5 must-read books by celebrated author Haruki Murakami

 The Japanese author is known for his fictional realism intertwined with elements of mysticism. A perfect blend of simplistic dialogues and settings combined with philosophical musings makes a Murakami story appealing. His non-linear narrative and ability to attract a large audience have seen him reach the pinnacles of success as an author.

Haruki Murakami was born in Kyoto, Japan in 1949 and attended the Waseda University in Tokyo. Murakami opened a small jazz bar along with his wife post-college, running the place together for seven years. The Japanese author had his eureka moment in 1978 seated in the bleachers of the Jingu stadium while watching the Yakult Swallows vs Hiroshima Carp game. An American baseball player Dave Hilton came to bat, and in that instance, Murakami knew he could write a novel.

After that, he wrote his debut novel titled ‘Hear the Wind Sing’ for which he won the Gunzou Literature Prize for budding writers in 1979. That was the start of a stellar writing career putting him on the path to unprecedented success

1)      Kafka on the Shore

One of his most surreal novels, Kafka on the Shore perfectly embodies Murakami’s style of writing. Filled with philosophical musings and a protagonist who seems alienated from his surroundings, Kafka Tamura is a teenage boy who is in search of his long-lost mother and sister. We have Nakata who has the magical ability to speak to cats, helping owners find their lost feline friends in the process. Both these stories intertwine as the narrative goes forward coupled with an interesting modern-day reference to the Oedipus Rex.

 

2)      Norwegian wood

This book is referred to as the one that shot Murakami into the limelight, giving him international acclaim. While this story lacks the mystical elements synonymous with the Japanese, Norwegian Wood is a story of 37-year-old Tour Watanabe who reminisces about his first love Naoko, the girlfriend of his best friend Kizuki. The story is a heartfelt portrayal of grief caused by losing loved ones. In turns funny, sexy, entertaining but most important evocative of the fragility of life, this novel leaves a deep imprint on you.

 

3)      After Dark

A scintillating novel that chronicles the time between midnight and dawn exploring the nightlife of Tokyo to an extent. 19-year-old Mari is waiting at Deny’s at night when she meets a man who insists that he knows her older sister. This setting makes her traverse the city in a world suspended between fantasy and reality. It portrays the life of people from different walks of life including models, prostitutes, mobsters, and musicians as they collide together to create a gripping novel. The peculiar thing about this novel is that a clock depicting the time is shown before the start of every chapter.

 

4)      The wind-up bird chronicle

Set in the Tokyo suburbs, a young man Toru Okada is searching for his missing cat and soon finds himself searching for his wife. In this pursuit, he encounters people from different strata of life, consisting of a prostitute, a cheerful 16-year-old girl, an ageing veteran and a malevolent politician. His unique perspective and trademark comedic style cleverly integrate a detective story, showcase a disintegrating marriage and unearth some deep-hidden secrets related to World War II. Another masterpiece in simplistic yet evocative storytelling.

5)      Hard-boiled wonderland and the end of the world

Awarded the Tanizaki Prize in 1985, this novel is divided into two parts, alternating between different versions of the same narrator. The odd chapters are set in a futuristic Tokyo whereas the even chapters are set in a mysterious town at the end of the world. This inventive storyline provides the audience with a breath of fresh air with the even-numbered chapters being super mysterious as the narrator has lost all his memories.