The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle: A Novel by Haruki Murakami Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle: A Novel
Book Review: Weird, witty & wise
Summary: 4 Stars
This is the first of Haruki Murakami's books that I've read, and I'm certain that I'll be reading more of his works in future.How to describe the book? Well, although 90% of the book is fairly mundane, the occassional dream sequences suggest that Mr Murakami may have seen one too many David Lynch films. The bulk of the story is taken up by overlapping and on-going encounters with a succession of curious fellows, and you quickly find yourself tied up in the myriad threads woven together.
I think that the best description I could give is one that I gave on the day I bought the book. I was in Picaddilly and due to be meeting people for dinner later that evening, but needed to kill the next couple of hours, so I bought this book with a silly name and an electric blue cover from a record shop, and retired to the 10 Room to get a drink. It was early and the bar was quiet, the girl who brought my drink over glanced at the book and asked about it. I paused briefly before answering.
It's about a guy who loses his cat.
Book Review: a thought provoking, imaginative story.
Summary: 5 Stars
I chose this title to pass away the hours on a long flight to Hong kong. It kept me completely absorbed and facinated with the goings-on in the unconventional life-style of Toru after loosing his cat and wife - both relatively normal events in several peoples lives. Normal is not what happens in this novel. Read it yourself and get into the mind of Toru.Book Review: A fascinating, compelling mini epic - mind provoking
Summary: 4 Stars
Having started this book on holiday and expecting to relax with it, I became increasingly engrossed and obsessed with this sometimes quirky but always extremely well written tale.The story involves a series of pairings which have confluenced to create a series of mysterious and bizarre events that take place soon after the disappearance of Toru Okada's cat. The cat's disappearance is paired with his wife's; the cat's disappearance in turn introduces a pair of psychic sisters. Separately, a war veteran starts to relate the tales witnessed by himself and another war veteran, which give rise to revelations in a deep well. In turn, Okada finds himself seeking solace in a well in his neighbourhood where he endures metaphysical experiences. As a result of his well excursions, Okada himself finds he shares something unusual with a mysterious and wealthy lady. All of these events are further linked to events surrounding Okada's wife disappearance at a time when her brother is becoming an increasingly prominent public figure.
Bear with this book to find out what it all means. Some of it is obviously poppy cock David Lynch style drama, but there are plenty of deep and thought provoking narratives that could form the basis for many serious philosophical debates.
On the basis of this, said by others to be the author's most significant work to date, I look forward to Murakami's future offerings.
Book Review: A journey into an individual's brains and Japan' history.
Summary: 5 Stars
This was the first of Murakami's books I've read, and one of the most fascinating I've ever read. The story starts with a man whose wife ran away. This event cause a great turmoil in him and it is the beginning of a long trip within himself and into the History of Japan in China. Both are going parallel and deeper and deeper. While the internal journey takes the reader more and more into a fantasy world, the historical aspect goes deeper and deeper into the reality of Japan's presence in China and inot some fascinating details of that presence. One wonders how much the author has inserted some biographical elements into it. All characters are equally important in the hero's journey and it opens on a lot of question concerning life for the reader too. I can only recommend this fabulous story.Book Review: Exciting adventure of what happens when you crystallise life
Summary: 5 Stars
The protagonist is unhappy with his lot. He has left his job and drifting. He stays at home and does normal things. He drinks beer. He looks at the garden. He speaks to schoolgirls who are bored too. This is an excellent book, and one which convinced me that I ought not study law (which is what the protagonist studies.) A marvellous trail through Japan's recent history, tying many unspoken elements of its society in a surreal yet always engaging way. One of the most satisfying novels I have ever had the pleasure to read, comparable with "The Discovery of Heaven" by Harry Mulisch for its capacity to surprise and confound expectation. Very highly recommended.