Haruki Murakami's strangest novel
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- Опубліковано 26 гру 2021
- Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World (translated by Alfred Birnbaum) is Haruki Murakami's strangest novel; a wonderful blend of science-fiction and fantasy that really flexes the muscles of his imagination.
*****
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Because of my cold, I didn't talk at all about the themes of consciousness and imagination that make this book so unique, which has annoyed me. Oh well, not every video's perfect!
the chubby girl this was definitely weird, but Murakami's style is his protagonists inner voice. It's never really censored. So I never really mind the awkwardness of their thoughts because I think: "well, this is someone else's thoughts. We all have dark corners, he just isn't afraid to let that out."
I love men who have the guts to say it like it is
And thank gawd for that! Willow here seems to prefer censoring everything so that no one has upsetting ideas put in their sterile little brains.
@@WillowTalksBooks That is not how you were talking in your review. At least what I saw of it. I had to turn it off after you spent like half the video complaining about a fat chick being called a chubby girl. Yeah, its part of the story and should be discussed and you don't have to like it, but don't pretend that your offense is somehow openminded. It is the very opposite.
The End of the Word parts of this book always resonate with me, I love their feeling of wintery melancholia, I think that's why I keep wanting to re-read it every couple of years.
I totally agree. The setting and vibe of that half just melts in my mouth.
I’m honestly surprised that it’s not his most loved book because it’s just so good. I love it so much ; the atmosphere of the story is just amazing and flows so well, the “winter silence” and heaviness described can be FELT.
I love the links we can make with both stories and I don’t even know how to explain it, but I feel it. Where do I even start trying to explain my view on the book? That’s why I love it I guess aha
I think the feeling I get the most from it is melancholy, deep quiet melancholy.
It personally is the most vivid world I’ve experienced in a book and I understand why some might not like it as much because of just how it is, but it’s either you feel it or not and it’s fine !
I’m waiting for my Japanese editions to come so I can read it in the original langage. Can’t wait
I enjoyed your review! I was watching to refresh my memory. A 'sequel' to this book was just released in Japan and I'm reading it now. It has similar themes and worlds but the story is different. It is really really good so far. English translation is still a few years away though.
The sequel is called "The City and Its Uncertain Walls". I waiting for Murakami to do an interview where he states why he decided to make a sequel almost 40 years later
I've read 5 of his novels,and this is my favorite,though like you said it has some aspects that I don't like.
The feeling I get after reading it is something I always want from any novels,I can't say what it is exactly ,but this feeling makes me want other people to read it too(in japanese if possible)
Murakami has a way of leaving you feeling satisfied after his books wrap up, kinda like a roller coaster ride. I live for that.
Love this review. Hard boiled wonderland is genuinely one of the most impressive books I've read. It's been a while since the last time I read it, but even now looking back at it I still cannot comprehend how Murakami could even come up with half the concepts that were contained in the story. I loved it.
I've read majority of Murakami's ouevre and with that I can say that this holds a place in the top 3 favourites. The idea of shadow being cut-off , the concept of the map of the end of the world, the wintery melancholia, unicorn skulls , the bizzare clock tower, the dream reader all of these combined runs parallely with the 'matrix' like scenario in Tokyo. My mind was like a kid in a candy store. Thoroughly enjoyed every part of the book.♥️🙌🏻
I think this one is criminally underrated in his bibliography. I don’t know if it’s the strangest but it’s up there for sure. I think it exists in its own category too, like none of his other books quite fit the niche that this one occupies. I just did a Murakami video but you’ve got me thinking of this one again lol. Great video!
I finished the book two days ago and I can't stop thinking about it. Great review!
It stuck with me, too!
This was a joy to watch. I also think the translations of this books must be quite a task. Thank you for touching on his treatment of female characters, that’s always an awkward point for me because despite that I love this writing SO MUCH. When I finish his stories I always miss the worlds encompassed within, much like Gaiman. I didn’t realize this was his earlier work and maybe that’s why the Bingo wasn’t established yet? I def appreciated that lol! Great story!
Wonderland is the first of his I read at about 17 and I knew I would read everything he has and will write. I have and was never disappointed. But like you, Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is also my favorite. He is going to be one of the last revolutionaries in literature. Of course, I have hierarchy of his books. He treats us females just fine. Description is important and it coming through eyes of protagonist gives us a better understanding of the character. Don’t complain. He far surpasses Kafka in those Kafka qualities. I also love Kafka.
I have wanted to start a book club to read this book and talk about it. It always felt like it always so crazy yet so intriguing. Definitely to re read it soon
It would definitely be fun to get people together and chat about all the strangeness and the themes at play in this one.
Another stellar review. I wonder what Murakami was listening to when writing this novel? I believe he assigns a “soundtrack” to each book he produces, a piece or series of works that he feels describes or influences the characters/narrative. Anyway, off to add another book to my TBR….!
That's interesting! I'd be curious as well. The book mentions Bob Dylan a few times so maybe him.
I LOVE Murakami (I know he's not for everyone) and this was my very first Murakami book and in fact, was really my first book into fiction novels. I used to read only non-fiction before as an adult but over the past 15 years have learned the power of novels when it comes to capturing & explaining the human experience.
I loved it & it's one of my favorite Murakami books. Tell me, what "voice" did you give to grampa? I gave him a Scottish accent in my mind!
That's really awesome, and I can see how this novel could have that kind of an impact.
I appreciated the translator giving the grandpa a distinct accent (makes me wonder what his accent/dialect is in the original Japanese). In my mind he was a jolly cockney chap lol
I didn't expect this review to come but I'm glad you did it!
This book really is his most "un-shackled" book. And that was the thing that made me hesitant to read it, earlier this year. I knew how different and strange it was from other reviews, especially compared to his other books, but I decided to try it anyway-and I liked it, a lot. Although not in my favorites from him, it was still a fun read. If I remember correctly, I finished the last hundred pages in a day.
(Spoiler-alert for anyone else reading)
The theme that especially stuck with me-from my reading, aside from the consciousness thing-was how our thoughts and perceptions of the world are influenced by corporations and governments, which, of course, is tied into the theme of consciousness and identity. Whether one agrees with it or not is up to them, but the reason it struck me is because the Scientist's experimenting with the "third core" mirrors the modern social anxiety some of us have: the fear that we are being controlled by an outside party, like in various conspiracy theories. The Scientist effectively traps the protagonist, not in his own subconscious, but an edited version of his consciousness-edited, of course, by an outsider. The outsider, in this case the Scientist, being related to the government and the corporations that fund the Calcutecs (if I'm remembering things correctly, sorry if I'm not.)
I've also read a few theories, and one that intrigued me was the one where the author extrapolates that the book is a metaphor for the Holocaust. I don't know how much of it is true, but it's an interesting read. You can probably find it with a Google search.
Anyway, I'm glad you're reading 1Q84! This is the first book, in a while, that Murakami has written a relatively good female character, who is also the protagonist-his best female character being the protagonist in his short story Sleep, and another one being the main character in After Dark. It's a divisive novel among Murakami fans, but it's one of my favorites from him; especially because, as I've said before, it had some themes that really related to me and helped me go through that time in my life.
Hope you have a good time reading it!
I absolutely love your reading of the book!
Great review.. I thoroughly enjoyed it..
I've read 1Q84 and Kafka on the Shore which I enjoyed. Definitely have to read this one too.
I'll be reading 1Q84 asap!
I've watched your previous video about Murakami. Norwegian Wood my favorite one fo far
Norwegian Wood is a good one, for sure! Very different from the rest.
This is the one I had before getting my 2nd Murakami book for Christmas. I'm hoping it will work well for me as my first one. The other one is "Desire" which appears to be a selection of reprinted stories from other anthologies - a lovely present from someone I wasn't expecting a present from!
Oh how lovely! I'm not familiar with Desire at all so I'll look it up.
@@WillowTalksBooks you've probably read the stories from when they originally came out haha
I really love your videos, I've read around 5 Murakami books and I really enjoyed this one. I love your book cases, where did you get them from?
Thanks so much!
These aren't mine. I'm staying at a friend's house in The Netherlands right now and these are theirs.
love this book soooo much.
I have tried to read Murakami and really really wanted to like him…but for some reason his books feel to me like eating something you struggle to digest and regretting it afterwards 😅. Nevertheless I really enjoy the way you illustrate your experience of the book, honestly could hear you talk for hours 🤓 Keep it up!
This is such a fantastic way to describe that feeling. And I know that feeling myself very well; I've had it with other authors. Funny how we just can't gel with authors for whatever reason. Maybe not even a reason we understand ourselves.
@@WillowTalksBooks 🤔 you are totally right…hard to tell why even if is definitely something with his characters, the way he leaves the painting annoyingly unfinished and sometimes in an ugly way. Even if it also fascinates me how I try to fill the blanks and scare myself in the process 😂 … getting too deep now! Wish you get better soon with your cold 🤞and thanks for the great content!
Hope you feel better soon. I know how awful a cold can be. Hot tea with honey always helps me, plus napping. Have you been able to read, Dance, dance, dance yet? Would love to hear your review of it.
Thank you so much. I'm almost back to 100% but it took a full week. Colds are dreadful. I'll be reading Dance Dance Dance soon. As far as I know it has the same protagonist as Sheep Chase, which is an absolute fave of mine!
@@WillowTalksBooks They say it takes 7 days or one week to get rid of a cold. Lol.
I use about 3 boxes of tissues too.
When you read Dance, dance, dance you will travel back to the Dolphin Hotel!
Can't wait for your review.
Read this like 15 years ago and turns out I only remembered the skull reading and the strange beasts. 😹 Hope your cold clears up soon!
The skull reading is probably the coolest mental image I have from the whole book!
Have you seen Drive My Car? It's a 2021 film based on Murakami's short story of the same title, and it's sooooo brilliant!
I was desperate to see it but I missed it at the cinema! I'll track it down asap :)
@@WillowTalksBooks It's sad we can't watch it here in the UK now. I really loved it (maybe I loved it more than the original story). I want to know your thoughts on it!
Greaat review! ❤
I have to read this! Curious if you've read Kawakami's discussion with Murakami where they touch on his treatment of women.
Yeah I’ve made a few videos since this one about how I’m now sick of Murakami and his gross misogyny :)
I had a feeling of anger when reading this novel, but it's also a brilliant and unforgettable piece of literature.
I love the chubby girl.
k
yeah i like her as a character too (mostly) although the way she fawns over the protagonist is terrible. Her character itself isn't really a problem but the way the author sees her is gross
I read all murakami'books and I enjoy the more realistic ones for sure. Such as norwegian wood and south of the border west of the sun.. The weird ones are not my favourite at all.
I haven't read South of the Border but am very eager to.
Would love to hear your thoughts on Norwegian Wood!
Unfortunately I'm forever done with Murakami. I've had enough of his wankery and I'm tired lol
Does this video have spoilers? I'm so curious to watch it haha
Spoilers are pretty subjective. I go over the basic premise and establish the characters and world, but that's it.
That plot explanation helped. 1Q84 was pretty damn good, but long
Feel free to check out my 1Q84 video. You’ll love it 😊
What an interesting detail. I read this book in ny native language (lithuanian), and the chubby girl was indeed reffered to as granddaughter or a girl sometimes. Maybe the translator got sick of it too? 😅
1Q84 is good. It kind of leaning towards Wind-Up Bird Chronicle type, and that's my fave Murakami. I didn't really like Killing Com and Kafka on the Shore.
Spoilers here--do not read this post if you haven't read the book.
I loved this novel even though it's everything I don't look for when choosing a book; somehow Murakami just works for me. But I'm really curious to hear what other readers made of a couple things from the end of the world part of the book. Early on, the Dreamreader finds paper clips in the library. Late in the book he feels like someone is digging in his head. I thought these might be signs that the grandfather/scientist was making efforts to save him. My interpretation is that a happy ending might be possible beyond the end of the novel. Just curious if other readers considered this.
I love mushoku tensei too!
That’s good innit :)
I have to disagree about this being Murakami's weirdest novel. I thought wind up bird, kafka, and wild sheep chase are much stranger.
I guess "strange" is a pretty vague term. It's less surreal than the ones you mentioned, which all stand out because they begin ordinary and introduce surreal and impossible elements as they go. But it's stranger because it establishes a pair of worlds that abide by their own laws and dreamlike logic.
Ah, Murakami and his sexism. I've read some of his books in high school and I'm not touching them again haha
That is totally fair! I never understood the concept of a guilty pleasure until I started reading Murakami. I see his glaring faults and read him anyway. A true guilty pleasure.
Murakami Bingo 🤣
I dont like Alfred Birnbaum's translation. Jay Rubin, Philip Gabriel have done some amazing murakami translations.
Oh my… you really like unlikable, not pc, protagonists only if they evolve in something you can live with? I hope you are saying this only because of the peers pressure.
Anyone who uses the phrase “politically correct” is a bellend. This is a non-negotiable statement
@@WillowTalksBooks It's literature, you st... f...
Its called HARD boiled, not soft, Mr White Night. Moving on...
Murakami fans are absolutely unhinged
@@WillowTalksBooks Is that a response to my comment? I don't know anything about Murakami, but I do know how to read about a different culture in a different time and place and not let it upset me. You should try that. Its just a book, it didn't assault anyone. Relax.