The Wind Up Bird Chronicle

Missing cat, over boiled spaghetti, wife who disappears, skinning a man alive… hmm… you have The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki-Murakami. This is the third book I have read by Murakami.  While there are some issues related to the translation of his work into English, let’s face it, he has a very unique style.   For many, the seemingly disconnected independent stories, which are all tied together by the lead character, make for a very confusing story.  The reader is uncertain about which parts are dreams or which parts are where the lead character is lost in his thoughts (is it real or is it Memorex?  I mean, let your mind create your own stories).  This is not a linear story, though I do think the book has some major themes which are repeated often and leave the reader with some level of “learning” or at least a message on the meaning of his life.  In the book, the main character, Toru Okada, an unemployed married passive man, is led on a series of unexplained experiences, some real, some dreamt, some hoped for, leaving the reader creating his/her own context for the meaning of the book.  This makes your read different than mine and leaves lots of room for exploration and venturing into quite a story.  One of the most impactful parts of the work for me occurs when Lieutenant Mamiya and his partners in the map planning business are confronted by members of the Russian military.  The Lieutenant shares his story with Toru when he is delivering a gift left by the dead palm reader who leaves Toru a present.  The present, in many respects, is for Toru to hear the horror of Mamiya who is tortured, much like Toru (but in a physical way, not in an emotional/spiritual way), when he witnesses the brutal “skinning” of his colleague and then is held captive by the Russian military.  He eventually is let go years later but when he attempts to kill his captive he is unsuccessful and then he receives a curse to be lonely the rest of his life.  Through each of the characters Toru meets there are lessons to learn.  His wife, who leaves him for another man, reunites through another body to share her horrific story of sexual abuse of her sister by her brother which leads to the sister’s suicide.  Toru, who in many respects is characterized as the twentieth century “Everyman,” is forced to endure sexual exploits that he can’t remove himself, or his subconscious, from.  Water and the lack of it is a metaphor throughout for lacking heart, thoughts, and obviously a marriage without love.  So many levels, so many connections throughout Murakami’s work.  There is no way that a brief blog on the book could do any justice to the book.  Try figuring out the significance of “wind up bird” for some fun!  Murakami clearly has unresolved sexual issues as it is a common theme throughout all of the works I have read, though actually works well in The Wind-Up Bird.  There is a complexity of characters that enriches the story.  These are real life people looking for something, though not sure how to unravel their history.  We need some psychiatrist/psychologists in your reading group for this one, Einstein would love it!  A very long read, so plan on some reflective moments between sittings.  I listened to this one… the different voices of the characters made for some fun.  Timing is key for reading this one, winters make sense as there are some really dark themes in this one.  Put it on the list sometime.