Staff Pick of the Week
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle
Haruki Murakami
Originally published as a set of three books in 1994 by critically acclaimed Japanese author Haruki Murakami, this enthralling read begins with a man’s missing cat and and turns into a labyrinthine mystery concerning the relationships between human beings. The protagonist Toru Okada soon finds his wife missing as well, and his quest to discover what happened to her sets the backdrop for a mesmerizing parade of people, places and events. This tale leaves the reader questioning the role of responsibility, the nature of dreams, the power of coincidence, and the limits of human consciousness. Worth noting in particular is Murakami’s depiction of the relationship between Japan and China during World War II.
Also be sure to check out his latest works, Kafka on the Shore and Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman.
Brian Dobreski
Adult Services Librarian
The Wind Up Bird Chronicle Was my first introduction into Murakami’s literary world. He skillfully wove together a plot line that contained many unique characters and settings. I found that as I read, I became simultaneously interested by the search for Toru’s wife and by the subsequent journeys he had to take. No part of the story was ever sacrificed by the constant switching of characters and settings, and in fact only made the story a far richer read. I would recommend this book as an excellent first Murakami story to explore, if the reader devotes the time and thought to it that it deserves. This book inspired me to continue exploring other works by Murakami, and I am currently reading Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman.
Comment by Danielle — January 6, 2007 @ 10:17 am
I think one of the most interesting elements of this work is the connections developed between certain characters. Murakami seems to introduce pairs of characters who are either opposites, like Noboru and Toru, or eerily similar, like Kumiko and Creta. Sometimes you’re left to wonder how many distinct characters are even in the book, and how many are just alternate personas. Murakami definitely likes to keep things vague, but this is part of his charm, at least for some readers…
Comment by Brian — January 8, 2007 @ 11:32 am
Murakami writes like no one else. He combines fantastic elements, Japanese history and modern American pop culture in a very unique way. Wind-Up Bird contains all the major themes that he uses in in his other books, such as destiny, consciousness, and the limits of human relationships. It can be difficult to get through if you’re not used to his style of writing. It’s not a bad idea to start with one of his more plot-driven books, such as Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World or The Wild Sheep Chase.
Comment by Gilda — January 8, 2007 @ 4:35 pm
Murakami does tend to explore similar themes in most of his works. Young couples, lost or missing persons or objects, and popular culture from the 60’s and on always seem to play important roles too. His new novel, After Dark, set to be released in May, seems to be pretty different from his previous work, so we’ll have to see what it’s like. I have a feeling it’ll be another sprawling, episodic epic like Wind-Up Bird, but it’s said to be more focused on contemporary Japanese society.
Comment by Brian — January 10, 2007 @ 1:05 pm