Friday

Book review: Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World


Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World- Haruki Murakami
Ok, time to review my 8th Murakami. Hard-Boiled Wonderland is one that has been recommended to me a few times but, to be brutally honest, the title didn't really convince me. I know that's ridiculous but there you go! However, I chose this as one of my Christmas presents, and I'm very glad I did! 

Hard-Boiled Wonderland is two narratives in one, told in alternating chapters. Although this is explained in the blurb, I evidently wasn't paying attention as I was getting all confused and it took me about 100 pages before I worked it out! I know, I'm an idiot! 
As is frequently the case with Murakami's books, the narrators are unnamed, male (presumably) and divorced. However, many of the Murakami clichés are missing: There are no cats, I didn't catch any mentions of cooking spaghetti and there are only two references to female ears. The story is also noticeably different in form. Although there are the usual surreal elements and the whole concept of parallel universes is apparent, the story seems a little less fantastical than his others. I put this down to this being one of Murakami's earlier works.

The tone of the book is also remarkably different to his others, but I think that's because it was translated by Alfred Birnbaum, whose translations are new to me. I found a lot of the interpretation quite clumsy but at least there was none of Jay Rubin's "I wonder"s, which always annoy me! Instead we had a lot of "maybe so"s, which make a lot more sense in context!
I enjoyed the story very much. I found it easy to connect with the characters and, as the links between the two narratives became more clear, I found myself drawn further and further into the story. Although it's not one I'd recommend to somebody new to Murakami (I favour Sputnik Sweetheart or Norwegian Wood for that), it's definitely one I'd suggest as a follow-up. 

9 comments :

  1. The title sounds interesting and I quite enjoy reading books from a narrative point of view. I hope one day to read enough books that I can make useful comments on book reviews haha

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    1. Have you read Murakami before? I have a feeling we've talked about him before but maybe I'm making that up!

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  2. The name of this book has been the thing that's put me off too! It's such a weird title! But you've convinced me. It's in the Amazon trolley! x

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    1. It's odd because I LOVE Murakami but this title just seemed a bit TOO weird for me!

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  3. Excellent review - I'll definitely pick this one up after I've finished reading The Wind-up Bird Chronicle. (Although I'm a little disappointed to hear that there aren't any talking cats or spaghetti in this one!)

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    1. I know! Not a whole lot of references to ears either. Disappointing!

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  4. I haven't read this book yet, but I have to agree that I was also not really impressed by the title, which is why I never bothered to pick it up for a read. :/ But I might do so now! ^_^
    www.amiciarai.com

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    1. Definitely do so! Have you read Murakami before? He's amazing!

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  5. I reckon Sputnik Sweetheart is the best book to begin with for Murakami. Mine was Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, so quite the commitment haha!

    I never thought about the female character in that way but you're right. I love that!

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