Haruki Murakami

He is a dark dark writer.  The first book I started off reading, which my friend Rik now tells me, was the darkest book of his. Great.  No wonder.  It was Kafka On The Shore.  I have to say, his writing is transporting, it has that magical quality I love in some writers, who can take you to another place and world.  However, he tends to shatter that world with dark topics, happenings, disturbing matters in general. 

I decided to try his first book, Norwegian Wood.  It is a love story, among other things.  It apparently propelled him to literary stardom.  He apparently ran away from Japan until he could come to terms with his celebrity status.  In any event, it’s beautifully written.  I thought it was an amazing book.  But again disturbing.  I have to say, after having a child, I am way more sensitive to these matters.

~ by mrschung on September 4, 2008.