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Nat K's Reviews > First Person Singular
First Person Singular
by
by
Nat K's review
bookshelves: 2021-books, buddy-reads, murakami-magic, short-stories, japonais
Apr 11, 2021
bookshelves: 2021-books, buddy-reads, murakami-magic, short-stories, japonais
”Loving someone is like having a mental illness that’s not covered by health insurancfe.”
Is it only me, or does Murakami’s work seem to become even more dreamlike and philosophical over time? Or has my viewpoint and life experience changed the way I now read? It seems to me that Murakami - in his oh so dreamlike and eloquently esoteric way - ponders the imponderable even more than he did in previous books. His writing still takes us up paths and along thought patterns that don’t necessarily lead anywhere, yet where you feel you’ve covered a lot of ground. Oh, to spend an afternoon in a café with him! With jazz playing in the background, of course.
This latest (and dare I say highly anticipated) offering, is a collection of eight short stories. Which if I want to get all deep and mystical, eight also happens to be the symbol for the infinity sign. Read into that what you will. Was this accidental, or a bit of sweet synchronicity.
Short stories are my favourite genre, and Murakami is one of my favourite writers. Even for his books that aren’t quite up there on my top shelf, I still get something from them. So this was a complete win-win for me.
As you’ve no doubt already guessed, each of these short stories is told from the first person perspective. We see through the narrator’s eyes, think their thoughts, feel their feelings and have their doubts.
”Happiness is always a relative thing. Don’t you think?”
It wasn’t until I’d completed the book that it really struck me, that each of these stories has to do with reminiscing. They are all set in the past, in a precise moment that made a strong emotional impact on the protagonist. Not necessarily the happiest or favourite time for them, but one that left enough of an imprint, to have them thinking about it years - or even decades - later. I wonder if having reached a certain age, Murakami (like I’d imagine most of us) is looking back on his life and experiences, and some pivotal moments stand out. There is a lot of pondering in this book. The what ifs, and where are they nows…
”But winning or losing doesn’t affect the weight and value of time. It’s the time, either way. A minute is a minute, an hour is an hour. We need to cherish it. We need to deftly reconcile ourselves with time, and leave behind as many precious memories as we can - that’s what’s the most valuable.”
It’s a funny thing, as I was reading one of the stories Confessions of a Shinagawa Monkey, I had the most incredible sense of déjà vu. Which is something many of Murakami’s characters seem to suffer from a lot too. Time tends to be very elastic in his writing. The further I got into the story, the more familiar it became, and it all came back to me. It turns out this story was published in the New Yorker in 2020, which is fine. But I still can’t understand how I could possibly have read it there. One of life’s great mysteries. And even better that it’s tied in with Murakami.
I enjoyed this immensely, though as the stories progressed, I felt increasingly sadder reading them. As in a bittersweet melancholy. I can’t quite explain why. I guess it’s because the latter stories were more poignant, in that they really dug deep about who we once were versus who we now are. Are they both one and the same person? The line about ”But if it isn’t me in the mirror, I thought, then who is it?” - whoa!
As anyone who’s read Murakami knows, it’s next to impossible to write a cohesive or comprehensible review. As always I write way too much, so here’s a snapshot of the stories.
Cream
Do the circles ever meet? Beware invitations to piano recitals. The essence of life is the crème de la crème. Don’t settle for anything less.
”There’s nothing worth getting in this world that you can get easily.”
On a Stone Pillow
I can’t help but think of Margaret Attwood’s Stone Mattress. Both a stone pillow and a matching mattress. Imagine!
”Like two straight lines overlapping, we momentarily crossed at a certain point, then went our separate ways.”
Charlie Parker Plays Bossa Nova
Have you ever had dreams which are so real you feel like you’re really in them, to the point you can actually smell the coffee roasting? And yet you still know you’re dreaming? The moral of the story is, just buy the damned album!
” ‘Perry Como sings Jimi Hendrix, eh?’ Bird murmured, as if recalling. And chuckled again in a hoarse voice.”
With The Beatles
Always have a good book with you. You never know when you may have to read it out loud for somebody.
” ‘You’re very good at reading aloud,’ he said, sounding genuinely impressed. ‘Has anybody ever told you that?’”
Confessions of a Shinagawa Monkey
I don’t think I’d feel quite comfortable having a monkey scrub my back in a spa. Even if he chose not to speak. Or brought me beer. Identity. What we do for love.
” ‘It’s gotten very cold these days, hasn’t it,’ the monkey commented.’”
Carnaval
Classical music evokes all sorts of emotions and interpretations. Smoke and mirrors. The proverbial tip of the iceberg. How much of what we see in others is their true self? Can men and women ever truly just be friends.
”All of us, more or less, wear masks. Because without masks we can’t survive in this violent world.”
The Yakult Swallows Poetry Collection
Cheering on the underdog can lead to great things.
”Prompted by something - fate, my astrological sign, blood type, prophecy, or a spell.’”
First Person Singular
Make sure that your suit and tie are from the same country of origin. Don’t mix and match, someone will notice. Make sure that the pages left in your book are just enough to read before you finish your vodka gimlet.
”And now here I was, a first person singular. If I’d chosen a different direction, most likely I wouldn’t be here. But still - who is that in the mirror?’”
Existential crises, jazz, love, misunderstandings, bars, music, unrequited love, angst, awkwardness, identity, aging, shadow and light, sweet and umami. ”Extreme love, extreme loneliness.’” And there was also a sighting of a calico cat.
It was interesting to note that Philip Gabriel is the translator (which he’s been on most of the Murakami books which I’ve read). I believe that a translator’s job isn’t an easy one, as they have to evoke the emotion and tone of the writer. Nuances are so difficult to move from one language to another. So much is dependent on getting the balance just right. It seems to me that he’s doing a sterling job to have worked on so many of Murakami’s works. I can’t help but wonder what sort of relationship they have? If they’ve met, if it’s purely professional or if a friendship has evolved. I don’t know why this particular book is making me “suddenly” think about this.
Yes, this was definitely worth the wait. I’m always happy to return to Murakami’s world. Though I get a sense, we may not be seeing more new works from him. This anthology seems like a bit of a winding back in some respects. I don't know why I feel this way. Hopefully I'm not correct.
”But even if love fades away, even if it’s unrequited, you can still hold onto the memory of having loved someone, of having fallen in love with someone. And that’s a valuable source of warmth.”
*** Buddy read with Boy Blue. It was good to do a buddy read with a fellow Sydneysider, who has haunted the same bookstores on lunch breaks that I have! Please make sure you have a look at Boy Blue’s review also https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... ***
Is it only me, or does Murakami’s work seem to become even more dreamlike and philosophical over time? Or has my viewpoint and life experience changed the way I now read? It seems to me that Murakami - in his oh so dreamlike and eloquently esoteric way - ponders the imponderable even more than he did in previous books. His writing still takes us up paths and along thought patterns that don’t necessarily lead anywhere, yet where you feel you’ve covered a lot of ground. Oh, to spend an afternoon in a café with him! With jazz playing in the background, of course.
This latest (and dare I say highly anticipated) offering, is a collection of eight short stories. Which if I want to get all deep and mystical, eight also happens to be the symbol for the infinity sign. Read into that what you will. Was this accidental, or a bit of sweet synchronicity.
Short stories are my favourite genre, and Murakami is one of my favourite writers. Even for his books that aren’t quite up there on my top shelf, I still get something from them. So this was a complete win-win for me.
As you’ve no doubt already guessed, each of these short stories is told from the first person perspective. We see through the narrator’s eyes, think their thoughts, feel their feelings and have their doubts.
”Happiness is always a relative thing. Don’t you think?”
It wasn’t until I’d completed the book that it really struck me, that each of these stories has to do with reminiscing. They are all set in the past, in a precise moment that made a strong emotional impact on the protagonist. Not necessarily the happiest or favourite time for them, but one that left enough of an imprint, to have them thinking about it years - or even decades - later. I wonder if having reached a certain age, Murakami (like I’d imagine most of us) is looking back on his life and experiences, and some pivotal moments stand out. There is a lot of pondering in this book. The what ifs, and where are they nows…
”But winning or losing doesn’t affect the weight and value of time. It’s the time, either way. A minute is a minute, an hour is an hour. We need to cherish it. We need to deftly reconcile ourselves with time, and leave behind as many precious memories as we can - that’s what’s the most valuable.”
It’s a funny thing, as I was reading one of the stories Confessions of a Shinagawa Monkey, I had the most incredible sense of déjà vu. Which is something many of Murakami’s characters seem to suffer from a lot too. Time tends to be very elastic in his writing. The further I got into the story, the more familiar it became, and it all came back to me. It turns out this story was published in the New Yorker in 2020, which is fine. But I still can’t understand how I could possibly have read it there. One of life’s great mysteries. And even better that it’s tied in with Murakami.
I enjoyed this immensely, though as the stories progressed, I felt increasingly sadder reading them. As in a bittersweet melancholy. I can’t quite explain why. I guess it’s because the latter stories were more poignant, in that they really dug deep about who we once were versus who we now are. Are they both one and the same person? The line about ”But if it isn’t me in the mirror, I thought, then who is it?” - whoa!
As anyone who’s read Murakami knows, it’s next to impossible to write a cohesive or comprehensible review. As always I write way too much, so here’s a snapshot of the stories.
Cream
Do the circles ever meet? Beware invitations to piano recitals. The essence of life is the crème de la crème. Don’t settle for anything less.
”There’s nothing worth getting in this world that you can get easily.”
On a Stone Pillow
I can’t help but think of Margaret Attwood’s Stone Mattress. Both a stone pillow and a matching mattress. Imagine!
”Like two straight lines overlapping, we momentarily crossed at a certain point, then went our separate ways.”
Charlie Parker Plays Bossa Nova
Have you ever had dreams which are so real you feel like you’re really in them, to the point you can actually smell the coffee roasting? And yet you still know you’re dreaming? The moral of the story is, just buy the damned album!
” ‘Perry Como sings Jimi Hendrix, eh?’ Bird murmured, as if recalling. And chuckled again in a hoarse voice.”
With The Beatles
Always have a good book with you. You never know when you may have to read it out loud for somebody.
” ‘You’re very good at reading aloud,’ he said, sounding genuinely impressed. ‘Has anybody ever told you that?’”
Confessions of a Shinagawa Monkey
I don’t think I’d feel quite comfortable having a monkey scrub my back in a spa. Even if he chose not to speak. Or brought me beer. Identity. What we do for love.
” ‘It’s gotten very cold these days, hasn’t it,’ the monkey commented.’”
Carnaval
Classical music evokes all sorts of emotions and interpretations. Smoke and mirrors. The proverbial tip of the iceberg. How much of what we see in others is their true self? Can men and women ever truly just be friends.
”All of us, more or less, wear masks. Because without masks we can’t survive in this violent world.”
The Yakult Swallows Poetry Collection
Cheering on the underdog can lead to great things.
”Prompted by something - fate, my astrological sign, blood type, prophecy, or a spell.’”
First Person Singular
Make sure that your suit and tie are from the same country of origin. Don’t mix and match, someone will notice. Make sure that the pages left in your book are just enough to read before you finish your vodka gimlet.
”And now here I was, a first person singular. If I’d chosen a different direction, most likely I wouldn’t be here. But still - who is that in the mirror?’”
Existential crises, jazz, love, misunderstandings, bars, music, unrequited love, angst, awkwardness, identity, aging, shadow and light, sweet and umami. ”Extreme love, extreme loneliness.’” And there was also a sighting of a calico cat.
It was interesting to note that Philip Gabriel is the translator (which he’s been on most of the Murakami books which I’ve read). I believe that a translator’s job isn’t an easy one, as they have to evoke the emotion and tone of the writer. Nuances are so difficult to move from one language to another. So much is dependent on getting the balance just right. It seems to me that he’s doing a sterling job to have worked on so many of Murakami’s works. I can’t help but wonder what sort of relationship they have? If they’ve met, if it’s purely professional or if a friendship has evolved. I don’t know why this particular book is making me “suddenly” think about this.
Yes, this was definitely worth the wait. I’m always happy to return to Murakami’s world. Though I get a sense, we may not be seeing more new works from him. This anthology seems like a bit of a winding back in some respects. I don't know why I feel this way. Hopefully I'm not correct.
”But even if love fades away, even if it’s unrequited, you can still hold onto the memory of having loved someone, of having fallen in love with someone. And that’s a valuable source of warmth.”
*** Buddy read with Boy Blue. It was good to do a buddy read with a fellow Sydneysider, who has haunted the same bookstores on lunch breaks that I have! Please make sure you have a look at Boy Blue’s review also https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... ***
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Quotes Nat Liked
“I believe that love is the indispensable fuel that allows us to go on living. Someday that love may end. Or it may never amount to anything. But even if love fades away, even if it’s unrequited, you can still hold on to the memory of having loved someone, of having fallen in love with someone. And that’s a valuable source of warmth.”
― First Person Singular: Stories
― First Person Singular: Stories
Reading Progress
November 17, 2020
– Shelved
November 17, 2020
– Shelved as:
to-read
March 31, 2021
– Shelved as:
2021-books
March 31, 2021
– Shelved as:
buddy-reads
March 31, 2021
– Shelved as:
murakami-magic
March 31, 2021
– Shelved as:
short-stories
March 31, 2021
–
0.4%
"Super excited! I picked up a copy on my lunch break. It's been a while...
Short stories. Perfect. Me happy.
Upcoming buddy read with Sam."
page
1
Short stories. Perfect. Me happy.
Upcoming buddy read with Sam."
April 5, 2021
–
12.0%
"Circles within circles, a piano recital that doesn't exist, a gaudy bouquet of red flowers wrapped in cellophane...
" 'But not thinking about anything might also be pretty hard.'
'You're right. It might be hard indeed.'"
Classic Murakami."
page
30
" 'But not thinking about anything might also be pretty hard.'
'You're right. It might be hard indeed.'"
Classic Murakami."
April 5, 2021
–
21.2%
"What does any of it mean? Do we know ourselves better than we did at eighteen, or are we more comfortable with the not knowing, and it no longer bother us?
"You and I
are we really so far apart?
Should I, maybe
have changed trains at Jupiter?""
page
53
"You and I
are we really so far apart?
Should I, maybe
have changed trains at Jupiter?""
April 6, 2021
–
31.2%
"I couldn’t be happier if I was being fed grapes by Bradley Cooper.
I’m in awe of Murakami’s cleverness and out-there-edness.
”...I knew then it was a dream. That I was seeing Bird in a dream. That happens sometimes. When I’m dreaming – I know for certain - This is a dream. And I was strangely impressed that in the midst of a dream I could catch, so very clearly, the enticing smell of coffee.” "
page
78
I’m in awe of Murakami’s cleverness and out-there-edness.
”...I knew then it was a dream. That I was seeing Bird in a dream. That happens sometimes. When I’m dreaming – I know for certain - This is a dream. And I was strangely impressed that in the midst of a dream I could catch, so very clearly, the enticing smell of coffee.” "
April 7, 2021
–
Started Reading
April 8, 2021
–
55.6%
"A wallpaper of music, the Beatles are everywhere. All you need is love. Music etches into our minds & hearts. Reunions and reminisces. The ones we thought were the strongest, prove to be otherwise.
"She was clutching an LP to her chest as if it were something precious. The LP With the Beatles...She had me under her spell - that beautiful nameless girl clutching With the Beatles to her chest.""
page
139
"She was clutching an LP to her chest as if it were something precious. The LP With the Beatles...She had me under her spell - that beautiful nameless girl clutching With the Beatles to her chest.""
April 10, 2021
–
71.2%
"The million dollar question is, would you let a monkey give you a back scrub at a (hot springs) spa? And a talking monkey at that. And a monkey in love, who "steals" the names of his amours.
My reading buddy says "Yes". I'm not so sure. And I'm not sure what to make of this story.
"The monkey put the empty beer bottles and glasses on the tray and carried it out of the room.""
page
178
My reading buddy says "Yes". I'm not so sure. And I'm not sure what to make of this story.
"The monkey put the empty beer bottles and glasses on the tray and carried it out of the room.""
April 11, 2021
–
80.4%
"Ah, the masks we wear.
"Happiness is always a relative thing. Don't you think."
I have to agree."
page
201
"Happiness is always a relative thing. Don't you think."
I have to agree."
April 11, 2021
–
90.4%
"What is it about sport that brings out the tribal side of us? And what is it about sport that teaches us about life? Can you be enjoy both sport and art, or does one win out?
"Beer was all we drank. And no snacks either. Just an endless parade of beer. I'd never drunk that much beer in my life.""
page
226
"Beer was all we drank. And no snacks either. Just an endless parade of beer. I'd never drunk that much beer in my life.""
April 11, 2021
–
Finished Reading
April 12, 2021
– Shelved as:
japonais
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Apr 03, 2021 07:24AM
I just read a review of this in an actual newspaper. I hope you enjoy it and I can then read your opinion.
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Cecily wrote: "I just read a review of this in an actual newspaper. I hope you enjoy it and I can then read your opinion."I'm quite excited about this Cecily. Short stories + Murakami = 🤗 I've read many of your Murakami reviews, so I look forward to hearing your thoughts too.
Thanks, but I've only written 2.5 Murakami reviews (The Strange Library hardly counts)! However, I do plan to read Kafka on the Shore very soon, and I have a copy of that - whereas I don't have a copy of this.
I can’t help but wonder what sort of relationship they have? If they’ve met, if it’s purely professional or if a friendship has evolved. I don’t know why this particular book is making me “suddenly” think about this.Nat you should read this email thread between three of his translators from 2001. Fascinating stuff and it will answer your questions.
http://www.randomhouse.com/knopf/auth...
What makes it even more fascinating is that Murakami is an avid translator himself.
Boy wrote: "I can’t help but wonder what sort of relationship they have? If they’ve met, if it’s purely professional or if a friendship has evolved. I don’t know why this particular book is making me “suddenly..."That is completely and absolutely fascinating! Thanks so much for the link. I've read half, and will enjoy the rest of it soon. Amazing.
I love the line "...there are so many possible translations of even one line. So very much depends on the voice you hear in your head as you read a piece of fiction." That's what I was pondering.
And how could I have forgotten about Jay Rubin?!? My goodness, he's the translator on quite a few of my Murakami books too.
There's actually quite a few articles on the translation of murakami and even a book! I was quite upset when I realised The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle was heavily doctored. This is an interesting article about the translation decisions around Murakami. It's an extract from a book on Murakami translation.
https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/a...
and another good one here.
https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-...
I haven't read enough Murakami to answer your first question, but I understand the point of your asking, Nat. Nice for you to dive into the shorter fiction you love, by an author you love. Always worth the wait.
This is a great review Nat, I haven't read this author yet but your love of his writing comes through - I liked the opening quote too!!
Brilliant review, Nat. I'm ashamed to confess I haven't read Murakami yet.
Ron wrote: "I haven't read enough Murakami to answer your first question, but I understand the point of your asking, Nat. Nice for you to dive into the shorter fiction you love, by an author you love. Always w..."Definitely worth the wait Ron.
Mark wrote: "This is a great review Nat, I haven't read this author yet but your love of his writing comes through - I liked the opening quote too!!"Ain't that the truth Mark...Yes, you must pick up a Murakami or two, it's quite a journey you'll go on.
Bianca wrote: "Brilliant review, Nat. I'm ashamed to confess I haven't read Murakami yet."Thanks so much Bianca. Maybe this is the year to pick up a Murakami.
Neale wrote: "Another wonderful review Natto. :-)"😊😊😊
Wonderful point about the stories being about reminiscing. Enjoyed your review.
Wonderful review Nat, I've never read this author - perhaps I should, you and so many others seem to really like him!! I hate missing out - so where to start?Both a stone pillow and a matching mattress. Imagine!.......yikes!!!
Mark wrote: "Wonderful review Nat, I've never read this author - perhaps I should, you and so many others seem to really like him!! I hate missing out - so where to start?Both a stone pillow and a matching ma..."
Thanks so much Mark! Oh my goodness, where to start? I don't know...I'm very biased toward his writing. I guess you could start with the first book "Pinball/Hear the Wind Sing". I enjoyed it very much, though most reviewers felt otherwise. It was just as he was starting out as a writer. Then you could work through in chronological order.
The first book I read of his is "The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle" which made me into a Murakami follower. So maybe try that one on for size? "1Q84" is amazing, and "Hard-Boiled Wonderland At the End of the World" is another favourite *Enjoy!*
Seemita wrote: "Wonderful point about the stories being about reminiscing. Enjoyed your review."Thanks so much Seemita. Yes, the stories were all very nostalgic, and looking back on events that mainly occurred in the protagonist's youth. I hope you get a chance to read it.
Great review, Nat. The book has been on my TBR for some time, you have explained it here eloquently, the mention of Jazz, music, existential reminds me of Come Rain or Come Shine by Ishiguro. Thanks for it :)
Gaurav wrote: "Great review, Nat. The book has been on my TBR for some time, you have explained it here eloquently, the mention of Jazz, music, existential reminds me of Come Rain or Come Shine by Ishiguro. Thank..."Thank you so much Gaurav. I hope that you get a chance to read it sometime soon. I know it's received mixed reviews, but Murakami continues to intrigue me.
Elyse wrote: "love your wonderful review, Nat -- and want to read these stories even more now! xo"Thank you lovely! Yes, you simply must read this, I enjoy Murakami's style so much. It's a style that's distinctly his own *Enjoy* Hugs gorgeous 💕🌹😚
Great review! This was the first book of Murakami’s I’ve ever read, and I know I will continue.
Kathleen wrote: "Great review! This was the first book of Murakami’s I’ve ever read, and I know I will continue."Dear Kathleen, my apologies for not replying earlier, I only stumbled on your comment today. Goodreads has been very hit & miss with my notifications.
I'm so glad that you've been on a Murakami journey and have read several of his books. Some of which you enjoyed more than others. He certainly has a quirky writing style, which is why he appeals to me so much.
I hope you continue, and discover some more. Happy reading! 🌻
