It takes a couple of pages to drag you in, but it's worth the wait...You meet very likeable 19 year old Mari...her new friends (to use a terribly insipid word that doesn't half-describe the intense bond that forms) Takahashi and Kaoru...and you get to hear some strange things...like the strange tale of Mari's gorgeous sister Eri. The strange goings-on in one of the infamous "love hotels" Japan has begun to be associated with...and Murakami brings in the Chinese mafia characters too.
But here's the thing - Murakami is tricky - there's no black and white, there's no definitely for sure. And he has this incredible knack of hinting at deep dark terrible things...scary things. Middle of the night things...And because darkness has such a tangible quality, all things are possible.
Not bad at all, for 201 pages in very readable font. And although it's taken 3 years to get the English version out, Murakami's style doesn't seem to lose out in translation. Although, of course, I'm sure, his writing has even more of an impact in the original Japanese.
And I have to say, they're not kidding with this title - I'd recommend you read this at night, ideally when you can't get to sleep because of all the strange, dark thoughts keeping you up. That'll really set the mood. I'm inclined to think this book won't work for you if you've never had those nights!
But that apart, here's a heads-up! Haruki Murakami is not for everyone. He's a bit of an acquired taste. Of course ever since his debut as a writer in the 80s, there's no dispute on the popularity of his books like Norwegian Wood and Kafka on the Shore (next on my reading list!)
And last year he came out with a collection of 25 short stories...Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman, that also hit the spot (at least in parts).
But back to After Dark -- definitely, definitely one for the collection. (And not just in a pseudo way!)
(Haruki Murakami's After Dark , published by Harvill Secker/Random House is available at all leading bookstores for Rs 515/-)About the AuthorAmrita Tripathi Amrita Tripathi is a news anchor with CNN-IBN, and also doubles up as Health and Books Editor. An MA in Philosophy from St Stephen's College, Delhi Un...Read Morefirst published:June 16, 2007, 22:14 ISTlast updated:June 16, 2007, 22:14 IST
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Japanese author Haruki Murakami's latest novel, After Dark, tracks its main characters from 11.56 pm one night to 6.52 am the next day... But of course it doesn't feel like just one night or just one story.
It takes a couple of pages to drag you in, but it's worth the wait...You meet very likeable 19 year old Mari...her new friends (to use a terribly insipid word that doesn't half-describe the intense bond that forms) Takahashi and Kaoru...and you get to hear some strange things...like the strange tale of Mari's gorgeous sister Eri. The strange goings-on in one of the infamous "love hotels" Japan has begun to be associated with...and Murakami brings in the Chinese mafia characters too.
But here's the thing - Murakami is tricky - there's no black and white, there's no definitely for sure. And he has this incredible knack of hinting at deep dark terrible things...scary things. Middle of the night things...And because darkness has such a tangible quality, all things are possible.
Not bad at all, for 201 pages in very readable font. And although it's taken 3 years to get the English version out, Murakami's style doesn't seem to lose out in translation. Although, of course, I'm sure, his writing has even more of an impact in the original Japanese.
And I have to say, they're not kidding with this title - I'd recommend you read this at night, ideally when you can't get to sleep because of all the strange, dark thoughts keeping you up. That'll really set the mood. I'm inclined to think this book won't work for you if you've never had those nights!
But that apart, here's a heads-up! Haruki Murakami is not for everyone. He's a bit of an acquired taste. Of course ever since his debut as a writer in the 80s, there's no dispute on the popularity of his books like Norwegian Wood and Kafka on the Shore (next on my reading list!)
And last year he came out with a collection of 25 short stories...Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman, that also hit the spot (at least in parts).
But back to After Dark -- definitely, definitely one for the collection. (And not just in a pseudo way!)
(Haruki Murakami's After Dark , published by Harvill Secker/Random House is available at all leading bookstores for Rs 515/-)
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