Hard-Boiled Wonderland etc / Haruki Murakami

Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World

by Haruki Murakami

(translated from Japanese by the author)

science fiction

written (in Japanese) 1985

read in July 2017

rated 7/10: well worth reading

There are two parallel stories in this book. A review on the back cover says that the book, "Combines a witty sci-fi pastiche and a dream-like Utopian fantasy..." Which goes to show how little that reviewer understood of the book.

This is science fiction. And the fantasy-like world is not Utopian. It may be a pastiche but I doubt it.

The author references lots of Western artists, authors and culture. A "pastiche"? An "imitation"? If it is an imitation, I'm not sure of the author or style being imitated. (Not that that means it is *not* a pastiche. I'm no style expert!)

What the book is, is clever, entertaining, complex, sometimes incomprehensible. Very Western -- with distinctly Japanese food and, occasionally, references. All influenced by the free-thinking leftovers of the hippy culture... as adopted by a stricter Japanese culture.

Or so it seems to me :-)

I enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the way in which the two stories built to the single plot. I was disappointed by the ending.

And then, on reflection, I could see no "better" ending. The logic of the plot allows for no better ending. The hero wishes for happiness for everyone... which limits his final choices.

Which pleases me :-) The ending *surprised* me but, on consideration, it is a good ending. Not perfect, just the best option for maximum happiness all round.

The style of the book is fun. (Perhaps it is a pastiche of a soft-hearted hard-boiled private eye?!) An interesting look at the (possible) underbelly of modern Japan! Characters who are -- counting only the goodies -- nice people.

An enjoyable book as a science fiction novel. With the added bonus of being an enjoyable book written by an author from a not-my-own cultural background.

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Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper
Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved
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​"Vegetarian": Old Indian word for "Bad hunter".

http://notdotdeaddotyet.blogspot.com.au/