Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Publication
Vintage Books (2006), 186 pages
Description
A successful Japanese nightclub owner, husband, and father risks everything to be reunited with his childhood sweetheart.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Tess22
I always prefer it when Murakami really goes off the surreal deep end, which he doesn't here. He's one of my favourite writers, and this was beautifully written as always (credit to the translator as well). However, this book brings up a serious flaw in his work that I'd never fully
I've read these characters before. There's a male narrator, very bright but not particularly driven, reasonably but not remarkably attractive, who likes music and women, has a quirky sense of humour (commented upon by other characters) and who falls in love very deeply. There's a beautiful, mysterious, captivating but increasingly troubled woman - impeccably well-dressed, often in blue clothes. These are just echoes of other Murakami characters. Or I suppose those characters are echoes of these, but it doesn't make much difference to my enjoyment levels. Even the plot bears serious similarities to some of his other work.
Written by anyone else I think I would have liked it a lot, but as a Murakami novel I was disappointed. His characters weren't fleshed out enough (and certainly not likeable enough) to make up for being recycled, and he didn't follow through on what could have been more interesting plot turns.
Conclusion: Could have done better. I mean, at least dress the woman in green instead of blue this time.
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appreciated.I've read these characters before. There's a male narrator, very bright but not particularly driven, reasonably but not remarkably attractive, who likes music and women, has a quirky sense of humour (commented upon by other characters) and who falls in love very deeply. There's a beautiful, mysterious, captivating but increasingly troubled woman - impeccably well-dressed, often in blue clothes. These are just echoes of other Murakami characters. Or I suppose those characters are echoes of these, but it doesn't make much difference to my enjoyment levels. Even the plot bears serious similarities to some of his other work.
Written by anyone else I think I would have liked it a lot, but as a Murakami novel I was disappointed. His characters weren't fleshed out enough (and certainly not likeable enough) to make up for being recycled, and he didn't follow through on what could have been more interesting plot turns.
Conclusion: Could have done better. I mean, at least dress the woman in green instead of blue this time.
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LibraryThing member SNS101
Here's what I've noticed after reading 4 Murakami books-- (all of which I've loved, except for this last one) The characters are all the same. Does anyone else notice the repetition? The main character is always a man who is described as drab, plain, sometimes even boring, and who is unsatisfied
I am still a huge fan of Murakami's work, and praise him for his new-age Japanese surrealism. His twist of the Minamata disease (mercury biomagnification --> prophetic, insane man who can talk to cats) in 'Kafka on the Shore' is just one example of the slight craziness that always accompanies reading one of his works. But I do feel that this predicability needs to be adressed, though it may have been already, especially since I just realized it after reading four of his books. I don't think anyone could accuse Murakami of a lack of creativity, except in this instance.
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with his life in one way or the other. Job, wife, Destiny, whatever. And the woman/love interest/mother (sometimes one and the same) is always slightly lost and suicidal, or recovering from suicidal tendencies. I am still a huge fan of Murakami's work, and praise him for his new-age Japanese surrealism. His twist of the Minamata disease (mercury biomagnification --> prophetic, insane man who can talk to cats) in 'Kafka on the Shore' is just one example of the slight craziness that always accompanies reading one of his works. But I do feel that this predicability needs to be adressed, though it may have been already, especially since I just realized it after reading four of his books. I don't think anyone could accuse Murakami of a lack of creativity, except in this instance.
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LibraryThing member heathersblue
Fantastic novel. It is only at this point in life I could ever hope to understand it. The main character is 37 and I'm 38 and he seems to have the history of love down pat. Love love love it.
LibraryThing member Fenoxielo
With the exception of the last three Harry Potter books, which I tore through in a day each in order to avoid the possibility of accidental spoilers the longer I dragged it out, this was the fastest I'd ever finished a book. It's only 213 pages, but still, it's a relatively easy read: much more
When it comes to plot, this book pretty much has none, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Murakami's books (like, in my opinion, Nicola Barker's Darkmans) have a tendency to sound like exposition up until the last page. South of the Border, West of the Sun tells the story of the life of Hajime, the middle-aged proprieter of two successful jazz clubs, and his childhood love, a mysterious woman called Shimamoto who suddenly shows up in his life after 25 years. Shimamoto is a true enigma, with a strange past and an even stranger health problem she doesn't wish to speak about. While there is not much in terms of external conflict, SotB, WotS is notable for Murakami's poetic depiction of internal conflict and Hajime's reconciliation of his feelings for the three women central to his life: Izumi, his first steady girlfriend in high school who never forgave him for hurting her; Yukiko, his wife with whom he has two young daughters; and Shimamoto.
Like The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, this novel seems to end rather abruptly, leaving just about everything unusual that has happened unexplained. While the descriptions and characters and interesting, it leaves the reader wanting more, which is, I suppose, why I revisited Murakami after reading The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle. Murakami's unnecessarily graphic descriptions of sex sometimes make me think that he would do well to rub one off before sitting down to write, but I suppose it can be argued that it is in keeping with his other realist descriptions. Overall, it was a fine read, but it feels like the kind of thing Haruki Murakami was only able to get away with because he is Haruki Murakami.
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straightforward than Murakami's celebrated The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle.When it comes to plot, this book pretty much has none, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Murakami's books (like, in my opinion, Nicola Barker's Darkmans) have a tendency to sound like exposition up until the last page. South of the Border, West of the Sun tells the story of the life of Hajime, the middle-aged proprieter of two successful jazz clubs, and his childhood love, a mysterious woman called Shimamoto who suddenly shows up in his life after 25 years. Shimamoto is a true enigma, with a strange past and an even stranger health problem she doesn't wish to speak about. While there is not much in terms of external conflict, SotB, WotS is notable for Murakami's poetic depiction of internal conflict and Hajime's reconciliation of his feelings for the three women central to his life: Izumi, his first steady girlfriend in high school who never forgave him for hurting her; Yukiko, his wife with whom he has two young daughters; and Shimamoto.
Like The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, this novel seems to end rather abruptly, leaving just about everything unusual that has happened unexplained. While the descriptions and characters and interesting, it leaves the reader wanting more, which is, I suppose, why I revisited Murakami after reading The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle. Murakami's unnecessarily graphic descriptions of sex sometimes make me think that he would do well to rub one off before sitting down to write, but I suppose it can be argued that it is in keeping with his other realist descriptions. Overall, it was a fine read, but it feels like the kind of thing Haruki Murakami was only able to get away with because he is Haruki Murakami.
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LibraryThing member judithann
Having read 2 or 3 other books by Murakami, this was by far the least interesting one. I was so bored after the first few chapters, that I would have put it away, were it not that I was in the train and had nothing else to do. Just when it got really really boring, something interesting happend,
It never got that boring again so I was happy to read until the end, but it was not a great book for me.
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finally! Hajime follows a woman he knew when he was young, but is "bribed" by some man not to bother her. Who this is and what exactly happened to her we never find out (we meet her again later, but never learn anything new about her, which I found a disappointment. A little lift of the veil would have been interesting!).It never got that boring again so I was happy to read until the end, but it was not a great book for me.
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LibraryThing member jbushnell
A sparse little tale of obsession. Breezy, apparently simple, yet with strange and unsettling underpinnings.
LibraryThing member thioviolight
I read this at the beach over the weekend. For some reason, I find Murakami's works ideal for beach reading, and this was a good one. Not too complicated, with just the right touch of the surreal. It's not my favorite Murakami, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
LibraryThing member ethanr
A very average man lives with the guilt of hurting his first sex partner and the longing for his first love as he settles into a successful, happy life with wife and children. When his first love, a mysterious woman with a limp and a shaded past, comes back into his life, he chooses to give
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everything up for it. Not his best, but good Murakami. Show Less
LibraryThing member sidecar
Every paragraph drew me in deeper. What a wonderful experience to read this book.
LibraryThing member agatatera
It was for me a first book of Murakami which I read in my life. And it was a good beginning of the adventure with his writings.
It’s a story of a life of Japanese boy, later man. It’s the story of his relations with other people, but mostly women. Starting with an incredible friendship with
And I love the cover of the Vintage edition ;)
It’s a story of a life of Japanese boy, later man. It’s the story of his relations with other people, but mostly women. Starting with an incredible friendship with
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Shimamoto when they were kids, through first relationship, college times, first work, the years full of loneliness up to meeting his wife and creating a family. Great wife and 2 daughters, owner of 2 popular jazz clubs, healthy man. But something is missing… How it’ll finish? It’s a very well written story about love, about the biggest love, about loneliness, about longing, about pain. About human being. But also about reality – especially the end is giving us a lot of surprises. The characters are well build, the story is interesting and go on very well during reading. It’s worth to give a try and read it :) I'll look for other books of this author as well. And I love the cover of the Vintage edition ;)
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LibraryThing member Mdshrk1
I really liked this book. It's exploration of relationships, and the nature of reality are intriguing.
LibraryThing member davidroche
Mid life crisis? Childhood sweetheart? Murukami is a genius
LibraryThing member pamplemousse
By the author of the Wind-up bird chronicle. This is a far less complex work -- and for me, not anywhere near as interesting. Concerning a middle-aged business man who meets his childhood sweetheart for the first time since he was twelve -- and becomes hopelessly obsessed with her again, risking
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everything he has achieved in life. I suppose this is an interesting exploration of obsession; and there is the air of mystery which is apparently a Murakami trademark; but basically it is hard to escape the conclusion that the hero is a dickhead who needs to get a grip. Show Less
LibraryThing member newskepticx
Murakami's straightforward novels have this quality to them. I tried to explain in my review of Norwegian Wood. They lack a signature strangeness and instead rely on an unusual way of telling a usual story. Loved it, as always.
LibraryThing member debnance
I have loved everything I've read by Haruki Murakami. Mysterious. Thoughtful. Modern. Quirky.
LibraryThing member RBeffa
At first when I began reading this I thought it was going to be a light version of the author's Norwegian Wood. It was told in a first person style that I liked, but I found myself disliking the main character Hajime most of the time. When I would start to sympathise with his lot in life he'd do
It is a decent, if odd, short novel.
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something that revealed he hadn't changed and I'd be back to unsympathetic. This is someone caught in a web from his first love, who left damage thereafter in life. The characters in this book essentially were unable to move on in minor or major ways from early experiences, to the detriment of all I think. A sad story.It is a decent, if odd, short novel.
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LibraryThing member williecostello
Quick, Spoiler-Free Review
If you've never read any Murakami before, this novel is probably not the place to start (for that I'd suggest 'Kafka on the Shore' or 'Norwegian Wood'). For any Murakami fan, however, I think this is one of his best. I would specifically recommend it to any fan of
Longer Review, with some minor spoilers
Like 'Norwegian Wood', 'South of the Border, West of the Sun' is one of Murakami's rare straightforwardly realistic books. Unlike the majority of his other novels, there is nothing surreal or supernatural in this story (no talking cats or waking dreams this time around, sorry). Nonetheless, it's not at all lacking in the enigmatic are serendipitous, and has plenty to offer to fans of any of Murakami's works.
The story itself is fairly ordinary. It is the story of Hajime, a Japanese man about the same age as Murakami, and the powerful influence of three women on his life: Shimamoto, his junior high school crush, who haunts him for the rest of his life; Izumi, his high school girlfriend, whom he hurts deeply by sleeping with her cousin; and Yukiko, his eventual wife, with whom he has two daughters and a conventionally perfect life. Though this novel is a quick read, the reader gets an intimate and detailed portrait of the way these three relationships shape Hajime's psyche, and how they all play off one another. Ultimately, I see the novel as a deep meditation on the psychological and societal forces that shape how we feel and who we are, and it is hard to read this novel without reflecting on one's own past relationships.
One of the things I always admire in Murakami's work is how he is able to imbue the world we live in with a pervasive sense of mystery and the unexplainable. Many times this effect is achieved by his presentation of imaginative universes that seem almost parallel to our own, though never quite there. This novel is different in that it is firmly situated within our world, and thus is its sense of mystery all the more palpable. I'm not sure if this novel will appeal to every Murakami fan out there, but it's one of my personal favorites, and one I will gladly return to in the future.
If you've never read any Murakami before, this novel is probably not the place to start (for that I'd suggest 'Kafka on the Shore' or 'Norwegian Wood'). For any Murakami fan, however, I think this is one of his best. I would specifically recommend it to any fan of
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'Norwegian Wood', or anyone else who's not so into Murakami's more imaginative and surreal books and is looking for a more realistic story.Longer Review, with some minor spoilers
Like 'Norwegian Wood', 'South of the Border, West of the Sun' is one of Murakami's rare straightforwardly realistic books. Unlike the majority of his other novels, there is nothing surreal or supernatural in this story (no talking cats or waking dreams this time around, sorry). Nonetheless, it's not at all lacking in the enigmatic are serendipitous, and has plenty to offer to fans of any of Murakami's works.
The story itself is fairly ordinary. It is the story of Hajime, a Japanese man about the same age as Murakami, and the powerful influence of three women on his life: Shimamoto, his junior high school crush, who haunts him for the rest of his life; Izumi, his high school girlfriend, whom he hurts deeply by sleeping with her cousin; and Yukiko, his eventual wife, with whom he has two daughters and a conventionally perfect life. Though this novel is a quick read, the reader gets an intimate and detailed portrait of the way these three relationships shape Hajime's psyche, and how they all play off one another. Ultimately, I see the novel as a deep meditation on the psychological and societal forces that shape how we feel and who we are, and it is hard to read this novel without reflecting on one's own past relationships.
One of the things I always admire in Murakami's work is how he is able to imbue the world we live in with a pervasive sense of mystery and the unexplainable. Many times this effect is achieved by his presentation of imaginative universes that seem almost parallel to our own, though never quite there. This novel is different in that it is firmly situated within our world, and thus is its sense of mystery all the more palpable. I'm not sure if this novel will appeal to every Murakami fan out there, but it's one of my personal favorites, and one I will gladly return to in the future.
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LibraryThing member okupcu
Although it is very fastmoving in style, the story is superficial and ordinary. Probably disappointing for adult readers, it may be good beginning of Murakami for the young ones.
LibraryThing member axya
I always like the ideas of Murakami - believe me, I totally understand, but identify or sympathizing with the characters is simply out of the questions =.= I always have a strong urge to punch each of the main characters in the face. I mean, I guess I can totally understand if they're real life
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people, but the way Murakami writes make me 8-} and wonder wtf are they doing w their lives. I just don't get it. Guess it's a matter of taste. Show Less
LibraryThing member figre
There is a quality about Murakami’s writing that always draws me in. No matter the story, I find myself being drawn into his narrative. They are generally people that do not have “Big Things” happening to them, yet he makes them people you want to learn about.
I say that as introduction to
But, it didn’t stick. Is that me? Is that Murakami? Is that the story? Is it the situation in which I was reading? I can’t say. I can only say that the memory of this story is hazy. Not bad, just hazy.
I say that as introduction to
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stating that I enjoyed this book. And yet, some time after reading it, I have trouble recreating what I read. (Part of this may be that I read Murakami’s Norwegian Wood shortly after completing this one – and there are many similarities.) Glancing back to the book it does come back to me. A man has made himself a life that is going quite well – a wife, a family, a popular jazz bar. But a past love of his life (when they were very young) comes back in. His desire all comes back, and he is now torn between his current life and the life he thinks he might have had. Written like that, it sounds like a potboiler romance novel. This book is much more than that. As always, Murakami brings about nuances and insights to the characters that make the entire story more than the cardboard cutout my clunky synopsis above may make it seem.But, it didn’t stick. Is that me? Is that Murakami? Is that the story? Is it the situation in which I was reading? I can’t say. I can only say that the memory of this story is hazy. Not bad, just hazy.
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LibraryThing member sidiki
Brook Ashley's review (right under mine) had me laughing till my sides hurt. I found the book a fast read and an entertaining one. what I like about Murakami is that his writing is concise and succinct, every word counting as essential to the story.
What I don't like is that all the women are
nevertheless, Murakami entertains and surprises me by the flow of the protagonist's stream of consciousness way of thinking.
What I don't like is that all the women are
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spineless, two of them swooning all their lives over a boy they met when they were hardly teens. One has no self respect to sleep with her cousin's boyfriend and one is okay if she is second rate to her husband. In the end I almost thought he would leave his wife for Izumi, the third girl (or is she the fourth?) So the envelope vanishes in thin air. Does that mean he imagined everything?nevertheless, Murakami entertains and surprises me by the flow of the protagonist's stream of consciousness way of thinking.
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LibraryThing member Differenti
While reading the book, I planned to rate it three out of five stars, as I was a bit dissapointed after reading other works by Murakami. It felt much more difficult to connect to the main characters as in, for example, Norwegian Wood. However, the two final chapters are so magnificently written,
Not my all-time Murakami favourite, but a strange and captivating (short) story that is hard to put down.
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turned the story up side down, and contain so many delicious metaphors that I had to show some mercy and award it with four stars.Not my all-time Murakami favourite, but a strange and captivating (short) story that is hard to put down.
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LibraryThing member anneearney
I read this short, easy novel in two sittings. This book is more like Norwegian Wood, less like Murakami's more magical fiction, which I enjoy more. Not to say I didn't like the book - I did find it interesting enough to read all the way through quite quickly - but it didn't spark my imagination.
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There are some insightful moments when the main character comes to some conclusions about life, and I liked the ambiguous way the characters deal with right and wrong, but overall I definitely prefer the other books, such as Kafka on the Shore. Show Less
LibraryThing member runner56
Hajime is a self made man. He owns two piano jazz bars has an adoring wife and two wonderful children. But Hajime has a problem he cannot get the image of his close childhood friend Shimamoto from his mind. One day many years later a beautiful elegant lady sits drinking in one of his bars. As he
Haruki Murakami in his addictive writing style shows a deep understanding of the human condition, the relationships that we form and the allurements that entice us. He shows a world that is deceptively simple and introduces characters that are always slightly flawed (but surely we are all flawed) . It is therefore very easy for the reader to associate with the players in this wonderfully readable novel...."We were the two of us, still fragmentary beings, just beginning to sense the presence of an unexpected, to- be- acquired reality that would fill us and make us whole"......"Because everyone's seeking the same thing: an imaginary place, their own castle in the air, and their very own special corner of it."....."Things that have form will disappear. But certain feelings stay with us forever."...."Sometimes when I look at you I feel I'm gazing at a distant star"......"The special something I'd found ages ago in that melody was no longer there. It was still a beautiful tune, but nothing more. And I had no intention of lingering over the corpse of a beautiful song.".......
Beautiful lyrical writing and highly recommended.
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closely scrutinizes this lone customer he suddenly realizes that this is none other than Shimamoto. From that moment on Hajime is totally besotted with her and realizes even though he is happily married, Shimamoto is the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with...So what happens when you have it all and temptation not only arrives but welcomes you openly with warm and loving arms.....Haruki Murakami in his addictive writing style shows a deep understanding of the human condition, the relationships that we form and the allurements that entice us. He shows a world that is deceptively simple and introduces characters that are always slightly flawed (but surely we are all flawed) . It is therefore very easy for the reader to associate with the players in this wonderfully readable novel...."We were the two of us, still fragmentary beings, just beginning to sense the presence of an unexpected, to- be- acquired reality that would fill us and make us whole"......"Because everyone's seeking the same thing: an imaginary place, their own castle in the air, and their very own special corner of it."....."Things that have form will disappear. But certain feelings stay with us forever."...."Sometimes when I look at you I feel I'm gazing at a distant star"......"The special something I'd found ages ago in that melody was no longer there. It was still a beautiful tune, but nothing more. And I had no intention of lingering over the corpse of a beautiful song.".......
Beautiful lyrical writing and highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member hippietrail
This was my first Murakami book after reading a chapter of After the Quake in a bookshop. I'm not sure if it's one of his better works but it was enough to get me hooked and he's now perhaps my favourite current author.
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1992 (original Japanese)
1998
1999 (English: Gabriel)
2003 (Spanish)
2000 (German)
Physical description
186 p.; 7.6 inches
ISBN
0099448572 / 9780099448570