South of the Border, West of the Sun

If you are the sort of reader who needs answers, Murakami is not your man. Like his other books, South of the Border, West of the Sun leaves the reader with so many questions...

Hajime (interestingly, the main character's name is always seldom used in Murakami's novels) met Shimamoto when he was twelve. They grew up and grew apart - but he never forgot her. His subsequent relationships always lacked something. Then she walks back into his life many years later, a mysterious figure who comes and goes on her own timetable. And just when Hajime is prepared to throw his whole life away for her, she disappears for good.

We never know why Shimamoto does any of these things - although unlike many of Murakami's other novels (and the ones I prefer) there does not seem to be a supernatural explanation. And so, we are just left to deal with that feeling you get, when you can never know the truth.

Rest of the Twilight series...

Still very readable... and all your questions will be answered to your satisfaction. Will Bella become a vampire? Will the rivalry between Edward and Jacob come to a close? Will there be peace between vampires and werewolves? It's all there.

New Moon is a little slow, although important in developing the series. Once you've read it, the meaning of the title will be obvious! Eclipse is my favourite. Jacob explains it best - Bella's love for Jacob is like the sun - but when Edward is around, it is like an eclipse. Quite poetic really.

The final book, Breaking Dawn is in three sections, and most of the action occurs in the second. Interestingly, this section is told from Jacob's perspective. The final section just spins it all out to a satisfying ending....

Sadly, I have also read a first draft copy of Midnight Sun, which is Twilight from Edward's perspective. Worth a read of you are a fun - very informative!!!

Twilight....

I resisted the idea for a long time, but finally succumbed to read this Stephenie Meyer series that is second only to the success of Harry Potter.

Isabella Swan moves to Forks and quickly is drawn to the enigmatic Edward Cullen – who appears both drawn to and repulsed by her. But Edward has a secret – and Bella is determined to uncover it.

Of course, everyone knows that Edward is a vampire. But he doesn’t drink human blood (no matter how good Bella smells!). He and the rest of his family have sworn off this bloodthirsty lifestyle, and try to live as normal lives as possible.

It IS kind of a Mills and Boon for teenage girls, but I must say, a compulsively readable one. It is the comforting kind of predictable – even though you have a fair idea of how it is going to turn out – you still want to know. It’s the perfect read for this time of year, when you just want an easy read that allows you to enjoy the sensation of getting caught up in a book. It will do me for now – I am already onto book two, New Moon.

Still puzzling out the title – Edward says twilight is his favourite time of day. But it is also the crossroads between light and dark. And this is where Bella is now – dating a vampire brings up many, many questions about Bella’s future. I am sure the series will provide though!

The White Tiger

Meet Balram Halwai: Servant, Philosopher, Entrepreneur, Murderer…

This is how we are introduced to this year’s Booker Prize winner. Intriguing, yes? But is it really the best book of the year? My answer is – probably not. But it is well worth a look.

The White Tiger is a sharp and condemnatory look at Indian’s caste system and depicts a fairly likeable character whose awareness and growing dislike of his lot in life leads him to murder. Now this gives nothing away as he tells you himself in the opening chapter.

In a series of letters to the Premier of China (who is about to visit India), Balram unfolds not only his story, but the true story of a modern Metropolis built on the blood, sweat and tears of the disenfranchised.

The family name Halwai denotes “sweet-maker” and it is interesting that this is the life which Balram’s name dooms him too. But he finds himself poorly suited to this profession. His keen intelligence (leading him to be described as the rare white tiger of the title) has him listen in on client’s conversations to pick up tips and information. It is a habit Balram cannot break – either from curiosity or deviousness – throughout the novel. And when Balram turns his back on his family obligations to seek a more highly paid position as a driver, he continues this bad habit, although more surreptitiously.

Although many reviewers call Balram very likeable, I cannot. He is devious and cold – but I can sympathise with him. He is a man who is too self-aware, too in tune with the injustice of his life to simply accept the way things are. But his success comes at the suffering of so many others… admittedly, they are not likeable either! Others call him psychopathic – I’m not sure this is fair either.

For many India is a kind of “land of opportunity”, but Adiga reminds us of the other side of the story. In some ways, Balram’s story is the story of India.

The voice is fresh, the content relevant and interesting. A great first novel. Watch the white tiger escape from the coop.

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle

If you have ever read much of this blog, you will have to know that Murakami is my new favourite love. But this one took me a long while to read, not because it isn’t good but because it is long and meanders.

“The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle” sells itself as a story about stories – and it is true. Our main character, Toru Okada (called “Mr Wind-Up Bird by one of the other characters) meets a lot of interesting characters in this book, and the stories they tell him become interwoven with his own story. It starts when Toru’s cat disappears. Then his wife leaves him, for reasons that appear to be both supernatural and inexplicable. And somehow caught up with his sinister brother-in-law, Noboru Wataya.

How this comes to resolve itself (as much as Murakami resolves anything) are through Toru’s interaction with these other characters. His young neighbour May Kasahara who traps him down a well and gives him the eponymous name. The psychic detective and her sister – Malta and Creta Kano who take an interest in Toru’s story. Lieutenant Mamiya, who was also once trapped down a well (see how the stories become intertwined?). Nutmeg and Cinnamon Akasaka, designers whose “fittings” are a little more than fashion.

There is so much to this text, it is hard to summarise and explain. It is worth reading – all Murakami is – although I still prefer “Kafka on the Shore”.