translation by Philip Gabriel, I found the book very well structured, and I'm a sucker for well-crafted books, even if they are fairly traditional, with classic subject matter.
First, about the translation. I only read 2 other books by Murakami, Wind-Up Bird translated by Jay Rubin, and Kafka on the Shore, also translated by Philip Gabriel. And, however colloquial the original Japanese by Murakami may be, Gabriel lacks the poetics to make the story really stick by any other means than the story itself. Once in a while a poetic line, sometimes awkward prose, and a bucket of American expressions that leave you wondering how much of the story's content has been "translated" - or rather "transformed" to set up a well-known American context.
As for the story. Like the other books of Murakami I've read, it's about a rite of passage of a single individual. It's more conscise than Wind-Up Bird, more focused and better structured than Kafka. And there's not too much of the forced surreality of Kafka. On the other hand, the story is not that original, even to the point of getting very close to the cliché, like the chapter where the main characters disappear to the other end of the country to the river with the... crows - premonitions of doom! Yeah, what subtle symbolism! But all good stories need to be re-told every couple of years, and Murakami does a very nicely restrained job. It's straightforward without too much sidetracking (none, actually), and I like that. Unfortunately, with a rather bland translation, this leaves you with something that doesn't quite live up to the expectations. The translated language prevents the story from sticking to you. Still, there are plenty of poetic moments.
I can recommend this story. As for the book, why not try it in another language if possible?
Tip: If you like this, definitely grab a copy of the novella Mokusei! by Cees Nooteboom, which part of this story certainly resembles closely, at least in atmosphere and general theme. Don't know about the English version, but Dutch original and French translation were both superb. Which makes that, even though the story might have slightly less depth than South of the Border (it's limited to an aspect of it), it sticks more.
Book Review: Every Murakami novel is worth reading, this is no exception
Summary: 4 Stars
Having spent his 20's drifting about lonely and in search of himself, Hajime has found love and security with his wife and two young daughters. He runs two successful jazz bars and spends his days keeping fit and taking his children to and from school. But he is haunted by the memory of the girls he first loved: Shimamoto, a fellow only child with whom he lost touch when he moved to high school, and Itsumi, a girl whose heart he broke when he was seventeen. Then, out of nowhere, Shimamoto appears in his bar, beautiful and mysterious, as if plucked straight from his memories and Hajime is forced to choose between his past and his present.
More reminiscent of Sputnik Sweetheart or Norwegian Wood than Wind-up Bird Chronicle or Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World, South of the Border, West of the Sun is a simple, sweet love story set against the background of personal self discovery. As with everything Murakami there is the familiar otherworldlyness to the plot, the fantastical mixing almost invisibly with the everyday. In my opinion he is at his most poignant when this otherworldlyness is combined with the longing of a love story; when it seems that the emotions of the characters are too powerful to be contained and must explode forth in any way possible. This surrealism can thus be read both literally and metaphorically as the externalisation of emotional frailty which knows no boundaries and cannot be contained in just one place. This emotional vulnerability sums up Murakami's well meaning loaners and individuals in search of themselves. It was most exquisitely realised in Sputnik Sweetheart and although this is not quite as good, South of the Border, West of the Sun remains a beautiful novel, well worth a few hours reading.
When each and every book he writes has the same basic characters and the same atmosphere, how does he maintain the suspense and readers interest? Haruki Murakami continues to amaze me with his timeless style and beautifully subtle stories. His is a special talent and his prose remains sublime even in translation, which says much for the simple symmetry of his writing. When I am stuck for what to read next one of his books invariably jumps out at me, offering such a satisfying and tactile haven of retreat it is impossible to refuse. Murakami thinks the things you think, listens to the music you listen to and reads the books you have read. You can almost reach out and touch his fiction, it is so immediate and familiar. And he renders this all in such simple beauty that it fairly breaks your heart. If you have not discovered Murakami yet, you should make it your number one priority.
Book Review: Another Marvellous Murakami
Summary: 5 Stars
I thought this was a beautifully written book. I have now read every single Murakami book (except the new one, waiting for that in paperback). Some I haven't liked and some I have loved. This one I loved.
Murakami takes a simple tale of a man's childhood crush and turns it into a gut wrenching tale of obsession and loss. If anyone has ever been in love with someone to the point of obsession (unfortunately I have) then this story will bring you to tears.
I would say this is in my top 3 Murakami. My favourite is Wind Up Bird Chronicle.... Don't worry I am over the guy I was obsessed with now. I think ;-)