South of the Border, West of the Sun

I love Murakami's novels, but this one wasn't my favorite. The character of Yukiko ruined it for me. She didn't seem realistic and her character removed me from the story.

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...I loved this book, it was so deep and interesting...I couldn't put it down until I had read the last page!!:)))

I absolutely loved this book. One of the things I liked the most was being suprised by Murakami's style. This is not your typical Asian prose. It's not poetic. It is blunt, piercing, and transparent. I caught myself thinking about Camus, and L'Étranger, while reading this. Although not as tragic as the French book, I thought Haijime's feelings of nothingness and despair mirrored existentialist...more

I absolutely loved this book. One of the things I liked the most was being suprised by Murakami's style. This is not your typical Asian prose. It's not poetic. It is blunt, piercing, and transparent. I caught myself thinking about Camus, and L'Étranger, while reading this. Although not as tragic as the French book, I thought Haijime's feelings of nothingness and despair mirrored existentialist works.   hide

Hajime went to primary school as an only child, so was his only friend at school, Shimamoto. They spent long hours listening to her father's records. Sadly they loose touch when Hajime's family move away. Twenty or so years on Hajime after having drifted for ten of those years has two successful jazz bars, a loving wife and two daughters. Suddenly Shimamoto reappears and all the old...more

Hajime went to primary school as an only child, so was his only friend at school, Shimamoto. They spent long hours listening to her father's records. Sadly they loose touch when Hajime's family move away. Twenty or so years on Hajime after having drifted for ten of those years has two successful jazz bars, a loving wife and two daughters. Suddenly Shimamoto reappears and all the old feelings return and Hajime risks everything for one night with Shimamoto. This a more structured novel from the normal Murakami fodder. The prose again is extraordinarily skilled I still feel that some of the sublety is lost in translation. If you liked Norwegian Wood you will love this. Personally I do not feel that it is one of his stronger efforts but as with any Murakami work it never fails to entertain.   hide

Murakami is one the greatest writers ever to grace the Earth. Another beautiful, twisted, wayward wonderful book. Thoroughly enjoyable....

As an only child, the first 6 chapters hit me harder than any book I can recall having read. From there, the novel continued to weave a plot that seemed to draw me into its despair, hope, and intimacy. The senses of loss, helplessness, obsession, and self-doubt Murakami has injected into the words are almost overpowering and difficult to put into words. Having read the Wind Up Bird Chronicle...more

As an only child, the first 6 chapters hit me harder than any book I can recall having read. From there, the novel continued to weave a plot that seemed to draw me into its despair, hope, and intimacy. The senses of loss, helplessness, obsession, and self-doubt Murakami has injected into the words are almost overpowering and difficult to put into words. Having read the Wind Up Bird Chronicle and A Wild Sheep Chase, this novel is a huge departure from the magical realism and randomness that is a central feature of the other two mentioned. I can't decide whether I would recommend this book to others or not as the feelings it might evoke are not necessarily pleasant.   hide

Left me feeling a little incomplete. I understood why Shimamoto had to leave, I'm glad that Hajime took a firm grip on his decisions and his life. I certainly understood the overtone of lonliness that Hajime experienced (a typical topic in Japanese literature as it's a part of the culture), but noted the point that Hajime was not alone in his loneliness. However, in the end, only he was saved...more

Left me feeling a little incomplete. I understood why Shimamoto had to leave, I'm glad that Hajime took a firm grip on his decisions and his life. I certainly understood the overtone of lonliness that Hajime experienced (a typical topic in Japanese literature as it's a part of the culture), but noted the point that Hajime was not alone in his loneliness. However, in the end, only he was saved from it, and Shimamoto,regardless of being entrenched in wealth, was left trapped and ultimately was destroyed by it. As usual, a wonderful assortment of music to set the tone of this story.   hide

''The sad truth is that certain types of things can't go backward. Once they start going forward, no matter what you do, they can't go back the way they were. If even one little thing goes awry, then that's how it will stay forever.'' Brilliant & beautiful book ;)