Haruki Murakami

I’m reading a book of short stories by a Japanese novelist named Haruki Murakami. It’s called Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman. I’ve read most of Murakami’s books and loved every one (Norwegian Wood would accompany me to a desert island) and so far this compilation of 24 stories is no exception.

While every story Murakami tells is unique, many of them contain similar elements.

Here are a few of them:

• Cats (occasionally ones that can talk)
• Ears
• Water wells (old-fashioned ones that are usually empty)
• Spaghetti
• Jazz

January 2, 2008