A great analysis for Murakami super fans!

Haruki Murakami is a renowned Japanese author with a unique writing style that has captivated readers worldwide. His works are filled with奇幻元素、深刻的情感 and thought-provoking themes.

One of the remarkable aspects of Murakami's writing is his ability to create vivid and detailed worlds. Whether it's a mysterious city or a quiet countryside, he brings the settings to life with his descriptive language.

His characters are also complex and multi-dimensional. They often struggle with identity, love, and loss, making them relatable to readers on a deep level.

In addition, Murakami's use of symbolism and allegory adds another layer of depth to his stories. These elements allow readers to interpret the meaning in their own way, making each reading experience unique.

Overall, Murakami's works are a treasure trove for super fans. His writing invites us to explore the unknown, question our beliefs, and experience a range of emotions.

An essay (very well done) on the work of Haruki Murakami. His style has marked a significant change in Japanese literature, not only within his country but also in how it is perceived by the rest of the world.

It also mentions the influence that his work has had on music, and how music, in turn, has influenced his life and works.

However, given the title, one might have expected a bit more on this particular aspect. Instead, it was only touched upon briefly.

Perhaps a more in-depth exploration of the relationship between Murakami's work and music could have been included. This could have provided a more comprehensive understanding of the complex and multi-faceted nature of his art.

Nevertheless, the essay does offer valuable insights into Murakami's literary contributions and his place in the global literary landscape.

Jay Rubin offers a comprehensive overview of Haruki Murakami's life and work.

Writing both literary criticism and biography can be a challenging task, as it is difficult to avoid making the book seem overly dry. However, Rubin has managed to keep this book engaging from start to finish, provided that you have an initial interest in Murakami's work.

Rubin presents Murakami's work in chronological order, describing not only what he wrote but also what was happening in Murakami's life during that time. He carefully details the evolution of Murakami's writing style, while also highlighting the major themes and symbols that recur throughout his works.

In the opening, Rubin confesses to being a devoted fan of Murakami's. Nevertheless, he does not simply heap praise on his work. Instead, he objectively points out the weaker aspects of Murakami's stories, even in some of his better-known and highly regarded works.

All in all, this is an interesting book that offers valuable insights into the life and work of Haruki Murakami.

Haruki Murakami is a beloved author with a large following. For his biggest fans, "Haruki Murakami and the Music of Words – Jay Rubin" is a must-read. This book, written by one of Murakami's translators, provides a structured overview of the author's career, from his beginnings to where he is today. It even recaps the content of each of his books up until 2012. However, to truly enjoy this book, it helps to have read all of Murakami's works. The plot of some of his novels is revealed, which could spoil the reading experience for those who haven't read them yet. Despite this, the book has many fascinating insights into Murakami's work and the translation process. It also helps readers understand the order in which to read his books and why they are written in a specific style. Overall, this book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in Haruki Murakami and his work.

This book is the ultimate bible for the biggest Haruki Murakami fans! It offers a wealth of information and is a great addition to any Murakami lover's library. If you’ve been longing for a new book touching upon Murakami’s world, this might be the right pick for your next read.

Haruki Murakami is, without a doubt, one of the most prominent modern Japanese novelists. His newest novels have an almost immediate impact, shooting straight to the top of the best-seller lists. He has an internationally devoted fan base that eagerly awaits every word he writes.

Given his wide appeal and extensive body of work, it can be a challenge to truly understand the real Murakami. Where should one begin? How can we understand his novels and the background that lies behind them? What is the context within which he writes?

Jay Rubin, unashamedly, is a fan. Not only is he a fan of Murakami, but he is also one of the three translators of Murakami's works into English. This gives him a unique and valuable insight into the mind and workings of this great author. Rubin takes a chronological approach, going through Murakami's entire œuvre and analyzing it in detail. He explains the context behind each piece, including where Murakami was in his life when he wrote it, the background events that influenced the work, and the reaction it received. In addition, he explores the central themes that are present throughout Murakami's works.

Rubin's work is not just an extended study of Murakami's writings, but also of his life. It provides a comprehensive authorial biography up until the publication of 1Q84. Rubin's love for Murakami is clearly evident in his writing, and reading his impressions and thoughts as a fellow fan allows me to gain a deeper appreciation of one of my favorite authors.

Overall, Rubin's work is a must-read for any Murakami fan who wants to gain a more in-depth understanding of the author and his works. It offers valuable insights and perspectives that can enhance our enjoyment and appreciation of Murakami's unique literary world.

For those who are fans of Haruki Murakami's novels, this book is an absolute must-read! Haruki Murakami is renowned for his unique writing style that combines elements of the supernatural, the psychological, and the ordinary in a way that is both captivating and thought-provoking. His novels often take readers on a journey through strange and wonderful worlds, filled with unforgettable characters and experiences.

This particular book, which I highly recommend, is no exception. It delves deep into the themes and motifs that are characteristic of Murakami's work, exploring the human condition, the power of dreams, and the mysteries of the subconscious. The story is engaging from start to finish, with a plot that twists and turns in unexpected ways, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

Whether you are a long-time fan of Murakami or new to his work, this book is sure to delight and inspire you. So don't hesitate - pick up a copy today and embark on a literary adventure like no other!

This book was not nearly as illuminating as I had hoped and/or anticipated.

However, it was interesting to learn how much poetic license Rubin takes in his translations to maintain Murakami's tone.

This really emphasizes that Rubin is an incredible writer in his own right.

One thing that seems curious to me is that Murakami has translated the works of so many American writers, such as Raymond Carver and John Irving, into Japanese.

So, why isn't he doing the English translations of his own books?

Does anyone have any comments?

Perhaps there are various reasons for this. Maybe Murakami feels that he wants to focus on his own writing and not be distracted by the translation process.

Or perhaps he believes that having a professional translator like Rubin can bring a different perspective and enhance the quality of the English translations.

It would be interesting to hear Murakami's thoughts on this matter.

I might have read this in Russian, and I don't know if much changes. I doubt I will ever have the ability to enjoy the original. However, his books are always magical. They have a certain charm that transcends language and translation. The stories he weaves are filled with vivid characters and imaginative worlds that draw the reader in and keep them engaged from beginning to end. Even though I may not be able to experience the full beauty of the original language, I still find great joy in reading his works in translation. Each time I pick up one of his books, I am transported to a different place and time, and I am able to lose myself in the story. His writing is truly a gift, and I feel fortunate to have discovered it.

A great overview of all the books the master has written is provided here.

It adds a layer of appreciation for those who desire a broader understanding of what Murakami's books are about in terms of their influences, themes, and style.

To fully appreciate this overview, it is recommended to read his books first.

Although this analysis leans more towards the popular side rather than the academic, it is by no means superficial.

It offers valuable insights into the various aspects of Murakami's works, allowing readers to gain a deeper appreciation for his unique literary contributions.

Whether you are a long-time fan of Murakami or new to his books, this overview can serve as a useful guide to enhance your reading experience.

It provides a comprehensive look at the different elements that make up his novels and short stories, highlighting the common threads and recurring themes that run throughout his body of work.

Overall, it is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the world of Murakami's literature.

This is an absolutely brilliant book. I managed to read it within a week, completely lapping up every single word. I have already read all of Murakami's works, so I was in search of something different.

I would say that if you find yourself in a similar situation, then I would highly recommend this book to you. However, you probably need to have read all of his works first. This is because this book is not a biography of the man himself, but rather a biography of his work. It is quite unique in that regard.

The author has done an excellent job of delving into the various aspects of Murakami's work, providing insights and analysis that are both thought-provoking and engaging.

Whether you are a die-hard fan of Murakami or simply someone who is interested in exploring his work further, this book is definitely worth a read. It offers a fresh perspective and a deeper understanding of one of the most important and influential writers of our time.

Coming from none other than his chief translator, Jay Rubin, this book offers a unique perspective on the works of Murakami.

Your enjoyment of this book will largely hinge on how much you enjoy Murakami's works himself. Rubin does an excellent job in both biography and analysis. He remains engaging throughout the text and is never afraid to be critical when he deems it necessary.

He keeps the focus strictly on Murakami, which provides a good sense of clarity. However, it does leave me with the desire that he had spent more time discussing his own translation work, especially regarding The Wind-up Bird Chronicle. Although he has expanded on this topic elsewhere in the past.

It should be noted that this review is based on the latest (as of 2012) edition, which is updated with a chapter on 1Q84. Since I have not yet read it, I stopped at this point. Fortunately, Mr. Rubin included a spoiler warning at the beginning of the section, which has elevated an already great book to five-star status for me.

Overall, this book is a must-read for any Murakami fan or anyone interested in the art of translation and literary analysis.

There are numerous excellent reviews for this book, so I don't have much to contribute in that regard.

However, I do want to single out one aspect of Rubin's narrative that, for me, was the most uproarious thing I've read all year.

It is widely known that Murakami is one of the most productive translators of English-language literature into Japanese. What isn't as well-known, or at least wasn't known to me, is that in Murakami's translations of Raymond Carver, he transforms Carver's infamous (grim, blunt, and depressing) narrative voice into a comical Murakami narrator, essentially altering the style and tone entirely.

Imagining Carver's stories in Murakami's voice is absolutely hilarious, and I truly wish I could read Japanese just to experience the absurd dissonance of this.

Rubin reports that these translations of Carver are very popular in Japan, which makes sense since he rewrites Carver's stories in his typical Murakami-esque simplistic, laid-back, and low-key style.

Perhaps Murakami managed, in a few instances, to have Carver's bitter characters listen to classical or jazz records while slowly preparing pasta.

This unique combination of Carver's gritty stories and Murakami's idiosyncratic style creates a reading experience that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.