Murakami’s writing style makes magical events feel commonplace, while the ordinary moments feel magical. This struck me as a defining characteristic of his writing and an aspect I admire. Murakami’s characters are linked by their introverted nature and their love for the simple things in their day-to-day lives, such as brewing a pot of coffee in the morning or listening to classical records. Being a simple and introverted person himself, Murakami has a deep appreciation for calming meditative actions, which he writes through the narrator.
Before long, Boku is thrown into a series of surreal and distorted events, but he himself remains passive and does not seek answers. His reaction to such events is strikingly calm, absorbing the absurdness for what it is. This can be seen when Boku first meets the sheep man in A Wild Sheep Chase, “’Iwannadrink,’ said the Sheep Man. I duly went into the kitchen and got a half-bottle of Four Roses and two glasses with ice”(195). Boku does not see his appearance in the home as a disruption, but another addition to his already drifting life.
This juxtaposition between the magical and the ordinary is interesting, and I think that it is important to Murakami because these ordinary things make people feel grounded and true to themselves. I am curious to see what others have to say about this. Do you think that Murakami is writing a part of himself in the character of Boku? Is this archetype of a lonely individual in a search for meaning relatable or cliché?
Alex McBrier
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