Haruki Murakami - what next?
- Thread starter fakeplasticgirl
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Dillinger4
Es gibt Zeit
There is definitely plenty in there, but he doesn't make it fucking shit like all those other 'magical realists' do.
Orang Utan
Maybe I like the misery
Dillinger4
Es gibt Zeit
^^this!
Orang Utan
Maybe I like the misery
that's one of murikami's heroes, except he's not smoking a fag or sitting in a well or listening to jazz
I just think it tends to be clear 'tricks of the mind' stuff there rather than direct magical realism...
I would really recommend his non-fiction book, 'Underground' about the Tokyo gas attack. He interviewed a number of the survivors of the attack as well as members of the cult who carried it out and records their words, adding his own comments and reflections before each section. It's an extremely moving book and is definitely linked to some of the themes in his novels, especially about the Japanese psyche and memory and how people deal with their memories and recover from trauma.
His book of short stories, 'After the Quake' is also brilliant - distills some of his preoccupations into much more manageable chunks than some of the more sprawling novels. Having said that, I'd really recommend one of the longer novels, 'Dance, dance, dance', although there's a talking sheep guru who features a lot in it! Lots of interesting musical references in this one, beyond the usual jazz he refers to, pretty sure Talking Heads and other 80s bands feature.
His book of short stories, 'After the Quake' is also brilliant - distills some of his preoccupations into much more manageable chunks than some of the more sprawling novels. Having said that, I'd really recommend one of the longer novels, 'Dance, dance, dance', although there's a talking sheep guru who features a lot in it! Lots of interesting musical references in this one, beyond the usual jazz he refers to, pretty sure Talking Heads and other 80s bands feature.
Orang Utan
Maybe I like the misery
but you have to read the wild sheep chase if you're going to read dance dance dance - one does not make sense without the other
Dillinger4
Es gibt Zeit
I think I read Dance Dance Dance first, and only read Wild Sheep Chase quite a while afterwards.
It made perfect sense.
It made perfect sense.
Orang Utan
Maybe I like the misery
oh dear, really?
Dillinger4
Es gibt Zeit
Yeh.
polly
Well-Known Member
I always wonder whether it's his americanising translator (who is a complete pain in the arse). Are they really cooking noodles?
Anyway, having dutifully ploughed my way through several of these mercilessly dull shitefests, I can confidently add my voice to the anti-Murakami movement. Just can't bring myself to care about any of his characters and, IMHO, it's just too late for what he's trying to do. Other, better artists have already been there and done it well.
I always wonder whether it's his americanising translator (who is a complete pain in the arse). Are they really cooking noodles?
I've always assumed so - spag isn't that common place in Japan, which is why it always stands out.
Dillinger4
Es gibt Zeit
I don't know. It could be noodles. It could be that he actually is cooking spaghetti, because his characters are often into other things like Jazz and other western-y sort of things.
I am pretty sure there is mention of noodles, like ramen and stuff anyway.
I am pretty sure there is mention of noodles, like ramen and stuff anyway.
Actually, I take it back, definitely spaghetti:
http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2005/11/21/051121fi_fiction
I think I knew this and forgot
Dillinger4
Es gibt Zeit
I think the eating of spaghetti is meant to emphasize the characters 'otherness', as an outsider in Japanese society.
polly
Well-Known Member
Ahh... thanks for clearing that up. My MA dissertation was on otherness in translation so you think I might have picked that up
His translations feel very americanised. It's common for Angolophone translators to try to 'domesticate' but I know that young Japanese are fascinated by America, so without any Japanese language it's difficult to know. I'd like a foreword really but then maybe I'm just simple.
Either way, I still think they're shite stories. To answer the OP, I'd go for one of the South American magic realists / surrealists if you like that sort of thing. There was also a great surrealist movement in the French Caribbean in the 1940s, led by the poet Aime Cesaire who wrote the beautiful Return to my motherland (Cahier d'un retour au pays natal). Raphael Confiant is another good 'un or if you like novels, Patrick Chamoiseau follows very much in their footsteps. He's wonderful. Much more dramatic and subversive than Murakami though - if you prefer modern malaise to maelstrom, you might like Jose Saramago. Blindness is great - don't be put off by the film!
Dillinger4
Es gibt Zeit
I agree with you, that the translations seem very Americanised. They are.
I have said it many times here before, but I cannot stand magical realism. I imagine that by the South American magical realists / surrealists you firstly mean Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
Again, I have this many times as well, but I especially cant stand him. It is not that I think he is shite. It would be easier for me if I did. I just find him unreadable. I know that he is a great writer; you can just tell. But I find him so tedious and boring.
I do like the sound of the French Carribean surrealists though. I am going to have a look into that, it sounds like something that would appeal to me.
And I like Jose Saramago as well. That is a good recommendation.
I have said it many times here before, but I cannot stand magical realism. I imagine that by the South American magical realists / surrealists you firstly mean Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
Again, I have this many times as well, but I especially cant stand him. It is not that I think he is shite. It would be easier for me if I did. I just find him unreadable. I know that he is a great writer; you can just tell. But I find him so tedious and boring.
I do like the sound of the French Carribean surrealists though. I am going to have a look into that, it sounds like something that would appeal to me.
And I like Jose Saramago as well. That is a good recommendation.
polly
Well-Known Member
I on the other hand wish I could see that Murakami is a great writer. But I've really tried and I think it's time for me to move on!
I didn't really have anyone in mind (South Americans) - I do like Marquez but I understand why people don't. Cortazar is also a favourite of mine, Murilo Rubiao is a Brazilian writer who's worth a read and Lautreamont (if you count him) is too.
I'm excited that you're going to look at the French Caribbean surrealists! If you go for Patrick Chamoiseau, I think Solibo Magnificent is an easier and arguably more enjoyable introduction than Texaco (his most famous), FWIW.
I didn't really have anyone in mind (South Americans) - I do like Marquez but I understand why people don't. Cortazar is also a favourite of mine, Murilo Rubiao is a Brazilian writer who's worth a read and Lautreamont (if you count him) is too.
I'm excited that you're going to look at the French Caribbean surrealists! If you go for Patrick Chamoiseau, I think Solibo Magnificent is an easier and arguably more enjoyable introduction than Texaco (his most famous), FWIW.
I like Murakami.
I'd go Norwegian Wood next then Wild Sheep Chase. I have to say that as I haven't read Kafka on the Shore. I've read Hard Boiled Wonderland which is crazier than Wild Sheep Chase. Norwegian Wood isn't crazy as such - just a bit of a downer at times.
His book about running is interesting too - especially if you are a runner.
I'd go Norwegian Wood next then Wild Sheep Chase. I have to say that as I haven't read Kafka on the Shore. I've read Hard Boiled Wonderland which is crazier than Wild Sheep Chase. Norwegian Wood isn't crazy as such - just a bit of a downer at times.
His book about running is interesting too - especially if you are a runner.
