A Deep reading of "Hard Boiled Wonderland and the end of the World" by Haruki Murakami

A deep dive into Haruki Murakami's science fiction / fantasy novel.

[@Liboo52]

I get the feeling this guy likes Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World

[@notinternettype]

Yeah...!!! Why can't they have a channel where a guy does deep readings of a book that has constipated their soul.

[@nathanhawkins902]

Best analysis I've come across on this book. I read this book last December going into January after hearing that it inspired the anime Haibane Renmei, and it blew my mind in a way that was unlike any narrative media I had experienced prior. It's actually sparked a new interest in me to look more into sf literature, and I'm kind of on a journey to find more stories that evoke the same level of wonder that HBWATEOTW did. Currently looking into authors like J. G. Ballard and Philip K. Dick.

[@LiminalSpaces03]

Thank you so much for your kind words! Check out my video on Roger Zelazny's "The Dream Master", I read it because Murakami stated that it is what inspired him to write the Hardboiled Sci-fi part of Hardboiled Wonderland. It is incredible!

[@nathanhawkins902]

​@@LiminalSpaces03 I certainly will, and thank you as well!

[@degrees_of_freedom]

Brilliant analysis. In the English version, one story line uses mainly present simple and the other past simple. Not sure it works that way in Japanese - but it's a cool writing technique. My number one book as well.

[@LiminalSpaces03]

In the Japanese one side uses the pronoun watashi and the other side uses boku. There is actually a new translation coming out in September by Jay Rubin, and I'm wondering how he will handle this aspect of the translation!

[@LachlanThomson]

Loved this - nothing worse than reading a murakami book and not having people to deep dive into it with! Great videos - loved dream master too

[@LiminalSpaces03]

Thank you so much for watching! Love me some Murakami!

[@ch1efool]

Could it be that the librarian is the subconscious of the granddaughter?? At least in terms of the main characters subconscious version of her?

[@Jin-Hu]

I just finished consuming this book last night after you noted it in your RZ video, I really enjoyed it, some very clever subplot points and a satisfying end, thanks for the suggestion. Kafka on the Shore is next for me

[@LiminalSpaces03]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! I hope you enjoy Kafka on the Shore as well!

[@josiahmartuscello8843]

I didn't realize that the End of the World chapters chronologically start when he shuffles the data (and are therefore offset from HBW). Interesting point!

[@LiminalSpaces03]

Thanks!

[@xjj99]

In Kafka on the Shore, there's also a reference to a town with a wall under construction, with a library that handles memories but has no books. On the chubby girl, I always saw that as being the character being a bit of an ass, which is not uncommon in hardboiled detective fiction ("the legs on her" etc.)... but then I read Murakami's other works and he's always got some weird take on sexuality... in Kafka, in 1Q84, etc., so I don't know what to make of it. It's a bit ironic that after all that talk, he has a chance with the librarian, and can't. Ha. Anyway, nice analysis. I completely missed the time link somehow, so thanks for clearing that up.

[@LiminalSpaces03]

Kafka on the Shore is the next Murakami I plan to do!

[@xjj99]

@@LiminalSpaces03 Looking forward to it!

[@dennyawright21]

In my opinion humans have not become more moral and “better” today versus 20 years ago or 59 years ago or 1,000 years ago. I hate to break it to you but people are actually sexist, racist, mean, funny, kind etc. today…We can all try to do better - a fundamental tenet of many religions. Getting the vapors about a fictional character not being an ideal human seems silly. We’re all adults (mostly) trying to be decent. We are mature enough to know the times the books are written. In my opinion it is an unnecessary virtue signal to point out some “sexism” or “racism” and kind of making a big deal about it…We’re big boys and girls now. Words don’t hurt me. Much. 😂