Friday

Book review: Sputnik Sweetheart


Sputnik Sweetheart- Haruki Murakami
Wow, Becky, another Murakami book? I know, I know! I'm trying to read them all so console yourselves with the thought that I've only got 9 left to go! 

Sputnik Sweetheart is told through the eyes of K., a 24 year old teacher who is in love with his best friend Sumire. Unfortunately for him, Sumire falls in love with Miu, an older woman who she ends up working for. Suddenly, Sumire disappears without a trace and K. does everything he can to track her down.

Surprisingly, most of this book is a straight novel. There's very little in the way of Murakami's usual surrealism. Ok, so we do have a disappearing love interest but even that's not centred in the paranormal. There are lots of Murakami's usual trademarks though: A sense of losing identity, mystery aplenty and, of course, perfectly-formed ears. What is with Murakami's ear fetish?

Despite Murakami's novels tending to be quite samey, I found this one of the more distinctive that I have read. I put this down to the fact that it's a lot shorter than the others at less than 230 pages, and therefore it's more concise. Every event is written with meaning and this allows little room for the standard spaghetti-cooking, jazz-playing, Tokyo-wandering filler. 

Although the characters were well-defined (Sumire was particularly easy to visualise), I found some aspects a little difficult to accept. K. is only 24, but his voice and attitude was a lot more mature than that. Maybe this is something that doesn't translate well into Western culture- I'm always aware of the fact that Murakami's books are first and foremost Japanese literature- but I found it easier to imagine him about 10 years older than that. 

Overall, I think this would make a great introduction to Murakami's literature. It's a gentle approach to the more complicated surrealism that occurs in his other novels and, as it's only short, it's not as intimidating as some others (cough 1Q84 cough). 

6 comments :

  1. The only Murakami book I've read was 1Q84 which I really enjoyed but yeah, it was a bit much, so I'm trying to work myself up to trying another of his books and maybe this is the one, especially with it being much shorter! Will have to try this, thanks for the recommendation. And yes, what is with the ear thing?? x

    Claire | AgentSmyth

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    1. I definitely recommend this if you're not sure. Norwegian Wood is a great one for this too, as it's more of a "straight" novel so it's easier to read.

      I don't get the ear thing at all haha!

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  2. Ooh I really want to read this one! I've just finished After Dark, which is another short one, at around 200 pages, but if you haven't read it I definitely recommend! And I always wondered about his ear fetish, too. Little bit weird.

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    1. Ooh, I haven't read that one yet! I always look forward to the first ear mention haha!

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  3. Your reviews on Murakami have really caught my interest. I've just do welded this one to my kindle as it seems like one of his less daunting books to start with! I love the basis of the story too so I'm really looking forward to trying it. Thanks for sharing :) x

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    1. It's definitely a nice way in, I think. I do love his books, even though they're all very similar!

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