Gabriel
or Audio Books you listened to.
* Would you recommend them?
* Was it a reread?
* Disappointed? Impressed? Surprised?
Thanks for any answers!!
Answer
1. South of the Border, West of the Sun by Haruki Murakami. I would recommend this to people who are already familiar with Murakami's works, since it's definitely not his best book nor is it a 'must' read. That being said, it's very well-written and I really enjoyed it. It's quite a quick read, with a page count of under 200. Like most of Murakami's books it falls into the magic realism genre, with a hint of romance. One thing I loved most about this book was the imagery Murakami used, he can be so poetical and lyrical at times, and this book is a great example of this. This wasn't a reread, and I can positively say that I was impressed with this book.
2. Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke. Even though I had a few minor issues with this book, I would still recommend it to anyone who wants something 'classic' to read. Rightfully so, it's considered to be essential reading for scholars and poetry lovers. It's a compilation of 10 letters, written over the course of about 6 years, addressed to a young man who is torn between becoming a poet and his life in the army. This man had submitted his poetry to Rilke, seeking criticism and advice. Rilke discusses a range of topics, from spirituality, to sexuality, to career choices. These letters are very artistically and poetically written, which is one of the primary issues that I had with them. Rilke really has a way with words, which I admire of him, but sometimes I just tend to get lost in them... this wasn't a reread, and I would say that in a way I was both disappointed and impressed.
3. Candide by Voltaire. I really didn't like this book for some reason. It's a short book, yet it felt like it took me a decade to read. Maybe 18th century literature just isn't my thing? I don't know. I might give it a reread some time in the distant future, though I honestly dread the mere thought of that. This book is supposed to be one of those books that everyone should read, a classic... but it just didn't do it for me. Oh well... I'd recommend it to people who like 18th century satire or philosophy, though I can't promise that they'll like it. I was pretty disappointed by it.
4. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fizgerald. This is one of the best books I've read in a while. I was actually surprised by how much I liked it, for whatever reason I had honestly thought that I would finish it and it would leave me wondering why it was considered such a classic. But I can really see why it's considered a classic. Fitzgerald brilliant captures the spirit of the Roaring Twenties in the book, as does he realistically depict a society obsessed with wealth. I would recommend this book to everyone, to be honest. This wasn't a reread, and I was pleasantly impressed and surprised.
5. Dance Dance Dance by Haruki Murakami. This was my 6th Murakami book (I've been reading all of his books in chronological order). So far yet, I don't think anything can top Norwegian Wood, though this was quite close. I really like Murakami's blend of mystery and fantasy in this book. This book is a sequal to A Wild Sheep Chase (which was part of Murakami's "Rat" trilogy), though they really don't have a lot in common plot-wise. In saying this, I think I would recommend Dance Dance Dance to someone who is already acquainted with Murakami through this earlier books, A Wild Sheep Chase especially, otherwise they might be a tad confused. Other than that, it's a really well-written book and the plot definitely grabbed my attention. This was not a reread. Overall, I was quite impressed with this book.
1. South of the Border, West of the Sun by Haruki Murakami. I would recommend this to people who are already familiar with Murakami's works, since it's definitely not his best book nor is it a 'must' read. That being said, it's very well-written and I really enjoyed it. It's quite a quick read, with a page count of under 200. Like most of Murakami's books it falls into the magic realism genre, with a hint of romance. One thing I loved most about this book was the imagery Murakami used, he can be so poetical and lyrical at times, and this book is a great example of this. This wasn't a reread, and I can positively say that I was impressed with this book.
2. Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke. Even though I had a few minor issues with this book, I would still recommend it to anyone who wants something 'classic' to read. Rightfully so, it's considered to be essential reading for scholars and poetry lovers. It's a compilation of 10 letters, written over the course of about 6 years, addressed to a young man who is torn between becoming a poet and his life in the army. This man had submitted his poetry to Rilke, seeking criticism and advice. Rilke discusses a range of topics, from spirituality, to sexuality, to career choices. These letters are very artistically and poetically written, which is one of the primary issues that I had with them. Rilke really has a way with words, which I admire of him, but sometimes I just tend to get lost in them... this wasn't a reread, and I would say that in a way I was both disappointed and impressed.
3. Candide by Voltaire. I really didn't like this book for some reason. It's a short book, yet it felt like it took me a decade to read. Maybe 18th century literature just isn't my thing? I don't know. I might give it a reread some time in the distant future, though I honestly dread the mere thought of that. This book is supposed to be one of those books that everyone should read, a classic... but it just didn't do it for me. Oh well... I'd recommend it to people who like 18th century satire or philosophy, though I can't promise that they'll like it. I was pretty disappointed by it.
4. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fizgerald. This is one of the best books I've read in a while. I was actually surprised by how much I liked it, for whatever reason I had honestly thought that I would finish it and it would leave me wondering why it was considered such a classic. But I can really see why it's considered a classic. Fitzgerald brilliant captures the spirit of the Roaring Twenties in the book, as does he realistically depict a society obsessed with wealth. I would recommend this book to everyone, to be honest. This wasn't a reread, and I was pleasantly impressed and surprised.
5. Dance Dance Dance by Haruki Murakami. This was my 6th Murakami book (I've been reading all of his books in chronological order). So far yet, I don't think anything can top Norwegian Wood, though this was quite close. I really like Murakami's blend of mystery and fantasy in this book. This book is a sequal to A Wild Sheep Chase (which was part of Murakami's "Rat" trilogy), though they really don't have a lot in common plot-wise. In saying this, I think I would recommend Dance Dance Dance to someone who is already acquainted with Murakami through this earlier books, A Wild Sheep Chase especially, otherwise they might be a tad confused. Other than that, it's a really well-written book and the plot definitely grabbed my attention. This was not a reread. Overall, I was quite impressed with this book.
Am looking for the beginning of one of Haruki Murakami's books?
Kay
there is one book by Haruki Murakami which begins in an airplane. Does anyone know which book that is? And could you copy the first paragraph or so. Thanks!
No, it's not the Airplane. As far as I remember, the book starts with the protagonist sitting in an airplane.
Answer
Norwegian Wood, by Haruki Murakami
The Novel opens with the main character in a plane taxiing to the stand hears a muzak version of the Beatles Norwegian Wood... the favorite song of his best friends girlfriend and it takes him back 20 years to his student days in Tokyo of the last couple of years of the 60's..
The book explores uneasy relationships, casual sex, passion, loss and desire and the angst that is as we all know is being a young adult. Torn between his past and his future.
A love story...
You should note that this is translated from Japanese and possibly some of the subtlety may have been lost. An easy uncomplicated book, a real departure for Murakami, some of the sex scene are graphic and possibly superfluous to the story, nevertheless a good read.
***NOTE: The website I have listed below is for Barnes and Noble where you can peruse the book on line. I tried to copy and paste for you but was unable to. Maybe you can do it.
Norwegian Wood, by Haruki Murakami
The Novel opens with the main character in a plane taxiing to the stand hears a muzak version of the Beatles Norwegian Wood... the favorite song of his best friends girlfriend and it takes him back 20 years to his student days in Tokyo of the last couple of years of the 60's..
The book explores uneasy relationships, casual sex, passion, loss and desire and the angst that is as we all know is being a young adult. Torn between his past and his future.
A love story...
You should note that this is translated from Japanese and possibly some of the subtlety may have been lost. An easy uncomplicated book, a real departure for Murakami, some of the sex scene are graphic and possibly superfluous to the story, nevertheless a good read.
***NOTE: The website I have listed below is for Barnes and Noble where you can peruse the book on line. I tried to copy and paste for you but was unable to. Maybe you can do it.
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