tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252631163414371464.post4381590974430228634..comments2024-01-26T13:05:23.174-08:00Comments on The Terrible Desire: Norwegian Wood Read-Along Week 1: Death and despair, ahoy!Megshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10967657695336270359noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252631163414371464.post-83790143311832465792012-01-10T18:49:40.256-08:002012-01-10T18:49:40.256-08:00If only there were a mythical well in the Twilight...If only there were a mythical well in the Twilight meadow and Bella FELL IN IT.<br /><br />Storm Trooper narration? YES! If that doesn't happen, I think you should write your own version from his perspective.MegsGrangernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252631163414371464.post-54924818242298362482012-01-10T18:44:36.402-08:002012-01-10T18:44:36.402-08:00Oh oh oh! He committed seppuku, and I was JUST tal...Oh oh oh! He committed seppuku, and I was JUST talking about that earlier. I love when that happens. That sounded morbid...but you know what I mean. I hope.MegsGrangernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252631163414371464.post-70261823258092024412012-01-10T18:37:05.728-08:002012-01-10T18:37:05.728-08:00It's definitely MORE terrible that I have no i...It's definitely MORE terrible that I have no idea who Yukio Mishima is. *looking it up to amend gaping hole in literary knowledge*MegsGrangernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252631163414371464.post-56265260139296563332012-01-10T17:47:47.681-08:002012-01-10T17:47:47.681-08:00When you mentioned Twilight I immediately realized...When you mentioned Twilight I immediately realized what the Norwegian Wood weird meadow scenes reminded me of -- I think Meyer's been reading Murakami! DUN DUN DUN.<br /><br />And YES Toru is such a little hipster. He's also kind of a creeper... he goes to movie theaters alone in the middle of the night. And then finds a crying girl to bring back to a hotel...<br /><br />Honestly, I'm hoping Murakami does a 180 and has Storm Trooper narrate the rest of the book. Where is he?!?Raynahttp://www.libereading.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252631163414371464.post-24689914415302885212012-01-10T17:34:57.434-08:002012-01-10T17:34:57.434-08:00I really hope that they finally freakin' expla...I really hope that they finally freakin' explain the whole suicide thing. Seriously. Cuz sometimes I sorta forget that someone has DIED already. Even though that tragedy obvs has caused detrimental issues with Nagasawa and Toru. christinahttp://annotatedreading.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252631163414371464.post-65749836491861103472012-01-10T17:06:28.017-08:002012-01-10T17:06:28.017-08:00Oh, I've so enjoyed reading your response! I ...Oh, I've so enjoyed reading your response! I only got through chapter 2 (hangs head) so I need to know more about this Midori person (popular name in Japan? Who knew?). At the point when Kizuki killed himself I actually couldn't bring myself to care why, but now that I'm distanced from it (by about 12 hours) I'm more curious. Is it terrible that I thought immediately of Yukio Mishima when I read about the suicide? I guess it's shining a pathetic light on how little I know about Japanese culture/lit when I (momentarily at least) equate actual suicide of Japanese writer with suicide of Japanese character. As the Crowe Flies and Readsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252631163414371464.post-13385702322507817412012-01-10T14:35:02.829-08:002012-01-10T14:35:02.829-08:00You're so right about not needing to know why ...You're so right about not needing to know why Kizuki killed himself. The story will have the same meaning and depth even if we never find out...I just really like to know everything about everything. Give me the answers, book! Thinking is hard.<br /><br />BUT, even if Kizuki killed himself because of Naoko, it isn't really her fault. It's no one's fault but Kizuki's. That's what makes suicide so devastating. and it's generally an incredibly selfish and cowardly act...no matter the circumstances leading up to it (unless you're a samurai).MegsGrangernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252631163414371464.post-53828074550497997952012-01-10T14:19:54.015-08:002012-01-10T14:19:54.015-08:00I don't necessarily need to know why Kizuku ki...I don't necessarily need to know why Kizuku killed himself, I think what's more important is all the emotional turmoil and troubles he left behind him- although you could be right and it could totes be Naoko's fault, which would be interesting! I agree with Red on wanting to know more about the whole Japanese/High suicide rate thing- I know that there's a totally repressed culture and emotion and stuff is discouraged sooo.. seems like a climate for suicide if you ask me!<br /><br />And Midori is craaaazy with her whole love issues (I think what she's talking about is sociopathy, not love!) but I guess it's because her mum and dad didn't love her enough? I don't know, whatever, I'm in love with her and I want to bring her shortcake or whatever because she's awesome and life-filled. <br /><br />And Toru=ultimate Japanese hipster. Fo sho. I'm pretty sure the subtitle of this book is 'Teenage angst, Tokyo Style.' Maybe.Laura Rowsellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252631163414371464.post-35712776777054049212012-01-10T14:06:09.150-08:002012-01-10T14:06:09.150-08:00When Midori was talking about cake, I kept picturi...When Midori was talking about cake, I kept picturing Marie Antoinette...randomly.<br /><br />I do know ONE thing about Japanese culture and suicide. The samurai had a particular technique for ritual suicide, called seppuku. It involved plunging a short sword into one's own stomach and ripping it across the abdomen...self-disembowelment. Those crazy samurai.MegsGrangernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252631163414371464.post-44885744098246952632012-01-10T14:02:30.617-08:002012-01-10T14:02:30.617-08:00I ALREADY married your blog. Did it not tell you? ...I ALREADY married your blog. Did it not tell you? Well...this is awkward.<br /><br />I was very fortunate to have a Japanese plane companion while reading my first Japanese novel. He was most helpful...he even helped me buckle my seat belt.<br /><br />YES! Humphrey Bogart. I thought that was a brilliant comparison for Midori to whip out...because it's MOSTLY a compliment but just a little bit of an insult. Multiple layers to that one.MegsGrangernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252631163414371464.post-23779805217551587512012-01-10T12:16:43.777-08:002012-01-10T12:16:43.777-08:00I heart Midori, even when she says ridiculous stuf...I heart Midori, even when she says ridiculous stuff like her total selfishness love thing.<br />At least she does something. Toru is just so passive. And Naoko so depressing.<br /><br />I want to know more about Japanese culture and suicide. I remember reading in another book (Tokyo Vice) how one of the most popular books sold in Japan is about ways to kill yourself.<br /><br />To end this on a lighter note, I always pictured Midori in green cos of her name.Alley Rivershttp://twitter.com/alleyecarinanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7252631163414371464.post-19291314812450585142012-01-10T11:59:23.397-08:002012-01-10T11:59:23.397-08:00I think...I want to marry your blog. Which might b...I think...I want to marry your blog. Which might be an issue for some of the more conservative states, but I DO NOT CARE.<br /><br />Basically, yes to everything you said. And I can't believe you and your fortunateness in sitting next to a genuine Japanese person. Huzzah! I never meet them in my line of work (receptionist at a WASPy company). That somehow felt racist saying that. Moving on.<br /><br />They better reveal why Kizuki killed himself. But I'm more into The Random Adventures of Toru. I want him to just wander around and meet people, because I enjoy when he does that, and NOT when he does anything else, like brood about the flag or brood about the phone not ringing or brood about EVERYTHING ELSE. Midori saying he talks like Humphrey Bogart was, perhaps, my favorite part thus far. Because, accurate. DO NOT TAKE HIM SERIOUSLY, MIDORI; KEEP MAKING FUN OF HIM.readingrambonoreply@blogger.com