Job Discussion Forums

silent-noise · Joined: 14 Jun 2005 Posts: 37

so a friend introduced me to haruki murakami a couple of months ago, and i've pretty much been addicted to his books since...and plan to buy/read all of his works...i feel like i can identify with his main characters...(so far i've read dance, dance, dance...wind up bird chronicles, the elephant vanishes, and almost done wild sheep chase)...can anyone recommend any other japanese authors who are similar to him in story and writing style? (translated into english of course)

Sadken · Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 341

Coin Locker Babies by Ryu Murakami is just one of those books that destroys your life for the time you are reading it. It is frighteningly addictive and quite spectacularly cool. It really is one of the finest books I have ever read in my entire life; just completely visceral.

hivans · Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 51 Location: fukuoka

I have just finished 69 by Ryu Murakami - not quite as whacky as Coin Locker Babies or Haruki Murakami's books but very interesting on coming of age in Nagasaki prefecture in 1969 (also a film with Tsumabuki of WaterBoys fame, which I am trying to use for my Japanese studies at the moment).

Obviously, he's not Japanese but if you enjoyed HM then I think you might enjoy David Mitchell - his Number9dream is written in a fairly similar style with a present tense narrative and journeys　through the mind (as well as Tokyo and Yakushima), and has a Japanese theme, and I think Ghostwriten and Cloud Atlas are right up there too.

Mtnkiwi · Joined: 27 Mar 2004 Posts: 67 Location: Osaka

I second (or is that third?) "Coin Locker Babies". I haven't found anything even similar to either of the Murakamis in Japan, very cool.

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

Be warned "Norwegian Wood" is a much more conventional coming of age drama. Not a bad book, I quite enjoyed it, but if you are looking for the supernatural elements then you will be dissappointed.

silent-noise · Joined: 14 Jun 2005 Posts: 37

coin locker babies will probably be next on my to-read list....i also found out that they're making a movie out of it too...an american one...starring...val kilmer i think.... *shiver*

Mamasita516 · Joined: 05 Jul 2005 Posts: 56 Location: Kansas City, MO

However, the always wonderful and VERY hot Tadanobu Asano is supposed to be in the movie also! Embarassed

Longing for Nippon · Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Posts: 49

Taichi Yamada - Strangers had a Murkami-esque feel about it, supernatural thriller which was enjoyable.
I just finished Norwegian Wood by H.Murakami and thought it was slightly different from his otherbooks but great all the same.
I read a lot of Japanese fiction and would highly recommend Natsuo Kirino's "OUT", anything by Tanizaki or Kawabata, non fiction writers Alan Booth and Alex Kerr are entertaining too. I am currently reading a book by Yui Miri called Gold Rush, exposing dark side of japan through the eyes of a young thug called Kazuki. Good so far.
if you find anything good let me know! There isnt enough japanese pulp fiction in english translation currrently.