Series: The Rat Chronicles #1
Genres: Fiction
As Hear the Wind Sing is the first book published by Haruki Murakami, it’s also my first read of his works. It’s a short one day read, light and very easy language. It’s not the language which inspired me when I read this book, it’s the simplicity which Murakami uses in his writing. Not at all complex. A serious stress reliever and philosophical.
Hear the Wind Sing has a nameless narrator, quirky realistic characters, off-the-wall dialogue, lots of beer and cigarettes, some music and some literature. His characters are the last people one would expect to break into an emotional monologue. And yet Murakami brings out the sense of sadness and loneliness that lurks beneath the nonchalant exterior very well. Where this sadness emanates from, they know not. Just like us, sometimes we are sad without a reason and in that situation we do try to find a reason like a lost wanderer. Basically, this novel as a whole is a story without the plot, where the timeline is moving in non-linear sense and the narrator is talking to readers in any way he wants to. Sometimes he talks about writing and the problem of writing, or about his fascination to Derek Hartfield (a fictional author that Murakami creates), or about the girl with one finger missing, or his good friend the Rat, son of a wealthy family, adrift in the confusing sea of late-60’s and early 70’s Japan.
When I read it, I felt that I am observing some real human beings as puppets in front of my eyes through his words. The way he describes little and ordinary things is the best thing about his writing which I like. There was an instance where he described summer rain and I could really visualize and feel along with the text because of its simplicity. As I said earlier, it’s entirely philosophical and best read in my opinion for the people who are in their early twenties. The text and some quotes left me thinking for hours. I am fascinated by how simple the book is with not much of the plot, and yet I like it. It’s certainly an artistic novel. Murakami has earned one more fan due to his writing. I cannot wait to read his other books in this series which is called The Rat Chronicles. There are four books in total, and this being the first.
3.5 out of 5!
It is sometimes the sweetest delight to find a book which is thought provoking, yet soft as silk in its flow. In love with the book already!
You must read this one. It’s short and surreal!! 🙂
I have heard a lot about Haruki Murakami . I was recommended Hard- Boiled wonderland and the end of the world by a friend. Have you read any other of his work?
I have read this and it’s sequel, Pinball, 1973. I still have to read other works written by Murakami. Have you read him?
No I haven’t read any of his work yet but hopefully in the next month or two i will be able too. I recently got Hard-boiled wonderland and the end of the world on my kindle so I should get around to it soon.
Surely. Do review it and I’d be glad to hear your POV about this author! 🙂
Nice Review. I recently read The Elephant Vanishes by Haruki and was impressed by simplicity of the characters. Looking forward to read more of his work.
Thanks 🙂 Yes, he keeps his writing surreal and simple and that’s what I like about reading him.
Nice review. But why did you give the book 3.5 out of 5 if you liked it so much? hahaa
Well, because of the non-linearity in the plot. Even though the words are soothing, a plot is the basic structure of any story!
Loved your review, I’m really curious to catch a look at this book. 🙂
Sure do 🙂
i read somebody said that this book is not good for starting on murakami’s writings, but for those who have read all of his others. i might agree on this, since this is the first novella that i had of him. thanks to u, aman, just because i saw ur review. 🙂
i found it quite hard to follow, though. i got a feel of a sad story, or stories lying in most of the words, but i still didnt get into this much clearer. But i will try again another Haruki Murakami’s book soon, so i can shake this shock out of my reading system, and eventually immersed myself into his works.
Thanks to you for reading the review 🙂
I appreciate you read the book. As I said in the review, the book has no linearity in the plot but the best thing was the simplicity. 🙂
I haven’t read this, I think the first Murakami I read was ‘Norwegian Wood’. Haven’t read the running one, have you? SD
No, me neither. I have read this one and it’s sequel, however, I will try more later this month 🙂 How’s Norwegian Wood?
Excellent, one of my favourites. SD
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