Wednesday, March 28, 2007
book report: Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World
Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World
by Haruki Murakami
This is, I believe, the second Murakami book I've read. The first was Kafka by the Shore, which was just... weird. This one was also weird, but more satisfyingly so. And it wasn't quite as disturbing, or the distubing bits seemed more normal to me, or something.
The main character is a "calcutec" - someone who does freelance data processing with some kind of brain implant - who gets caught up in an adventure with a crazy neuroscientist and his odd granddaughter. These chapters alternate with a parallel story set in a fantasy land of the Town, where people must separate themselves from their shadows and then their shadows die. Ordinary objects like paperclips take on an unusual significance, as do musical instruments.
It's all very creative but I ultimately found the book a bit unsatisfying. It was like eating a highly seasoned snack that really didn't contain any nutrition. That said, I'll probably pick up more Murakami books just to see what other crazy ideas he's come up with.
by Haruki Murakami
This is, I believe, the second Murakami book I've read. The first was Kafka by the Shore, which was just... weird. This one was also weird, but more satisfyingly so. And it wasn't quite as disturbing, or the distubing bits seemed more normal to me, or something.
The main character is a "calcutec" - someone who does freelance data processing with some kind of brain implant - who gets caught up in an adventure with a crazy neuroscientist and his odd granddaughter. These chapters alternate with a parallel story set in a fantasy land of the Town, where people must separate themselves from their shadows and then their shadows die. Ordinary objects like paperclips take on an unusual significance, as do musical instruments.
It's all very creative but I ultimately found the book a bit unsatisfying. It was like eating a highly seasoned snack that really didn't contain any nutrition. That said, I'll probably pick up more Murakami books just to see what other crazy ideas he's come up with.
Labels: book reports, science fiction
