I remember the thrill and excitement when I first discovered Murakami with Kafka on the Beach. Since then, I read most of his novels. I also immenselyI remember the thrill and excitement when I first discovered Murakami with Kafka on the Beach. Since then, I read most of his novels. I also immensely enjoyed reading his short book What I Talk about when I talk about Running, which I read twice. I was thrilled to learn that he's got a new non-fiction book of essays out and I pre-ordered it. As much as I hate to write this, reading the book was quite the disappointment for me. First, I felt like I've already read about half of the essays or the issues he talks about in them in the book about running. But that didn't bother me much. The bigger disappointment was that he just keeps repeating himself so much, and also his obsession with criticism of his work was just too much. I couldn't quite understand why this theme takes up so much space in the book. Lastly, he keeps repeating and stressing that whatever he is saying is solely his own opinion. Well, that is obvious. Why does he have to stress this point is beyond me. It kind of feels like he's trying to shirk any responsibility over whatever it is he's saying. Having said all this, though the book didn't par with my expectations, I am happy I bought and read it, as I'malwaysinterestedin how writers' minds work. Will be looking forward to his next work....more
To discover Malika Moustadraf and have her almost immediately taken away . . . Moustadraf's life story is a tragic one. She died at the age of 37 of coTo discover Malika Moustadraf and have her almost immediately taken away . . . Moustadraf's life story is a tragic one. She died at the age of 37 of complications of her chronic kidney disease and being denied access to medical care. During her short lifetime, she wrote one novel, which she self-published, and the eight short stories in this collection. The stories are short, sometimes only five pages, but they carry within them richness and powerful social criticism. Every young woman should get to know Moustadraf's work. I know I will definitely be going back to this collection for a second reading....more
A little gem of a book, this came into my life at the exact time I needed it. There is nothing new in this book for me in terms of outlook on life andA little gem of a book, this came into my life at the exact time I needed it. There is nothing new in this book for me in terms of outlook on life and philosophy, but it was a kind reminder of the impermanent nature of life and its imperfections....more
This was a mediocre narrative, saved by the performance of Christina Applegate.
The sound effects were problematic for me, as I listened to this whileThis was a mediocre narrative, saved by the performance of Christina Applegate.
The sound effects were problematic for me, as I listened to this while walking at night, and they scared me because the first few seconds i thought the sounds were coming from outside, so I kept jumping every time....more
I spent about a week and a half with this beautiful book. Every sentence, every paragraph were crafted with so much love and tenderness. Most of the tI spent about a week and a half with this beautiful book. Every sentence, every paragraph were crafted with so much love and tenderness. Most of the time, I just wanted to hug the book and all the characters in it. Painful, heartbreaking, but at the same time healing and full of kindness towards the characters. Ozeki is a unique writer with a one-of-a-kind literary voice....more
What a brilliant book. Fresh, unexpected, and with a quirky character who doesn't fit what a "normal" person should be or how they should behave. I waWhat a brilliant book. Fresh, unexpected, and with a quirky character who doesn't fit what a "normal" person should be or how they should behave. I was rooting for Keiko all the way.
This is a short book, with several layers of social criticism....more
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