Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Japanese Lit Challenge Updates

DolceBellezza is busy hosting the Japanese Literature Challenge 8 - which goes through to January 2015. Because its a long event, it doesn't feel overwhelming to try and read things. I'm enjoying mixing up my Japanese reads with my other genres.

I'm still reflecting on Murakami's Colourless Tsukuru. This book was so different from any other Murakami novel, because its about relationships and grief & loss. I've sent alot of time reflecting on it. But, I think it's time for me to move on.

So I've picked up another Keigo Higashino novel, The Devotion of Suspect X, because I really enjoyed the first Higashino, Salvation of a Saint.

Yasuko Hanaoka is a divorced, single mother who thought she had finally escaped her abusive ex-husband Togashi. When he shows up one day to extort money from her, threatening both her and her teenaged daughter Misato, the situation quickly escalates into violence and Togashi ends up dead on her apartment floor. Overhearing the commotion, Yasuko’s next door neighbor, middle-aged high school mathematics teacher Ishigami, offers his help, disposing not only of the body but plotting the cover-up step-by-step.(quote).

I dont always read efficiently, but these crime novels engage me - these are my easy reads.

Now, on other Japanese Lit News - Murakami is releasing a new novel (in English) later this year, The Strange Library. Check out this review for some images from this illustrated new book. This is going to be quite a new book for Murakami.. and it's on my list for reading. Check out this quote.... its enough to get me in.

‘The food was delicious but I could manage to get only half of it down. If I didn’t make it home, the worry might drive my mother to another breakdown. She would probably forget to feed my pet starling, and it would starve to death.’

If you don’t hurry you’ll be lost for eternity,» said the girl-who-was-a-starling.’

Thanks Bellezza for hosting the Colourless Tsukuru read a long - I quite enjoyed it. 

4 comments:

Heidi’sbooks said...

I don't think I've ever read Japanese Literature. Your post is intriguing, and I'd like to give it a try. What book would you recommend for someone who just wants to dip their big toe in the water for the first time?

Bellezza said...

Wow, you're the first person to let me know about Murakami's newest! Just when I got my hands on colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pikgrimage, now I have to begin the wait for another! ;)

Ironically enough, I just finished Salvation of a Saint. I'm looking forward to reading The Devotion of a Suspect X, and I suppose you know Higashino has a new book out as well, entitled Malice,

Tamara said...

Hello Heidi - I was not much of a reader in a past life, but Bellezzas Jap Lit Challenge has encouraged me over the years. There are some good recomendations over at her site - but for me, I'd recommend Banana Yoshimoto for a good contemporary japanese starter. She's done some simple stories that reflect the ways of life in Japan and contemporary issues. I enjoyed Kitchen, Lake and Goodbye Tsugumi.

Tamara said...

Hi Bellezza, I am keen to see this new Murakami - it looks different again. I am enjoying Higashino, but I'm relying on Kindle and Australian Regulations to provide them to me... I havent seen Malice there yet. I am currently reading a classic, The Sound of the Mountain, by Yasunari Kawata, who won a Nobel Prize a long time ago. I think I'll have a good mix on my list by the end of the challenge. Thanks