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Reading Challenge #1 2015
I've just read your interview too BJ. Loved it!
Thanks, Carol. I'll try to think of an appropriate place to put a link.
Mod
What do you mean by a 'marmite' author,Ian? Do you mean someone who spreads himself thinly? Having moaned a bit about the beginning, I'm now really appreciating it. I like the main character, Toru Watanabe.I like the detail of Japanese life, but find the description occasionally slightly flawed.. Sentences like "a white vest hung on a clothesline....waving in the evening breeze, like the discarded shell of some huge insect," sometimes just sound odd, rather than imaginative.
This is a translation and I have wondered about the accuracy of some of it, e.g. "she was like a small animal that has popped into the world with the coming of spring." Did Murakami use the word 'popped'? I wonder what the Japanese actually is? 'Popped' didn't quite seem right. I suspect the Japanese word is more nuanced.
Mod
Having moaned a bit about the beginning, I'm now really appreciating it. I like the main character, Toru..."
By marmite I mean you either love it or hate it - few people have a middle way with marmite. I do suspect he suffers a bit in translation at times. I'm glad you are enjoying it. The other books are much mroe surreal and offer quite a unique voice I think.
I've just taken the Murakami back to the library and taken out Margaret Forster's Isa & MayReading the blurb my instinct tells me it's not my sort of book, but if I've learned anything about books over the years it's that my instinct is often wrong. As long as a book is well written, with convincing characters and an absorbing plot, I can enjoy it whatever the genre. Here goes!
So, my Murakami's after the quake turned out to be a book of short stories set between the earthquake in the north and the subway bombings. I didn't have high expectations as I don't really enjoy his books. However, despite the rather depressing subject matter and damaged people, I did enjoy more than half of them, even laughing out loud at the giant frog! As time goes on enjoying the short story form more and more.
Mod
I didn't know he had written short stories - shall have to look out for that one.
Mod
Reading the blurb my instinct tells me it's not my sort of book, but if I've learned anyth..."
Did you finish it? Lets hope Margaret Forster is more to your liking.
Ian wrote: "B J wrote: "I've just taken the Murakami back to the library and taken out Margaret Forster's Isa & MayReading the blurb my instinct tells me it's not my sort of book, but if I've l..."
Yes I did - it's not a very long book.
Mod
Reading the blurb my instinct tells me it's not my sort of book, b..."
Final verdict?
I was very disappointed. My final impression is of a book written by a lazy author not prepared to properly develop a theme and content to leave the reader stranded. The ending was particularly weak. But I'm happy to accept that this can't possibly be a good example of his work.I'd be interested to hear your views of this one, Ian, but I couldn't bring myself to suggest you spend money on it. Perhaps your local library?
I was beginning to enjoy Norwegian Wood; he certainly writes in an interesting way. The plot is boring me again however, which is somewhat unfortunate.
Mod
Oh dear. Neither are his best works. I wil read Sputnik Sweetheart if I spot it somewhere but certainly not inspired to buy it BJ
I've just started reading Hard-Boiled Egg and the End of the Wonderland (or something like that!) by Murakami. I've never read anything by him and was somewhat apprehensive given some of the comments so far, but I am strangely enjoying it. The concept of story is way out there, but I'm enjoying the style and prose used. It's early days, but so far so good!
Mod
Alison wrote: "I've just started reading Hard-Boiled Egg and the End of the Wonderland (or something like that!) by Murakami. I've never read anything by him and was somewhat apprehensive given some of the comme..."Yes, it seems evident that his style and prose are interesting and well written. Will plod on with the story, however.
B J wrote: "David Mitchell seems to be capable of writing books in totally different styles/genres. His Black Swan Green tells the story of 12 months in the life of a 13-year-old boy in the early 1980s. It cap..."B J wrote: "Sonia wrote: "A little late to the challenge but nearly finished the book I am currently reading. Might read a David Mitchell - but I really didn't like Cloud Atlas - trudged through it but didn't ..."
Excellent recommendation BJ. I started Black Swan Greenthis week - absolutely love it - makes me really chuckle (contra Cloud Atlas) and full of flash backs as I was a year older than the central character in the year the book is set - lots of resonance.
Wish I had seen your mention of Black Swan Green before, as I like books with humour. However, I have already ordered Cloud Atlas, so will have to stick with it!
I see that Marukami started writing Norwegian Wood in Japanese, but it was unreadable, so he turned to English, then he translated that into Japanese. Evidently his vocabulary was somewhat limited in English, and he found it difficult to write long sentences.
I've just finished my final book of this challenge (and I'll try and get the title right this time!) - Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World by Murakami. I have thoroughly enjoyed it; the plot concept was highly unusual but very cleverly thought out and I liked his writing style very much. For me, this challenge as completely met its brief to get us reading new authors (or new works if theirs)!
I persevered with Norwegian Wood, and, very strangely, like it more now that I have finished it. Trying to decide whether the detail of Japanese life against the background of Western culture makes the novel seem more global, or whether it is more a case of Western culture being its usual dominant self. Tend to think it's the former.It's also difficult when an author is making allusions, or drawing parallels with other novels. How much does the reader need to know in order to properly appreciate the story? Have never read The Great Gatsby or The Magic Mountain so was unable to link Murakami's work with them. The parallel with The Magic Mountain seems particularly clear, I gather. Hans Castorp goes to the sanatorium in the mountains, just as Toru does. Similar explorations of life and death in the novels. I noticed also that Hans Castorp's home town is Hamburg, and that is where Watanabe is landing at the beginning. I suspect that the last paragraph is also related to the Magic Mountain.
I liked the way Murakami wrote; it was the plot which failed to hold my attention.I notice that Hermann Hesse and Thomas Mann are both Nobel prize winners. I suspect that various aspects of Murakami's work make him also a prime candidate for the award.
Sadness stalks Murakami's novel; suicides, deaths, suffering. Watanabe is at the same time trying to come to terms with these events and living a student life of casual sex, studying and love. The political unrest in universities of the 60's is mentioned in passing. We hear about the helmets of the protestors in the dormitories etc. His room mate is called Storm Trooper (although evidently in the first translation he was called Nazi or Fascist). Evidently, out of 1.5 million students enrolled in Japanese colleges in 1969, about 26,00 were political activists, and more than half of these were communists. Watanabe floats along, concerned with the personal aspects of his life, and the abstract questions of life and death, remaining untouched by much of the society in which he was living.
Mod
Thats great. I'm really pleased that you've enjoyed the challenge. As you know I love Murakami so great to hear of someone else who has now discovered him.
Mod
Yes there is a theme in them all, often focusing on a main character who is in some way disconnected. Usually, he also weaves through this a surreal narrative. I think his style is very unusual and engaging, although I know some people find his themes a bit repetitive. I love his work.
Ian wrote: "Carol wrote: "Sadness stalks Murakami's novel; suicides, deaths, suffering. Watanabe is at the same time trying to come to terms with these events and living a student life of casual sex, studying ..."Will try another Murakami. Am interested in the idea of a giant frog and worm, so will give that one a go. (Sorry, Senior Moment again, can't remember title!).
I've completed the challenge too, by finishing Margaret Forster's Isa & May. I'm still scratching my head over that one.
B J wrote: "I've completed the challenge too, by finishing Margaret Forster's Isa & May. I'm still scratching my head over that one."Oh dear, I had better not read that one then!
Sue wrote: "There was a giant frog in one of the stories in After The Quake."What about the worm? I insist on reading about both!
Carol wrote: "Sue wrote: "There was a giant frog in one of the stories in After The Quake."What about the worm? I insist on reading about both!"
Done a bit og 'googling' and think you want Super-Frog Saves Tokyo. Do let us know how you get on. Magic realism!
Thanks Sue. Super -Frog Saves Tokyo definitely sounds like the one!
Mod
Well done BJ. I haev only read Murakami to date out of the challeneg - better get a move on but I've been absorbed by the Gormenghast trilogy for hte last few weeks and haven't been reading very quickly. I like head scratchers so may go for that Forster book
Ah - I'd better explain. It's written in the first person, the narrator being an immensely irritating young woman. The formatting is odd in that there are very, very long paragraphs - sometimes running to more than a page in the paperback I read.Within the same paragraph is quoted speech from several different characters. The result is that I felt I had been talked at, very intensely, by a young woman who seldom paused for breath.
When I'd finished I felt as if my head was spinning and I wasn't at all clear if I actually cared about the plot.
Surprised to hear about the speech from several different characters in the same paragraph. If that was a self published book it would really be criticised. It's an aspect I always struggle with, when I write. It's so easy to hop around, especially if you have several characters. I'm always of the opinion that authors can write whatever they want, however, it can often really detract from the telling of the story and is a very difficult thing to do well.
I tend to think I've slightly misunderstood you, BJ. I was thinking you meant written from different points of view in the same paragraph. However, you're right, it seems very strange to have speech from different people in the same paragraph.
I'm relieved to hear that our esteemed moderator has only read one book towards this challenge so far. I have too (and I can feel a degree of panic setting in.) But I have now got The Bone Clocks waiting, ready. I just need to start it...
Kathy wrote: "I'm relieved to hear that our esteemed moderator has only read one book towards this challenge so far. I have too (and I can feel a degree of panic setting in.) But I have now got The Bone Cl..."</i>I'm glad to see I am not the only one who is relieved! I have not read anything for this challenge, yet. I have got Mitchell's [book:number9dream, but I would prefer to read the new one. Also, I would quite like to read a load of Murakami, as I have been meaning to for years. I'm not keen on the Margaret Forster: what I've picked up on here so far, makes me think she's not my kind of author. However, my reading seems to have slowed to a standstill, generally. I think I'm trying to do too - I'm not even getting on with writing ... so something has to give!
NB I have no idea why italics and underlined!
Mod
"Esteemed" - I like that - you are hereby promoted to top book club member.
I have had a slow start to reading for 2015 for all sorts of reasons but will gather momentum. We've booked to go to Mr Bs Book shop in Bath for my birthday in March and also to the Hay Festival end of May.
No need to panic......
Mod
Confessionals today! I promise I won't be sending the heavy mob round if you dont compelete a challenge - its only a bit of fun. When I finish Gormenghast I will get to Forster and Mitchell - never read Forster so looking forward to that (though reviews have been mixed). I only read Cloud Atlas of Mitchell's and am keen to read [book:Black Swan Green|14316]
A third of this challenge now completed, I seem to have made a rather slow start!I have just finished Keeping the World Away by M Forster, and on the strength of this novel I would certainly be happy to read other books by this author. It follows the travels of a painting over the course of about 100 years, and the events in the lives of its various owners who are all women of differing ages. An intriguing read. Now I need to start this month's book for my reading group - Reading In Bed by Sue Gee - must get a wiggle on, only 2 weeks til we next meet!
B J wrote: "Ah - I'd better explain. It's written in the first person, the narrator being an immensely irritating young woman. The formatting is odd in that there are very, very long paragraphs - sometimes run..."I think you understood me correctly the first time, Carol. Speech, with speech marks and correctly punctuated, delivered by several different characters appears in the same paragraph. It's clearly done deliberately to create the impression of the young narrator talking breathlessly.
I didn't find it an attractive device.
Mod
I am reading Over by Forster. A sober subject, loss of a child in an accident but beautifully observed and subtly handled. Only a short book - just over 200 pages so a quick read. Just as well after Gormenghast - I've a lot of ground to make up
I've just completed the challenge by reading Murakami's "Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and his years of pilgrimage". It's only the second book I've read by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. He writes rejection and abandonment really well. I also like the way he weaves the vivid dreams into the story - you're never quite sure whether it's reality affecting the dreams of the character or the other way round. I'm inspired to read more of his books now and I'm enjoying reading everybody's comments on their reads for this challenge! (so many books, so little time....,*sigh*).
Mod
Delighted you enjoyed it. I loved it too. I dont think anyone writes like Murakami. Its true that there is a refrain to his books but I do love them.
I've just started reading Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World. I still cherish a vague hope that I'm going to finish this challenge in the allotted timescale. :)
I really enjoyed this book Kathy, so hope you do too. You've still lots of time left til the end of March!
Devon Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
The Bone Clocks (other topics)Black Swan Green (other topics)
Cloud Atlas (other topics)
Tender Is the Night (other topics)
Hysterical Love (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Haruki Murakami (other topics)Haruki Murakami (other topics)
David Mitchell (other topics)
Margaret Forster (other topics)
Really like the descriptive nature, e.g. 'the dessicated corpses of cicadas that had died at the end of summer littered the surface of the path, crunching beneath our shoes.'
Really like the picture it paints of Japan.