Haruki Murakami
written by Stuart on March 22nd, 2006
I was never a great reader of books. I did read, but not often, and not with any great passion, sort of a last resort for when I had no net access or wet paint. That was until I stumbled upon an author called Haruki Murakami, having not long returned from Japan in 2002, I was browsing Waterstones bargain bin where I found a copy of 'Norwegian Wood', a snip at a fiver. I bought it, and read most of it it on the way home from college. For the first time I had become engrossed in a novel. Quite what it was that I enjoyed so much I don't know, references to Japan maybe, being a Japanese student I'm duty bound to be a bit fanboy in at least one Japanese artform! [1]
No, it was the way Murakami created characters, tangible people who you become sure have existed. I was an immediate fan. I have since bought just about all of his works of fiction, and I have yet to be let down by his work. Most recently, 'Kafka on the Shore' is a particular favourite, in which Murakami combines the mundane and the surreal in a way only he can.
If you're looking for something to read, and you haven't got any Murakami on your bookshelf, I would suggest you get the two I mentioned here and 'Sputnik Sweetheart'. Those three are a little easier to read than some of his more abstract works, which may seem a little difficult to read without having read any of his stuff before.
For the record: I'm not a fanboy, however, a lot of my fellow Japanese students are, and people tend to assume that because I study Japanese I am a weirdo anime fan, or that I am overly keen on Japanese women.
- For the record: I'm not a fanboy, however, a lot of my fellow Japanese students are, and people tend to assume that because I study Japanese I am a weirdo anime fan, or that I am overly keen on Japanese women. [back]
Previous Posts / Archives
- 20 Mar 06 A touch of class on my desktop Listed in Mac and Sport with 4 comments.
- 10 Mar 06 Pull the trigger Listed in Mac and productivity with one comments.
- 25 Feb 06 The Kooks Listed in Music with no comments.
- 23 Feb 06 Getting smart with iTunes Listed in Music and Mac with 6 comments.
- 16 Feb 06 Hello Stuart, This is Maureen… Listed in Rant and Mac with 3 comments.
- 12 Feb 06 The Final Solution Listed in Music and Mac with no comments.
- 09 Feb 06 A quick Mac tip Listed in Mac with one comments.
- 09 Feb 06 I’m tired, no - really Listed in Me with no comments.
- 05 Feb 06 Wi Wi, Wi Wi, Widget Listed in Design and Mac and Downloads with 8 comments.
- 01 Feb 06 Kotoba - Finally! Listed in University and Japanese and Mac with 3 comments.
- View the full archives
and...
How about some photos, links or a feed
Welcome to 36 Degrees Design. This website is the personal portfolio and journal of Stuart Frisby, a web designer in Liverpool, England. I create websites using the latest in web standards, and can offer you a personal service, as well as over five years of professional experience in the web design industry.
I am currently studying at John Moores University in Liverpool for a degree in International Business Studies & Japanese. I sing, play the guitar (poorly), I am a Coventry City fan, and despite that, I enjoy football, and most other sports from the comfort of an armchair.
My favourite band are Radiohead, my favourite author is H. Murakami, my favourite film is Fargo and my favourite colour is, well, blue, actually.
There is a chance that you don’t want a website at all, and that being the case, you may like to take a browse through my blog, or delve into the music section where you can download some of my material. feel free to have a good nose, and do give me a shout via the contact section if you have something on your mind.