the world of Haruki Murakami...

[Salma]

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I love this author and have almost all of his books now....all of them in the English version of course....

It's true that there really is a difference between the original Japanese version and the English translation of many of his works nevertheless this does not obstruct the attractiveness and depth of this author's way of thinking and writing...

read any of his works yet?

[klavel]

I've read two books from him: "Norwegian Wood" and "Sputnik Sweetheart". I just recently bought "The Elephant Vanishes" (a collection of short stories) -- I can't wait to start reading it.

His characters are depressing with very complicated relationships (which I find interesting). The ending (of the two books i've mentioned) allows the reader to form a conclusion -- like guessing what awaits the fate of the main character.

[Salma]

"norwegian wood" is the only thing missing from my Murakami collection...
"Sputnik Sweetheart" is in my collection now but i always allow myself to salivate at the sight of a book before reading it hehehee...

i'm really impressed with the manner he can create totally bizarre scenes out of seemingly mundane scenarios and imbibe various perceptions in our minds of what may be derived of any situation he places his characters in...superb style if i may say so...

[klavel]

I suggest you read "norwegian wood" sis. The characters are well thought out. Again, I like it because the story is told from a young man's perspective.

He has a new novel out (1Q84) but in Nihonggo. I hope they publish the English version soon.

[etienne]

sale sa powerbooks until sept 20! dali! they got murakamis.

i like "wild sheep chase" and the short stories in "blind willow, sleeping woman"... for me winner ang iyang mga short stories like The Year of Spaghetti, The Ice Man, Nausea 1979... im going to read kafka.

[dwardwarbinx]

I think there will always be a difference between the Japanese and English versions. Nothing beats reading the writer's "voice" in its original form. Nevertheless, the English versions are still good. hehe.

[Salma]

yes pero someone told me bro that the Japanese-English translators are more than capable of trying to transliterate the raw ideas and emotions expressed in the Japanese versions of his works ....and Murakami would not have approved of their publication (in English) if he did not have direct contact with these translators?

Im still not convinced hehe....

now have ''Norwegian Wood'' in my collection so I must be complete on his English-translated commercially distributed books (I hope?)