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  ideas on murakami philosophy...any takers?

  I recently discovered Murakami and his writings, and I am just curious what impressions have been left upon other readers-- the meanings behind his writings, and any discussion you guys might have!!

  JLynn started this discussion 2 years ago. ( reply )

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  Phige.Iphios 

  He deals alot with the subconcious. I describe him to must be strongly influenced by psychoanalysis (if not solely by Freud). He's continuous discussion about death is very reminiscent of freud's theory on the two extreme poles of human existence.
  
  I've noticed that he makes dreams as the means for release of whatever anger or sexual experience that a character cannot express awake. He deals with the mind alot.
  
  well those are some of my thoughts.

  posted 2 years ago. ( reply )

  show 2 replies

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    raffee 

    What I noticed about him was his use of the contemporary setting, i.e. the songs listened to by the characters, well-known figures, ideas, they all seem to have some deeper, possibly symbolic meanings.
    
    Also, I noticed that in most of his books I've read, there is a scenario where the main character is in a car with another character. The main character could either be driving or not, but they often have very deep and significant conversations, sometimes they're even like turning points in the story.
    
    The idea of a car ride, traveling, a transitional phase, neither at the beginning nor the end, a liminal state, a transformation: This is what I think of those car rides and why they're so important.
    
    But that's just me..

    posted 2 years ago. ( reply )

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    keith b 

    hmm i can see the psychoanalysis aspect, but also i can see a bit of an existential angle, maybe instead of a theatre of the absurd perhaps a theatre of the mundane. relating to his focus on simple actions and their almost metaphysical aspects i.e. making spaghetti.

    posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  ro_oan 

  For me, Murakami uses ordinary objects, even daily routine to express vague ideas like urban alienation or existentialism. A friend of mine tried to compare him with Paulo Coelho's style: it's more like Murakami looks at the darker side and Coelho on the lighter side.
  One thing about his book also is- it doesn't always have a happy ending. come to think of it, I haven't read a book of his that has a "happy ending" at all. Surprisingly, I don't mind that. Life IS like that. He just constantly reminds people to LIVE LIFE (dance3x) inspite of so many obstacles we have to face. He reminds us too thru his odd characters that- we're not the only ones that have PROBLEMS. everybody does. some just gives up. we shouldn't.
  

  posted 2 years ago. ( reply )

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  Girish 

  Hi,..I too stumbled upon his writings quite recently and have taken quite a liking to his style. One thing i found about his writings and infact like about his writings is that he tends to keep the main character aloof of emotional attachments. and as Phige said, death and dreams seem to find a place in his writings. emotions, death, dreams - these three are related and each aspect has a defining role in a person's existance.

  posted 2 years ago. ( reply )

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  buoyant 

  For me, Murakami is a dark magical realist. He has grim stoic lead characters, usually young and they sort of get really challenged at the start of the book and then arrive at a mid point where the book usually ends. So if you dont care for neatly rounded off endings you are likely to like him.

  posted 1 year ago. ( reply )

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  Erick M 

  I think you can pretty much sum Murakami's philosophy in something like "You never know...". No matter wich one of his writings you take, that's the spirit. He always leaves an opening, or makes something happen that ordinarily you never would've thought might happen but that could probably happen. Every time i read Murakami i get the feeling that the world is what it tis but you never know when it'll become something else altogether.

  posted 11 months ago. ( reply )

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  Rimutis T 

  Really, I don't know why I like Murakami. I just like him. His style of thinking and his pointing of view on the life. I know that knew nothing.

  posted 2 months ago. ( reply )

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