JoV's Book Pyramid
Japan
Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka
I was intrigued by the book first by its cover and then the title. When I have the book in my hand I was surprised how thin the book was. Only 129 pages. “That night our new husbands took us quickly. They took us calmly. They took us gently, but firmly, and without saying a … Continue reading
Villain by Shūichi Yoshida
I saw the book Villain in the new 2011 paperback edition in my library and I decided to pick it up. I knew it is a crime fiction but I don’t quite what is all about. The blurb says: A young woman is brutally murdered on a remote mountain road. A young construction worker, Yuichi, is … Continue reading
Dance, Dance, Dance like your life depends on it
It is difficult to write about a book you have finished awhile ago and it is even hard to write a review about Murakami’s books without sounding like a sycophant or Murakami Groupie that goes on and on to say how fantastic his books are… but the truth is : I love this one!!!! 😀 … Continue reading
Underground: The Tokyo Gas Attack and the Japanese Psyche
Long before the Tsunami and Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear disaster happened this year, the year 1995 recorded twin disasters of the Kobe Earthquake and the Underground gas attack in Japan. Underground (アンダーグラウンド Andāguraundo?, 1997–1998) is a book by Haruki Murakami about the 1995 Aum Shinrikyo sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway. It is a collection … Continue reading
Confessions of a Mask by Yukio Mishima
Compared to the many books I have read, I count this one as one of my bold ones. Confessions of a Mask (仮面の告白 Kamen no Kokuhaku) is Yukio Mishima’s first novel. Reading my past posts, you may have sussed out my fascination for Mishima. This book published in 1948, catapulted him to national fame when he was only in … Continue reading
What I talk about when I talk about running
Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. So said Haruki Murakami’s mantra for running. I hate monotonous sport. Running is one. I like my sport to be mind stimulating. I can’t run 200m without giving up because I grew up with a bad lung but I admire people who could run for miles and miles. I, … Continue reading
Japanese Literature Challenge 5
For the second year in a row I’m participating in the popular Japanese Literature Challenge. Running in its 5th year and hosted by lovely Dolce Bellezza, every year promises an eye-opening experience for me. It could be reading about works of a new Japanese author or reading from the authors whom I dearly love. These are … Continue reading
Snow Country by Yasunari Kawabata
Shimamura is tired of the bustling city. he takes the train through the snow to the mountains of the west coast of Japan to meet with a geisha he believes he loves. Beautiful and innocent, Komako is tightly bound by the rules of a rural geisha and lives a life of servitude and seclusion that … Continue reading
Japanese Literature Challenge 4 – Wrap up post
Japanese Literature Challenge 4 The Japanese Literature Challenge is in its 4th year, between June 1, 2010 and January 30, 2011 and hosted by lovely Dolce Bellezza. Hotel Iris, Yoko Ogawa Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami After Dark, Haruki Murakami Changeling by Kenzaburo Oe After the Banquet by Yukio Mishima The Sailor Who Fell From Grace with … Continue reading
Quicksand by Jun’ichirō Tanizaki
End of this month Dolce Bellezza’s Japanese Literature Challenge 4 will end. Tanabata is doing a Hello Japan! Mini-Challenge – trying something new about Japan for the start of the new year. Between Quicksand by Junichiro Tanizaki and Norwegian Wood by Murakami, I have chosen the former and was racing against time to get this … Continue reading
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Reading, after a certain age, diverts the mind too much from its creative pursuits. Any man who reads too much and uses his own brain too little falls into lazy habits of thinking. - Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)
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