Blogging Anniversary - 10 years

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A while ago I checked when I did my first blog post, in order to celebrate with an anniversary post. Well, that day came and went without any reaction from me. Better late than never, so here a reminder of my very first blog post from 24 October 2012.  The book was New Finnish Grammar  by Diego Marani. Marani is an Italian novelist, translator and newspaper columnist. While working as a translator for the European Union he invented a language ‘Europanto’ which is a mixture of languages and based on the common practice of word-borrowing usage of many EU languages. It was a suitable book to start with, being a book about letters, languages and memories. With a beautiful prose, the novel went directly to my heart.  "One night at Trieste in September 1943 a seriously wounded soldier is found on the quay. The doctor, of a newly arrived German hospital ship, Pietri Friari gives the unconscious soldier medical assistance. His new patient has no documents or anything that can ide...
5 comments

Men Without Women by Haruki Murakami

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This is my first book by the highly appreciated Haruki Murakami. It contains short stories of men and their relationship with women. Although I had a slight problem with the first story, or the way it was written (might have been the translation), it improved with each of the stories.

The stories are about different men from different parts of the society and their often troubled relationship with their women. Together, they show the different ways of love. One of my favourite was the one about a man who did not want to get married, and had a lot of different affairs. It was always him that ended the affairs. Then, one day, the thing happened, that I always think happens to most of us, he fell in love with his mistress. All of a sudden the situation was the reverse. He was the eager one and she withdrew. It lead to a total downfall for the man and ended in disaster.

This is just one of the extremes of the stories Murakami tells us. They are all told in a calm, matter of fact way, and it is almost like you see a movie, rather than read a text. The stories are very visible. Although it takes place in the Japanese society, I think the stories are universal. Love is a very complicating thing, no matter what happens.

I loved the book and am looking forward reading more by Murakami.

Comments

  1. Brona16 October 2017 at 12:15

    I'm planning on having more Murakami in my life in prep for our holiday to Japan next year. I haven't read any of his short stories yet, this sounds good.
    Thanks

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    1. Lisbeth 16 October 2017 at 17:15

      Really good. It is also perfect with short stories because you can read them whenever, and one at a time. I can also recommend the following books taking place in Japan. "Memoirs of a Geisha" by Arthur Golden, "Tokyo Fiancée" by Amelie Norton, "The House Keeper and the Professor" by Yoko Ogawa. Really loved the last one.
      Japan is fantastic. Have a very nice time.

      Delete
  2. Rebecca16 October 2017 at 17:09

    He's one of my all-time favorite authors. I think he's amazing. I haven't read this one yet, though. Glad you loved it! I suggest 1Q84 - I love that book.
    Rebecca @ The Portsmouth Review
    Follow me on Bloglovin'

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    1. Lisbeth 16 October 2017 at 17:19

      Thank you, will remember that. Definitely want to read more.

      Delete
  3. Bellezza 17 October 2017 at 03:14

    I like how you said the stories are told in a very calm way; that's so true of how I perceive Murakami as well. He can be telling of the most bizarre thing, and it seems as ordinary from him as every day life. Maybe it's every day life which can be bizarre.

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    1. Lisbeth 19 October 2017 at 10:54

      I think you are right. Every day life can be bizarre. It is very nice to find an author who so well can put it down in words. I am looking forward reading more by him.

      Delete

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