I've completed the wonderful Japanese Literature Challenge 2 hosted by Bellezza and I had so much fun that I can't wait for Challenge 3 to begin!
I chose to read and review:
Out by Natsuo Kirino
Asleep by Banana Yoshimoto
Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami
I must say that my favorite was Kafka on the Shore, but then I'm a Murakami fan and love the way the author makes me suspend disbelief and sometimes "feel" my way through the story requiring me to exercise parts of my brain that don't often get exercised!
Out was a very Noir experience that kept me reading late into the night.
Asleep is probably best described as quietly beautiful. Some of Yoshimoto's passages were worth several readings.
I encourage you to visit the Japanese Literature Challenge 2 blog to read the great reviews submitted by participants of the challenge.
A big THANK YOU to Bellezza for hosting this Challenge!
Congratulations on finishing the challenge!
ReplyDeleteLezlie
Congratulations on finishing! I'll have to keep Out in mind for the next Japanese Literature challenge.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy that you were happy with the challenge. One of the exciting things to me, besides making new friends, is being exposed to wonderful new books I want to read. I've read neither Out, nor Asleep, YET! Thanks for your great participation, Terri.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on completeing the challenge! I think I'm going to remember Out for JLC 3--I've heard such interesting things about it.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on finishing the challenge. Kafka on the Shore was a great read, wasn't it?!
ReplyDeleteLezlie: Thanks! It is one of the few challenges I've actually completed!
ReplyDeleteNymeth, Bellezza, and Trish: Looks like there might be a few Out readers this next time! Be prepared for some noir, some black comedy, and at least one passage that is a bit difficult to read.
tanabata: Yes! I'm still thinking about Kafka on the Shore. It is quite memorable.