Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World
By Haruki Murakami
(Vintage, Paperback, 9780679743460, 1993, 416pp.)
The Short of It:
Mesmerizing and magical.
The Rest of It:
Talk about cutting it close! I had planned to finish my last book of the year a few days ago, but as usual, my vision of what I felt could be done, didn’t quite mesh with the reality laid out before me. Funny, because that’s sort of what this book is about. Reality versus what we think reality to be.
Those of you familiar with this blog know that I have a thing for Murakami’s writing. His writing is unlike anything I’ve ever read. Much of what he writes is surreal and strange but a lot of what he writes is just so normal. Normal in that he has a way of making simple things sound marvelous. The simple act of brewing coffee becomes something special in Murakami’s hands. I love that about his writing.
This novel is no exception and might be my favorite of his yet. A data processor finds himself in a strange situation. Hired by an eccentric professor who happens to be secreted away under the subway system in Japan, he realizes quickly that the job he’s been hired to do is anything but standard. The work that he’s been given is important enough for the government, known as The System, to become involved and although the professor’s intentions were good initially, his little experiment has gone very wrong.
In a parallel story, a man finds himself trapped behind a great wall surrounded by beasts which can only be unicorns. As he tries to make sense of this world and the importance of the unicorns themselves, he begins to question his existence and purpose.
Sounds bizarre, right?
As bizarre as these stories are, Murakami manages to pull both stories together, creating what I feel is his most profound work yet. As an end-of-the-year read, I don’t think I coud have picked a better book. Its largeness is felt on every page yet it’s totally readable and not hoity-toity in the way that books like this can sometimes be.
It’s fantasy and literary fiction all wrapped up together and I absolutely loved it. It left me with big thoughts and yet somehow, I feel rejuvenated too.
Even after all my gushing, if you’re still not sure about Murakami, this April I am hosting a read-along for The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle. I promise it will be fun and easy with very little to do but enjoy the book. After the New Year, I’ll post more about it so look for that post if you are interested. I’ve not read the book yet myself so we’ll be experiencing it together. For now, write down this hashtag #winditup2013!
Source: Purchased
Disclosure: This post contains Indiebound affiliate links.
Book Chatter 
Happy New Year! Looking forward to your read a long in April and of course your blogging in the new year! I am like you and just love hanging around the house reading and watching movies!
Happy New Year! We are waiting for our Chinese take-out. Apparently everyone is having Chinese food tonight!
I really want to try Murakami’s writing even though I have a feeling I’m not smart enough for it. This does sound bizarre, but good.
That’s the thing though…he writes for the common reader. Not highbrow types. Anyone can read him.
This sounds really good. I’m listening to Wolf Hall on audio while I stick around the house for New Year’s. It’s another good one for the end of the year, large of scope yet very readable.
I have never read Murakami. He seems extremely off the wall to me. But, I love that you are doing a readalong in April. And it just might be the time for me to read him. Thanks so much. I trust your judgment.
I hope you’ll join us!
I love your enthusiasm for this author. I still have not read one of his books yet. I hope to get to it in 2013.
I love how you love him and it truly sounds good…and yet I still hesitate to pick one up!
I will join the read along…maybe!
It would be fun if you do but no arm twisting from me!
I liked Norwegian Wood. I hope to read more of Murakami, including this book, soon. I am glad it was another great Murakami for you!
I’m glad you ended your year on such a high note … and I’m in for the Wind-Up Bird Chronicle!
Yay on Wind-Up Bird! Doing the happy bird dance.
I liked 1Q84. I read it last year. It was a great book. I would love to read Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, but I have so many books that I have to read. I will keep up with the blog until I get the chance to read it.
As a fellow Murakami fan, I will have to get my hands on a copy of this one. It sounds like vintage Murakami and I love that! Plus, I want to read more of his work this year – especially after Norwegian Wood (which I loved!!). Oh, and you will love Wind-Up Bird – it is awesome!!
This sounds utterly strange but compellingly fascinating!! I’m going to recommend it to my son, Mitch!!
How have I not read any Murakami yet? I love strange books that make me think and it seems like he always does that.
Join me for the Wind-Up Bird Chronicle read-along in April. I am going to post about it early. It’s a no stress read along. No mandatory posts.