Hardboiled Wonderland and The End of the World by Haruki Murakami overview (no spoilers)

In this episode of Talking Tsundoku Blues, Chris revisits one of his favorite novels: Haruki Murakami's Hardboiled Wonderland and The End of the World. This book has divided Murakami fans since it's release. But why? Is it so weird and different from his other books? Also, reasons to read or re-read this strange novel (as if you needed any!). What do you think about Haruki Murakami? Comments are appreciated. Thanks for watching! Timestamps: 0:00 intro 3:19 maps comparison first edition, hardcover, paperback 4:34 The End of the World 7:15 excerpt from chapter 10 12:44 writing style 13:08 Hardboiled Wonderland 14:45 strange Murakami but fundamentally Murakami 15:03 more Hardboiled Wonderland 16:00 influences - Philip K. Dick, Vonnegut, Kafka, Raymond Chandler, Ken Follett 16:38 structure, writing style, genre splitting/bending, playing with ideas 18:43 excerpt from chapter 1 24:24 plus size women, beauty standards digression 25:56 female characters, double librarians, duality, symbolism 26:44 meeting the librarian, mammalian skulls, ice cream, paperclips 30:29 Murakami's writing is as neurotic as i am 30:54 myth of Orpheus and Izanami and Izanagi 31:53 conclusion 33:17 new releases! Instagram:   / crescentandjasmine   Twitter:   / crescentjazmine   #harukimurakami #村上春樹 #bookreview