Recent readings - Then We Came to the End

Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris (2007) The office is often an inspiration for literature and movies. This novel is about a Chicago advertising company that is downsizing and the lives of each employees and work anecdotes. What makes this story interesting is how the author catches our attention with funny as well as sad stories about each characters. The totem incident is just one example of an absurdly funny sub plot that is to be found in this book. Interestingly enough, even the sad parts (ovarian cancer) can also be funny at times and simply humane as well. Anybody who has worked, or is working in an office can relate to many incidents and anecdotes in this book. The way it's written is also inclusive (use of "we") and we're drawn more easily in the story. I will stay tuned for more work from this author.

Recent readings - Curious Incident, Beat the Reaper

Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon (2003) We follow Christopher a seemingly 15 year-old autistic boy (it's never actually mentioned in the novel if he's autistic or not). He discovers the dead body of a dog and he wants to investigate how this happened. His parents are divorced and he's a maths genius. The story in itself is not that fascinating; it's how this boy handles and lives through it that is genius. The story is pretty much told through his point of view and it makes us see the world differently in ways we are not accustomed to.

Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell (2009) Randomly bought at Kyobo bookstore in Seoul and read it in 2 days! Fast-paced, vulgar, filled with crazy situations and unforgettable quotes. It's basically about Peter Brown, a doctor and ex-mafia hitman. He's telling us in flashbacks about his past life while in the present he's working on 48 hours shift as a doctor (on drugs to stay awake!). It's like reading a Tarantino script. Apparently if you like the tv show House you would love this book - but I haven't seen this show so I'm just quoting critics for this one! Quotes that I have to share: 1) p.110: Calling a tongue piercing "cosmetic" is a bit of a stretch, since you don't get one because it makes you look better. You get one because you're so desperate for affection that you're willing to gruesomely harm yourself to advertise how well you suck dick. 2)p.189: [During a hitman mission with a first-timer] [...] I started to feel a bit embarrassed. Like I had some office job that sounded glamorous but really wasn't, and now my kid had come to visit and I had to show him how Daddy waits all day and night in the mud and then sneaks into people's houses to shoot them in the head.

Recent readings - Haruki Murakami

Haruki Murakami - what a discovery! He was probably read a lot in Asia and before coming here I had no idea who this man was. I've read two novels recently and both were page turners. His descriptions of things are so vivid, there's suspense, sex, science-fiction, sheep men, Johnny Walker and so much more weird yet interesting elements. Also very interesting is how he always mentions music in his books; if you're familiar with the songs (classical or pop) it adds an element to the reading. There is symbolism to be found that is for once not annoying to me. It's pop literature at its best - and you don't need to be Japanese to appreciate it either!

	Kafka on the Shore (2002) Kafka, 15 years old, leaves his father's place to find his mother and sister. Nakata, whom we follow in the even chapters, is an old man that talks to cats and sets himself a mission to find lost cats. Both souls will somehow connect / converge as the novel progresses and we are not sure if any of it is real. Surprisingly enough, it's those moments of unreality that makes the novel so interesting. We are constantly wondering what the message is (if any!) while being entertained.
	Dance Dance Dance (1988) A commercial writer, a sheep man, a one-armed poet, a thirteen year old girl with the gift of clairvoyance, lots of sex and murder as well! Really a novel about alienation, finding love and human connection. Enjoyed it and I felt that Murakami had fun writing it too!
	Norwegian Wood (1987) Toru Watanabe hears the song Norwegian Wood (Beatles song by the way) and reminisce about the 60s and his university days. He befriended two girls, both very different from each other. One, Naoko, ends up in a sanatorium following the suicide of one of their close friend, while the other, Midori, is this girl that has no inhibitions whatsoever! A novel about finding love and the meaning of it, about alienation and sticking to your principles. There are many references to music and literature in this novel. I often felt the need to either find the song and listen to it (and believe me there are many) and also learn about some books that I've never read (like The Great Gatsby).