If you’re interested in Murakami’s works, then this is a great starting point. It can be a bit challenging to fully understand how Murakami plays with words and which books to begin with. Essentially, it is a biography of him. And I’m sure most of us are more into his works rather than him as an author. In fact, he’s a quite peculiar person, and I’m definitely not a fan, but I absolutely love his writing style. This book helped me figure out which of his books I should start reading. It gave me an idea of what he symbolizes in his books, such as the black cat, the elephant, and the girl from Ipanema.

It is always important to remember that when reading books, we shouldn't expect the author to be coherent and have good morals. Reading is all about learning to accept (possibly without judgment, which is quite hard) many different visions and ways of thinking, which include perversions and bad things. Some authors, though, just make it difficult, I guess. But Murakami, as an author, is a bit less infuriating? Well, I mean, you could decide for yourself.

Him describing women in his books is a big no. I feel like he and Freud would make great friends. But on the other hand, the way he writes feels like describing a dream after waking up. You could read 100 pages with no plot, and then suddenly you’re traveling dimensions, killing cats, and there’s fish falling from the sky. I love the wisdom and philosophy his writings offer. It’s like you may not really remember what exactly happened in the story at all, but you still remember all those feelings and those “woah” moments when his lines touch your heart while you read. Always grab a pen while you read; you’ll love so many quotes. His writing is bound to be slow, disturbing, and weird, but sometimes they are great and speak to your soul. His writing style is so immersive that you end up not caring about the plot, no matter how surreal it becomes.

If you want an atmospheric and supernatural story type of vibes, then go grab his books, please.

This is a partial review of a book that I have been reading. In my exploration of Rubin's perspective on Murakami, I have skipped the sections related to Murakami works that I haven't read yet. However, having read about two-thirds of Murakami's works, I was able to gain a good understanding of Rubin's book.

Rubin does a great job of presenting the plots of Murakami's novels and short stories, discussing the important themes of each work, and highlighting the common elements between them. He also mentions how English language readers have been shortchanged in some translations. Additionally, Rubin provides some biographical information about Murakami's personal life and his relationship with the public and media.

Although I'm not well-versed in literary criticism, I found that Rubin's treatment of the symbolism and themes in Murakami's works was not as thorough as I had hoped. I was looking for more in-depth analysis of certain aspects, such as the significance of wells and the prevalence of suicides in his books.

From a "development of the writer" perspective, I wonder if there are distinct stages in Murakami's writing. I have noticed what seems to be different phases, such as a "psychological realism" phase, a "journeyman phase," and an "Oprah" phase. Rubin touches on some of these aspects, but not in as much detail as I would have liked.

Perhaps it is too early to view Murakami's work in a comprehensive manner, or maybe I haven't read the right critical works yet. Or perhaps Rubin simply wanted to keep his book accessible and within a reasonable page count.

For a more in-depth treatment of these topics, I suppose there are always critical journals and academic readings. Personally, I'm eagerly awaiting the Norton Critical Editions of Murakami's works, especially the ones I've read, so that I can soak up all the essays and discover the things I may have missed. I'm sure Rubin's work will be included there.

I hope this expanded review provides a more detailed look at my thoughts on Rubin's book and my ongoing exploration of Murakami's works.

This is an excellent book, suitable for every person who has already read a fair amount of Murakami's works. It also presents a problem to me because in German, I have almost read everything and now I definitely have a hunger for more!

The works of Murakami are known for their unique style and profound themes. They often take readers into a world that is both mysterious and full of imagination. This particular book is no exception. It continues to explore the various aspects of human nature, relationships, and the meaning of life.

For those who are already familiar with Murakami's writing, this book will be a delight. It offers new perspectives and interpretations, while still maintaining the familiar elements that make his works so beloved. However, for those who are new to his works, it may be a bit of a challenge to fully understand and appreciate the depth and complexity of the story.

Overall, this is a must-read book for all Murakami fans. It will surely satisfy your hunger for more of his unique brand of literature and leave you with a lot to think about.

Rubin is a highly experienced interpreter of Murakami's work. I came across this book after listening to an interview with him. In the interview, he came across as erudite and extremely interesting.

The book functions like a detailed explanation of each of Murakami's short stories and novels. It leans more towards being a scholarly work rather than an effort to create a biography. It can be a useful companion to have by your side as you conclude reading yet another seemingly incomprehensible tale. In fact, it is very helpful, and to be fair, Murakami's stories aren't always that hard to understand (although, admittedly, some are!).

For me, it serves as an invaluable source of information and background, making it a must-have for all Murakami fans. It provides insights and interpretations that enhance the reading experience and allow fans to delve deeper into the rich and complex world of Murakami's literature.

This is an amazing book dedicated to all those who love Murakami's works. It's not very new as it covers the period up to the Roman "Kafka on the Shore", which is only mentioned as a new work being created and very mysterious at the end of the book. It's a pity that because of this, we didn't get to know the author's opinion about Kafka and the even more distant 1Q84 novel.

Some might not like this kind of subjectivity, as J.Rubin himself is a great admirer and even a friend of Murakami, but for me personally, this is not a minus, as I can forgive a lot to this writer myself... ;)

Unfortunately, this book has not been published in Lithuanian yet. Let's hope that considering the huge number of Murakami admirers in Lithuania, we will still manage to get a Lithuanian translation version in the near future.

A great overview of Murakami's life pre-1Q84 is presented by Ray Rubin, one of his English translators and fans. This work offers some terrific insights into the processes of Murakami's writing. In particular, it delves into how he endeavors to create meaning from the unknown, merging the inner and outer worlds from the stance of his own metaphysical inquiry.

There is also excellent commentary on the significance of music in relation to his writing. Additionally, it explores his early fascination with American literature, which drove him in his early days to distance himself as far as possible from Japanese literature. Although now we know that he would later return to exploring his Japanese identity.

Some chapters are far more interesting and useful than others. In particular, the excerpts from his own writings and speeches are captivating. There is also motivation here for writers who wish to understand how disciplined and hardworking Murakami has always been in achieving his success as a writer. It was never a matter of luck. However, I don't believe the average fan will gain much from this. It is rather a book for those studying Murakami or curious about his life and interests.

It took me a bit more time to complete this book.

Admittedly, I skipped a small part as it was covering Murakami novels that I haven't read yet, and I prefer to read Murakami's own words first.

I have to state that although Jay Rubin can be a bit melodramatic at times, he does an outstanding job in summarizing, analyzing, and even defending Murakami's work in some aspects.

Alongside the analyses, he also offers a kind of biography of Murakami.

Any Murakami fan who is seeking information and interpretations of his work should look no further. Rubin's work here is the ideal introduction to Murakami criticism and a great tool for anyone desiring to understand him better.

It provides valuable insights and perspectives that can enhance one's appreciation and understanding of Murakami's literary world.

Whether you are a new reader or a long-time enthusiast, this book is definitely worth exploring.

This 2012 version surely doesn't have "Colorless" yet. The translation by Alfred Birnbaum that is praised: the sheep, he said it's jazzy. Matthew Stretcher, he makes people tired during the interview, so I want to read what his perspective is like. Kafka is the one who translated it, but he gave such a harsh review. I want to know what the original version of "Wind-up" is like.

It's a pity that there is no review about the book cover illustration.

This provides exactly what I wanted. It offers detailed information about Haruki Murakami and some valuable insights into what I consider to be his very personal books, up to and including "Kafka on the Shore".

The second reading was just as enjoyable. However, I was rather stunned to learn how a translator who had worked so closely with Murakami for ten years could be so harsh in his criticism of "Kafka on the Shore". One can't help but wonder how Rubin would have reviewed the far-less-fun or accomplished, in my humble opinion, more recent novel "Colourless Tsukuru & Pilgrimage".

It makes me think about the different perspectives that can exist when it comes to evaluating a work of literature. Maybe the translator's close association with Murakami gave him a unique vantage point, but it also seems a bit strange that he would be so critical of one of his most well-known works.

As for "Colourless Tsukuru & Pilgrimage", I'm curious to see if Rubin's review would have been more favorable or if he would have found fault with it as well. Only time will tell.

An interesting approach to biography indeed, as it mixes longer passages of the author's work with commentary.

However, I found myself a bit disappointed. I was anticipating more of an exploration of the music within the words and less emphasis on just the words themselves. After all, we can all simply read the text on the page. What I truly hoped for was that the author would assist in illuminating the musicality of the words, but unfortunately, this never occurred.

If the author's writing is supposed to be inspired by jazz, then I wonder where and when that inspiration truly shines through. Because as it stands, I didn't quite see it. A book that could effectively capture the essence of jazz-inspired writing and bring out the music in the words would be a fantastic one indeed.

It seems there is still room for improvement in this regard to truly make the reading experience more engaging and in line with the promised inspiration.

Haruki Murakami is a renowned Japanese author with a unique writing style. His earlier works often explore themes such as isolation, identity, and the search for meaning in a complex world. For example, in "Norwegian Wood," he delves into the emotional turmoil of young people. Murakami was born in Kyoto in 1949 and grew up in a literary environment. His biographical details provide valuable context for understanding his works. In interviews, he has shared his creative process and the inspiration behind his stories. Even though Rubin, a self-proclaimed fan, does not shy away from printing criticism of Murakami's fiction. This shows that Murakami's works are not without controversy. However, despite the criticism, his novels continue to be widely read and loved around the world.

Interesting, if not electrifying, biography of Murakami by one of his English translators. Rubin's discussion of the translation process itself was perhaps the most engaging and illuminating part. The English version of Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is abridged, which is quite a surprise. I also loved hearing that Murakami pays a lot of attention to the sound and the rhythm of the words when he writes. Hey, that's my technique too! Dude, Haruki and I are like that.

Seriously, though, while it's great to get some more extensive biographical information to put behind Murakami's amazing body of work, it's interesting to note that while Rubin does a good job of explaining who Murakami is in the most basic terms, there's really no way to break down how he does what he does. A gift like that is, I think, elusive and ineffable. Zaphod Murakami's just this guy, you know? And that's actually pretty awesome. He has this unique ability to create worlds and stories that captivate readers around the globe. His works are filled with strange and wonderful characters, and his writing style is truly one of a kind. It's no wonder he has such a huge following. This biography gives us a glimpse into the man behind the books, but there's still so much more to discover about Murakami and his creative process.