Hello everyone and welcome back to The Boss Book Club!
Today marks the 5th and final day of the Five Day book review catch up. From here on in, book reviews will be posted weekly on a Sunday, as per the norm. We will be looking at Haruki Murakami’s A Wild Sheep Chase today.
I need to start off by saying that I read this book at the wrong time. This book is supposed to be the third part of a trilogy. Parts one and two are titled Hear the Wind Sing and Pinball, 1973, Murukami’s first two novels, only released in English for the first time last year. I thoroughly recommend reading the first two to start with, and then reading a Wild Sheep Chase straight afterwards to get the complete experience. I read this after reading some of Murukami’s later works (such as The Wind Up Bird Chronicle and Kafka on the Shore) and some months after reading the first two. It was therefore a bit difficult to get into the flow of this book, mainly because Murukami’s writing style has diversified and changed since these first three books so it felt like taking a step back into a different headspace, which was difficult.
Having said that, this book has done nothing to diminish my new found Murakami obsession, and this is another great story. In this story our protagonist, the same man from the first two novels, is working in his small advertising and publishing firm, he has a new girlfriend with strikingly beautiful ears, and is continuing about his life, doing not much in particular. He is then accosted by a mysterious man in a dark suit, and is given a month to find a sheep from a photograph with a star on its back, with dire consequences if he fails.
The story takes our man on a trip across Japan in search of the Sheep and his friend the Rat. J from the bar also gets a look in. This book marks the departure for Murakami from his completely realistic and naturalistic books in Wind and Pinball, to the slightly bizarre and absurd. This is the book that marks the shift in style for Murakami. If I had read this directly after the other two, then the all out bizarre surrealism of The Wind Up Bird Chronicle wouldn’t have been so shocking. Therefore, as I mentioned before, I think it’s important that you read his novels in order, and somewhat close together. You can then note the progression of the story, as well as Murukami’s journey as an author.
This book contains more humour than his other novels, and is cheeky and odd. I recommend saving the trilogy for a rainy day. Keep the coffee and cigarettes nearby, and cook yourself a nice meal afterwards (the protagonist always does a ton of cooking in each novel- it will make you want to eat something too!).
Thanks for joining us at The Boss Book Club and participating in the 5- day Blogging Catch Up Bonanza!
Regular blogging schedule resumes from next week so please join us next Sunday for a review of American Gods.
Happy Reading from The Boss Book Club!
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Sounds interesting.
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Everyone recommends this author with the caveat that he’s not for everyone. When I read descriptions of his work, it just does not sound like it’s for me. Murakami’s books sound like they are for people who feel a bit aimless and think about thinking a lot. I do not mean this as an insult, but merely an observation that it sounds like almost nothing ever happens! Thoughts?
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Haha! I do agree that he’s not for everyone. Whilst I certainly hope I’m not aimless, the lead character in his books is definitely a bit like that. A bit philosophical too. I think Norwegian Wood, The Wind up Bird Chronicle and Kafka on the Shore have enough plot things that happen to make it feel like more of a satisfying story headed somewhere but definitely Wind, Pinball and A Wild Sheep Chase are very laid back tales! Probably give him a skip if you want something a bit more action packed 🙂
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Granted, my opinion is based only on the many reviews of his books that I’ve read, but by “aimless” I mean it sounds like he appeals to the 20-something generation that seems to ask, “What am I supposed to be?” and they want to know right after college. Am I way, way off? Thanks for responding!
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I think that his books would be appealing to that generation because the main character is someone who hasn’t settled on a career, a solid relationship or anything else permanent- he is very laid back and just responds to what happens around him. I think if you were tense and not sure what to do with your life this lets you off the hook and relax a bit, because he has no idea either!
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Interesting! Thanks for writing back 🙂
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