This thread discusses the Content article: Wind Up Bird Chronicle: Book Review

This definitely comes under one of my favourite books and authors!

An excellent book review Sons ! I wonder if the book was originally written in Japanese and then later translated into English ? I'm a little surprised that Japanese authors such as Haruki Murakami and Kazuo Ishiguro (The Remains of the Day) have found literary fame writing in a language foreign to their own. That is quite an achievement !

I wonder if subtle messages can be lost in translation.Obviously translation hasn't hurt sales for books like Davinci Code and the Harry Potter series, but I guess Wind Up Bird Chronicle is a different type of book which would carry more depth with references to different types of dreams and analysis of particular conflicts of World War 2. Again it was interesting to note in the English translation that a couple chapters have been left out. Wonder why that's done to perhaps cut down on pages? Better commercial success in English and American markets?

I discovered Marikami about a year ago from a film in the Sydney film festival that had been inspired by Dance, Dance, Dance.

I started with one of his best, Kafka by the Sea and have steadily been working my way through the collection.

I think my favourite so far would have to be Dance, Dance, Dance; the balance of surreal to reality is perfect. (http://colin.shakenmartini.net/blog/?p=371) .

I wondered about the translation as well, he does write some of his short stories in English (and maybe Can Elephants Fly?) but mostly they are translated by an English professor from Cambridge (from memory). It would be interesting to have a Japanese speaker read both versions and compare.

Along the same lines, does anyone read Haiku? I enjoy it, but most of it is translated of course, being poetry you would think it translates badly - particularly being that structured. When I asked a Japanese speaker in the past she said they actually pretty well. I guess, we'll just have to master Japanese to find out!

ciao Colin

If the author wrote it in Japanese and then it was translated into English, I wonder how much of the success of the book was due to the translator ? Obviously he/she must have done a great job with the translation.

I think I have to start reading Hurakami since both Sons and Colin are such big fans.

Haiku - I've never been big on poetry, a little too abstract for me.

Post edited by: Chris, at: 2007/08/28 04:55

Hey Colin,

I am currently reading Hokkaido Highway Blues and it there are a few Haiku most by the author who is not Japanese, so thus they are a little tongue in cheek but I would love to delve more into Haiku as those I have come across seem pretty deep and profound!