No heart is connected to another solely because of harmony.

It is a wound that deeply binds the hearts together. The connection is pain with pain, fragility with fragility.

Until the sound of lamentation becomes loud, silence has no meaning.

Some things in life are so complicated that they cannot be explained in any language.

We often find ourselves in situations where words fail to capture the essence of our experiences.

The emotions that well up within us, the struggles we face, and the relationships we form are all part of this complex tapestry of life.

Sometimes, it is through the shared experience of pain and suffering that we forge the strongest bonds with others.

These connections, although born out of hardship, have the power to heal and transform us.

So, let us not shy away from the difficult times, but rather embrace them as opportunities for growth and deeper connection.

Having read all of HM books that have been translated into Vietnamese and some of the English versions available on the New Yorker, I truly have a deep appreciation for this book. It is truly remarkable. I firmly believe that Jay Rubin has done an outstanding job. He has managed to provide us with an incredibly close and detailed look at HM's work. Not only that, but he also delves into HM's personal life, which adds an extra layer of depth and understanding. Through his writing, we are able to gain insights into the mind and experiences of HM, which is truly fascinating. The way Rubin presents the information is engaging and easy to follow, making it a pleasure to read. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone who is interested in HM's work or in learning more about the man behind the books.

This book is an essential read for all those Murakami fans out there who have a burning desire to learn more about this extremely private character. It offers a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the mind and world of Haruki Murakami, uncovering the hidden aspects of his life and work.

Moreover, it serves as a great reference for all of his published works. Whether you are a long-time admirer or a newcomer to his literature, this book provides valuable insights and analysis that will enhance your understanding and appreciation of his novels, short stories, and essays.

With its engaging writing style and in-depth research, it is sure to captivate readers and keep them turning the pages. So, if you are a Murakami enthusiast looking for a comprehensive and fascinating exploration of his life and works, this book is a must-have addition to your library.

|| Recommendation: Haruki Murakami and the Music of Words by Jay Rubin ||

Jay Rubin, a translator of Murakami's works into English, analyzes various works of Haruki Murakami for us readers (or rather, Murakami lovers). Truly a book for fans by a fan.

As a translator, he has a deeper understanding of Murakami, from the writing process to literary influences in the text. Something we would never know unless we learn Japanese. But it also has a lot to do with music, from classical, to jazz, to rock music, and how Murakami uses them in his stories and how important they are to his stories. Often, the selected music pieces convey an emotional reaction or serve as a metaphor. Rubin also writes about Murakami's love for music and how different musicians/songs influence his writing.

Anyway, it's a must for fans of Haruki Murakami who can't get enough or just want to know more. They are in good hands with Jay Rubin, because his passion for Murakami is on every page, in every chapter, throughout the whole book.

One should at least know a few of Murakami's works, or better yet, have read everything. This way, one can get the most out of the book for oneself.

Haruki Murakami is not only my favorite Japanese writer but also one of my most beloved contemporary authors.

Recently, I finally managed to read Jay Rubin's outstanding critical commentary on Murakami's work, titled "Haruki Murakami and the Music of Words." In this book, Rubin meticulously chronicles Murakami's career. He delves into Murakami's stories and novels, offers insights into his translations of various American writers, explores his life before and after becoming a writer, and even discusses the translation process itself.

I was quite surprised to discover that in some countries, Murakami's books were translated into another language using the English translation as the base, as was the case with the German version of "The Wind-up Bird Chronicle." Additionally, I recently learned that a colleague of mine at Toyo University (a different campus - Kawagoe), Matthew Stretcher, was part of a group of graduate students at the University of Washington (my alma mater) in the Japanese Literature Ph.D. program, which also included Jay Rubin and Philip Gabriel - Murakami's other main translator. Stretcher has also authored a critical study on Murakami, which I'm eager to read at some point.

It was fascinating to learn that Murakami visited the UW in 1992 when I was a student there and had yet to read his work. There's a description in the book where he talks about being approached by a couple of reverent Japanese college girls while having beers with the grad students at the Big Time Brewery on the Ave, not far from where I lived during my college years.

Overall, this book provides an informative, illuminating, and thoughtful look at both Murakami the man and his remarkable body of work.

Animals have a certain allure for Murakami. What fascinates him is what they have in common with the unconscious life of the human mind. They are alive, yet lack rational thought. They seem to be in touch with mysterious forces, but are unable to communicate those experiences. This unique aspect of animals intrigues Murakami and likely influences his writing.

As Murakami shared with an interviewer after the novel received the Tanizaki Prize, there is truly nothing that he takes greater pleasure in than the process of describing with ever finer precision the details of a thing that does not exist. This shows his dedication to creating vivid and imaginative worlds through his words. He has a passion for bringing to life the intangible and making it seem real to his readers.

A comprehensive and engaging guide to the fiction of Murakami is presented here.

It is beneficial that Jay Rubin is a close associate and, as I believe, a friend of the reclusive author. There are fascinating anecdotes within these pages that are impossible to locate elsewhere, not even on the internet.

The book is not precisely a biography. Instead, it traces the evolution of the writer, the elements that inspire him, and the act of writing itself.

Commentaries on the novels and short stories are interspersed with interesting biographical sketches, which make for a delightful read. However, it is the sort of book that can only be fully appreciated by fans, as it is written by a self-proclaimed fan for other fans.

After missing out on the Nobel Prize to Mo Yan last year, the book does not assert that Murakami is a great writer. Instead, it closely examines how his writing manipulates the reader's mind and how the images and characters from his stories find a peaceful abode in the deepest recesses of the reader's subconscious.

The fact that he can skillfully execute curious and seemingly impossible plots with elegance is truly a wonder, and one does not have to have unwavering belief in the power of literature to enjoy them.

Overall, this guide offers a unique and in-depth exploration of Murakami's fictional world.

In this book, the Japanese literature professor at Harvard University, Jay Rubin, undertakes an analysis of Haruki Murakami's novels and short stories, mentioning important and unknown aspects of Murakami's personal and general life, as well as the moments that accompanied the writing of some of his most famous novels and short stories.

There is no doubt that Jay Rubin's continuous translation of some of Murakami's works has given him the ability to provide a profound understanding of what Murakami writes. The book is extremely enjoyable and practical. In fact, it is a deep journey (Rubin's style is influenced by Murakami himself) into the world of Murakami rather than being a dry academic study.

Jay Rubin's work not only offers valuable insights into Murakami's literary works but also provides a fascinating look into the author's life and creative process. By exploring the connections between Murakami's personal experiences and his writing, Rubin helps readers to better appreciate the depth and complexity of Murakami's fictional worlds.

Overall, this book is a must-read for fans of Murakami's work and anyone interested in the intersection of literature and life. It offers a unique perspective on one of the most influential contemporary writers and is sure to leave readers with a newfound appreciation for his work.

A love letter to the works of Haruki Murakami penned by one of his frequent translators, this piece offers an in-depth exploration. It delves into the music that served as inspiration for Murakami and the numerous references to music within his literary creations.

The level of detail is truly remarkable. However, if one has no interest in music theory, music itself, or Haruki Murakami's books, this extensive examination can seem like a rather long and perhaps overly intense dive. It might prove to be a bit much for the casual reader who is not particularly inclined towards these specific areas.

Nevertheless, for those who are passionate about Murakami's works and the role of music within them, this article provides a wealth of fascinating insights and connections. It allows readers to gain a deeper understanding of the creative process that lies behind Murakami's unique literary style.

If you're a HUGE Murakami fan, read this.

It contains fascinating stuff that will surely pique your interest.

However, be aware that there are tons of spoilers.

The details are so minute that it would likely bore or confuse a casual reader.

Murakami's works are known for their complexity and depth, and this piece delves into those aspects.

It explores the themes, characters, and plotlines in great detail.

For die-hard fans, it can be a treasure trove of information and analysis.

But for those who are not as familiar with Murakami's style and works, it might be a bit overwhelming.

Nonetheless, if you're willing to take the plunge and explore the nitty-gritty of Murakami's world, this article is definitely worth a read.

Just be prepared for the spoilers and the in-depth exploration of the minutiae.

I didn't have any knowledge about the speech that he held in Israel. However, I am truly glad that I know about it now.

It is quite remarkable to have this newfound information as it helps to present a more comprehensive and complete picture of Murakami's career.

Before, there might have been certain aspects or events that were overlooked or unknown, but now with this additional knowledge, we can better understand the various dimensions and influences that have shaped his professional journey.

It is always interesting to discover new details about an artist's life and work, as it enriches our appreciation and perception of their body of work.

In the case of Murakami, this speech in Israel could potentially be a significant moment that adds another layer of depth and complexity to his already fascinating career.

First of all, I must issue a warning to you.

This book is replete with spoilers. So, if you haven't perused all of Murakami's works, it would be advisable for you to steer clear of it.

Now, if you're like me and have indeed read all of Murakami's literary output, I surmise that you're a fan and渴望 to glean more knowledge about that enigmatic author. Then, without a doubt, this book is tailor-made for you.

Thanks to Jay Rubin, I have learned a plethora of things. His reminiscences of numerous Murakami interviews and conferences are extraordinarily fascinating. Moreover, his analysis of each book is highly perceptive, albeit rather one-sided.

I didn't concur with everything he expounded upon, yet I truly relished this reading experience.

Now, if you're not a fan and couldn't care less about spoilers, I opine that this book might hold some interest for you. It could potentially assist you in better comprehending why so many eccentric individuals are enamored with Murakami and might even cause you to develop a greater appreciation for his work.

P.S: I read the edition that encompasses all the books up until 1Q84.