Threading Up Orange

Disclaimer: It’s going to be a long review as Haruki Murakami is my unsurpassed favorite writer.

I have read Men without women followed by Norwegian wood and Wild Sheep Chase. Kafka on the shore is my latest read by the author and I don’t think I have ever experienced anything like this before. The characters, plot, philosophies and metaphors in every Murakami’s book, everything is outlandish.

Genre:  Novel, Magical Realism, Fantasy Fiction

Author: Haruki Murakami

Kafka Tamura runs away from home at fifteen, under the shadow of his father’s dark prophecy. The ageing Nakata, tracker of loss cats, who never recovered from a bizarre childhood affliction, finds his pleasantly simplified life suddenly turned upside down. As their parallel odysseys unravel, cats converse with people, fish tumble from the sky, a ghost-like pimp deploys a Hegel-spouting girl of the night; a forest harbors soldiers apparently un-aged since WW II. There is a savage killing, but the identity of both victim and killer is a riddle – one of many which combine to create an elegant and dreamlike masterpiece.

When I started reading this book I had no idea what a joyous and mysterious ride it would be. I was already aware of the marvelous storytelling by Murakami. It is such a joy to read story alternatively narrating Kafka’s life in odd chapters and Nakata’s life in even chapter. Kafka trying to escape while Nakata being a dimwit  (might be relatable to so many of you, including me) provides an edgy story ahead.   Not just Kafka and Nakata, but every character has enthralling existence in the story. Murakami personifying Johnnie Walker and Captain Sanders is queer yet so arousing (I never imagined someone characterizing them). There are many absurd incidents like conversing with cat or fishes raining from the above, makes the plot more dreamlike.

The whole experience of reading Murakami is mesmerizing. The way he describes every set up is magical. Kafka residing in library is my best-loved thing in the book (goals for me, yay!). In the end, spoilers, the place where Kafka meets his mother is an abstract concept. The place is so effortlessly narrated by him, it keeps building in your mind with each line. There are lot many things he highlights. I loved how Oshima led his/her life, not getting caught in gender role or Hoshina giving up his job in a go to follow his heart. I was spellbound when Miss Saeki and Kafka converse in the end, it felt like a necessity for Kafka and us.

“ If you remember me, then I don't care if everyone else forgets.”  - Miss Saeki, Kafka on the Shore

When I finished reading, I was overwhelmed with mixed emotions, about the book, myself, life. Murakami offers you much to think about and much more to take with you. He has an impact on you which stays longer and hopefully lifetime. There is no moving on from Murakami. As soon as you finish one, you will be yearning for more, just like pani puri (I’ll be here to recommend you more, don’t worry!). I have said so much still it feels so unjustified to what a far out experience it is, definitely I cannot contain it in words!

My second foray into sci-fi, and consider me officially converted. This isn’t just a "space story"—it’s a masterclass in the architecture of civilization. It weaves together politics, sociology, and psychology so tightly that you forget you’re reading about a fictional planet. Plus, having a protagonist who actually feels like a hero (albeit a complicated one) makes the dense lore go down like fine spice coffee.

However, we need to talk about that finale...

While the world-building was a 10/10, the landing felt a bit more like a controlled crash. A few things I’m still obsessing over:

The Missing Showdown: I spent the entire book manifesting a cinematic, high-tension face-off between Paul and the Harkonnens. I wanted the dialogue, the escalation, the visceral satisfaction of a hard-earned revenge. Instead, it felt like the revenge happened while I was blinking.

The "Tell, Don't Show" Aftermath: I loved seeing the strategic preparation, but it felt a bit lopsided to spend so much time on the "how-to" and so little on the "here-it-is." The aftermath was beautifully explained to set up the sequel, but I wanted to feel the heat of the battle more.

The Irulan Enigma: Princess Irulan is such a fascinating shadow throughout the book, but she remained just that—a shadow. I was desperate for more of her perspective beyond the epigraphs.

Didn't want everything to be on Instagram, so here I go

If you have read him or not, you need to read this article. 7 mins well spent! 

Hello people,

So here I'm starting a post with a book quote from the book I'm currently reading. You too can add yours further. Can't wait to read all the lovely quotes coming in my way. Also, don't forget to mention the name of the book and author!

When 2021 started, I gifted myself with books to be read this year. And before I could finish all what I had bought I kept buying more new books (I guess, the biggest crisis readers are yet to come over). Gladly I present you my reading for near future.

P.S. This list is not exhaustive because we are only in March and look at me :P

From left to right

The Battle of Belonging by Shashi Tharoor

The Hindu Way by Shashi Tharoor

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy

The ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy

Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh

The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger

How I Taught my Grandmother to Read and other stories by Sudha Murthy

Underground by Haruki Murakami

The recent book, a compilation of essays and articles, written by Arundhati Roy is a good read. The book somehow tries to be the voice of the unheard. It certainly brings out how difficult it could get for a section of society if government becomes biased towards them in a democracy.

I am writing a review after a while and I cannot express how much I missed it.

I finished reading freshly adapted into a film, 'The White Tiger' by Arvinda Adiga. This book got published on 2008 and also won booker's prize award. Not surprised, the film also got nominated for Oscars. Feel free to read the review, there are no spoilers :)

Genre : Crime, Fiction

Author : Aravind Adiga

Meet Balram Halwai, servant, philosopher, entrepreneur, murderer...

Balram halwai, himself, takes you on a journey with him from darkness to light. How, he born and raised up in a village in India, half baked, changed his destiny. The book speaks at level, starting from darkness to the very top. It tells you what it means to be a loyal and honest servant how it could mean nothing at all. As it could be gussed, this book has so much realism in respect to society, politics, humanity and India that it makes almost impossible to keep this book down.

Although the book is a work of fiction but it speaks volumes of truth. It tells you the true nature of India with its poor and helpless. The manipulation of politics by the people in power, how poor suffer each day and how things are still the same provokes angst. But also at the same time, that how we all are in the same rooster coop and it's only a matter of time since one of us breaks the coop and go away.

The metaphors used all along will give you chills to your bone. The way author tries to talk with its reader via each and every metaphor used in the book creates an everlasting impact. It deals with human emotions, the relationship of a servant with his master, how intimate they could get and how it could mean nothing to the latter and everything to the former. It depicts inhumanity when riches try to play with their money and power and humanity when people from darkness tries to make their wrongs right.

Turn of events that took place somehow made me wonder what was right and what wasn't. From Munna to Balram Halwai to Ashok Sharma, the journey of a poor class driver to a successful entrepreneur and the choices he made, were they right? But then, events that led him to make his choices were they right? I believe, everything is in a loop and everytime we try to understand it we reach from where we started.

Buy a book, you like the most (paperback) and give it to someone you wish to know, then ask them to make notes in the book itself while reading it, as in what they think about a particular incident, or character and their views about the book in general. Ask them to write everything down in the book as they progress with it and you could read their notes later and see what ideology and beliefs they have.