After the Quake
It’s been a month or so since I finished reading Murakami Haruki’s After the Quake so I kind of forgot what I am supposed to say. I should have written my thoughts about the book a long time ago instead of letting it pass. Knowing that I don’t really like remembering stuff in my head, I am sure that I will forget it. I’ll try my best to recall my comments about this book, and specifically about the stories that I really liked.
Anyway. This is the first time that I read Murakami’s short stories, so I cannot really decide whether I really like him as a novelist or as a short story writer. But After the Quake only has six stories in it, so it is not hard for me to pick the ones that I really like. The stories all have the same theme and atmosphere as his other novels (that I have read, so far), the only difference in After the Quake is that the stories are based from Hanshin Awaji Daishinsai in 1995. Probably there are some scenes and events in real life that are present in the book, but nevertheless most of the stories are magical and sometimes out of this world.
My favorite stories are Thailand and Honey Pie. I guess it’s because they feel more real to me, and since the stories were written after the earthquake, I was looking for stories that reflect the feelings and experiences of real people. Dr. Satsuki (from the story, Thailand) symbolizes an overworked person who tries to hide her real emotions. There is nothing magical in her story, but the advice given to her by Nimit and the old woman sure is true — we all keep “stones” inside, and if we do not get rid of those, these “stones” will certainly kill us.
Honey Pie, on the other hand, is rather a bittersweet story. Junpei’s indecisiveness surely is real, and a lot of people are too confused to decide. Or maybe people think too much, which complicates things even more. But the great thing about this story is that after Junpei made his decision, he was sure to do things right, and to protect the people that will soon become a part of his life (for real).
See, I already ran out of things to say. Anyway, After the Quake is a nice read, but it wouldn’t replace Kafka on the Shore on my favorites list.
Technorati tags: Haruki Murakami, After the Quake
Angela Solis grew up in the Philippines before moving in to Canada in 2003. She became a Canadian in 2006. Angela is 22 years old and an alumna of University of Manitoba with a degree in Psychology. She has been blogging since 2002. She maintains a 