Haruki Murakami

Since I've discovered the 1001 Books You Must Read Before you Die list I've used it to discover many books that I probably never would have on my own, and even discovered a couple authors who I now consider among my favorites.

One of the authors that I discovered who is now among my favorites is Haruki Murakami.  I've seen his books described as both quirky and surreal, which I agree with.  I haven't read everything he has written, but I've really enjoyed each of the books that I have read.  In this article it talks about how he grew up reading authors like Kurt Vonnegut and Richard Brautigan, who both fit that description, and are two of the others I've only read because of the 1001 list and enjoyed as well.



Kafka on the Shore (14 of 1294) was the first Murakami book that I read, and after the first couple of chapters I was hooked.  In a style that he used in other books, the chapters alternate between two different points of views, Kafka and Nakata.  The two plots are separate, but related.  Kafka is on a quest to find his mother and sister, while Nakata searches for lost cats.

Anything that I write about the book probably won't do the book justice.  It's surreal, and magical, and fascinating.  Once I got started I didn't want to put it down.  To me Murakami's books have a dreamlike quality.  You may not always know what is happening or why, but you enjoy the adventure.

My rating: 5 stars



The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles (15 of 1294) was the second Murakami book that I read.  The book is about Toru Okada and his search for his lost cat.  But the simple concept turns into a complex story.  I've found that it is hard to describe a Murakami book though.  There are plenty of offbeat characters, storylines, and themes throughout the book.

It's definitely a strange book, but a fun one that hooked me from the beginning.

My rating: 4 1/2 stars



1Q84 isn't a 1001 list book, but was released last year and was one of my favorite books of the year.  IQ84 was published as three separate novels in Japan, but released last year in the US as one book -- one giant book.

Once again the chapters alternative between characters, mostly between Aomame and Tengo, although Ushikawa has several chapters from his point of view in the final half of the book.  In short it's a love story, but it really is so much more.  A female assassin, an author rewriting a book in order to win a prize, cults, little people, and two moons.

You have to be willing to go with the flow with Murakami, but I haven't been disappointed with one of his books yet.

My rating: 5 stars