We dive - again - a strange in the worlds of Haruki Murakami, which really deserve the name murakamiesk. In this case, it is the world of fitness trainer Aomame that is not quite what it seems, and a rather unusual side job with, and the world Tengos, a so far unsuccessful amateur writer and teacher at a cram school, a rather unusual order receives.
I find it hard to get this book to review.
First - yes, that's ... somehow ... Murakami again. Make way for him so this is a typical reader feeling in a different, slightly eerie, yet familiar, just - to sink murakamieske world. Also Tengo is once again one of whom I greatly valued Looser-Murakami-figures, who may be thus drive stoically, that it is a delight. With over 1000 pages of the book is also advised properly thick, and I like thick books.
other hand, I'm back, how disappointed even at After Dark.
The language I do not like, at times it rumbles toward brittle and awkward in front of him, then wanted to dive so inclined comparisons that I feel myself transported into a SF story, written by an ambitious 15 year old - an example. This is the description of a hotel foyer on page 679:
"The voices of the people who sat in the chairs and talking, rang hollow against the walls like the groans of living beings, which the entrails were taken out."
Or, same page:
"Your precious, yet subtle jewelry is anxious to reflect the faint light, like vampire birds for blood."
The book is much too thick for its contents. It repeats itself constantly, and long periods of limbo the act indecisive in front of him. Towards the end it will climb though, has also something executed gags and random.
[Addendum: these were probably the first 2 of three volumes, which at least explains the unsatisfactory to the end.]
I have the vague feeling that there would a few publishers called Murakami make money, and quickly, and therefore a thorough editing or even a thorough translation did not allow. I know that the same translator has already done a great job on their skills may be not. Time pressure?
therefore unfortunately only three points for a mediocre book, which with a little more time, a few more ideas and many deletions might have a five star book can be. Murakami, next time let Tengo ran as an editor before publication!
*** (three out of five)
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