12/01/23
This was a re-read for me and everything else apart, the main thing why I come back to Murakami over and over again is that certain feeling that you get from his work. It's the same one I often feel in life as well, but it's hard to name it or even catch it sometimes. But it's always there waiting in his books and even if they have issues or are (like here) less good than some others of his, or the story is not the strongest or not there at all, and some themes are constantly repeating themselves... It's like I can't be disappointed, because that feeling is always there and for me that is the strongest thing about his novels and the one I care about the most. I would compare it to a comfortable nihilism - not much happens or not much matters, things are strange and life is nostalgic, and it goes on, so the only thing you can do is enjoy your spaghetti or your jazz record to the fullest.
I had read quite a few of Murakami's books before reading his first ones and I remember thinking that even though it’s still him and the books have the same feel, they are a little "less" than the others. Which makes sense, as he was just starting his career. I had similar feelings now, but I actually may have enjoyed it better the second time around since I knew already what to expect - or better to say: not to expect - and was just vibing on my train ride. And his books always are a vibe. They leave me feeling nostalgic, sitting in the kitchen, drinking coke and pondering life.
Hear the Wind Sing is a short one and the story is kind of missing, but it's also a nice (and literal) introduction to his writing. It shows the base of how most of his books are, so it's not the worst to start at when you want to read him, but don't expect anything that will blow you away. Maybe just open some cold beer, don't think about it too much and enjoy the feeling.
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