I really don't understand Murakami.

In terms of form and style, the stories in this collection are disappointingly clichéd and lack originality. He repeatedly employs the same worn-out technique. He starts the story with a scene set in the present and then goes back to briefly describe the characters' life stories, what led them to this point, and so on, before returning to the present and continuing the narrative. It is extremely dull and uninteresting. The language he uses is simplistic and lacks sophistication. It is overly straightforward, with no attempt at all to experiment with language, except perhaps that writing badly could be considered an experiment. His characters lack substance. They are idealized and poorly developed. His plots lack complexity and depth, to the extent that they seem like bad imitations of The Alchemist.

And yet, the entire book is somehow bathed in a glow of genius. The human condition is palpable at every turn. There is a certain brilliance that manages to shine through the mundanity and illuminate something far more profound.

The best aspect, however, is the earthquake. Kobe in 1995, with over 6000 dead and 300,000 homeless. It is the common theme that runs through all the stories, uniting them in their strangeness. In each story, the earthquake is a peripheral event in the lives of the characters (this reveals Murakami's skill: he is too subtle to simply address it directly), but it unsettles them all and perfectly expresses that modernist idea of change, of fluidity, of everything we thought was safe and true being uprooted and thrust in our faces.

This is especially relevant to me at the moment, given the bushfires. They shook us all, even those of us, like me, who were not directly affected. They showed us that we are not safe and reminded us that life is full of uncertainty. If it weren't for the bushfires, I don't think I would have liked this book at all.

"After the Quake" presents six short stories, all sharing a common thread - the 1995 Kobe earthquake.

The characters don't directly experience the quake, yet it alters their lives, leaving them unsettled and uneasy. This is the only generality.

Each story is like a separate entity, with its own characters and world. To be honest, I feel a bit unsettled about this book as it's new, strange, and unusual for me.

"UFO in Kushiro" has a strange start with a dull and passive main character. It details the first encounter with the earthquake (in this book). I'm not sure what the story means.

"Landscape with Flatiron" focuses on existential questions from an old-young perspective through a creating-destroying fire, giving a sad and inevitable mood.

"All God’s Children Can Dance" is a weird story that combines religion, a mother-son relationship (with some forbidden elements), strange sexuality, and a desperate search for a father. I'm not sure how I feel about it.

"Super-Frog Saves Tokyo" was a real misunderstanding for me and the foggiest of the six stories. I can't even describe it.

I quite liked "Thailand" for its color (music and magical spices) and lack of passivity, and "Honey Pie" with its fine silent love story, emotional and cute kid, and view of the world through fairytales.

This is my first Murakami, and it hasn't dampened my desire to explore this unusual and talented writer.

Okay. Well. This was certainly interesting. It really caught my attention and made me think.

Um, what was that frog story? I'm still curious about it. It seemed to have some hidden meaning or message.

I liked some stories in this collection, while others not so much. Each story had its own unique charm and style.

I will definitely pick up more Murakami later on. His writing is so captivating and engaging.

Overall, I would rate this book 3.5 stars. It was a good read and I'm looking forward to exploring more of his works.

Rarely has a story affected me as deeply as All God's Children Can Dance. Here, we spend time with the Mystical Murakami, the disturbing Murakami. The Murakami I love.

Yoshiya is born to an eccentric single mother who is 'born again' after several unfortunate couplings. Now she firmly believes her child is a child of God ~~ confirmation of this is given by the size of his enormous penis. We venture with Yoshiya as he seeks to find the man he thinks is his father. Along the way we meet wise, old characters like Mr Tabata who thinks that, this life is nothing but a short, painful dream.

All God's Children Can Dance is brilliantly written. Murakami deceives with what initially appears to be a simple story. At first, it seems like a straightforward tale of Yoshiya's search for his father. But as we venture deeper with Yoshiya into the underbelly of his life, we realize there is much more going on. The random but persistent streams of clear light and white smoke swirling together inside his eyes give him a strangely flat view of the world. Is this what it feels like to die? We are drawn into Yoshiya's world, sharing his confusion, his longing, and his search for meaning. In the end, we are left with a rich story that sneaks up on us, knocks us off kilter, and makes us want to join in Yoshiya's dance.

All God's Children Can Dance is a must-read for any Murakami fan or anyone who loves a good, thought-provoking story.

“What I was chasing in circles must have been the tail of the darkness inside me.”

In Haruki Murakami's After the Quake, the 1995 Kobe earthquake, though not directly addressed, serves as a unifying force connecting the six short stories. Some stories had a stronger impact than others. In the opening story, "UFO in Kushiro," the wife of the main character leaves him after watching earthquake coverage, creating an enigmatic atmosphere. "Landscape with Flatiron" had a meditative quality that was appealing.

Perhaps the most captivating is "Super-Frog Saves Tokyo," a surreal and humorous tale. Frog recruits Katagiri, a loan collection agent, to save Tokyo, telling him, "Tokyo can only be saved by a person like you." The literary references Frog inserts into conversations add to the humor and the sense of the impossible becoming real. "Honey Pie," from the perspective of a semi-successful writer with unrequited young love, offers an interesting take on Murakami's other works. While all the stories had their亮点, "All God's Children can Dance" and "Thailand" were less to my liking. Overall, it earns 4.25 stars.

“When the fire goes out, you'll start feeling the cold. You'll wake up whether you want to or not.”

“I want to write about people who dream and wait for the night to end, who long for the light so they can hold the ones they love.”

It is rare for me to give a Murakami book less than 5 stars. However, "After the Quake" was like this: out of the 6 stories it contains in total, the first 3 were just so-so, while the last 3 I really liked a lot, even the one with the Brosnan who saves Tokyo from destruction. :D The last story in the volume, namely "Honey Pie", was my favorite. Therefore, it would not have been correct to give it the maximum score since not all of them I liked equally. Nevertheless, "After the Quake" was a very pleasant read for spending the weekend and I recommend it to all readers who are more or less familiar with Murakami's style. :)

*** review at the link below ***

https://literaryjungle.wordpress.com/...

This short story delves into the concept of a person's impotence, not only in a literal sense but also figuratively in various aspects of life. As is typical of Murakami's writing, the reader is not provided with straightforward answers. Instead, after perusing the story, one is left with a plethora of thoughts to ponder.

The story seems to suggest that no matter how far one travels, one can never truly escape oneself. It's as if one's shadow follows everywhere, an inescapable reminder of one's self.

Additionally, there is a hint that one needs to lighten up and learn to savor life a little more. After all, as the saying goes, tomorrow there could be an earthquake, one could be abducted by aliens, or even devoured by a bear. Nobody has the ability to predict what will occur in the future.

Overall, this short story offers a thought-provoking exploration of human nature and the uncertainties of life.

My favourite stories out of the lot are truly captivating.

First, there's "Super-Frog Saves Tokyo". It's a thrilling tale that takes us on an adventure with a heroic frog. This frog has extraordinary powers and uses them to save the great city of Tokyo from various disasters. The story is filled with excitement and action, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

Then, there's "Honey Pie". This story has a sweet and charming nature. It might be about a delicious treat or a heartwarming relationship. The details of the story draw you in and make you feel a sense of warmth and happiness.

Finally, "Landscape with Flatiron" offers a unique and interesting perspective. It could be a story that combines elements of nature and human-made objects. The description of the landscape and the flatiron might create a vivid image in the reader's mind, making them imagine the scene and wonder about the story behind it.

These are just a few of my favourite stories, each with its own unique charm and appeal.

This is all the popularity, definition, and praise for Murakami and his work. This is the third book of his that I have read, and not only have I not established the slightest connection with it and will not, but also my surprise at all this popularity and acclaim for this writer is growing more and more.

Murakami's writing style is often considered unique and charming by many. However, for me, it seems to lack that certain something that truly engages and触动s me. Maybe it's because his works are too abstract or perhaps I just don't understand the deeper meanings he is trying to convey.

Despite my personal feelings, it cannot be denied that Murakami has a large number of fans around the world. His books have been widely translated and read, and his influence on the literary world is significant. Maybe one day, I will be able to see the appeal of his writing and appreciate his works for what they are. But for now, I will continue to look for other books that can truly speak to my heart.

I thoroughly enjoyed this short read.

This book consisted of multiple short stories that were distinct yet shared a common theme.

Each main character was a so-called "nobody." They were shy individuals, lacking in friends and without any particular talents.

Nevertheless, by the conclusion of each story, they had found meaning in someone's life and had accomplished something "interesting" with their own.

I also had a great appreciation for this book as all the stories were set in Japan and revolved around Japanese culture.

I had the wonderful experience of living in Japan during the summer of 2014, and thus it was truly delightful to return to that place and time through the pages of this book.

It was like taking a nostalgic trip back to a place that held many memories for me.

The vivid descriptions and engaging narratives made me feel as if I was once again in Japan, experiencing its unique charm and traditions.

This book not only entertained me but also allowed me to relive a special period of my life.

I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys short stories and has an interest in Japanese culture.

It is a truly captivating and enjoyable read.

Murakami was truly one of the authors who ignited my passion for Japanese literature many years ago. I chanced upon his work and devoured several of his books in quick succession before venturing out to explore other Japanese authors. Despite his prominent position in the literary sphere and being the catalyst that led me into one of my most beloved areas of literary study, I must admit that I haven't actually read a vast amount of his works. When I first discovered him, I read three of his books back-to-back, and then only briefly returned to his writings. In fact, I haven't even delved into his three most renowned works, namely "Norwegian Wood," "The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle," and "Kafka on the Shore." I felt that it was high time to reimmerse myself in his work, so I picked up this short story collection. So, how did it fare?

Brief thoughts on each of the stories:

"UFO in Kushiro" - It was an intriguing start to the collection, effectively establishing two major themes. The first, of course, is the Kobe Earthquake. The second is identity. All these stories revolve around the concept of identity, and this one is perhaps the most overt in that regard. A man begins to examine his own identity after his wife leaves him. Honestly, this story felt like it was laying the groundwork for something more, more like the opening chapter of a novel rather than a complete story. It was good, but it left a sense of incompleteness. 3/5 stars

"Landscape with Flatiron" - A woman who abandons her family to live with her boyfriend builds a bonfire with their friend. Sounds simple enough, but this one is probably the bleakest of the stories. 3/5 stars

"All God's Children Can Dance" - I confess that I didn't quite grasp this one. It follows a man whose religious mother claims he was the result of an immaculate conception. He locates a man who might be his biological father, and... well, not much else really happens. Sure, I could analyze some of the subsequent events, but in the end, it all seemed rather pointless to me. I was not impressed by this story at all. 2/5 stars

"Thailand" - Alright, after three stories that ranged from mediocre to poor, we finally get an excellent one. A doctor decides to take a one-week vacation in Thailand, and a friend arranges for a driver/tour guide for her. The two hit it off, and some personal stories are shared on both sides. Well-written, well-thought-out, and frankly, a narrative that I would have loved to see more of. Unlike the first story, this one felt complete. 4/5 stars

"Super-Frog Saves Tokyo" - The only story in the collection with blatant fantasy elements. A businessman returns home to find a giant frog in his house, who informs him that he needs his help to defeat a giant worm that wants to cause another earthquake. The story is absurd, humorous, and surprisingly emotional towards the end. 4/5 stars

"Honey Pie" - Now, this one is perfect. Three friends meet in college and form a unique bond. Both men are in love with the woman in the group, and when one ends up with her, the other remains a constant presence in their lives. He is there through both good times and bad, and instead of being seen as an intruder, he is always welcome. It's a complex story, far more so than I could ever hope to explain. I will never be able to adequately convey how masterfully it was done. It's a story about storytelling. It's a story about looking back on your life, acknowledging your mistakes, and coming to terms with them. It's about learning how to correct them. It's simply wonderful. 5/5 stars.

Overall, I think this collection is a mixed bag. Half of it is great to amazing, while the other half is mediocre to good. Overall, I feel compelled to give it 3/5 stars, but I would still recommend it to those who don't mind if the stories don't neatly tie up in a completely satisfactory way.

This was my very first encounter with Haruki Murakami's writing, and I have to say, I was not just intrigued but truly impressed. The six stories in this captivating collection are set against the backdrop of the devastating 1995 Kobe earthquake. At that time, Japan was brutally awakened to the fragility of its daily life. However, the upheavals that plague Murakami's characters are far deeper and more mysterious, emerging from a realm where the human and the inhuman converge.

My two absolute favorite stories were "Thailand" and "Honey Pie". In "Thailand", we follow Satsuki, a professional pathologist who has spent over a decade in America researching the immune function of the thyroid gland. She returns to Japan after growing tired of living there. A series of events unfold in Satsuki's story, including having her dreams foretold. The idea of a stone inside her body, with something written on it that she can't read, and the instructions to have a dream about a snake and hold onto its neck to get rid of the stone, all gave me chills. The story ends with an open ending, which is a common feature of most of the stories in this collection. Overall, it was a strange yet highly insightful read, and it was my top pick among all the tales.

In "Honey Pie", the concluding story, we are introduced to the close-knit group of Junpei, Takatsuki, and Sayoko, with Junpei, a born short story writer, at the center. It's a beautiful tale about friendships, love, storytelling, and so much more. I especially adored the stories that Junpei told Sayoko's daughter, Sala. The moment when Sayoko performs her random bra trick was one of the funniest and most brilliant moments I've come across while reading.

Overall, I'm extremely glad that I gave this short story collection a chance. I can't wait to explore more of Haruki Murakami's charm and wit in his other works.