Even though I only had to read one book for the Japanese Reading Challenge hosted by Dolce Bellezza, I almost thought I wasn’t going to make it. But, I read my one book and now I get to tell you a bit about it.
After The Quake by Haruki Murakami is a collection of stories which feature in one way or another the Kobe Earthquake that struck Japan in 1995. I guess feature is not really the right word as in some of the stories it seems like it is just talked about in passing but I think it speaks about the lingering effects that major events have in the lives of ordinary people.
Sometimes these events leave us sad, confused, angry or just reaching and grasping at something. We can’t put our fingers on it but I think it’s just a way to try to make sense of what has happened. I think this is particularly evident in the first story in the collection, which is one of my favorites, UFO In Kushiro. The main character, an electronics salesman, is surprised when his wife leaves him suddenly. They hadn’t had any problems that he knew of but one day after she had been watching non-stop coverage of the Kobe Earthquake, she packed her bags and left.
“Five straight days she spent in front of the television, staring at crumbled banks and hospitals, whole blocks of stores in flames, severed rail lines and expressways. She never said a word.”
How many times have you been rooted in front of the news not believing what you are seeing and hearing and yet you can’t turn away? It happens to all of us and we can relate. Can’t you just see the woman on the couch staring at the television? I understand how sometimes after such shocking events you have to look at your life and make a change.
The other story I quite liked was the one of Super-Frog Saves Tokyo. Yes, there is a superhero frog and it sounds totally unbelievable but again I think it shows how we like to believe in good over evil and saving the day.
I’ve really enjoyed a couple of other Murakami novels and I had high hopes for this one but in the end it is not a favorite. Some of the stories felt incomplete to me but more than anything I think in this case it was certainly a timing issue as the Haiti Earthquake is still very much in the news and it’s just heartbreaking to read the stories.
I’ll definitely try another Haruki Murakami book but I may stick with his novels. For now, I just want to say a big thank you to Dolce Bellezza for hosting this wonderful challenge for the third year. Can’t wait until the next round.
I know, I started Blind Willow Sleeping Woman on audio and I crashed and burned. I did, however, like his memoir What I Talk About When I Talk About Running. I’ve got two of his novels on my shelves that I will read eventually. There is so much love flying around for this author, I know I need to give it another shot!
I didn’t realize this author had written so many books! I can see how this one would be a difficult read right now, with the situation in Haiti. I have a couple of novels by the author that I hope to read. Perhaps even one this year. 🙂 Thank you for your great review, Iliana.
I have this in my pile, and one day, I will sit and read nothing but Murakmi until my eyes grow dim. I love his work so much; there’s no author who quite compares. For me, short stories are harder than novels because there’s not enough time to get involved before they’re over. I know that I’ve enjoyed Kafka on The Shore, and Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, much more than Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman (his other collection of short stories). Thanks for participating in the challenge, Iliana!
I can see why you might want to have set this one aside after what just happened in Haiti! I’ve yet to read H Murakami, but I would love to give him a try.
Congratulations of completing your challenge. As I’ve said before, I’m not a fan of short stories, but I now so many people do. I wish I could get into them. I think I have an aversion that resulted from my high school English classes. LOL
I stopped watching TV a long time ago, but I remember and can relate to those times when I did plant myself in front of the TV for hours mesmerized by the tragic events unfolding. I’m more selective with my internet viewing.
I got hooked on Murakami after reading this particular set of short stories. I personally think his short stories are much better than his loooong novels.
Greetings! I am new to your blog. 🙂
Congratulations on finishing the JLC-3 challenge. I enjoyed reading your post, and want to read a work by this author (I read a short story by him very recently!). Thanks for your review.
Murakami likes to alternate between short stories and novels. I happen to like both, but I can understand your feelings of incompleteness. You want more, you want a novel. And, some of those stories could become novels.
SuperFrog is the best.It was my favorite.
Sandy – Definitely give his novels a shot. I would highly recommend Sputnik Sweetheart or Norwegian Wood. Those are fabulous. I will read more by him that’s for sure but I’ll stick to the novels I think!
Literary Feline – He does have a lot doesn’t he? I hope you get to try out one of his books this year! Really good stuff. I guess I would give his short stories another try but I’ll be looking forward to his novels really.
Bellezza – Ha,ha.. His writing is beautiful isn’t it? I think that’s the problem I have with short stories – almost like a what happened next? Usually they leave me wanting more! Thanks again for hosting the challenge!
Danielle – That was pretty rough because of course any time earthquake was mentioned I was just thinking of what is currently happening. So sad.
Wisteria – Oh my goodness, I think that’s why I don’t like them as much either. High school memories! I’ve been more open to them in the past couple of years though and have been pleasantly surprised. I’ll probably always reach for a novel first but I’m glad I’m giving them a chance!
aloi – Which ones did you read? He’s great so I will give them another chance. Maybe these also really suffered from a timing point of view for me.
Susan – Hi! Glad to meet you 🙂 I do recommend Murakami a lot just would probably try a novel first!
Isabel – Exactly! Especially the first story which I really liked I kept thinking he could have stretched that out into a longer piece. And, SuperFrog was the best wasn’t it? So crazy but good!
This was my first ever experience with Murakami and it must have hit me at the right time because I really enjoyed this collection. I thought the last 3 stories were better than the first 3 though, and Super Frog was by far my favorite. The Blind Willow collection had some nice stories in it, but I enjoyed this collection more. I need to get to some more of his novels. The only one I have read, After Dark, was one I had a really good experience with.
Congrats on finishing the challenge, Iliana! That reminds me I need to do my wrap-up post too! 😀
I haven’t read this book but I know I’ll get to it at some point. Murakami is one talented author.
Superfrog away! If Superman’s pet dog can get its own cartoon show, why not?