A collection of short stories consisting of eight works released for the first time in six years.
The new book will mark Murakami’s first work since his novel “Killing Commendatore,” which was published three years ago.
Photo by Carolyn V on unsplash
Two weeks ago, I saw this novel piled up in a bookstore. It was published a month ago and I felt like it was late. At that time, I read the first episode by flipping through it a little, but I found it interesting. However, there were some harsh comments in the Amazon book review.
I immediately started reading on Kindle to confirm this bitter comment.
■In conclusion
I enjoyed it very much and thought it was a wonderful short story.
- The novel is seasoned with classical music, the Beatles, jazz, cocktails and other unique and entertaining metaphors, which are refined and delicious.
- In addition, some depictions that make you imagine this novel as well as links with past novels have appeared, and there is “a feeling of being seen（dejavu）”, so it will be irresistible to Haruki fans.
- I also read it interestingly, making me feel the relationship with “Throwing out a cat (When I talk about my father)” (2020) that I read.
- What’s even more interesting is that once I’ve finished reading, I don’t know whether it’s a novel or a true story. Also, it feels like “a mysterious story in the world” that flows between reality and unreality, daily life and extraordinary life.
- It’s also in the top ten in Kindle selling top rankings in Japan (excluding Kindle unlimited), and Haruki Murakami’s novel is selling well.
- No matter what people say, Haruki Murakami has changed the concept of literature and increased the number of people who read books for decades. Even overseas.
Therefore, a translated book of this short story will be published overseas in April 2021.
I am not going to touch on the content of the eight short stories here, but give my overall impression.
■Common theme
First, the common terms flowing in this short story are as follows.
To quote Haruki Murakami’s words, the short story contained in this book is “a pair of small events that occurred in my trivial life”.
“But when those memories are there, they’ll probably come through a long, long passage to visit me, and shake my heart with mysterious strength.”
And they are “events that sometimes come up in our life. There is no explanation or sense, but only the heart is disturbed deeply”.
■ Partial excerpt from the eighth novel “First-person singular”
(What I liked about the scene expression)
It was a pleasant spring evening. A bright full moon floated in the sky. The roadside trees on the street were beginning to have young green shoots. It was a nice climate for a walk.
(I was interested in psychological expression)
The wall behind it was a big mirror, and I was there. Obviously, when I stared at it, “I in the mirror” was also looking back at me.
At that time, I suddenly felt this kind of feeling.
I may have confused the circuit of life somewhere.
And while I was looking at myself wearing a suit and wearing a tie, the feeling became stronger and stronger.
The more I look at it, the more I think it’s not me, I’m not familiar with it.
But what is there, if not it myself?
This is how I really exist as a first person singular.
If I had chosen a different direction, I would probably not be here.
But who is the one in this mirror?
I didn’t even recognize street trees.
And thick and slim snakes were wrapped around all the trunks of the roadside trees as living decorations.
There was a loud rustling of their scales.
White ash piled up to the height of the ankle on the sidewalk, and no man or woman walking there had a face, and exhaled a sulfur-like yellow breath from the back of their throat.
The air was freezing, and I put up my collar on my suit jacket.
“Be shameful,” said the woman.
■ Favorite words (only a little)
● “At one point, my memory became one of my most precious emotional assets, and it was accompanied by a chair for living. Like a warm kitten gently sleeping in a large pocket on my coat. “
● “Is there anything in this world that is worth something and difficult to obtain?”
“But when you take the time and effort to accomplish that difficult task, it becomes the “cream” of your life.”
●Some more sounds were arranged quietly and carefully. The sounds floated there for a while, then softly landed on the ground. When all of those sounds landed on the ground and were sucked into silence, Bird then sent a series of cored sounds into the air, much deeper than before.
■ Eight short stories
I read from the end, but I think it’s better to read from the beginning.
[My impression]
This short story is likened to a large tree.
The big tree has eight branches, each with a colored leaf.
Climb the tree from below and reach for each branch.
But don’t slip off on the seventh “branch”.
(Even the monkey also falls from the tree).
The leaves of the branches feel a light shade overall. It is the same feeling that the past was in a pale haze.
However, the passage of time gradually changes the trapped things into a good one.
First of all, the first short story I especially noticed was a shade of gray. (Because I felt “ sadness ” in the tanka written by a woman ).
The story holds the scene.
After reading the eight short stories, that is, what kind of scenery do you feel when you climb the top of a tree?
Knowing the “shame” that appeared in the last short story, it was a cloudy sky.
I feel the sunset disappearing on the summit. I feel like my orange heart is calm.
As a “first person singular”, I live without bothering anyone.
At least now. And tomorrow, expect the morning sun going up into the blue sky.
The expectations include expectations for the new feature novel that Haruki Murakami will write.
In other words, in some of Haruki Murakami’s long features, such as “Norwegian Wood” and “The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle,” there are short stories that became its esquisse.
Many people of Haruki Murakami’s fans expect that the “first person singular” short story may be such an esquisse.
My expectation is that I will read this novel, be enriched with my heart, and grow tomorrow a little bit.
Because we live in a “real” and “virtual world” or a complex of past and future. Choosing the right path is never easy. But I want to live happily, always thinking that I have made better choices.
