Hard-boiled Wonderland and the End of the World
Fri, 2005-09-16 15:27
#1
Hard-boiled Wonderland and the End of the World
Such a clever book that makes you think about life and the world we live in. But no-one seems to appreciate the ending. If you havn't already read this...i highly recomend it...if you have...what do you think of the ending?
drew_gummerson
You know what, I've read it but I can't remember how it ends. However, I do remember getting frustrated with it. Murakami is one of my favourte writers, possibly my favourite. I've been thinking that I should reread this one.
Have you read 'The Wind Up Bird Chronicle'? This one is completely brilliant, especically the parts of it that are set during the war between China and Japan - the zoo massacre, skin peeler, and concentration camp sections.
And also his short stories.
minikaren
Yeah...others iv spoken to say that they get frustrated with the ending...but for me that's the point of it (in a weird kind of way). If you do re-read it, let me know what you think. (i wouldn't want to spoil the ending for other readers)
I've not read any of his books before but intend to now. Il check out The Wind up Bird Chronicle if I can. I must admit, I do tend to be put off by books that use war as their topic. Maybe it's because it's so largely covered and yet I can't relate to it personally. But maybe I should give it a try. Or are there any others you'd recomend?
drew_gummerson
It's not a war book at all really so don't let that put you off. Most of the book is about a man whose wife has left him and the novel is about his search to find her - and he does this mostly by wandering around his house, and the alley behind his house, where he meets loads of strange characters, and goes down a well.
That's my favourite. But I also thought A Wild Sheep Chase was great. I think Hard Boiled Wonderland is the sequel to this one actually.
And Sputnik Sweetheart is lovely.
I tend not to like his more sentimental ones - Norweigan Wood for instance.
For the short stories you can't go wrong - get The Elephant Vanishes, or After the Quake.
And if you like Murakami, then read Brautigan, who was a big influence on him. As was Chandler. And Raymond Carver.
minikaren
Thanks for the recommendatons. Il definately give them a go.