Tag Archives: Murakami

LITERATURE: Hard-Boiled Wonderland – Finale

Overall, this book probably demanded more concentrated reading than I was able to give it. While I did not lose the trail of the stories, I obviously was not so enamored of them that I let some other things go … Continue reading

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LITERATURE: Hard-Boiled Wonderland – Telling?

Not nuts about this, after over 350 pages and into the home stretch, that Murakami appears to explain all the goings on that up until this time, we are guessing and forming our own opinions about. Starting with Chapter 25, … Continue reading

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LITERATURE: Hard-Boiled Wonderland – At Long Last

Finally, I’ve reached a concept in the book that really struck me. This dialog between the narrator and his shadow, the shadow slowly dying, still planning its escape, yet anxious to relay what he’s learned since separated from the narrator: … Continue reading

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LITERATURE: Murakami’s Hard-Boiled Wonderland and The End of the World

First of all, let me say that I’ve been reading this book like forever, or at least it seems that way. To be fair, my mind had been retrained to seek the immediate resolution of flash fiction and thus a … Continue reading

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LITERATURE: Kafka on the Shore – Finale

My general gut feeling remains the same on this.  I feel that the story is wonderful, but would have liked to see better handling of that story.  Now I’m sure that Murakami fans think I’m off the wall on this, … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: Kafka on the Shore – Pre-Finale

Just finished this and my first comment would be that I’m surprised it didn’t take me long to read through 465 pages. My second comment might be that my immediate response is a bit of a letdown.  It seems that … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: Kafka on the Shore – Plot

As I’m coming towards the end of this story (should be finished tomorrow) little things are starting to bother me.  What’s the good of surrealism if it seems contrived? As the characters progress on their journeys–which by the way, they … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: Kafka on the Shore – Detail

Nor do we need to know every meal the characters eat. Back in the apartment, a soothing fragance filled the place.  Nakata was bustling around the kitchen preparing some steamed daikon and deep-fried flat tofu. (p. 356) At six Nakata … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: Kafka on the Shore – Style

I’m a firm believer in knowing the rules inside-out before you attempt to break them.  I’m also a believer that most of the best literary classics are based on broken rules. But I’m having a bit of a hard time … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: Kafka on the Shore – Duality

Maybe I’m just slow at catching drifts, or maybe I’m just the caboose on a train going on the wrong track, but I’m being pounded with a sense of duality in this novel. Obviously, the two stories, the two characters, … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: Kafka on the Shore – Philosophy

All right, so everything’s not as it appears to be, or maybe it is and suspension of disbelief is all it takes to appreciate this novel.  But Kentucky Fried Pimp? Now I’ve never had a problem with believing what I … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: Kafka on the Shore – Telling

Then Murakami subtley disappoints: As Miss Saeki went around interviewing people for her book, maybe she met my father.  It’s entirely possible.  There can’t be that many people around who’ve been struck by lightning and lived, can there? I breathe … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: Kafka on the Shore – More Metaphor & Marquez

As I said, up to these last few chapters life was rather tranquil for both Kafka and Nakata.  Then McCarthy stepped in with blood and guts and now, Marquez.  Raining fish and leaches.  Two of my favorite authors though, so … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: Kafka on the Shore – Metaphor

One of the things I hate the most is being laughed at for being dumb, but I can’t help but laugh along with those of you who’ve read Murakami and have noted my comments so far about his unmetaphorical writing … Continue reading Continue reading

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LITERATURE: Kafka on the Shore – The Judge in Japan

Hoo-boy.  Murakami has just presented us with McCarthy’s Judge (Blood Meridian) in the form of a man who dresses like and calls himself Johnnie Walker and who claims he must kill cats.  A philosopher, a man who forces one to … Continue reading Continue reading

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