JLC #19 - Book Review - Men without Women

 Some light bedtime reading??  Murakami “Men without women”. 

“stories of loneliness, of men struggling in a world, forced to live their lives for whatever reason without women”.  Review

 In the last short story of the book, I found what appears to be the punch line for me

 Suddenly one day you become Men without Women. That days comes to you completely out of the blue, without the faintest of warnings or hunts beforehand.

Murakami goes on to day “only Men without Women can comprehend how painful, how heartbreaking, it is to become one. You loose that wonderful west wind….

 I’ve been reading the short stories as my commitment to the Japanese Literature Challenge #19. Each one of the 6 short stories comes from the perspective of a man, in different iterations of a mans life and life stage.  I think only 2 of the stories were a little too bizarre for me to see the point, but still, Murakami does write with some magic.. and I keep on reading.  Murakami writes about men who have slept with other mens wives, or other men who have slept with the main character’s wife, and mostly I think women who die. One of the stories is of a man who lives with a disability, and the women in his life are paid carers who also sleep with him, but also bring companionship to his housebound life. In another story, a well to do cosmetic surgeon, with a womanising reputation, ends up starving himself to death over a women he accidentally fell in love with… dramatic ending!!

But I think the take-away for me, is just how men (in Murakami's writings), see women as an integral part of their life journey, playing a variety of roles…  

I ponder, on this International Women’s Day, March 8, my reflections on this book of stories… perhaps dark, moody, and narrowly focused on a particular aspect of men's relationship with women.

 

The front cover of my hard copy depicts a black background with perhaps raindrops or tears.  Seems a fitting visual reference to the sadness this book conjures..

JLC #19 - Book Review - Hunchback

 

I'm still experimenting what what my type of book is... so this recommendation, among other references to this author, made me pick up this copy. 

A literary phenomenon in Japan, Hunchback is an extraordinary and thrilling debut novel about sex, disability and power

 Further more, Ichikawa is the first author with a physical disability to receive the Akutagawa Prize, Japan’s premier literary award. She has congenital myopathy, and uses a ventilator and an electric wheelchair. (ref). In 2025 she was also long listed for the international Booker Prize.

It was definitely something new for me, but so easy to read and get into the space and story, I completed it in 3 reading sittings.. Some reviews referred to it as 'hilarious' or 'up-roaringly funny', but to be honest I must have missed that thread. She does however let us in on her view of life with a disability that is quite provocative, and intense. 

I have delayed writing this review while I was processing my take on the book - but what I've come up with is - you need to be brave enough to be questioned when you take on this read. She does provoke the reader to consider what's acceptable or even possible, for someone who lives with a disability to think or do. In her book, Saou, lets us get to know her as a survivor, a resilient and persistent individual, and someone who doesn't what to waste he capacity to live and experience life as she sees it. 

There are a couple of scenarios explored in this short book which provoke the reader to question

• Wow, is this something happening in my city/ state or place? 
• I'm not sure that happens in real life? 
• is that even ethical? 
• Would this happen to an able bodied individual? 

For me, I want to join the author in celebrating the experience we have in our daily life, the hard ones and the joy-filled ones... We are all able to experience things, interpret those events, and choose more of less of them... that's the pleasure of learning to be who we are. 

Be brave, be curious - check out this author and her view on life. 

JLC #19 - Book Review - Murakami

 Plot Reveal Warning: I dont think I can review this without some outline of the plot.. 

Its truly bizarre .... and sooo Murakami! 

An ordinary man, Mr Katagiri, is approached by a giant frog to be a collaborator in the task for saving the city from an earthquake, for which the frog says, is yet to occur but is imminent.

Firstly the frog has to convince the man he has the right man, and that the frog knows what he's talking about. Then the frog explains the plan...

The earthquake will occur when a giant worm has a temper tantrum. .they need to intervene and stop the worm!

Of course! Makes perfect sense!

However, at the critical moment in the plan, it seems the man is stopped in his tracks... and ends up in hospital..
Misses the whole worm & frog event... underground
Earthquake is avoided..

My summary is just the highlights, Murakami takes the reader on a journey.. perhaps its fantasy, but its a captivating read. Fun. Leaves you both entertained and intrigued. 

some typical Murakami moments:

- Mr Katagiri is a proper Japanese business man who insists on call the frog, Mr Frog. But the Frog insists on being called Frog.. this just adds a sense of familiarity which itself is bizarre

- Mr Katagiri, like many of Murakami's character is portrayed as an average citizen - who gets home with "his brief case and his grocery bag with fresh vegetables and canned salmon" .

- there are weird moments when things go into alternate reality. - like when Frog's demise occurs in front of Mr Katagiri (I wont explain it - it was kind of grosse. 

Its s short story, with unexpected twist & turns...
And a trip worth taking with Murakami

The bonus is the graphics on every page.
I loved it.

I couldn't resist..... and perhaps the time is right

 

Hello my friends, it's been a long time. 

Nothing like a little challenge to get oneself into gear. Thank you Dolce Bellezza! I've always loved this challenge. It was through this challenge that I found myself actually enjoying fiction, learning to love surrealism, and even some historic fiction. This challenge has given me virtual escapes to a country I've only visit once, but felt at home in. So it's only fitting I come back to it, when I'm feeling the need for some escapism and a vacation. 

I've found four books to dive into for this challenge, and I hope to review this month. 

"Hunchback" came to me via a podcast I've been really enjoying - BookShelfie: Women's Prize Podcast. Vick Hope interviews women about the books that changed them. 

The Guardian said "The narrator muses on everything from pornography to David Lynch, in this gloriously transgressive debut from Japan"... 

Anyway, I couldnt resist but to pick it up this season. 

"Exophony" was an accidental addition to my list. I sent my partner off to the local independent bookshop to find something by Yoko Tsushima (pen name). I was intrigued by something I read about her work being inspired or informed by her own experience. 

Anyway, what came home from the bookshop was this - a non fiction collection of essays, noted in reviews as "a brilliant exploration of language and its relationship to power, colonialism and history'. I'm getting into this, and finding some great insights.... more review to come. 

Murakami is just one of my go to favourites for escapism.. So this year I've picked one from my previously read pile, and I've started re-reading. Strangely, I usually dont re-read - but perhaps the time is right.... 

Imagine my surprise when I walked through a city bookshop to see this! It was a must have. 

Thanks to #JLC19 - I had my eye's open for a new Murakami. The girl in the bookshop said she didnt think the story was new, just that this book is illustrated... I dont recall reading the story before, so this addition to my list was a must have.  Review to come, but here's a glimpse of the fabulous illustrations... 

So after years of non-blogging, I make my re-entry through the portal of the Japanese Literature Challenge now in it's 19th year! 
 

Paris in July 2023 - It's still alive!!

 

It's is with Great pleasure and humble gratitude that I am passing the baton this year to Emma at Words and Peace, to lead and host Paris in July 2023.  

I'm so honoured that our event has such a sincere and genuine group of followers, lovers of all things French, that together, we've found a way to keep it alive. I'm even more excited that we might see where these developments take us, as Emma will have her ways of doing things, and has already flagged with me some exciting ideas. 

For me, I have been managing some life matters that have needed some attention, and I knew if I put out a call for assistance it would be there.  I will endeavour to follow along this year, and may find a post or two in me also. 

Avez-vous un bonne voyage mes amis, et j'espere que vous decouvre beacoup des chose neuveux de la Paris! 

Tamara 

Paris in July 2023

 For the love of cycling

Tour Down Under 2023 - the Dutch Corner

Tour Down Under - the caravan 

Bonjour mes amis! 

The Tour de France is coming, and for those who know me, you know I love the TV footage of this huge event that takes in the sights and loves of all things French... so, Yes, it's that time of year... when I would also normally be hosting the Paris in July Blogging Event...

The Paris in July blogging event, has been a huge success of the years, largely because of you - the participants. It's always been an event that welcomes everyone who loves all things Paris and France. It's been about 

• books & movies
• restaurant reviews and favourite meals
• recipes
• theatre, film and festivals
• travel memories 
• favourite photos of Paris
• wine tastings
• itineraries for travellers

The event has been hosted here, at Thyme-for-tea, with weekly sign-in posts, weekly reviews, and a widget that supported you to link to other bloggers involved. 

This year, I'm just not sure I can maintain the level of support this event has required in the past. So I'm posting this for two reasons

• declaring that I fear I can not honour participants with the right diligence 
• seeking expressions of interest from anyone who would like to take on hosting the event, or co-host with me... 

I would love to hear your thoughts about how you would like to see Paris in July hosted in 2023. 

Tamara 

Paris in July 2022 - memories

 

Paris in July botton collection since 2010

I have been inspired by several other bloggers who have posted recently about things they've posted in previous Paris in July seasons. I went back and reviewed the many different bottons we've used to celebrate Paris in July posts since 2010.  We've had a few... these have been design by me, and other co-hosts over the years,  and represent the things that we love about Paris. 

I am promising to do the final Paris in July wrap up in a few days because i am currently away on a little trip with a girlfriend. But there's a connection to this post... i have strong memories (reinforced by stories from my parents) of travelling to Paris as a child in the late 60s. My dad thinks I fell in love with Paris when I was three.. 

Today my girlfriend found a treasure in a bric a brac shop. A silk scarf we think was worn by Qantas hostesses in the 60s

Beautifully decorated with Australian native flowers.

So,  inspired by this special find today, I thought I'd share this link to music I might have heard when I was in Paris when I was three... its just a bit of fun.... 

https://youtu.be/wsGt7vx_Ues