As you probably gathered from my last book review, I'm a little bit obsessed with the Japanese author Haruki Murakami. It does not surprise me that Murakami has translated many of F. Scott Fitzgerald's works into Japanese; the latter's influence is evident throughout Murakami's work. For me, he is the Fitzgerald of our times...creating characters with incredibly complex issues, all with a beautifully poetic writing style. I'm delighted that two of my favourite authors are linked in this way!
Hajime, an only child who loves reading and listening to records, finds a soul mate at his high school in Shimamoto, an enigmatic girl- also an only child- with a bad leg. The two are inseparable, up until Hajime has to move to a different area. As the years pass by, Hajime becomes a husband, father and jazz bar owner, a man who could want for nothing- until Shimamoto, who has only got more beautiful over time, comes back into his life, shoruded with mystery, and awakens memories of their special connection.
Though Hajime is clearly a very flawed character, his self-awareness is endearing. Hajime seems truly sorry to hurt those around him, and leaves it until he is at breaking point himself in order to be selfish. I ended the novel as frustrated as Hajime by Shimamoto, and still not knowing who she really was- or IF she really existed. I'm a romantic optimist at the best of times, but they way Hajime describes his feelings for Shimamoto makes you believe that they are truly destined to be together- life will just not let them. Forever thwarting cliches of 'perfect' love, Murakami certainly proves that love stories do not have to be cheesy, or need a 'happy ending' to have been a fulfilling experience- for the lovers, or for the reader.
Knowing that Murakami also owned a jazz bar makes me wonder what other similarities there may be between suthor and protagonist. From the small snippets I've read, Murakami seems to be a mixture of Hajime and Shimamoto- combining the needs to tell a story whilst remaining mysterious. Even if you are not as obsessed with language as I am, everybody can find a part of this novel clever, poignant, stunning- and unlike anything they will have read before. How to define what is good writing is always controversial, but in my opinion, it is when a writer can make you look at the world a little differently...something that Murakami certainly absolutely achieves with his amazing descriptions and incredible emotional insight. Am reading Norwegian Wood right now...can't seem to get enough of Murakami at the moment!...
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