This novel is pretty amazing. I almost don't know where to start in reviewing it. I guess the purpose of my reviews is twofold - 1) makes me think about why I enjoy a book or not (kind of like my very own book club of one person) and 2) so that others might pick up a book they might otherwise not have and enjoy it similarly.
So this one, in terms of objective number two above - is a definite RECOMMEND from me! Once again, if you think you might have similar tastes in novels/literature as myself - this one ticks most of the boxes.
- Kooky plot that keeps you guessing and keeps you curious
- Excellent writing with terrific imagery
- Interesting, real characters
- Makes you think afterwards, even if your conclusion is that you don't get it(!)
When I started this book, I was shocked at the cigarette usage! Every character smokes at the beginning of the book and it is so weird as this is not characterised as anything unusual. There is a lot of descriptions of the type of cigarette, the type of lighter employed, the way they are smoked, what happens to the butt, etc. Then I checked when it was written - late 1970s - which would have been smoking's hey day in Japan! However I wonder as well whether this imagery has another purpose, perhaps.
The novel is not easily datable though - you wouldn't know except for references to listening to 'tapes' and the music listened to, as well as the smoking/drinking. I definitely think this is a classic in that respect.
I spoke to D once I finished this book and said to him, "I think I enjoyed it, but it was probably 'above my head'. He was surprised as I rarely say that about a book - I am able to read lots of deep meaning into lots of things! Whether real or otherwise! (Yes, I am an overanalyser/over thinker in case you hadn't picked that up so far in the blogging journey.)
But really this book is seriously meaningful, I am sure, on so many levels. Read any analysis of the book and there are as many theories about the meaning as there are readers almost! Even though I wouldn't really have an original idea as to the meaning/moral of the story, I can say I enjoyed the depth of the novel alongside the plot, characters and literary skill. I wish so much I was more intellectual to be able to hypothesise a meaning (I am talking about what the sheep in the book represents - yes there is a real sheep chase) - for example, post WWII Japanese psyche or dogmatic ideology on goals/focus in life .... but no, I didn't think of those things myself when reading it - I just thought it was a weird sheep thing.
Anyway, the protagonist of the book (we never know his name) is a self-confessed person of 'mediocrity'. He is not actually - but he has got himself in a downward spirally rut in terms of his business, love life and general view of life. Enter an average girl with mystical/mythical, muse-like ears; a dying businessman intent on finding a sheep, an extremely articulate chauffeur, a dead friend disguised as a slurring sheep-man and a bomb in a clock - and well, you get this book.
It has a lot of similarities to my favourite author, Tom Robbins. It is really weird, the characters do and say weird things (specifically weird conversations with unusual people). However it is not as funny as Tom Robbins. However however, it is more lyrical and lilting in language (almost lulling) - which is truly amazing given it is a translation.
The plot is exciting. I know, weird. I was positively scared/spooked near the end. The intensity of the book really ramps up unwittingly and you feel unease even though you don't really know why or feel you have a good reason.
It has some great food porn descriptions, as well as some beautiful scenery (but scary/unusual stuff not boring) imagery as well.
It is, apparently, the third in a four part series. So now that I have recovered from this book (it took me a week to write this review as I was still working it all out - and even working out if I liked it or not) I will download one of the others. I won't review it unless it is really different to this one, or just really really good.
If you get a chance to read this book, or you have already read it - let me know what you thought of it!
Labels: Reading
