Kafka on the Shore

This is another Murakami novel, and although I liked Hardboiled Wonderland, I’m appreciating this one even more.  It is full of descriptions which continually edge up against the banal, and then slide past your expectations and go to a place entirely new.

There’s a picture of Murakami on the back cover.  He’s in his late fifties, and he has a face that makes you think, “A sense of humour, a sense of wonder, a sense for the rhythm of things.”

Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World

…. is a novel by Japanese writer Haruki Murakami.  LTGW loaned it to me last week and I’ve finally worked my way through it.

I suspect I will have to read it again, but any book which is ‘about’ consciousness and contains the sentence “I was myself, waiting on the shore for me to return”  is probably worth it.

The relentless quotidian detail, mixed with monsters, mad scientists, music, netherworlds and endless fashion details, had me thinking about Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Next up:  “Kafka on the Shore,” also loaned by LGTW (he’s moving and he’ll have fewer things to move this way…)  I had a copy of “Wild Sheep Chase” but I haven’t seen it since the move.

世界の終りとハードボイルド・ワンダーランド
Sekai no owari to hādoboirudo wandārando

The rude awakening

At 1:52 this morning some bozoid rang my buzzer (which makes my phone ring, like less than two feet from my head) and said, and I quote, “I’m a good friend of the guy who lives in 431. Can you let me in?” In sepulchral tones, I replied, “I have no idea who you’re talking about” and hung up.

I’ve a mind to go abuse the guy in 431, but I won’t, he didn’t do anything.

I released two Bookcrossing books yesterday… they are gone! I am happy.

Paul and I had supper at the Himalaya last night to celebrate the fact that the house actually closed. He also brought me the camping equipment, for which I’d like to thank him. Baumfest tonight! No blogging from now until at least noon Friday unless somebody’s got wireless.