The Sheep Man arrives to the scene, what does this mean? Dance, dance, dance? Our hero, if we can call him like that, however seems to be finding his way. Is it all in his head? Is the writer playing with us? What could be the story behind the Dolphin Hotel?
I do really like the fantasy part, where surreal elements become a reality for our man. This part, where he follows his instincts and arrives to the Sheep Man makes me think of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" with the 3 spirits... was Murakami inspired by it? Maybe! He seems to have a lot of Western influence, all the music quoted is western, when they talk about food, mostly fast-food, pizzas... is Japan so westernized or it is his vision?
ReplyDeleteAbout the Sheep Man, I think that he is really trying to tell our man to live, live, live (where he goes dance, dance, dance) but in a cryptical way, we have to find the connections... I'm intrigued!
Is it all in his head? Then, how come the receptionist bumped into the old Dolphin Hotel? Is she unreal too? Reality and fantasy constantly clash and manage to confuse us. I am not sure anymore what’s real and what’s not anymore.
ReplyDeleteHow bizarre is to sit down to chat with a Sheep Man, a guy wearing a sheep mask? The description of the dark corridor, the smell, the darkness is so precise that I almost felt like I was there.
Yuki is an unexpected character. A 13 year old girl comes into play with a 34 year old man. It feels uneasy at times, but it is a surprisingly normal relationship, if there is anyone ‘normal’ in this book.
I like the continuous references to music. From what I read about Murakami, he is a music-lover, and that shows in his novels. I wonder if he is also a loner and socially unable person himself. Are the main characters a reflection of his personal experience? Yuki, the receptionist, our hero... they all seem to have problems socializing. Or at least, following everyone’s path. Did he like fast-food, pizza and Western music and the conservative Japanese society made him feel like an outsider? Too many questions.
Ahhh, I don't want to say anything else since I am almost done with the book and I mix up the chapters... I don't want to spoil anyone's read!!
Happy New Year 2013!
ReplyDeleteI have finished the book already and I have enjoyed it very much. But no worries, I am not spoiling anything in the next lines.
It is easy to read and the plot keeps you reading one page after the other, even if I feel the characters are close to schizophrenia and the situations are too unreal and crazy though still amazing. The story is told in a way that you do not get to realize the hard part of it.
I did not know the author and had not read anything from him before, but it is certainly worthy reading more of his books just because of his great imagination.
Greetings to all
Happy New Year dear cookies!
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what the Sheep Man is or means, but in any case, I don't find him that interesting at this point of the novel. I am more curious about the real characters and their relationships, like Yuki. Also, I like that we get to know more of Gotanda. I am not sure I get him or his role in the story, but I like him.
As Rocio and Arantxa mention, American popular culture is very present in the day to day life of the protagonist. That much that at times I have to remind myself he is in Japan and not in the US. I am trying to figure out wether that is the real feeling of life in Tokyo, if it is the author's feeling, or if it is just parody.
In any case, I am enjoying very much the book and the discovery of Murakami. As Marisa, this is the first time reading him and I am totally shocked and amazed by his imaginative style.