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Author Haruki Murakami booklist (click here)

Book Review By David G. Phillips
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami

The story starts off simply enough about Mr. Okada losing his cat, then his wife, and then finally his own mind. In a bizarre fashion all of the odd characters and situations that Okada finds himself in are all related in some way which is eventually summed together at the end. What was most fascinating is the elements of Buddhism, the search for nothingness to really get in touch with one's consciousness. Okada finds the strength and ability to achieve 'emptiness' at the bottom of a dark well. In the well, the author puts us in touch with the most bizarre adventures in Okada's consciousness.
Much of the story talks about war guilt.


Plot & Themes
Time/era of story - 1980's-1999
Ethnic/Regional/Religion
Internal struggle/realization? Yes
Struggle over
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Coping with loss of loved one(s) Yes
Loss of...
Ethnic/regional/gender life Yes

Main Character
Gender - Male
Profession/status:
Has magical powers? Yes
Magical/mental powers of main character:
Ethnicity/Nationality

Main Adversary
Identity: - society

Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings? - 8 ()
Asia/Pacific Yes
Asian country: - Japan - China
Small town? Yes
Small town people: - nice, like Andy/Opie/Aunt Bee
Misc setting

Writing Style
Sex in book? Yes
What kind of sex: - actual description of hetero sex
Amount of dialog - significantly more dialog than descript
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