Haruki Murakami fans discussion
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle(1994)
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Reading Wind-Up Bird Chronicle for the Second Time
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I think most of our readings depends on our state of mind at the time of the reading. Sometimes you read a book again with the same eyes as in the first time; sometimes you're looking for something else and there it is. Once I re-read "Memoirs of My Melancholy Whores" by Marquez and felt like just revisiting the story., and his writing is incredible to say the least. Maybe you weren't looking for something else in Murakami's book - I think this is also an issue to be considered.
Anyways, I don't believe a writing can be called poor or rich only by what we feel when coming back to the story. I wouldn't say that Murakami's writing is rich like Marquez - even though he's one of my favourites writers - but it's far from poor. His worlds and characters are amazing, but if you compare to Marquez they become a little faded. At least that's how I feel.
Ps.: I didn't mention Faulkner because I've never read anything by him.
Anyways, I don't believe a writing can be called poor or rich only by what we feel when coming back to the story. I wouldn't say that Murakami's writing is rich like Marquez - even though he's one of my favourites writers - but it's far from poor. His worlds and characters are amazing, but if you compare to Marquez they become a little faded. At least that's how I feel.
Ps.: I didn't mention Faulkner because I've never read anything by him.
Louise wrote: "I think most of our readings depends on our state of mind at the time of the reading. Sometimes you read a book again with the same eyes as in the first time; sometimes you're looking for something..."Hey Louise, you have some great points. Perhaps it was also a bad idea to read the book about a year after I'd already read it. Perhaps I should have waited for more time to elapse.
Daniel wrote: "Louise wrote: "I think most of our readings depends on our state of mind at the time of the reading. Sometimes you read a book again with the same eyes as in the first time; sometimes you're lookin..."
No! To read again a book by Murakami is never a bad idea! haha
No! To read again a book by Murakami is never a bad idea! haha
Louise wrote: "Daniel wrote: "Louise wrote: "I think most of our readings depends on our state of mind at the time of the reading. Sometimes you read a book again with the same eyes as in the first time; sometime..."The scenes in the book that deal with the horrors of war still affect me greatly. The book is such a great blending of past and present. Can you think of any other books that blend the past and present so beautifully?
Daniel wrote: "Louise wrote: "Daniel wrote: "Louise wrote: "I think most of our readings depends on our state of mind at the time of the reading. Sometimes you read a book again with the same eyes as in the first..."
This book affected me in ways I can't describe. To be honest, I found myself in Toru and his need for isolation inside the well. I thought the blending of plast and future was so smoothly done that sometimes it became too real. Now that you mentioned it I can't think of any other books that did it. You've got a point there!
This book affected me in ways I can't describe. To be honest, I found myself in Toru and his need for isolation inside the well. I thought the blending of plast and future was so smoothly done that sometimes it became too real. Now that you mentioned it I can't think of any other books that did it. You've got a point there!
Louise wrote: "Daniel wrote: "Louise wrote: "Daniel wrote: "Louise wrote: "I think most of our readings depends on our state of mind at the time of the reading. Sometimes you read a book again with the same eyes ..."Toni MOrrison's Jazz has some interesting time slips, but it is completely different tonally.
Re-reading the Wind Up Bird Chronicle was like re-visiting an old friend. I love re-reading books, but I don’t usually re-read long books, or books written in translation. My gut reaction to the book was -- what a long odd journey it was. My other reaction to the book was, not knowing the destination made the book so much more wonderful. In many ways, with Murakami it really is the journey. It’s hard taking the same odd journey twice. It seems less odd and magical the second time. Perhaps it’s a testament to how easily Murakami’s prose is to read that not too much was revealed in a second reading. I had the same feeling reading Norwegian Wood for the second time -- I felt like everything was a bit too familiar. Perhaps it’s a mark of craftsmanship that so much can be consumed the first time. One thing that is starting to get to me about Murakami’s books is how many of the main characters seem like the same person -- they are Murakami surrogates in disguise as characters, perhaps. Each one is a little different from the other but share a kind of aloofness from life, a sense of normality and decency, of vulnerability and sensitivity, and a deep hatred of fascism. They have been middling college students, goffers at law firms, magazine writers, and nightclub owners -- they all share a feeling that life has passed them by somewhat. That makes them eminently relatable, even as they are contemptible to a kind of fascist elite. This time around it was harder to empathize with the lazy days the protagonist spends poking around his neighborhood, the history of Manchuria, and the dreamspace in his own brain. When you know the ending, these things seem like lingering.
I'm reading this book for the second time. This time, I read it with slower pace, not hungry for the ending and the twists. Reading at slower pace helps me notice the little details dotted around in the book. So far, I find the second read more enjoying because I am different from me of 3 years ago. My current me look at his story at different angle , a more mature view , may be.
Rin wrote: "I'm reading this book for the second time. This time, I read it with slower pace, not hungry for the ending and the twists. Reading at slower pace helps me notice the little details dotted around i..."Sputnik Sweetheart and Norweigan Wood were two other books I read twice. You're right. It's nice not having to focus too hard the second time around.
Daniel wrote: "Rin wrote: "I'm reading this book for the second time. This time, I read it with slower pace, not hungry for the ending and the twists. Reading at slower pace helps me notice the little details dot..."A Wild Sheep Chase, Kafka on The Shore and After Dark are other books that I read twice. Sputnik Sweetheart is a lovely, short story. But I can't read Norweigian Wood again because I was so depressed reading this book the first time. And I can't bring myself to read it again. The movie is beautiful by the way.
Rin wrote: "Daniel wrote: "Rin wrote: "I'm reading this book for the second time. This time, I read it with slower pace, not hungry for the ending and the twists. Reading at slower pace helps me notice the lit..."I found Norweigen Wood to be less magical than Murakami's other works, but also a very honest look at youth at its most discontentful. Over time, I've stopped reading these kind of books. You can read my long essay why here if you like: https://www.goodreads.com/story/show/...
Long story short -- at some point we must have the courage to enjoy our lives. I'm really keen to get into some of Murakami's more recent works like 1Q84. But we'll see...I don't stick on any one author too long.
Daniel wrote: "Rin wrote: "Daniel wrote: "Rin wrote: "I'm reading this book for the second time. This time, I read it with slower pace, not hungry for the ending and the twists. Reading at slower pace helps me no..."Thanks for telling me about your essay. A beautiful read about youth – our confusing time. I checked your profile and you have written some books which is very inspiring to me. I'm writing essays and short fictional stories.
1Q84 is a very good novel in Murakami's standard, but Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki is not my cup of tea.
Rin wrote: "Daniel wrote: "Rin wrote: "Daniel wrote: "Rin wrote: "I'm reading this book for the second time. This time, I read it with slower pace, not hungry for the ending and the twists. Reading at slower p..."Hey Rin, thank you so much for reading. I actually doubted whether anyone would read the story -- it really was a 12 year project. I would love to read 1Q84 at some point, but it seems like such a long book. What are your essays and stories about?
Louise wrote: "I think most of our readings depends on our state of mind at the time of the reading. Sometimes you read a book again with the same eyes as in the first time; sometimes you're looking for something..."This is so true! This is the very reason I deeply loved some Murakami's works, but I never found the courage to re-read them. What if I read them in a wrong moment and ruin the magic I treasured in my memories?
And this is the reason I have some titles I didn't even start. I am afraid to read them in a wrong state of mind, and not to get them as I should do. It would a pity, I patiently observe those book on my shelf, waiting for their call.
I would like to be able to re-read my favourite titles by Murakami, but I am not.
I read Norwegian wood like 4 times, once in audio and it's still the same magic I re-read it every year and it's still my fav book and it's still brilliant for me and everytime I love it the same
I have to say re-reading Murakami is like the latter. Murakami's protagonists already feel familiar, so it's no wonder that reading his work for the second time deepens this familiarity. Does that mean that his writing style isn't rich like some authors (Gabriel Marquez or William Faulkner)?
That is the question I present to you guys.