Korean Job Discussion Forums

SweetLou · Joined: 26 Sep 2003 Location: mt. bu

glad to hear people talking about Murakami. I got hooked on him after reading "Norwegian Wood," and have been slowly plowing through his catalog since (thankfully his English translations are readily available in Korea).

"The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles" is a great book as well....I'd put it second after "Norwegian Wood". "Dance, Dance, Dance" is also really good. "Sputnik Sweetheart" is okay.

I haven't read any of the non-fiction that he's done, yet....can anyone comment on that?

Eunoia · Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2005 7:22 am Post subject:

Tiberious aka Sparkles · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: I'm one cool cat!

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

The only Murakami book I read was "Underground," and it's pretty good.

Interviews people involved in the Sarin gas attacks in 1995 in Tokyo, and the "Aum Shinrikyo" cult who perpetrated the crime.

There was a show on the Discovery Channel a while ago (maybe March 20th...ten year anniversary) about that attack, but I missed it. Wonder if anyone here saw it?

Hans Blix · Joined: 31 Mar 2005

murakami - boring and not that smart. can't believe he's as fashionable as he is.

i have trouble finding a contremporary book worth reading, but james wood's 'the book against god' was and is one of the best novels i've read in the last few years. damned with faint praise from the critics tho.

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Hans Blix · Joined: 31 Mar 2005

has anybody had a crack at 'infinite jest'?

SweetLou · Joined: 26 Sep 2003 Location: mt. bu

I read David Foster Wallace's stuff in a lit class at university...one of the most pretentious authors I've ever read, and a little over the top with his word play (and the nine million footnotes). Although this might be up your alley Smile

Maybe invest in something smaller of his if you haven't read him yet, like "Broom of the System."

Hans Blix · Joined: 31 Mar 2005

yeah read some of his short stories, and the ones i could keep focused on were actually quite good. there are critics and writers whose opinions i respect that say he's worthwhile, only, yeah, his verbosity is ridiculuos. but tackiling infinite jest is pretty ambitious, no? anyone done it of their own free will?

Thunndarr · Joined: 30 Sep 2003

Emu Bitter · Joined: 27 May 2004 Location: Bundang

Big wankfest so far.
Stephen King is the go.
Fever Pitch is also a great book, it explains why sport is the most important human activity.

Sleepy in Seoul · Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2005 10:33 am Post subject:

Martin Cruz Smith's Arkady Renko series: Gorky Park, Polar Star, Red Square, Havana Bay and the eagerly awaited (from me anyway) next in the series - Wolves Eat Dogs. I can't wait...

The Great Toad · Joined: 12 Jun 2004

Don Quixote (Book One) is my favorite book.
I like George Martin too but I got mad when certain characters get whacked or hacked Crying or Very sad

mmm sorry can't say I ever finished War and Peace The short stories I've read there was one about a tropic island where the restaurant owner makes his one Western patron Fatter and Fatter but I forgot the ending?
- I did read Kafka stuff but he is depressing.
I'll even admit with a bit of shame to reading Pulp Sword Fight Master RA Salvatore Surprised

There is a cool book on Suicide / Culture and Literature called: The Savage God
and ahh lets see of Course Winnie the Pooh and Wind in the Willows (there were some add on books written for it by another author that were pretty good) - Plague Dogs, Water Ship Down and ahhh
Fritz Lieber Grey Mouser and Fafrd Stories but they are ultimately a bit empty as the heroes are just jovial hedonists.

krats1976 · Joined: 14 May 2003

bosintang · Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2005 11:37 pm Post subject: