bnmjy
Harbinger Owl
Posts: 28
Date Registered: Sept 14, 2016 22:10:15 GMT -6
|
Post by bnmjy on Oct 27, 2016 18:28:11 GMT -6
I just finished this novel, by Murakami. It was pretty long and convoluted, but I liked it. I heard there were chapters omitted from the original version, so I'm afraid I'm missing important parts of the story. Still, Murakami approved of the translation and supposedly said the English version is better than the original Japanese version.
This story really did feel just like a dream at times. Events would just happen with little or no explanation, but then Toru would be thrust back into the real world. I really couldn't stand May Kasahara, particularly when she closed the well lid on Toru. If he was mad at the guitar man at attacking him with a bat, why wasn't he mad at May for betraying him? Still, she was in a dark time in her life, and by the end I did somewhat sympathize with her.
Anyway, I'm not that good with long book reviews. I'm not even sure anyone will read this, but I do recommend this novel if you want enjoy a contemporary Japanese work besides the usual anime and video games.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
Date Registered: May 4, 2024 8:06:27 GMT -6
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2016 19:24:40 GMT -6
We actually have some copies in our library system - think I' going to wait a bit. Sounds like a good read, but I'm a little scattered for 600+ pages at the moment.
|
|
bnmjy
Harbinger Owl
Posts: 28
Date Registered: Sept 14, 2016 22:10:15 GMT -6
|
Post by bnmjy on Oct 27, 2016 20:42:28 GMT -6
Yeah, according to my kindle it took me about 16 hours to read. I could have read it within a week, but it took me two because of sheer laziness. For a long novel though, it never really felt like it dragged on. Of course, that could just be my being very engrossed in the story.
There was also one very graphic scene describing a Japanese spy being skinned alive by a Mongolian soldier in World War 2. It was one of the most brutal things I've ever read.
|
|