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I am so going to fangirl Haruki Murakami…

norwegian_wood-covers.jpg

“Norwegian Wood” by Haruki Murakami – One of my favourite books ever. 

Well I am! (Details at the end of this post, and I promise to keep you all updated…)

I only wish I could claim to be the first children’s author to be massively influenced by the wonderful Japanese author Haruki Murakami. Even if there aren’t any Japanese children’s authors who are evidently under his spell – and how could there NOT be – there’s Daniel Handler.

Daniel Handler – aka Lemony Snicket, author of “A Series Of Unfortunate Events” once wrote a brilliant article with the succinctly direct title: I Love Murakami. Handler, being a graduate of English and a Very Clever Bloke to judge by the cut of his gib,  writes eloquently of Murakami’s general excellence in a way that I never could.

But I do know what reading Murakami did for me and it’s nothing less than this: it enabled me to write a publishable novel.

I’ve written before about the day I met several publishers who were interested in acquiring ‘The Joshua Files’. And one of them commented “We can’t believe this is your first novel!” to which I replied (laughing) – “Well it’s not – it’s my first publishable novel. I’ve written three before this.” “So what happened,” they asked, “between writing the other three and writing Joshua Files?”

So I told them the truth. In the meantime I’d read almost all of the works of Haruki Murakami.

Backtrack a little. There I was with two manuscripts written in 6 months and both getting essentially rejected by agents. Actually the second ms was getting some interest but it wasn’t quite making the grade. And I understood this: without a quantum leap, my writing was not going to be good enough to be published. Something had to change; something major. I had maybe 50% of what was needed. The rest of the 50% was going to have to come with hard study, graft and experience. Or a bolt from the blue.

I couldn’t be bothered to do it the hard way. Crumbs, I was almost 40 years old! I didn’t have too much time left to get a writing career off the ground whilst I was still young enough to enjoy it (both my parents died aged 46 – that gives you a sense of urgency…).

So I began actively to search for the bolt from the blue.

I read a book on how to structure stories for screenplays, even wrote a screenplay for practice. And meantime, I read all the works of an author until then unknown to me – Haruki Murakami.

Bless TIME Magazine – it was the second time in my life that reading an article there literally changed my life. I read about this Murakami guy whose new book “Kafka On The Shore” was selling like hotcakes. The combination of elements that his stories used sounded scrummy – mysterious young women, missing cats, magical realism, laconic and distant young men, jazz, Schubert, Beethoven, Mozart and dreams. Too good to be true!

So I went to Borders and picked out three books “South of the Border, West of the Sun”, “Sputnik Sweetheart” and “Norwegian Wood”. (Kafka was only out in hardback and I’m stingy). I figured I’d dip my toe first…I began with “South of the Border, West of the Sun” because it’s the shortest.

From the first page I was – more than captivated – almost possessed. There was something about this wistful, minimalist and apparently very straightforward style that was entirely new to me. It was direct and with the simplest of language, sprinkled with unusual and naturalistic metaphors, tapped something deep within.

This is common for readers of Haruki, so I hear. Fans talk about feeling that their brains have been altered. I read that book almost at one sitting and finished in a daze, wondering what had just happened. I moved on to “Norwegian Wood”, a longer read, and began to feel even more deeply moved. It’s a story of a boy aged 19 who falls in love with a strangely troubled girl, with tragic consequences. But the sequences where the two teenagers walk together, talk and fall in love reminded me so keenly of the first time I fell in love, one summer in Mexico when I was 18, that I actually began to cry from the memory. And frankly, with sorrow for the fact that I broke that boy’s heart by being too afraid to let what developed between us grow into anything permanent.

Okay so we all fall in love for the first time and it’s often painful. When we’re middle-aged of course we look back and wonder. That’s what Norwegian Wood is about – a guy in his late 30s looking back at his first love. Nothing new under the sun, and yet Murakami’s writing spoke – as no other writer ever had – directly to those memories. It brought them back. Sad though they were – it was good to see them again!

Dang, I thought. My boy hero needed some of that Murakami wisftulness and haiku-like poetry. It could be just the antidote to the high-octane action and conspiracy thriller elements. I was already planning a sequel to the original version of Invisible City. So I wrote the first few pages, under the influence of Haruki.

It changed something. The character was totally different to the first boy I’d written. He was lost in grief. He longed for his missing father, or at least for answers. The disappearance of Andres Garcia had tapped deep into his psyche, with resultant disturbing dreams. In fact I stole one of my own dreams, from when my mother died.

So when I came to rewrite my boy-hero-discovers-hidden-Mayan-city story, I knew exactly what he sounded like. That particular chapter, by the way, now appears near the opening of Joshua book 2. (Still no title…)

There are homages to Haruki all over Invisible City, if you know what to spot. The most obvious one is the jazz motif. The second most obvious is the Hotel Delfin (Dolphin) – of course a reference to the infamous Dolphin Hotel of “A Wild Sheep Chase” and “Dance, Dance, Dance”.

Haruki’s memoir “What I Talk About When I Talk About Running” is out soon, and of course I’ll be buying it right away and eating it up.

But also – I’m going to send him a copy of “Invisible City”. Yeah I know, stalkah, fangirl… I just have to though. He has to know how grateful I am.

This is how good Haruki Murakami is; amnesia-worthy i.e. worth getting the memory of reading him wiped from your mind so that you can read him all over again for the first time.

If you want to know more I recommend reading this: Ten Things You Need To Know About Haruki Murakami (quite accurately subtitled The key facts about the coolest writer in the world today.) And for a taste – just a teeny one – here’s a short story of his: On seeing the 100% perfect girl one beautiful April morning.

(And if I receive a reply – which I doubt because he’s a GENIUS and I’m NOT WORTHY – I’ll let you know what he says…)

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46 replies on “I am so going to fangirl Haruki Murakami…”

I read “Norwegian wood” and just loved it. But I haven’t made up my mind yet on the next Murakami I should buy, do you have any suggestions?

Off-topic: I’ve just watched a video and guess that you, who worked in a lab, will find it very very funny. I’ve never worked in a lab and laughed loud here.

I would definitely recommend “Sputnik Sweetheart” next. Did my cousin introduce you to Haruki, by any chance…?

I liked epmotion…but where’s the apparatus? Hot young guys crooning are one thing but a decent automatic pipetter…that’s pretty darn exciting!

(In one lab where I worked we had one multi-pipetter that was so good we fought over it…)

Yes, Murakami was introduced to me by your cousin. And I introduced him to Nick Hornby. 🙂

I will follow your recommendation. Let’s see if “Sputnik” thrills me as much as “Norwegian” did.

Well, I have ZERO knowledge about lab work, so I still go for the hot guys crooning, haha. That clip was so… 90s. Wasn’t it?

I have also read Norwegian Wood which I absolutely loved and have just finished your book which held me captivated until the end. P.S I’m 31. Can you hurry up with the next one? 🙂

Norwegian Wood? is this like a book version of a chick flick? from what i have seen on this blog so far i think that is would seem pretty gay of me if i tried reading this book… anyway, since i have finished my most recent series ‘cherub’ i am looking for new books that i can read 😛 looking forward to your reply.
XXXXXXXXXX Raph

Raph…you are too young for Norwegian Wood. Wait at least until you’ve been in love! But it’s not a chicklit – it’s written by a guy. It’s also very very sad.
Ah Cherub. All my young readers seem to love that.
As for Mauritius – let’s hope we can all meet there and see your new baby bro.
Invisible City has sold over 50,000 copies so far, yay! (The MD of Scholastic phoned me yesterday and looked up the sales figure for me). So long as they keep selling, Mauritius looks possible.

Melissa – hi and great to hear from another reader. I’m editing book 2 and working on book 3 as I write. But the publishers will still only publish one a year, every spring until 2012, I hope.

Mg,

I’m a huge fan. Aged 12. The Invisible City truly got me into reading. It’s not often I name heroes – But you are a hero for me.

Never liked reading. ‘Always a bore’. Until I picked up the Joshua Files (I think the neon cover deluded me). Until I read it. Then I knew I made a good choice. Heck, good? Great? Amazing? Astonishing? Fabulous? Well, you can paint a picture.

Maria, you set me up for one better lifetime – and I’m not just saying that – I mean seriously. You got me into reading – the way that I read the whole 360 pages in 3 days. A proper 100 pages in one night. That’s just not; wasn’t, my style.

Thanks!

–
Keith

I’d not heard of Haruki Murakami but was intrigued by your blog post. I’ve just read the 100% short story. I found myself easily drawn into the narrative. His writing is clear and uncluttered yet still rich in emotion and description. Very clever. I’d like to read more of his work. Thanks for sharing.
Kat 🙂

PS Can’t stop wondering what Joshua’s up to. Wish the next book was already waiting for me on my bedside table tonight!

Wow…Keith…and you can really write. I’m not just saying that. I should use some words like that in my letter to Haruki..
Thank you – I’m deeply touched.

Kat – read more Haruki! You will love him, I bet!

Well I’m waking up every morning these days thinking about Josh and what he’s up to. Between you blog readers and me – in book 3 he has another very tough time – and is on the verge of another of his wildly brave and impulsive decisions…

Ah but you’ve still got book 2 to look forward to…

I was with me pal Susie Day (a terrific writer – check out her blog at http://www.susieday.com) at Starbucks the other day and I let her read a scene (from book 2) that I liked but which my editor and I had sadly agreed to cut. I’d forgotten though that on the same page was a reference to a major plot twist. Susie’s eyes trailed down the page and then boggled. She clutched the page as I hurried to grab it from her. “What…? What?!”

Heh heh. I didn’t mean to show you Susie but your reaction was brilliant to see. I told my editor. “It’s being really interesting watching people’s reactions throughout the company,” she said, “as people are starting to read book 2 and find out what happens…”

Mg,

I can write!? Try telling that to my English teacher! Hah. But seriously, a comment like that – from an author of such outstanding quality – really makes me think. Knowing that, might make a material difference in my subject choice in English.

But off the subject (Well, actually kind of on the subject);

Have you sought a name for book 2? Sheer Ice was it? Doesn’t sound too mexican too me – But you can tell I am waiting in anguish for it’s arrival. Do you know the release date? I’ll be sure to get it on the debut.

Thanks, And please reply =P

–
Name. Keith
Age. 12
From. Scotland (Holiday in Gran Canaria at the moment)

Saludos Keith! Lucky you being in Gran Canaria. Mind you it’s very sunny here today.

You definitely can write, you need to ask your English teacher to be more specific in his/her criticism. We can ALL stand to improve and criticism can help with that.

Funny you should mention the title. I was wondering myself. When I spoke to the MD of Scholastic the other day she referred to book 2 as ICE SHOCK – but I hadn’t had confirmation from my editor of the final decision yet.

I will ask her next week. Release date is March 2009 – first week would be my guess.

Do you live near Edinburgh? Cos I’m doing an event at the Book festival on Aug 21st.

Mg,

If I had a good English teacher that might be possible! Anyways, to answer your question – I live about 1 hour from Edinburgh – but it’s bad news. I go back to school on the 19th of August. Cruel fate. If I amen’t mistaken, the 21st should be a Thursday. And unless it lasts ’till the weekend I just don’t think it’s possible. Grr…

Oh, and March!?! Dang, that’s a long way away. I need another good book beside me soon! I’m going through books at 70pph (Pages per hour) at the moment. Any recommendations?

Cheers. And again, please reply =)

–
N. Keith
A. 12
F. Scotland

“Darkside” by Tom Becker (three books out now).

“Ways To Live Forever” by Sally Nicholls – beautifully written, funny and will make you cry, about an 11 year old boy who is dying.

When I was twelve I was blown away by Ray Bradbury – “Dandelion Wine” is a great story of a 12-year old boy and a crucial summer in a strange little American town where strange things happen. Or short stories by Ray Bradbury – “The Illustrated Man”, “The Martian Chronicles.”

“Ender’s Game” by Orson Scott Card, about a boy who trains at a special Battle School and saves the world from an alien invasion. Soon to be a movie – finally!

Or a brilliantly plotted, rollicking read that has never had the fame it deserves but is, in my opinion, one of Robert Heinlein’s best books – “The Door Into Summer”.

Apart from ‘Ender’s Game’ they’re all short. If you find reading a chore then stick to short stories and short novels.

You are lucky Keith. I would love to be twelve again and have a summer to read all the amazing books that can explode your views of the world. That’s why I love “Dandelion Wine” so much. But the language may be a bit old-fashioned for nowadays – Bradbury is very poetic.

NB apart from Darkside and ways to Live Forever, none of them are ‘children’s books’. But they are easy to read and have nothing inappropriate in them.

I feel I should have recommended more current children’s books…maybe other people can do that?

he he, such a predictable suggestion from me,
Skullduggery Pleasant
Skulduggery Pleasant: Playing With Fire By Derek Landy
Really great books, in my top ten along with Joshua Files
Ever heard of the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horrowitz, they are all good books, action spy sort of books. If your more in the young horror genre, i strongly reccomend My Sword Hand Is Singing by Marcus Sedgewick, not gory but lots of vampires, very mysterious, great book.
Love, Vampire type books, is obviously the Twilight series by Stephine Meyer
Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse (Breaking Dawn, August 4th) I suggest them for young teenagers (Expect romance and thrills)
Oh and one more he he, Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer i have only read the first one, but a good fun book!
(Oh dear remembering more :P) Last lot, Wolf Brother Series by Michelle Paver, set around the times of the indians, sort of mystical, a boy who can communicate with a wolf, good adventure series.
Phew, all i can think of right now. Hope i’ve helped.
Lukas

Mg,

Thanks! ‘Dandelion Wine’ sounds really entertaining. Might give it a go. I read a book kind of like that back in Jan. 06. It’s a bit more ‘Childish’ you could say. It was written by whom I admire very much. Michael lawrence. I wouldn’t read anything apart from the Jiggy McCue series for a long time from ’04 to… ’08 in fact! That’s why I said in my first comment – You changed my life – in the way of reading. The book was ‘Neville the Devil’ and it was about Jiggy, his 2 friends, and all of there parents who missed there flight to Disney Land – therefore winding up in a small seaside village. It’s all about strange things arising and the pals getting into a huge lockdown of adventures. Loved that book – too much. Still read his stuff – actually just finished ‘Kid Swap’ – the newest book – a couple of days after reading ‘Invisible City’.

Once again, thanks for the list. Interested in ‘Dandelion Wine’…

… but of course nothing could top ‘Invisible City’. And I’m not joking… again.

Cheers.

Oh yeah, and please reply =P If there was anything to reply about. Did I leave a question mark in that paragraph? Hey, you can answer that! Hah. Try these:

1. The third book – is it based in Mexico?
2. When was ‘Invisible City’ released in (a) Britain (b) worldwide?
3. Who are your idols (In writing)?
4. Ever heard of Michael lawrence?

Thanks again.

–
N. Keith
A. 12
F. Scotland

kk, straight to business

i have burrowed the first dark-side book from the library but have not started reading it yet. that Lukas sure knows what he is talking about! Skullduggery Pleasant is a GREAT book! havn’t read the second one yet ‘playing with fire’ but i will sure try! Wolf brother series! great! very entertaining but i little bit “graphic” in the way it is set out so i would not suggest it to readers younger than 10.Twilight eh? never heard of it Lukas but i will sure look for it in borders! artemis fowl is great! funny, fast paced and punchy! plus it has fairies with GUNS! THEY HAVE GUNS FOR GODS SAKE! GUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNSSSSSS! also lukas, have you tried reading the ‘CHERUB’ series? very good books. they are like a step up from alex rider and are about a child spy organization. all in all i think you have a very good taste in books! keep me posted with any more books you think are worth reading!

thanks everyone!

There you go, my expert teen book consultants, Lukas and Raphie (both 13. Or are you 14 yet Lukas?).

And yea to WOLF BROTHER, I forgot that, I have some of those and they are terrific. Waiting to read them all with my little girl.

Raphie and Keith – be warned, Twilight is great but is a ROMANCE, mainly. Lukas may be farther along than you two lads in his interest in lurve and all that… (and nothing wrong with that at all Lukas…).

I’m not supposed to put too much lurve, smooching and stuff in my Joshua books in case it icks out 10-year old boys, who make up a big part of the readership. But in book 3 Josh falls in love – and it hits him VERY hard.

Keith – book 3 is set in Brazil, Ek Naab, a mysterious South American town (we don’t know where) and the Alps…
Invisible City was published earlier this year in the UK Feb, then Oz and NZ in June. It’s out in Germany, Austria, Switzerland in Oct. And 12 other international publishers have bought the rights – including Spanish.
My idols in writing – they are all adult authors – Haruki Murakami, Gabrial Garcia Marquez, Italo Calvino, Jorge Luis Borges. Haruki is accessible to older teenagers, and has many young (and fanatical) fans. The others are best enjoyed as an adult.
And no, I haven’t heard of Michael Lawrence – I’ll look him up!

romance eh? hmmmmmmm… could be alright… as long as i get professional counseling after every chapter… lol, jokes! kk, i’ll try it! might look a bit weird if i read it in public… so i wont read it in public! you better be proud of me for this pita! im sticking my neck and reputation out for you and this book! it better be good!

oh, by the way, if any1 else starts calling my auntie ‘Pita’ i will hunt them down and BURN every single one of their books!

HAVE A NICE DAY!

Hi, (Still 13 MG)
If one Josh book is out every year, then by the time we reach Book 3, most of the readers would be around 13 by then, so it would be ok around Book 3 for most.
So book 3, Josh experiences some heartache? Your a great writer MG and you are particuarly good at expressing your characters emotions through your writing, looking forward to it.
Oh, just thought of another series, Eragon, Eldest, (Brisingr september) fantasy adventure books, dragons etc. You may remember the film adaption of the book. A disaster, if you saw it don’t let it put you off reading the books 🙂
Last thing, MG another wolf brother book is coming out soon if you didn’t know. Lovely green cover he he 🙂
Lukas

Raphie! It’s cool, they can call me Pita, MG or Dr. Harris.

So Lukas, are you an August birthday – like Josh? (and me and one daughter)

oh my goodness how could i forget! Percy Jackson By Rick Riordan. 4th book recently was released (Battle of the Labyrinth) If you love Joshua Files these are definitely the books to fill in the wait for the next Joshua Files.
Just like Joshua Files, it’s fun and educational. Percy jackson is about Greek gods and monsters that are still living today 🙂 Strongly reccomended if you haven’t read them already.

No news yet. I will email my editor next week. Hooray, I plan to deliver the lined-edited draft of Book 2 by the end of the week…then they can get it typeset and into print! Now I’m off for some breakfast. You all have a nice day. I’m going to town and then the outdoor pool. Bliss!

Yay! back to spamming the channel! Lukas! 13 eh? big year… well it is down here in oz! howz it goin in… where do u live again? never-mind! you have to tell me more about this peter jackson series you have stumbled upon! im very into greece and gods and archeology and all that stuff that makes my seem smart. 😛 sooooooo, got a GF yet Lukas? i almost have one but my friend it hitting on the same girl so it could go either way 🙁 oh, by the war pita, not ONE word of this to my mum! its not official yet and i cant stand another batch of ‘oh, your growing up so fast!’ and ‘i think its time we had the talk!’ so plz! dont mention it to her! im trusting you with my dignity! oh,yes back to lukas! you must post the basic story line of peter jackson! oh, G2g doctor who just started! BYE!

Percy Jakcson 🙂
Well, a 12 year old fron New York is dyslexic and has ADHD, and doesn’t do well at school. The beginning of the summer, his mum takes him on holiday, where they are chased by a mythological monster. From there things take off which i can’t talk about without giving to much away.
Yeh i have a gf. Your friends hitting on this girl too? Does he know you like her? If he doesn’t tell him, if he does he can’t be such a great friend can he. But ignore i said that it’s not my place to say i don’t know the whole story.
I live on the Isle Of Wight which is in the south of England. Your a Doctor Who fan? Excellent 🙂 he he.

Lukas

Lukas, Raphie, Mg.

Lukas: You’re a November birthday!? So am I! Glad to hear you have a GF – Me too. =P. And Doctor Who? C’mon – Where is your taste! If I want to sit around seeing some old guy being chased by robots saying ‘Exterminate’ – I would to Shopping Centre. Ok, I’m stereotyping – But when have you a strong feeling against a show/book/thing then that’s what you do. Yay. Also, thanks for the tip on Percy Jackson – sounds rather intriguing. Might give that a go as well.

Raphie: Into Greek Gods, huh? I know a friend who absolutely devours literature with mentions of gods – Greek or not greek. And, best of luck on this girl! I’d take Lukas’ advice, but read this first; and take it into account.

Which is more important – Your friendship with (A) Your friend (B) Your ‘Girl’?

You have a choice between a GIRLFRIEND, or a FRIEND. Wow, that’s a tough break. Feel sorry for you. Well, hope the outcome is good.

Pita (Mmmm, Pita bread): Brazil. Sounds fantastico. So, the book hasn’t been published to the Americans yet, Eh? ‘Bout time we get something before them! Hah. Oh, and I lived in America for 3 years (North, not South). Thought you might wanna know!

–
Keith

Mg,

😯 When did you get here? Hah. I know; Girls – it’s all there is to life for a while. But hey – How do I know? Maybe girls are all there is to life; for ever!

Oh, and Mg.

1. How long did the first book take you to write?
2. Is your leg still nackered?
3. Have you ever been to Scotland?

–
Keith

Keith, first book took a total of 9 months – which includes the 4 months to write the first version which I more or less completely scrapped.
Leg was fixed by an operation – I have a metal plate and screws in my tibia. And a long Frankenstein scar on a once quite nice leg…:(
Yes I’ve been to Edinburgh, Monimail (near Fife) and Dunbar.

Oh and – from what I know of men – there are girls and there is work. That’s what most guys I know seem to live for. And there’s a big subset that are obsessed with sport, but I don’t know any like that.

god! the stuff you get up to when im not there to monitor you! its disgraceful! anyway, no chance of loosing my friend, hes my bestie! if he gets her then i will move on to another girl, her name is Rebecca. we are far too good friends to get broken up over some girl!

(oh, BTW the girls name is jemima martin. VERY nice lookin, and very smart 😛

Keith… if you dis doctor who one more time i will pull out the oxford english dictionary and spend a whole week putting together the most witty, painful, embarrassing insult you have ever head! but other than that… you pretty cool (the key word in that sentence was ‘pretty’ 😛 )

Raphie – good luck with Rebecca or Jemima. Your cousin has just fallen for a guy aged 22 who reminds her of her favourite movie star James McEvoy. Luckily he lives in Norfolk, which is miles from here. I will send you her secret blog address so you can keep up with her love life. And of course I won’t tell your mum about your interest in girls. She told me you haven’t noticed girls yet!

Ooh, Raph –

You wanting a fight? Hah. Go on then – embarass me. I can wait 2 weeks if it helps =P

Good for you that you’re defending your rubbish TV show – nice to see another debater around here. Care to a round table discussion? Or will that bore you too! Hehe.

Best of luck spying on that girl.

–
Keith

spying? you little M*&^er f%$©er! im no stalker! i dont spy on any1! i go out openly! i say hi! i say you wanna do some thing this weekend? jemima sais yes. i go to all my friends boasting and thinking im a god.

BUT I DONT SPY!

Now then lads, be nice, only general loveliness allowed here. If you want to debate, why not go over to themgharris.com? Keith, see you’ve joined, nice to have you there. I check it out a few times a week.

We wish you well with whichever girl you go for Raph. Let us know how it turns out…

no hard feelings 😛 . sorry for swearing on ur site… anyway, i just got a new game. its called ‘World of Warcraft, the wrath of the lich king’ so i wont be on this site for very for a bit. not because i dont love you people, but because i have 20 more lvls and heaps of new items to get! bye all!

what do you want to borrow? If it’s the WordPress design, I would have to refer you to the designer, because this isn’t a free template and I’m not authorised to resell it.

If it’s stuff about Haruki, sure, but please do credit the source…and a link would be nice!

i love murakami a lot.

read norwegian, hardboiled, dancedance, afterdark, after the quake, windup, south of the border

and now i have kafka and while sheep.

i also have pinball and hear the wind.

so many more to read.

he’s such a great author.

Hey im 12 2!!! well almost 12!!! lol. my fave book is probs ‘Entice’ by Carrie Jones i am not shore who my fave author is though!!! cool

Lin

hav u guys red inheart, inkspell and inkdeath i hav red the 1st 2 and readin the 3rd they r gr8. there by cornelia funke. hav u guys red the ramses series i havnt will b soon though. pls reply i need some1 2 talk 2!!!

lin

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