http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005-2007 by the authors Mon, 1 Sep 2008 11:09:26 EDT http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/archives/2002/08/19/213535.php#comment-743989 I've read this book in Japanese and several chapters in English, which seemed to me another story. The magic has been lost I'm afraid. Agree with the funny western pop bits, that's one of Murakami's personal interests which invaded most of his beautiful works. Well, I guess it really has nothing to do with the character himself. A man only speaks for himself, that's Haruki Murakami. He plays with odd stories that serves as metaphors of his own reality and he believes that's the only reality. The strongest thing one would find in his books is Murakami's personality. He's by all means very self- centered. Some may find this offensive, others may be allured by the lovely metaphors. It's all left open for the readers I think. Why not have try? 743989@blogcritics.org Mon, 1 Sep 2008 11:09:26 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2002/08/19/213535.php#comment-590879 Your review is inaccurate because when you make the comparisons between the two worlds, or "consciousnesses", in the book, you phrase it as if it is stated early on in the book that the main character is "shuffling data with his subconscious", which is not the case. In actuality the whole concept between shuffling is something that isn't entirely reveled until about halfway through the novel, and even then, so what? Is it really the purpose of novel to be completely unpredictable? I don't think people should assume the character has no personality. (my opinion) Think about it this way -- The main character here is somebody who's entire world is being turned upside down, and even then, finds the opportunity reflects on aspects of his life, and yes, pop-culture, revealing little pieces of his personality. Suppose your right and the author did indeed fail to give the reader any indication that the main character had a personality. Well, you read the book, isn't the main characters brain different than most peoples to begin with? (I won't go into further detail, because I don't want to give anything away). Anyways, we're dealing with a story that is written about the mind, the unconscious, and crazy experiments. Personality of the main character shouldn't be a huge factor in rating this book. I want to let it be known that I am not a science-fiction fan, but the author of this novel so beautifully writes this book as to make it seem like something almost feasible. Never even thought of it as science-fiction, despite how crazy things get, because the character is right there with you saying "What the hell???" 590879@blogcritics.org Wed, 16 May 2007 21:33:00 EDT