The 21st Tanizaki Junichiro prize winner (1985). The tale of "I" who lives in a town which is surrounded by a high wall and who "reads" dreams from the skulls of unicorns which live there. Outside the walls are the "End of the World." The protagonist "I" has a certain thinking circuit and works diligently against those who would steal the secret hidden in the circuit [Hard-Boiled Wonderland]. Haruki Murakami's wonderful twin tales, interwoven into a book with a surprise thought-provoking ending. Vol 1 of 2
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The 21st Tanizaki Junichiro prize winner (1985). The tale of "I" who lives in a town which is surrounded by a high wall and who "reads" dreams from the skulls of unicorns which live there. Outside the walls are the "End of the World." The protagonist "I" has a certain thinking circuit and works diligently against those who would steal the secret hidden in the circuit [Hard-Boiled Wonderland]. Haruki Murakami's wonderful twin tales, interwoven into a book with a surprise thought-provoking ending. Vol 1 of 2
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Seller's Description:
Used, very good. Almost like new paperback without jacket. Ivory cover, copyright 1985 but probably later printing, 471pp. Very slight wear, clean, unmarked. **We provide professional service and individual attention to your order, daily shipments, and sturdy packaging. FREE TRACKING ON ALL SHIPMENTS WITHIN USA.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Used, very good. Almost like new paperback without jacket. Illustrated light tan cover, copyright 1985 but probably later printing, 471pp. Very slight wear, clean, unmarked. **We provide professional service and individual attention to your order, daily shipments, and sturdy packaging. FREE TRACKING ON ALL SHIPMENTS WITHIN USA.
I just finished Hard-Boiled Wonderland And The End Of The World, and though it took me awhile to get into it, it?s one of Murakami?s best. Each chapter alternates between two seemingly separate stories, one called Hard Boiled Wonderland and the other (wait for it) The End Of The World.
The first story involves an unnamed narrator who works as a Calcutec, someone who encrypts data by mentally separating it (into right-brain and left-brain data), then recompiling it. He does some work for a professor, and immediately falls into a path that makes him learn more about who he is, and his supposed destiny.
The second story is much, much, MUCH more surreal, taking place in an unnamed town, where a Gatekeeper shepherds some unicorns (yes, unicorns), and the protagonist has his eyes severed so that he can read the dreams of the town. (Told it you it was surreal.)
One starts suspecting early on that the stories are connected, as they are thematically similar in key ways, and the way the stories converge and eventually resolve themselves. The ending is very satisfying, and feels like it?s the only possible way to complete the story.
It?s a novel that actually asks some very interesting questions, and weaves an amusing and creative story along the way. Murakami is truly one of the masters out there right now (and was justly considered for this years Nobel Prize for Literature), and it?s consistently a pleasure to read his works.
Twin2
May 28, 2007
Stunning style....
Grab a coffee and hop back into to bed and snuggle into your blankets with this book! Murakami is an amazing writer. He combines modern day concerns with a 'reality' pushed to the extreem and then some. His style is engaging. I can only imagine that it would be better before translation - though I'm sure Alfred Birnbaum has done a great job. Murakami might not be for everyone, but if you like something a little different and intriguing, anything by Murakami is a sure bet. :) Enjoy!