NP: The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle

[Bekah]

A big part of WUBC is political,  about Japan's WWII experiences and 
crimes.  We don't really understand  because we're not coming from 
that perspective.

Bekah


At 3:28 PM +0000 2/20/06, Ghetta Life wrote:
>I agree with you, Laura.  The WUBC is at times a "tease," hinting at 
>mystical meanings and conspiracies, but never really developing 
>them.  Only the battle in the other-worldly hotel really develops 
>into something other than a vague possibility.  And far too many 
>leads and hints go absolutely nowhere.   Some of this disconnect 
>might be cultural.  Mirakami does portray a sort-of pantheistic 
>all-species spirituality, which comes off better in his lastest 
>novel:  Kafka on the Shore.  This is a better book, but still not 
>great.
>
>Ghetta
>
>>From: kelber at mindspring.com
>>
>>Just finished reading "the Wind-Up Bird Chronicle," by Haruki 
>>Murakami.  When I was asking for reading suggestions a while back, 
>>a number of people on this list recommended it.  Also, the blurb on 
>>the back of the book compared it to Pynchon.  I have to say, I was 
>>really disappointed.  Aside from some historical flashbacks (which 
>>were the best part of the book) and a vague atmosphere of 
>>conspiracy, there was nothing Pynchonesque about it.  The writing 
>>was minimalist and the characters and conspiracy elements got way 
>>too close to being merely cute (ick).  The most telling difference: 
>>it's easy to imagine this as a flick; extremely difficult for 
>>Pynchon's work.
>>
>>Just curious to hear why people like this book so much.
>
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