The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle- Book Review
The book starts with the incidents from the life of a couple (Toru Okada and Kumiko Okada)married for 6 years. As with all the Murakami's writings , words and pieces of philosophy flow magically with vivid details taking us through a journey to a new world. I wouldn't recommend this book to those who haven't read any Murakami book because starters could have an excruciating time with this book.Having said that, I would like to add that the book could be a philosophy lover's paradise.
Toru's journey through the book is so confusing that it makes us difficult to differentiate between reality and dreams. The story initially revolves around the lives of Toru and Kumiko.The search for meaning of mundane and bizzare happenings in Toru's life occupies major part of the story. This comes with a bonus of new characters in the story where each of them have their own unique tales to tell. Your mind gets caught in the labyrinth of tales. The narrative structure of the story is metaphorical.
What I truly admire about Murakami books is the way he seamlessly merges his simple yet sometimes strange ideologies with his narrative. Some of these are so deep stuck inside us that we realize it only when we read his books.
For example, observing people could be a cathartic experience. When you keep looking at people,your own head becomes empty. It is the easiest way to cleanse your thoughts.
Loved the way Murakami has glorified death.Have you ever thought what would it feel like to live forever?. People have to think seriously about what it means for them to be alive now because they know they are going to die. Death gives meaning to everything else in life and we need Death to make us evolve. In his own words, 'Death is this huge,bright thing ,and the bigger and brighter it is ,the more we have to drive ourselves crazy thinking about things'.
I don't want to reveal anything more from the book simply because I don't want to deprive you of the pleasure of hearing it straight from the horse's mouth.
The last 100 pages of the book is like the sky that is slowly getting cleared after a thunder or rain.As the bizzare events unfold you will witness Murakami's impeccable skills as a storyteller.
In life, nothing happens by coincidence or chance, everything is ingeniously programmed to lead us to the next step.
Murakami always succeeds to keep you in his bubble hence as the book is over ,my parallel world has come to an end,like a vivid dream ripped out by the hand of nothingness.
