Then up pops Ti of Book Chatter with the idea for a readalong of The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle. Ti LOVES Murakami which I take to mean that she also "gets" Murakami. Since I respect her opinions about books so much, and since I'm clearly still a teenaged-girl who can be swayed by peer pressure, I decide to join in.
After finishing Book One, 176 pages into the book, I'm more than pleasantly surprised. Murakami's writing style is clean, approachable, not in the least bit intimidating. Do I have any idea where this book is going? Can't say that I do, which is a good indication that I'm enjoying this book. Usually this far into a book, I want to have an idea where this road is leading. Am I picking up on all of the symbolism? I'm not sure, although I think I'm picking up on a lot more of it than I expected to.The story is certainly odd and would be off-putting to some readers (phone sex, prostitution, war) but I'm intrigued and quite enjoying the characters and the flow of the story.
Ti tweeted about an interview The Paris Review did with Murakami the other day which I highly recommend if you are at all interesting in reading Murakami. Understanding the man better and his writing process makes me feel a lot better about what I'm getting from The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle.
Be warned: you may want to be at home while you read this one - Murakami talks a lot about food and beer!
Lisa, I'm so glad that you are giving Murakami a go - his writing is excellent! I love his books! Wind-Up was my first Murakami and I think a great introduction to his style. I'm so glad you are enjoying it so far ;)
ReplyDeleteYou know that annoying saying that it's not about the destination but more about the journey? That's how I feel about Murakami. I've only read Kafka on the Shore and I can't pretend to have understood it but I loved it all the same and even if I didn't "get it" I still found it readable. There's no way that makes any sense but there you have it...
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you're enjoying it so far! I love the unknown aspect as well--there is no telling where Murakami will lead us by the end. Off to spend the second half of my lunch beginning Book Two! I can't wait.
I am listening to this one, and the narrator is doing such an amazing job of making Toru sound slightly bored and a little anxious and confused. I love this book, and like I told Ti, I read 50 pages of this book 10 years ago, and gave it up. Now I don't want to put it down! Glad you are enjoying it too!
ReplyDeleteHaha!! The food and beer thing really did me in.
ReplyDeleteI love that you are finding it to be more accessible than you first thought. I don't know that I get all of the symbolism, but I like that there doesn't seem to be any wrong way to interpret it either.
I am going to add your post to my Mister Linky if you haven't already.
I have not read any Murakami. Perhaps I shall have to pick some up.
ReplyDeleteBut then at the moment I feel a bit like your doctor friend in your last post. Life is pretty full at the moment.
I missed Ti's tweet about the Murakami interview, so thanks for mentioning it! I'm enjoying being part of the readalong and look forward to learning what everyone thinks of Book Two.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the audio book of this one. He really is so talented
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to giving this one a try one day. There was no way I could fit a book it's size and type in in just one month, so I didn't join in on the read-along. One of these days though . . .
ReplyDeleteI read this post this morning... I'm not sure I would enjoy this one but I'm enjoying all the posts!
ReplyDeleteLionel Shriver has a new novel coming out. So excited!
Good to hear that his writing isn't intimidating! I've had the same concern, which is why I've yet to read any Murakami. (Also, everyone is a teenage girl as far as being susceptible to peer pressure. :p)
ReplyDeleteI'm playing catch up with this one over the weekend. I too am intimidated by him but maybe I will like it and understand it a bit??!!!
ReplyDeleteI've never had trouble understanding Murakami. I do find him hit and miss, though. This one is a home run, though. Good first choice. Wind-Up Bird Chronicles is my favorite Murakami book.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, isn't it, how we bring different impressions of what 'hard to understand' might mean? I am not intimidated by Murakami but have read two of his books and don't really care for his subtle matter of fact weirdness (thus, 'hard to understand'!) :) I am glad I read this with a friend, though we didn't have as much discussion as I think this go around is having. :)
ReplyDeleteAND sadly, I have forgotten too much of this book to join in and why I wasn't that fond of it. I was, at times, amused, and my review of it does have a sweet touch of sentimentality. But, it's possible I will never choose to read any more by HM.
I'll shut up now.