I just finished the novel. I agree it is his most mature and finely crafted work but I think it could've been trimmed by half with the final ride preserved and have a greater impact. It just drags in the middle forever. It's like his salute to The Great Gatsby. He did his research on oil painters. Convincingly done.
I have read a few Murikami novels and short novels but not the one you reviewed and I will definitely pick this one up. I look forward to your discussions on his other works . I read at least 10 of his books and I will say that one of my favorite is « after dark »
What are your thoughts on the novel’s dive into Japanese language? There were certain moments in the first half where Murakami explained certain Japanese characters (I.e. names) and I knew he was trying to explore some aspects of the Japanese language to create a theme or extended metaphor, but the translation muddled his attempted. Since there are no English words that would correctly evoke and describe that theme, it felt like something was missing for me. I guess it comes with the territory that it is a translation, but it was an issue for me.
The most memorable dives for me were around the names of the characters - in this one it was Menshiki and also Muro. He inserts a line in passing after introducing Muro "Names are important, whatever one might say." - I think this is why he bothers trying to explain in the first place. There is definitely meaning ascribed to "Avoidance of Color" a.k.a. Menshiki; he defies total definition in that there is that "gap" in character that makes him both dangerous and unpredictable. I recall Murakami doing this thing with names in Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki as well. I read Chinese so when the kanji is printed on the page, Murakmi's explanation is only half necessary for me to grasp the meaning of the characters but I do agree that he does tend to stumble and repeat in trying to explain which might be confusing for non-east asian readers. I'll be reviewing The Roads to Sata by Alan Booth next week and there is a drastic difference in the ability to explain the meaning of Japanese words and their context likely because of his anglophone background and the book being written in English. Stay tuned as I think you might really enjoy that one!
@@lulubananaz7028 Ah, that makes sense. Since I couldn’t recognize the characters, I had fomo. I had only read “The Wind-up Bird Chronicles” before, so I was a taken off a bit guard with this novel. I could definitely spot Murakami’s themes. I personally enjoyed the first half more than the second. However, since I’m more attuned to his fantastical elements, I did prefer wind-up bird more. That being said, I do agree that this novel is more mature in terms of story development. I’ll definitely be looking forward towards your other reviews!
I just finished the novel. I agree it is his most mature and finely crafted work but I think it could've been trimmed by half with the final ride preserved and have a greater impact. It just drags in the middle forever. It's like his salute to The Great Gatsby. He did his research on oil painters. Convincingly done.
My favorite of his works.
love ur review!
I have read a few Murikami novels and short novels but not the one you reviewed and I will definitely pick this one up. I look forward to your discussions on his other works . I read at least 10 of his books and I will say that one of my favorite is « after dark »
What are your thoughts on the novel’s dive into Japanese language? There were certain moments in the first half where Murakami explained certain Japanese characters (I.e. names) and I knew he was trying to explore some aspects of the Japanese language to create a theme or extended metaphor, but the translation muddled his attempted. Since there are no English words that would correctly evoke and describe that theme, it felt like something was missing for me. I guess it comes with the territory that it is a translation, but it was an issue for me.
The most memorable dives for me were around the names of the characters - in this one it was Menshiki and also Muro. He inserts a line in passing after introducing Muro "Names are important, whatever one might say." - I think this is why he bothers trying to explain in the first place. There is definitely meaning ascribed to "Avoidance of Color" a.k.a. Menshiki; he defies total definition in that there is that "gap" in character that makes him both dangerous and unpredictable. I recall Murakami doing this thing with names in Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki as well. I read Chinese so when the kanji is printed on the page, Murakmi's explanation is only half necessary for me to grasp the meaning of the characters but I do agree that he does tend to stumble and repeat in trying to explain which might be confusing for non-east asian readers. I'll be reviewing The Roads to Sata by Alan Booth next week and there is a drastic difference in the ability to explain the meaning of Japanese words and their context likely because of his anglophone background and the book being written in English. Stay tuned as I think you might really enjoy that one!
@@lulubananaz7028 Ah, that makes sense. Since I couldn’t recognize the characters, I had fomo. I had only read “The Wind-up Bird Chronicles” before, so I was a taken off a bit guard with this novel. I could definitely spot Murakami’s themes. I personally enjoyed the first half more than the second. However, since I’m more attuned to his fantastical elements, I did prefer wind-up bird more. That being said, I do agree that this novel is more mature in terms of story development. I’ll definitely be looking forward towards your other reviews!