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!