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Murakami Research Paper

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Every day, I borrowed two books from my school’s library: one fiction, one nonfiction.

Apart from when I chose heavy brick­like epics, I’d read those two books the same night and

would return them the next day. Until my early middle school years, I read almost religiously,

eager to learn and experience new fictional worlds. It even got to the point of my mom

threatening to remove the bulb from my bedroom lamp in order for me stop replacing sleep with

reading. The rigorous academic­induced schedule that developed as I ascended grades took a

toll on my reading habits until I almost completely stopped reading for fun in high school. Now,

in my junior year, I’ve rediscovered the joy books once brought me. Last fall, I picked up

Norwegian …show more content…

In the

introduction of Wind/Pinball, the 2015 re­release of Murakami’s first two works, he admits that

he himself experience great feelings of being a misfit in Japanese society, writing that he “chose

the exact opposite of what was considered normal” (Murakami). Such choices lead to an

unconventional life in comparison to Japanese cultural norm. As a result, Murakami was struck

by sensations of perplexity. He illustrates his credibility through recounting the events leading to

his establishment as an author, including discovering his passion, confusion, financial struggles,

and insecurity. Murakami takes all of these hardships of human living and includes them in his

works, reaching out to many readers.

When my friend Jacob, who studies Japanese language and culture, asked for book

recommendations, of course I suggested Murakami. Similar to me, he started with Norwegian

Wood. After completing that, he moved on to the 1157­page monster that is 1Q84. When I

asked him what he liked about Murakami the other day, his answer was how “everything can

have a different meaning aside from the obvious.” For example, the symbolism of the

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