Ch. 1 - Six fingers and four breasts

[ariza]

Just finished reading this chapter. It has the same feel about it like "Sophie's Choice" with the first person narrator.

I also like the way the urban figures in this chapter: the references it makes to a world where space is at a premium to telephonic sex. It is also a world whose culture is not strictly historical - I mean, here you have a Japanese man cooking spaghetti while listening to western music and it isnt as simple as that - is it? - there is also the question of tone, of style that makes it, perhaps more accessible. But I dont want to get ahead of myself. Lets read it further.

[Theomanic]

Hah - interesting! Right now I am about half way through reading "Sophie's Choice". I can see what you mean, though I'd not noticed it myself. Something about the first person perspective, though there is still an invisible distance between the reader and the narrator. I think of Kafka and his tendency to alienate his reader but I don't think that is exactly the same thing.

[Suzanne]

Hello Theomanic:

Wow, you have done a great job posting the chapters in "Wind Up"! Thank you Theo for being the discussion leader!

Off topic, but;
I wanted to ask you something, I know I said that I have never read anything by Murakami, but now I'm not so sure. I read a novel not too long ago by a Japanese author about Hiroshima and the bombing. This novel was so well written, that when the bomb hit, the author discribed it in an almost poetic way. I remember reading those passages about the bombing more than once, more than twice, it was so subtle. Does this sound familiar to you at all? Has Murakami written a novel about Hiroshima? After reading a good portion of "Wind Up", this novel reminds me of his style of writing.

Boy, I need to organize my books. The stacking of books all over my house method is not working. I cannot find the book I am asking you about, although I know I own it.

[giselle]

I see quite few posts on this book discussion, I'd like to join but unfortunately my book still has not arrived from Amazon (tapping fingers). So maybe I'll "join" in July if folks are still around.

[Theomanic]

I'm sure we'll all still be here Giselle, no worries! I look forward to hearing another perspective on this novel.

[WildCityWoman]

I'm actually listening to this novel by way of an audio downloaded from the library.

It's delightful; I wasn't sure where I was at first - thought I might have started in the wrong spot, but it makes perfect sense now.

I'm looking forward to listening to some more tomorrow night.

Once I've digested the whole chapter, I'll involve myself in the discussion here.

[Theomanic]

It should start with Toru making some spaghetti and then receiving a phone call.

Looking forward to hearing your impressions of the novel!

[WhimsicalWonder]

My small town library didn't have this one. I put in a request to have it sent from another library, and have yet to hear back about it. In the meantime, I'm having difficulty keeping up with all the books I've started. I seriously annoy myself sometimes.

[Theomanic]

Well, even if you get it after the discussion officially "closes" we'll still be around to talk about it. At least I will!

[WildCityWoman]

Yes - that's exactly where it started, with him making the spaghetti and getting the phone call.