It's already half past three and I'm still trying to write this post. I'd choose to sleep right about now, but what I'm going to discuss is way more intriguing than sleeping. I've finished some books these couple of weeks but what I do really like to review is about another Murakami's. This is what I mean, an ideal-christmast-gift that every book reviewers have been talking about this month!
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| The Strange Library - Haruki Murakami's lastest book |
It took almost 2 weeks before I finally could get a copy of this book. I ordered by phone from a book store at my campus library but then I realized that they didn't take any note about the book which I ordered. So I came a week later and made sure that this time they would save a copy for me. When I finally got a call from the book store to pick up the book, I was flustered by choosing which one of version that I wanted to buy. I asked the store assistant what's the difference between the hardcover and the paperback edition. Both editions have some colourful pages--I can saw it right away on the side of the book though it's sealed. I learnt that the hardcover version (with magenta cover) is the UK edition and the paperback's US edition (the one that I finally bought). You can check this link for further reference about both editions.
And, yes I love the book!
Before going to the writing aspect I'd love to tell you that Chip Kidd's did very well with the whole design and illustrations. It's like a book from my childhood in which I can find a page of illustration to every full page of words. Actually, I was in doubt to purchase this book because it's a bit pricey for a 90-something pages book. I could buy others a brick thick book if I want-- Colourless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimare or Aldutery by Paulo Coelho would do. This book without any of the illustrations would be just a short story. But yes with this kind of design, I think it's worth every penny.
Even with a concept of childreen book, I still completely disagree with those who say this book is intended for kids. Actually I don't even know what they called as "childreen book" because the original story about Cinderella and others also have its dark sides. I don't think this book is a childreen book more like because it's Murakami's! Ha! Whether there will be any hidden meaning or value beyond the methaporical words that Murakami usually does, but ya, this book still has those subconscious things that Murakami loves. But maybe if someday I have a child who has an old soul inside her/his 4 y.o figure, I'll read her/him this book once in a while when I'm out of story to tell.
A little boy is the center of the story. He resembles me--and may be you--in some aspects. He's an obedient child who always says yes to every order that others people told him to do. Even when he doesn't like the idea. He just wants to make other people happy. Even when it means that he has to sacrifice himself. He likes to be praised. Even because of doing something he doesn't like. For me he's more like a conformist and naive side of us. Okay, of me.
If you want to know the plot, it will be easier to read the link I've put before. You will find an old man with a willow switch, a man dressed in a sheep outfit, a ghostly girl, the boy's mom, a starling, a black mysterious dog, and some mouth watering food descriptions. And oh! Don't forget to read the ending of the story. It's printed in smaller typewiter text on the next page. It's like the boy had been through a nightmare for me. The realistic one.
Ask me about how I personally feel when I was reading the book! (Would you?)
This book is absolutely weird, quirky, dark, elusive, and surreal. But, that's why I love it as much as I love Kafka on The Shore. For me, the book gives me the idea about starting to live in this messy world. When we are young, we should be careful about what we want to learn and know. Every source of knowledge about wrong or right lays beyond dimension of black and white. It's in the dimension of flexibility. In the end we have to learn by ourselves what's right and wrong. What's exist and disguise. What we really want and don't want. Because nobody will always be there to lead the journey. Giving order. Drawing the line. Or watching us out.
So, whether you want to purchase a copy or just borrow this from your friend, if you're a Murakami's fan, then have a happy beautifully quirky way of reading!
The Strange Library
Fiction
by Haruki Murakami
96 pp. Alfred A. Knopf. $18.
