After Dark - Haruki Murakami

After a quick survey of the interior, our eyes come to rest on a girl sitting by the front window. Why her? Why not someone else? Hard to say. But, for some reason, she attracts our attention--very naturally. She sits at a four-person table, reading a book. Hooded gray parka, blue jeans, yellow sneakers faded from repeated washing. On the back of the chair next to her hangs a varsity jacket. This, too, is far from new. She is probably college freshman age, though an air of high school still clings to her. Hair black, short, and straight. Little makeup, no jewelry. Small, slender face. Black-rimmed glasses. Every now and then, an earnest wrinkle forms between her brows.

An alienated young woman during one night in Tokyo is the basis for this interesting short novel. The writer, Murakami, is highly regarded and after my initial reading of him, I can understand this praise. His writing is fresh and engaging. There is much dialogue in this book between the young woman, a young man, and a hotel manager. It is well composed and keeps the story moving at a rapid pace. The author also creates a unique narration throughout the book. Insight is offered on modern urban life in Japan, the alienation of youth, and metaphysical concepts. Both dark and optimistic, the book is a short and worthwhile read.

Atonement - Ian McEwan

In the early evening, high-altitude clouds in the western sky formed a thin yellow wash which became richer over the hour, and then thickened until a filtered orange glow hung above the giant crests of parkland trees; the leaves became nutty brown, the branches glimpsed among the foliage oily black, and the desiccated grasses took on the colors of the sky. A Fauvist dedicated to improbable color might have imagined a landscape this way, especially once sky and ground took on a reddish bloom and the swollen trunks of elderly oaks became so black they began to look blue. Though the sun was weakening as it dropped, the temperature seemed to rise because the breeze that had brought faint relief all day had faded, and now the air was still and heavy.

I have greatly enjoyed other books by McEwan, but this one left me disappointed. I didn't see the major motion picture and am not likely to do so now. This book is much longer than other McEwan books I have read and might be improved if half of it was cut out. The author is a great writer, but seems to have spent too much time focused on writing more than the characters or the story. McEwan's books involve deep emotions, but in Atonement, these are buried under too many words and unnecessary descriptions. I debated all the way through my reading to whether to stop reading or continue. I finished the book, but am not sure I made the right decision. However, don't hesitate to read other books by McEwan which are excellent.

Vertigo - W.G. Sebald

United by the inveterate alcoholism of the Tyrol which is known for its extremism far beyond the region, these Innsbruck dossers, some of whom appeared to have only recently dropped out of ordered life, while others were already in a completely ruinous state, and every single one of whom had something of the philosopher or even of the preacher about him, were holding forth on current events as well as the most fundamental questions. It was remarkable in their disputations that those who chimed in at the top of their voices were invariably the ones who left off in mid-sentence, suddenly silenced as if by stroke. Whatever happend to be the topic, every point was underscored by highy theatrical, apodictic gestures, and even when one of their number, no longer able to put into words the thought which had just come into his head, turned away with a wave of contempt, it seemed to me as if their manner derived from a distinctive dramatic repertoire completely unknown on the stage. Possibly this was because all of them were holding their beer bottles in thier right hands, and were thus in a sense acting out one-armed, left-handed roles. And perhaps, I concluded from this observation, it might be a good ploy to tie the right hands of all drama students behind their backs for a year at the start of their training.

This is Sebald's first novel and every bit as wonderful as his others. Like Austerlitz and The Rings of Saturn, this is also a trance-like travelogue. The travels in Sebald's books are more about the exploration of memory and history, than details of place. In Vertigo, he weaves four stories around a theme of self-exploration. The intersections of these stories are not clearly demarked and perhaps more like electron clouds around a nucleus. I read this book not knowing where it would it would take me, nor caring as an enjoyable spell is cast taking one out of time while reading.

As intriguing as the text are the pictures Sebald inserts throughout this book. One could browse through the book looking at all the pictures and have little idea what the book is about. However, most would find themselves wanting to solve the mystery of the strange pictures. Rather than solving a mystery in his travels, Sebald seems to uncover deeper and deeper mysteries. A completely unique and fascinating book.

Buddha's Little Finger - Victor Pelevin

The bust of Aristotle was the only thing I retained in my memory when I came around, although I am far from certain that the expression 'to come round' is entirely appropriate. Ever since my childhood I have sensed in it a certain shame-faced ambiguity. Round what exactly? To where? And, most intriguing of all, from where? Nothing, in short, but a cheating sleight of hand, like the card-sharps on the Volga steamers. As I grew older, I came to understand that the words 'to come round' actually mean 'to come round to other people's point of view', because no sooner is one born than these other people begin explaining just how hard one must try to force oneself to assume a form which they find acceptable.

This is book is as strange as it title might imply. And it is strangely wonderful. Pelevin crafts a surreal book that displays the differing character of Russia through bizarre situations. Yes, Buddha's little finger does play a part in the book. The main character is thrust into wild situations where the nature of existence and reality are questioned. The writing is thought-provoking and creative. This imaginative book is full of surprises that will bring smiles along with reflections to the reader. For those who like books that challenge the reader, this book will is well worth the effort. A great book.