Members with This Book
Most Helpful Reviews
see all reviews
Liked It “Murakami's stories are always a bit weird, and these were no exception. Good but not great. I prefer his novels.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
see all reviews-
“Poetical, intriguing as ever but realistically based on true-to-life stories”
Daniel P wrote this review Thursday, October 29 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Murakami's stories are always a bit weird, and these were no exception. Good but not great. I prefer his novels.”
Bryan G wrote this review Monday, October 5 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Synopsis: A collection of 15 of Haruki Murakami’s most surreal short stories.
Tim W wrote this review Thursday, September 17 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
My Take: The Elephant Vanishes is classic Murakami – strange, whimsical, reflective and more than a little confusing. You don’t find stories based on of the disappearance of a man’s favourite elephant or a woman being haunted by a gardening, green monster in every collection of short stories. However, despite being deeply strange, Murakami’s work never feels like fantasy or science fiction. Instead, it retains a dreamlike, contemplative quality that gives his writing a feeling of sophistication that goes beyond its unreal subject matter.
In this regard, I prefer Murakami’s surrealist work in small, day-dream size stories (like the similarly excellent Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman). While it’s still interesting, I find that when Murakami’s strange ruminations are expanded to novel length (like the overrated Kafka on the Shore) his oddness can start to get a bit tiring. Much better to get a brief taste of one of Murakami’s quirky ideas, enjoy the strange flavour for a dozen pages and then move on quickly to the next before the strangeness becomes overwhelming.”
“I'm almost done but even from the first few pages I knew... Murakami just does it for me =)
Anna B wrote this review Thursday, September 10 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
”
“I like short stories more and more, and this is a good collection from a great author”
Matthew H wrote this review Thursday, August 20 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Strange & then even stranger these stories remind me of the typical Murakami characters: lonely introspectives trying to figure things out or observing others who are. There are moments that can provoke a sad laugh and a funny cry. This was a short story adventure worth-taking.”
mrcornie wrote this review Thursday, July 2 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Surreal and very well written.Each of these stories carry so much mystery and wonder,all while being very modern and exact. Strange dreams,people,worlds. all within this logical context,with perfectly normal,middle class narrators who have stumbled upon anomaly without realizing its magic. extremely entertaining.”
Matea wrote this review Thursday, June 18 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This is the first book by Murakami that I have read. Planning to take up 'Kafka on the shore' next. The writing is unpredictable yet intriguing and spellbinding (cliché I know, but used them for a lack of better adjective). It defies classification, but at times strikes a close resemblance to flow-of-consciousness method.”
Nandan Hodavdekar wrote this review Sunday, May 31 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
