Chilly's comments (member since Apr 16, 2009)

Chilly's comments from the Japanese Literature group.

Not to answer on Kris' behalf, but I gather from his profile he is teaching English in Lamphun, Thailand; just as I soon will be doing in Jinan, China.

I'd like to re-read Sailor WFGwS, and get into some exploration of French existentialism vs. Japanese existentialism... Abe's Woman in the Dunes very much fuels this thinking as well. And I found O. Dazai's No Longer Human recently, but I wonder if he has something "better".

Beauty might scratch a Kawabata itch. I got really into him for a while, but with other readings found a "classic" side to his style apart from the "bizarro" elements that so turned me on - s. story "The Arm" in the collection with HoSB I read.

Kris, I find strange your comments about trendy modern stuff, as I see it all as part of the same direct lineage, i.e. could "The Arm" have not come from Ryu Murakami? Certainly it was an influence for him. Is it possible you just read through a lot of that stuff quickly and burned out? But as for Thailand - shout out to Rattawut Lapcharoensap! Any other great Thai stuff you've found? (I guess he's technically an American writer, though isn't H. Murakami by now as well? He isn't literally of course, I'm saying stylistically...)

Anyway I'm off to live in China for a year next month and haven't yet tried to access GR through their govt. filter. I assume it'll work, but one never knows. Plus, if my Chinese friends find out how much I love this Japanese stuff, there will be hell to pay.... Anyway, not sure about my future participation with the group, but I'll take part if I'm able to.

So have I cast a clear vote here, moderator? Guess not- But I do appreciate the "flow" you've brought to the group. You should host a moderator's tutorial, for reals.

Natsuo Kirino's 'Out', and definitely check out "the other Murkami", Ryu - 'Coin locker babies' or 'Piercing' for newer stuff, Y. Mishima or Y. Kawabata for older.

Sorry to recommend 4, but no one else has posted...