Comments on: Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami

By: Bahia

Bahia — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 02:56:36 +0000

Ariel, I would love to join your book club!

Jennifer, I have not read those interviews but they sound fascinating. I will try to check them out.

By: Jennifer Sweeney

Jennifer Sweeney — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 02:22:53 +0000

Have you read Underground, the transcription of Murakami’s interviews with the victims and perpetrators of the sarin subway attacks? It is the most amazing cultural autopsy, especially engrossing if you are a non-Japanese living or having lived in Japan.

By: ariel

ariel — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 19:28:24 +0000

Norwegian Wood is by far my favorite Murakami. I loved Wind Up BIrd, and Kfka on the Shore, but Norwegian Wood was a book I was really able to relate to. I have the new one, as well as another book of his on my shelf, and I think I will be reading them this summer. When you get back you should join my book group.

By: minervanmuse

minervanmuse — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:45:05 +0000

Heya,
Yes, I found that (ie. the Catcher in the Rye ref.) pretty amusing too. :)

Ah, Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is a sheer classic – lovely satire of the American Jazz age, with loads of memorable quotes & musings to keep one company for a lifetime..
U should make time for it again, yep. ;)
Do take care & Wishes, minerva*

By: Bahia

Bahia — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 02:28:10 +0000

parallelsidewalk: I believe that there is only 1 translator outside Japan authorized to translate Murakami's works for a non-Japanese audience, so perhaps that's why there is a consistency in quality. A bad translator can really ruin a novel, but Jay Rubin (?) really did a great job with Norwegian Wood. minervanmuse: I especially liked how people keep telling him he talks funny and asking him if he's "trying to be like that kid from Catcher in the Rye". This novel is just rich with references to literary classics. I now feel that I need to re-read The Great Gatsby.

By: minervanmuse

minervanmuse — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 15:30:26 +0000

Interesting musings on Murakami’s Norwegian Wood, here. :)

While I’m about halfway through the novel at present (it was recommended by a dear friend, who’s a big Murakami fan), I guess I feel a tad like what U’ve related here, too.

That the novel doesn’t quite leave you upset, but just amused enough to reflect on Murakami’s (through Watanabe’s eyes) views on issues as death and love wrt younger adults.

Thought your reference to Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye was esp. pertinent since one could also describe Murakami’s work here as a coming-of-age novel, albeit one where the adolescent Watanabe discovers his romantic leanings.

Thank you for sharing these thoughts with one & all.
Do take care & Wishes, minerva*

By: parallelsidewalk

parallelsidewalk — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 08:46:14 +0000

I love the English translations of Murakami I’ve read. I think “South of the Border, West of the Sun” is his underrated masterpiece, but Wind Up Bird and Hard Boiled Wonderland are both absolutely brilliant too.

Interesting blog, I always like reading stuff by ex-pats in east Asian, I’m planning to return to China to teach later this year. I’ll be back, I’m sure.

By: Bahia

Bahia — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 03:04:55 +0000

susanna: When I was writing this post with the book fresh in my mind, I definitely felt that I was picking up some of his qualities.

Sam: I think you’re right. It’s definitely an emotional commitment and the theme of suicide running through this book certainly takes an emotional toll. At the same time, I didn’t come away feeling depressed, but rather reflective.

By: Sam

Sam — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 02:02:16 +0000

It’s next on my list of Murakamis, I already have a dogeared copy but I dunno, I keep putting it off for other books. Murakami is a pretty major emotional commitment.

By: susanna

susanna — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:12:19 +0000

I think you are beginning to write like Murakami. You re-telling of the typhoon is lovely. I love all Murakami’s book but my favorite by far is ‘Wind-up Bird’.