Book Beginnings on Fridays is hosted by Rose City Reader. Here you can share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires.
“SO YOU’RE ALL set for money, then?”, the boy named Crow asks in his characteristic sluggish voice. The kind of voice you have when you’ve just woken up and your mouth still feels heavy and dull. But he’s just pretending. He’s totally awake. As always.
I’ve never written a post about authors I really ought to read. But if I had, this post would undoubtedly have included Haruki Murakami. Ever since I started blogging, his name has seemed to pop up everywhere and the various reviews have seriously piqued my interest. My gut feeling is, Kafka on the Shore is exactly my kind of book. On the other hand, there is a chance I could end up rolling my eyes in horror over Murakami’s writing style and seemingly lack of reason and rationality. I doubt, I will end up somewhere in the middle.
I downloaded Kafka on the Shore a while ago, but originally decided to save it for the Christmas holidays. However, I am so curious about this book and who says you have to wait until Christmas for all the fun?
From Goodreads
Kafka on the Shore, a tour de force of metaphysical reality, is powered by two remarkable characters: a teenage boy, Kafka Tamura, who runs away from home either to escape a gruesome oedipal prophecy or to search for his long-missing mother and sister; and an aging simpleton called Nakata, who never recovered from a wartime affliction and now is drawn toward Kafka for reasons that, like the most basic activities of daily life, he cannot fathom. Their odyssey, as mysterious to them as it is to us, is enriched throughout by vivid accomplices and mesmerizing events.
Have you read Murakami? Or do you have other authors, you feel, you really ought to read? Finally, am I completely on the wrong track reading Murakami instead of festive stories in December?
I haven’t read anything by him but I do see his books cropping up from time to time.
Exactly, after seeing his books appearing here and there for a while, I thought it was about time to check out, what it was all about! 😀
I’ve never read Murakami either, but I really should give him a shot sometime! I’m intrigued to see how you end up getting on with this.
Oh, really, you read quite a bit of translated literature, so I thought perhaps you had. I shall let you know how I get along! 🙂
I love the idea of this post, and I am intrigued by the opening of this book. I really must read Murakami. I think he’s a great choice for December.
Yeah, I wonder how much you can tell about a book from the opening. Probably not that much. But as openings go, I am also intrigued by this one. I am glad you approve, it seems a lot of bloggers are doing Christmas tags and reading Christmas stories at the moment.
I’ve never read anything by Murakami either. It does sound different, so I would try it. I see nothing wrong in not reading festive books in December – whatever takes your fancy is good. Happy reading!
It does sound rather different, doesn’t it. That is why I am so curious about this book. And I think, I might get to the festive reading later in December. At this stage, I am still trying to get my head around the fact that Christmas is coming in less than three weeks! Thanks!
I’m the same. Never read this author but I see Murakami titles popping up everywhere. A friend of mine is a huge fan and recommended a starting title for me with the advice that I would either love it or hate it, probably nothing in between.
Interesting, that your friend is telling you that you will either love it or hate it. That is exactly, what I think. I sincerely hope, I will end up being one of those who love it. Do you have any plans to try one of Murakami’s novels?
Yes. I asked her for a recommendation on which one I should start with (given she’s read them all) and she named The Wind-up Bird Chronicle. So I bought the ebook. I’m going to read it over these summer holidays. It’s quite long! I hope I like it.
I hope we both get along with Murakami then! Apparently, all of his novels are quite long. So if one doesn’t like his style, I guess it might be tough to get through it (I rarely DNF).
I’m the same, although this year I’ve gotten tougher with myself about the whole DNF – I’ve been doing it more and more.
I need to learn that! Although, I am always afraid to miss out – with Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway, it took me several attempts to get through it, but despite of the struggle I ended up loving it. So there are stories, which improve if you persevere…
I totally agree with you about this. Pretty much 100% of my dnfs have been non-literary contemporary novels – written a bit to formula.
I read the 1000 pages of 1Q84 and decided that was probably as much Murakami as anyone ever needs to read. 😉 It was Ok – I gave it four stars I think – but way too long and of course the fantasy aspect drove me crazy as it usually does. I don’t think I’m his target market! Hopefully, you’ll love him – so many people seem to, and I always get tempted when I read a review. And then I remember 1Q84… 😂
1000 pages are too much for most books, I think. Even Nicholas Nickleby wasn’t that long. I don’t as a rule have a problem with magical realism, it all depends on how it is done. But four stars sounds pretty good to me? Hopefully, I will end up loving him, but I do have some concerns. When I checked it out on Goodreads, the first review starts with:
Few books have infected me with boredom-induced ADD, the desire to gnaw my own foot off at the ankle, and the state of mind you might experience if forced to sit upon a nest of hornets while watching your home being burglarized, but this was one of them.
Hmm, guess I will just have to go into it with an open mind…
Hahaha! 1Q84 didn’t make me feel quite that bad, but it had its moments… 😉
I haven’t read any books by Murakami. In fact, I haven’t read most classics to be honest. I’m TRYING to get through Count of Monte Cristo now, but really struggle with heavy literary authors.
I do really feel that I need to read Jane Austen. Feels a bit silly that I haven’t been able to finish one of her books.
I don’t think you have to read classics, just because they are classics… Lots of them are probably not worth it or do not fit with your general taste. I would give Jane Austen a go though; her stories include social commentary and sharp observations, but generally she also has a great sense of humour and they are definitely not heavy reading.
This is an author I think I should try, too, and I’ve got some of his books here waiting also. I don’t think this is one of them though. I do the same thing with other authors. I “should” read this and I buy it! I hope you enjoy this and I look forward to your thoughts!
Thanks! Will let you know, how I get on. I never feel I “should” read a book because it is popular or prize-winning, only because I think it is something I would enjoy and I might miss out on something good if I don’t go ahead. However, my judgement is not always correct, so let’s see how it goes…
This was my first Murakami and I absolutely enjoyed the dream-esque experience. He writes in a very peculiar yet detailed style. I hope you enjoy this one when you get around to it! 😀
Many of the reviews I’ve read gave me the impression of a dream (where strange things may happen…). For me this can be good or bad, it really depends on how it’s written. I can’t wait to get started!
It is my favorite Murakami novel, which I’ve read several times. Mind you, that is not to say I understand it completely. But, I do recommend it. Thank you for visiting me at Dolce Bellezza, and please considering joining in the Japanese Literature Challenge 13. Only one book ”required”!
Glad to hear, this is your favourite Murakami. I definitely get the impression, this is a novel you can revisit and continue to discover new details in. Also, I am sure, there is going to be a fair amount, I don’t understand. Hopefully, I can join in when the Japanese challenge kicks off!
I’ve read two books my Murakami, one being hard boiled wonderland which I liked a lot. His writing is totally unique and definitely something to experience. I tried reading Kafka and was not a fan, but that’s just me! If you don’t enjoy Kafka would definitely recommend trying one of his others instead as kafka is an especially odd one.
Ah, I ended up enjoying Kafka, but I agree, it was distinctly weird! I am keen to read more Murakami, so thanks for the recommendation of Hard Boiled Wonderland, which I hadn’t heard of before. Many people seem to love Norwegian Wood as well, is that one you’ve read?