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Desire: Vintage Minis
You’ve just passed someone on the street who could be the love of your life, the person you’re destined for – what do you do? In Murakami’s world, you tell them a story. The five weird and wonderful tales collected here each unlock the many-tongued language of desire, whether it takes the form of hunger, lust, sudden infatuation or the secret longings of the heart.
Selected from Haruki’s Murakami’s short story collections The Elephant Vanishes, Blind Willow Sleeping Woman and Men Without Women.
Selected from Haruki’s Murakami’s short story collections The Elephant Vanishes, Blind Willow Sleeping Woman and Men Without Women.
109 pages, Paperback
First published June 8, 2017
About the author
Haruki Murakami
568 books124k followersMurakami Haruki (Japanese: 村上 春樹) is a popular contemporary Japanese writer and translator. His work has been described as 'easily accessible, yet profoundly complex'. He can be located on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/harukimuraka...
Since childhood, Murakami has been heavily influenced by Western culture, particularly Western music and literature. He grew up reading a range of works by American writers, such as Kurt Vonnegut and Richard Brautigan, and he is often distinguished from other Japanese writers by his Western influences.
Murakami studied drama at Waseda University in Tokyo, where he met his wife, Yoko. His first job was at a record store, which is where one of his main characters, Toru Watanabe in Norwegian Wood, works. Shortly before finishing his studies, Murakami opened the coffeehouse 'Peter Cat' which was a jazz bar in the evening in Kokubunji, Tokyo with his wife.
Many of his novels have themes and titles that invoke classical music, such as the three books making up The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle: The Thieving Magpie (after Rossini's opera), Bird as Prophet (after a piano piece by Robert Schumann usually known in English as The Prophet Bird), and The Bird-Catcher (a character in Mozart's opera The Magic Flute). Some of his novels take their titles from songs: Dance, Dance, Dance (after The Dells' song, although it is widely thought it was titled after the Beach Boys tune), Norwegian Wood (after The Beatles' song) and South of the Border, West of the Sun (the first part being the title of a song by Nat King Cole).
Since childhood, Murakami has been heavily influenced by Western culture, particularly Western music and literature. He grew up reading a range of works by American writers, such as Kurt Vonnegut and Richard Brautigan, and he is often distinguished from other Japanese writers by his Western influences.
Murakami studied drama at Waseda University in Tokyo, where he met his wife, Yoko. His first job was at a record store, which is where one of his main characters, Toru Watanabe in Norwegian Wood, works. Shortly before finishing his studies, Murakami opened the coffeehouse 'Peter Cat' which was a jazz bar in the evening in Kokubunji, Tokyo with his wife.
Many of his novels have themes and titles that invoke classical music, such as the three books making up The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle: The Thieving Magpie (after Rossini's opera), Bird as Prophet (after a piano piece by Robert Schumann usually known in English as The Prophet Bird), and The Bird-Catcher (a character in Mozart's opera The Magic Flute). Some of his novels take their titles from songs: Dance, Dance, Dance (after The Dells' song, although it is widely thought it was titled after the Beach Boys tune), Norwegian Wood (after The Beatles' song) and South of the Border, West of the Sun (the first part being the title of a song by Nat King Cole).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 990 reviews
February 1, 2023
Five short storied from the master of the strange and fabulous, all of which have been previously published in one collection or another. I’d read one of these before but the rest were new to me.
The Second Bakery Attack
Odd in a typical Murakami way. A couple embark on an endeavour for no reason that makes logical sense – and yet… it strangely drew me in (as his tales most often do). 3 Stars.
On Seeing the 100% Perfect Girl One Beautiful April Morning
I’d heard about this tale before – it’s haunting in a way that really made me think back over my own experiences. Did I miss an opportunity somewhere? 4 Stars
Birthday Girl
The only story that’s not really about a boy and a girl (or a man and a woman). Quirky. I’m still trying to work out the ending – did it leave me hanging or did I just miss something? 3 Stars
Samsa in Love
This one I had read before – in his 2017 collection, Men Without Women – its an inversion of Franz Kafka's novel, The Metamorphosis. The weirdest of them all. 3 Stars
A Folklore for my Generation: A Prehistory of Late-Stage capitalism
Nothing like the title might suggest. The story of a relationship that should have been perfect, but wasn’t quite. It’s a cousin of the second story really. I liked this one the best. 4 Stars.
I've not read too many of the author's short stories but I've read enough to reflect that they offer potted versions of his longer pieces: they have a tendency to be rather off-centre, involving seemingly normal people engaged in somewhat abnormal activity. Or if they're not physically thus engaged then their minds are. They can feel like a window into your own mind too, which is disconcerting - but fun.
If I aggregate my ratings then it suggests 3 Stars overall – but it’s Murakami, and my overall sense is that this collection probably deserves to be rounding up.
The Second Bakery Attack
Odd in a typical Murakami way. A couple embark on an endeavour for no reason that makes logical sense – and yet… it strangely drew me in (as his tales most often do). 3 Stars.
On Seeing the 100% Perfect Girl One Beautiful April Morning
I’d heard about this tale before – it’s haunting in a way that really made me think back over my own experiences. Did I miss an opportunity somewhere? 4 Stars
Birthday Girl
The only story that’s not really about a boy and a girl (or a man and a woman). Quirky. I’m still trying to work out the ending – did it leave me hanging or did I just miss something? 3 Stars
Samsa in Love
This one I had read before – in his 2017 collection, Men Without Women – its an inversion of Franz Kafka's novel, The Metamorphosis. The weirdest of them all. 3 Stars
A Folklore for my Generation: A Prehistory of Late-Stage capitalism
Nothing like the title might suggest. The story of a relationship that should have been perfect, but wasn’t quite. It’s a cousin of the second story really. I liked this one the best. 4 Stars.
I've not read too many of the author's short stories but I've read enough to reflect that they offer potted versions of his longer pieces: they have a tendency to be rather off-centre, involving seemingly normal people engaged in somewhat abnormal activity. Or if they're not physically thus engaged then their minds are. They can feel like a window into your own mind too, which is disconcerting - but fun.
If I aggregate my ratings then it suggests 3 Stars overall – but it’s Murakami, and my overall sense is that this collection probably deserves to be rounding up.
May 22, 2018
Do you know that feeling you get when you've been craving a chocolate cake for a long time and when you've finally found and eaten the perfect piece , you suddenly want to erase the memory and the taste of it so you can re-experience it all over again as if it was your first time ?
I had that exact same feeling when reading this collection of short stories.
I'm entirely in love with the delicacy and exquisiteness of his writing style .
It's been a while since I've finished a book in one setting and I'm beyond delighted that I did .
I'm putting all of his work on my TBR list , for sure.
I had that exact same feeling when reading this collection of short stories.
I'm entirely in love with the delicacy and exquisiteness of his writing style .
It's been a while since I've finished a book in one setting and I'm beyond delighted that I did .
I'm putting all of his work on my TBR list , for sure.
February 28, 2022
"I'm in a New York Murakami state of mind."
- Billy Joel
Sunday. The perfect day to pause and read some Murakami. The past week's incessant downpours of rain and appalling world events have made me seek refuge in a good book. To escape the everyday from the comfort of one of my favourite writers.
Desire. A small word that's loaded with all kinds of meaning. You can desire someone from afar but not act on it. You can go mad with desire. Or be the object of one's desire. And everything in between.
In inimitable Murakami fashion, these five short stories display his quirky style. Talking about longings of the heart, in all the forms it appears in. There's plenty of pondering and musings on events that have occurred. A lot of memory. As with Tennessee Williams' writing, there's a strong focus on looking back. Murakami makes us think, do we view the past differently according to what age we are now? Does it still impact us? And is there anything that we truly would change?
The Second Bakery Attack
Newlyweds face the dilemma of a near empty fridge. An admission of a youthful crime. A Wagner LP. The want for bread is all consuming. Insatiable. A deed done to break a curse.
"With only two weeks of married life behind us, we had yet to establish a precise conjugal understanding with regard to rules of dietary behaviour. Let alone anything else."
"A special kind of hunger. And what might that be?"
"I never, ever, once in my life felt a hunger like this until I married you."
"Tokyo's a big city. There must be at least one all-night bakery."
"Our hunger - that hunger felt as if it could go on forever - vanished as the dawn was breaking."
On Seeing the 100% Perfect Girl One Beautiful April Morning
Fate. Kismet. Serendipity. Love lost, love found. Time passes. Take a chance. Would you dare stop the most 100% perfect girl or 100% perfect boy for a chat? Would you regret not doing so?
"She's walking east to west, and I west to east. It's a really nice April morning. Wish I could talk to her. Half an hour would be plenty."
"Was it really all right for one's dreams to come true so easily?"
"One beautiful April morning, in search of a cup of coffee to start the day, the boy was walking from west to east, while the girl...was walking from east to west, both along the same narrow street in the Harajuku neighbourhood of Tokyo."
Birthday Girl
A rainy Tokyo evening. A young waitress spends her 20th Birthday working. A mysterious opportunity is offered to her. The granting of one wish. Not as easy to decide on as you might think.
"Work started as usual on her twentieth birthday, 17th November. It had been raining on and off since the afternoon, and pouring since early evening."
"If you have a wish - one wish, I'll make it come true...think about it very carefully because I can grant you only one."
"I still don't know what life is all about. I don't know how it works."
"You're not supposed to tell anybody what you wished for, you know."
"No matter what they wish for, no matter how far they go, people can never be anything but themselves."
Samsa in Love
Yes, that Gregor Samsa.
On awakening, Samsa discovers he has metamorphosised into a human being. With an insatiable hunger (which is a bit of a theme in this collection). But there are more ominous happenings in the world outside Samsa's room. A broken lock.
"Foreign troops, checkpoints, tanks - everything was wrapped in mystery."
How incredibly prescient in light of current times.
A chilling and surreal take on a classic tale of the absurd by Franz Kafka.
"Samsa looked down in dismay at his naked body....Why hadn't he been turned into a fish? Or a sunflower? A fish or a sunflower made sense. More sense, anyway, than this creature, Gregor Samsa. There was no other way to look at it.
"
"Books were neatly lined up in their cases, and frames oil paintings of landscapes adorned the walls. Each room had a glass vase filled with bright flowers...The beds all showed signs of someone's having slept in them. He could see the imprint of heads on pillows."
" 'If you think of someone enough, you're sure to meet them again,' she said in parting."
A Folklore for My Generation:
A Prehistory of Late-Stage Capitalism
An ode to coming of age in a magical decade, with Jim Morrison, the Beatles and Bob Dylan as the soundtrack. A chance meeting of two classmates over dinner. A story of loneliness despite outward appearances. Longing. And unfulfilled desire.
Never judge a book by its cover. That goes for people too.
"There was something special about the sixties."
"I much prefer imperfect, more memorable types of people."
"We were ignorant, conceited kids, of course. We had no idea what life was all about."
"I wondered around in a daze, thinking how my life had been utterly pointless."
"I stared at my own coffee cup for a while. And thought of how full of myself I used to be. I wanted to try to explain this to him, but didn't think I could."
Coming in at a teeny tiny 109 pages, this is part of Vintage Minis set of books, which was released some years ago.
The perfect way to dip your toes in the water if you've not read an Author before. Also a nice way to relax and enjoy their work again if you're old friends.
And yes, the heavens opened again 🌨 The pouring rain on the roof of the pergola the soundtrack to my reading...a kitty bored with the incessant deluge snuggled on my lap. I'm sure Murakami would approve.
- Billy Joel
Sunday. The perfect day to pause and read some Murakami. The past week's incessant downpours of rain and appalling world events have made me seek refuge in a good book. To escape the everyday from the comfort of one of my favourite writers.
Desire. A small word that's loaded with all kinds of meaning. You can desire someone from afar but not act on it. You can go mad with desire. Or be the object of one's desire. And everything in between.
In inimitable Murakami fashion, these five short stories display his quirky style. Talking about longings of the heart, in all the forms it appears in. There's plenty of pondering and musings on events that have occurred. A lot of memory. As with Tennessee Williams' writing, there's a strong focus on looking back. Murakami makes us think, do we view the past differently according to what age we are now? Does it still impact us? And is there anything that we truly would change?
The Second Bakery Attack
Newlyweds face the dilemma of a near empty fridge. An admission of a youthful crime. A Wagner LP. The want for bread is all consuming. Insatiable. A deed done to break a curse.
"With only two weeks of married life behind us, we had yet to establish a precise conjugal understanding with regard to rules of dietary behaviour. Let alone anything else."
"A special kind of hunger. And what might that be?"
"I never, ever, once in my life felt a hunger like this until I married you."
"Tokyo's a big city. There must be at least one all-night bakery."
"Our hunger - that hunger felt as if it could go on forever - vanished as the dawn was breaking."
On Seeing the 100% Perfect Girl One Beautiful April Morning
Fate. Kismet. Serendipity. Love lost, love found. Time passes. Take a chance. Would you dare stop the most 100% perfect girl or 100% perfect boy for a chat? Would you regret not doing so?
"She's walking east to west, and I west to east. It's a really nice April morning. Wish I could talk to her. Half an hour would be plenty."
"Was it really all right for one's dreams to come true so easily?"
"One beautiful April morning, in search of a cup of coffee to start the day, the boy was walking from west to east, while the girl...was walking from east to west, both along the same narrow street in the Harajuku neighbourhood of Tokyo."
Birthday Girl
A rainy Tokyo evening. A young waitress spends her 20th Birthday working. A mysterious opportunity is offered to her. The granting of one wish. Not as easy to decide on as you might think.
"Work started as usual on her twentieth birthday, 17th November. It had been raining on and off since the afternoon, and pouring since early evening."
"If you have a wish - one wish, I'll make it come true...think about it very carefully because I can grant you only one."
"I still don't know what life is all about. I don't know how it works."
"You're not supposed to tell anybody what you wished for, you know."
"No matter what they wish for, no matter how far they go, people can never be anything but themselves."
Samsa in Love
Yes, that Gregor Samsa.
On awakening, Samsa discovers he has metamorphosised into a human being. With an insatiable hunger (which is a bit of a theme in this collection). But there are more ominous happenings in the world outside Samsa's room. A broken lock.
"Foreign troops, checkpoints, tanks - everything was wrapped in mystery."
How incredibly prescient in light of current times.
A chilling and surreal take on a classic tale of the absurd by Franz Kafka.
"Samsa looked down in dismay at his naked body....Why hadn't he been turned into a fish? Or a sunflower? A fish or a sunflower made sense. More sense, anyway, than this creature, Gregor Samsa. There was no other way to look at it.
"
"Books were neatly lined up in their cases, and frames oil paintings of landscapes adorned the walls. Each room had a glass vase filled with bright flowers...The beds all showed signs of someone's having slept in them. He could see the imprint of heads on pillows."
" 'If you think of someone enough, you're sure to meet them again,' she said in parting."
A Folklore for My Generation:
A Prehistory of Late-Stage Capitalism
An ode to coming of age in a magical decade, with Jim Morrison, the Beatles and Bob Dylan as the soundtrack. A chance meeting of two classmates over dinner. A story of loneliness despite outward appearances. Longing. And unfulfilled desire.
Never judge a book by its cover. That goes for people too.
"There was something special about the sixties."
"I much prefer imperfect, more memorable types of people."
"We were ignorant, conceited kids, of course. We had no idea what life was all about."
"I wondered around in a daze, thinking how my life had been utterly pointless."
"I stared at my own coffee cup for a while. And thought of how full of myself I used to be. I wanted to try to explain this to him, but didn't think I could."
Coming in at a teeny tiny 109 pages, this is part of Vintage Minis set of books, which was released some years ago.
The perfect way to dip your toes in the water if you've not read an Author before. Also a nice way to relax and enjoy their work again if you're old friends.
And yes, the heavens opened again 🌨 The pouring rain on the roof of the pergola the soundtrack to my reading...a kitty bored with the incessant deluge snuggled on my lap. I'm sure Murakami would approve.
January 28, 2023
I'll start with the good stuff: Murakami's writing style is engaging and flowing - It really draws the reader in. He has a child's sense of wonder and there is often an eerie, suggestive atmosphere in his stories, hinting at a hidden reality that we can never hope to understand.
And now to the not-so-good stuff: Murakami has nothing insightful to say. He writes like a precocious sixteen-year-old prodigy, producing polished prose but never saying anything incisive or original.
3.5 stars
And now to the not-so-good stuff: Murakami has nothing insightful to say. He writes like a precocious sixteen-year-old prodigy, producing polished prose but never saying anything incisive or original.
3.5 stars
March 8, 2022
'Everything is blowing up around us, but there are still those who care about a broken lock, and others who are dutiful enough to try to fix it … But maybe that’s the way it should be. Maybe working on the little things as dutifully and honestly as we can is how we stay sane when the world is falling apart.'
October 23, 2022
This was a short but quirky collection of five stories all based on the subject of desire, and this was exactly what I needed as a pick-me-up after the last few disappointing books I have read.
These particular stories are actually in his other short stories collection, but if you're like me, and you haven't dabbled in Murakami's works too often, I would recommend reading these.
The stories were well written, and all of them seem to leave me hanging, just waiting for more, waiting for the explanation as to, why? Desire comes in different forms and has so much meaning to it, and these stories cover love, hunger and of course, sex. I enjoyed how he used these themes within his work.
This book made me think beyond the pages, which is always a beautiful aspect to gain from reading exquisite words.
These particular stories are actually in his other short stories collection, but if you're like me, and you haven't dabbled in Murakami's works too often, I would recommend reading these.
The stories were well written, and all of them seem to leave me hanging, just waiting for more, waiting for the explanation as to, why? Desire comes in different forms and has so much meaning to it, and these stories cover love, hunger and of course, sex. I enjoyed how he used these themes within his work.
This book made me think beyond the pages, which is always a beautiful aspect to gain from reading exquisite words.
May 30, 2018
If all of the stories were like the last one, this would have been solid.
August 23, 2019
Not all stories are same & never are they treated equally but some among these have the potential to draw me in and thus are in their own way special & thus i treat them specially
-Thats what I think-Murakami thinks anyway
I can go on and tell you have comfortingly discomforting are the novels and stories by Murakami but i have read most of his work and thus i would first tell you how Murakami writes and why desire is special.
First and foremost Murakami himself considers that he is a short story writer and enjoys writing them but when some special ones as i have mentioned happens to force him to continue it further Murakami takes on the task and starts writing to get into that state of mind he starts with a disciplined and monotonous routine such that all his mind is indulged in the current thing he wants to narrate and thus he goes on a 10km run further followed by a 2km swim and writes after doing a repetitive rhythm maintaining complete Zen!! How-every long it takes months or half a year he keeps up the routine until he completes his work and goes to the normal after that,then the story needs to pass through Yoko and she edits and deems it good then for publishing.
Thus desire is special in a sense that it gives us a inside view into Murakamis thinking and many of these stories have been used and even developed into stand-alones like 1Q84.It shows us the love of cats that Murakami has,how Yoko likes people to read to her,how he some-point in his life had an affair with a older married woman when he was young, his college casual sex partners and his connection with his friends; thats what makes Desire so desirable to read.
cha-cha
so long
-Thats what I think-Murakami thinks anyway
I can go on and tell you have comfortingly discomforting are the novels and stories by Murakami but i have read most of his work and thus i would first tell you how Murakami writes and why desire is special.
First and foremost Murakami himself considers that he is a short story writer and enjoys writing them but when some special ones as i have mentioned happens to force him to continue it further Murakami takes on the task and starts writing to get into that state of mind he starts with a disciplined and monotonous routine such that all his mind is indulged in the current thing he wants to narrate and thus he goes on a 10km run further followed by a 2km swim and writes after doing a repetitive rhythm maintaining complete Zen!! How-every long it takes months or half a year he keeps up the routine until he completes his work and goes to the normal after that,then the story needs to pass through Yoko and she edits and deems it good then for publishing.
Thus desire is special in a sense that it gives us a inside view into Murakamis thinking and many of these stories have been used and even developed into stand-alones like 1Q84.It shows us the love of cats that Murakami has,how Yoko likes people to read to her,how he some-point in his life had an affair with a older married woman when he was young, his college casual sex partners and his connection with his friends; thats what makes Desire so desirable to read.
cha-cha
so long
December 29, 2017
In a very short 128 page book Murakami exhibits everything I admire about him and why he is one of my favourite surreal authors.
Here we have five wonderful tales selected from Murakami's short story collection.
This author takes deep urges, desire, lusts, infatuation, longing, hunger and needs and writes about them analytically beautifully. He resonates with the believer and dreamer in us all and plays on our natural desires in a way that makes you imagine deeply.
A very emotional and enjoyable quick read.
Here we have five wonderful tales selected from Murakami's short story collection.
This author takes deep urges, desire, lusts, infatuation, longing, hunger and needs and writes about them analytically beautifully. He resonates with the believer and dreamer in us all and plays on our natural desires in a way that makes you imagine deeply.
A very emotional and enjoyable quick read.
January 11, 2020
"Desire" by Haruki Murakami is a collection of five short stories..
Anyway, there is something very special to discover in each one of them!!
This are tales which will make you think and ponder long after you have finished them..
A brief recollection of them:
"The second bakery attack"
A young couple trying to quench a desperate and hurting hunger feeling..
Its about the power of love and the need to complete and finish a deed long ago done..
Its also about the power of memory plus the meaning of what in reality should be marriage!!
Five stars, and I looooove it!!!!
"On seeing the 100 % perfect girl one beautiful April morning"
This is kind of personal for me..
You see, there are some stories which speak to you with a loud voice, and you know that you have been called by name..
It's for you, and there cannot be a mistake..
Well, you see and are attracted to a girl you know deep in your guts that she was made for you!!
And then..what??
If you do nothing at all, you are doomed..
But if you do anything you are prime candidate for suffering!!
No matter what you do, there is a heavy price to pay!!
For me the way I see it is, you have to do something, if you have been given this great gift to come across the big love of your life..
An intelligent and wonderful weird tale of love being poured out over you, and the one in a life time opportunity of finding happiness and fulfilment..
The clock are ticking, what will be your response, your move???
Yes absolutely, five bright and bleeding stars!!!
"Birthday Girl"
If you were granted one wish in your life, what would you wish for??
This is the core of this short story..
But wait one moment, this is a Murakami book..
Not only written masterfully and awesome, but you will have to think again and ponder about what life is all about!!
This means also that the end is unpredictable and will blow you away..
I can only say: go for it!!!
Granted: five predictable stars..
"Samsa in Love"
Bugs, humans, and a literary legacy!!!
A delicious rendering of a classic in a new light..
Read it for yourself if you pleased..
Five wriggling stars!!
"A folklore for my generation:
a prehistory of late stage capitalism"
Boundaries and the need to overcame them!!!
A very vivid picture not only of the sixties, but the influence of society to shape us into flawed, undeveloped and unhappy beings!!
Five full developed and happy stars..
My first encounter with Haruki Murakami, and it will not be my last..
Happy readings..
Dean;)
Anyway, there is something very special to discover in each one of them!!
This are tales which will make you think and ponder long after you have finished them..
A brief recollection of them:
"The second bakery attack"
A young couple trying to quench a desperate and hurting hunger feeling..
Its about the power of love and the need to complete and finish a deed long ago done..
Its also about the power of memory plus the meaning of what in reality should be marriage!!
Five stars, and I looooove it!!!!
"On seeing the 100 % perfect girl one beautiful April morning"
This is kind of personal for me..
You see, there are some stories which speak to you with a loud voice, and you know that you have been called by name..
It's for you, and there cannot be a mistake..
Well, you see and are attracted to a girl you know deep in your guts that she was made for you!!
And then..what??
If you do nothing at all, you are doomed..
But if you do anything you are prime candidate for suffering!!
No matter what you do, there is a heavy price to pay!!
For me the way I see it is, you have to do something, if you have been given this great gift to come across the big love of your life..
An intelligent and wonderful weird tale of love being poured out over you, and the one in a life time opportunity of finding happiness and fulfilment..
The clock are ticking, what will be your response, your move???
Yes absolutely, five bright and bleeding stars!!!
"Birthday Girl"
If you were granted one wish in your life, what would you wish for??
This is the core of this short story..
But wait one moment, this is a Murakami book..
Not only written masterfully and awesome, but you will have to think again and ponder about what life is all about!!
This means also that the end is unpredictable and will blow you away..
I can only say: go for it!!!
Granted: five predictable stars..
"Samsa in Love"
Bugs, humans, and a literary legacy!!!
A delicious rendering of a classic in a new light..
Read it for yourself if you pleased..
Five wriggling stars!!
"A folklore for my generation:
a prehistory of late stage capitalism"
Boundaries and the need to overcame them!!!
A very vivid picture not only of the sixties, but the influence of society to shape us into flawed, undeveloped and unhappy beings!!
Five full developed and happy stars..
My first encounter with Haruki Murakami, and it will not be my last..
Happy readings..
Dean;)
July 23, 2018
This collection of short stories made me discover the amazing writing style of Haruki Murakami. I still don't understand why it took me so long to read something written by him.
I loved all five stories, but my favorite in this collection is the last one.
I loved all five stories, but my favorite in this collection is the last one.
November 8, 2023
the only desire I had was to toss this thing in the bin
March 9, 2019
Collection of short stories from Elephant vanishes, Blind Willow and sleeping woman and Men without Women. 5 stories of love, longing and desire, Murakami leaves you in awe, explaining the intricacies of human emotions in subtle way. Only 128 pages yet you wait for more. My favorite was "On seeing the 100% perfect girl one beautiful April morning"
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June 25, 2023
★★★☆☆
"“Everything is blowing up around us, but there are still those who care about a broken lock, and others who are dutiful enough to try to fix it … But maybe that’s the way it should be. Maybe working on the little things as dutifully and honestly as we can is how we stay sane when the world is falling apart.”
Murakami's "Desire" presents a collection of five peculiar and enchanting tales that delve into the intricate and multifaceted nature of desire. With its distinct prose and thought-provoking narratives, this book offers a unique perspective on the universal theme of longing.
His ability to captivate readers with his imaginative storytelling is evident in this compilation. Each story acts as a key that unlocks a different facet of desire, showcasing its various forms and manifestations. Whether it be the overwhelming hunger for something more, the sudden infatuation that ignites within us, or the hidden yearnings of our hearts, the author artfully crafts these complex emotions into compelling narratives.
“we never choose anything at all. Things happen. Or not”
The strength of "Desire: Vintage Minis" lies in Murakami's ability to transport readers to a world where the ordinary and extraordinary seamlessly coexist. The characters, while enigmatic, feel relatable and serve as vessels for exploring the depths of human desires. Murakami's prose is rich and evocative, creating an atmospheric backdrop that enhances the overall reading experience.
However, it should be noted that while the stories are intriguing, some readers may find themselves craving more depth and resolution. The brevity of the narratives leaves room for interpretation, but at times it can leave the reader wanting for a more conclusive ending or further exploration of the themes presented. Despite this minor drawback, "Desire: Vintage Minis" is an enjoyable read for those who appreciate Murakami's distinct style and his ability to uncover the hidden aspects of human nature. It offers a glimpse into the enigmatic world of desire, leaving readers pondering the intricacies of their own longings long after the final page is turned.
In conclusion, "it's a worthy addition to Haruki Murakami's body of work. While it may not reach the same heights as some of his full-length novels, it manages to captivate with its whimsical narratives and exploration of desire. Whether you are a devoted fan or new to Murakami's writing, this collection will leave you pondering the enigmatic nature of longing and the complexities of human desire.
"“Everything is blowing up around us, but there are still those who care about a broken lock, and others who are dutiful enough to try to fix it … But maybe that’s the way it should be. Maybe working on the little things as dutifully and honestly as we can is how we stay sane when the world is falling apart.”
Murakami's "Desire" presents a collection of five peculiar and enchanting tales that delve into the intricate and multifaceted nature of desire. With its distinct prose and thought-provoking narratives, this book offers a unique perspective on the universal theme of longing.
His ability to captivate readers with his imaginative storytelling is evident in this compilation. Each story acts as a key that unlocks a different facet of desire, showcasing its various forms and manifestations. Whether it be the overwhelming hunger for something more, the sudden infatuation that ignites within us, or the hidden yearnings of our hearts, the author artfully crafts these complex emotions into compelling narratives.
“we never choose anything at all. Things happen. Or not”
The strength of "Desire: Vintage Minis" lies in Murakami's ability to transport readers to a world where the ordinary and extraordinary seamlessly coexist. The characters, while enigmatic, feel relatable and serve as vessels for exploring the depths of human desires. Murakami's prose is rich and evocative, creating an atmospheric backdrop that enhances the overall reading experience.
However, it should be noted that while the stories are intriguing, some readers may find themselves craving more depth and resolution. The brevity of the narratives leaves room for interpretation, but at times it can leave the reader wanting for a more conclusive ending or further exploration of the themes presented. Despite this minor drawback, "Desire: Vintage Minis" is an enjoyable read for those who appreciate Murakami's distinct style and his ability to uncover the hidden aspects of human nature. It offers a glimpse into the enigmatic world of desire, leaving readers pondering the intricacies of their own longings long after the final page is turned.
In conclusion, "it's a worthy addition to Haruki Murakami's body of work. While it may not reach the same heights as some of his full-length novels, it manages to captivate with its whimsical narratives and exploration of desire. Whether you are a devoted fan or new to Murakami's writing, this collection will leave you pondering the enigmatic nature of longing and the complexities of human desire.
May 23, 2020
If you are new to Murakami, short stories are not his métier. The few in Desire are fairly good if uneven. If you have read enough Murakami you will recognize that several of the few short stories here have been published in other collections. For those who notice such things this Vintage Mini is a nice little book, easy to carry and for the uninitiated a nice sampler of what Murakami has done better elsewhere.
The Vintage Minis are a series of small editions each by a different writer and each with a one-word tile that serves as the theme for the collection. I suspect no title in Desire was written just for this book.
Desire includes five stories that give variations on the title theme.
The Second Bakery Attack: A couple execute an out of the blue robbery because - something or another
On Seeing the 100% Perfect Girl One Beautiful Spring Morning: A wistful and near universal recollection
Birthday Girl: A waitress in a restaurant spends her birthday at work and has a small experience with its strange, reclusive owner
Samsa in Love: Kafka’s The Metamorphosis turned around.
A Folklore for My Generation; A Pre-History of Late Stage Capitalism: A first person’s recollection of a friend’s first and true love
I am a fan of Murakami. My intention is to read his books in some kind of order. He can do better.
The Vintage Minis are a series of small editions each by a different writer and each with a one-word tile that serves as the theme for the collection. I suspect no title in Desire was written just for this book.
Desire includes five stories that give variations on the title theme.
The Second Bakery Attack: A couple execute an out of the blue robbery because - something or another
On Seeing the 100% Perfect Girl One Beautiful Spring Morning: A wistful and near universal recollection
Birthday Girl: A waitress in a restaurant spends her birthday at work and has a small experience with its strange, reclusive owner
Samsa in Love: Kafka’s The Metamorphosis turned around.
A Folklore for My Generation; A Pre-History of Late Stage Capitalism: A first person’s recollection of a friend’s first and true love
I am a fan of Murakami. My intention is to read his books in some kind of order. He can do better.
August 6, 2018
I am used to his books, so maybe just short stories are not the best choice. Anyway, you still can find some of his writing and recognize that, anyway, the stories are funny.
Not the best book to start with, if you never ever read anything by this author, but sometimes is nice to know someone from a different point of view.
Not the best book to start with, if you never ever read anything by this author, but sometimes is nice to know someone from a different point of view.
May 7, 2023
It's all about Desire.
May 9, 2019
As a reader, I am more a dip-my-toes-in-the-water kind. I read a book or two by a writer and then move on to a new writer. This is how it is even with my favourite writers. A.S.Byatt is one of my favourite writers and I have read just one book by her. Marlen Haushofer is another of my favourite writers and I have read just two books by her. I, of course, dream that one day I will read all the books written by all of my favourite writers, but that hasn't happened yet. Though my reading is broad and wide because of this, I have some big gaps in my reading experience. The biggest of this is Haruki Murakami. I love Haruki Murakami and have read excerpts from his books in anthologies, but I have never read any of his novels or short stories. The only book of his that I have read is 'What I Talk About When I Talk About Running', but that is non-fiction and so I am not counting it here. Friends have been recommending Murakami to me for years and some of them have been kind enough to gift me Murakami books. I have a whole row in my bookshelf filled with Murakami books, waiting to be read on a rainy day. When a few weeks back one of my friends gifted me this Murakami book, I decided that the waiting should be over and I should get started. I read 'Desire' today and finished it in one breath.
'Desire' has five short stories. They are not new stories, but have been taken from other Murakami collections and collected together here because of their common theme.
The first story 'The Second Bakery Attack' is about a newly married couple who get up in the middle of the night feeling very hungry. The husband describes a story from his past in which he and his friend tried robbing a bakery but the bakery owner was ready to give what they wanted if they listened to some classical music with him. What happens after that and what is the connection between that and the present form the rest of the story.
The second story 'On Seeing the 100% Perfect Girl One Beautiful April Morning' is about what happens when one meets his / her soulmate in the street accidentally.
The third story 'Birthday Girl' is about a waitress who works in the restaurant in her twentieth birthday and then strange things that happen that day.
The fourth story 'Samsa in Love', turns the Gregor Samsa legend from Kafka's 'Metamorphosis' upside down and imagines what happens when someone or something gets up in the morning and discovers that he / she / it has been transformed into Gregor Samsa. It is a fascinating story.
The fifth and last story, 'A Folklore for My Generation : A Prehistory of Late-Stage Capitalism' is about a man who describes what happens to his high school sweetheart. It describes the atmosphere of the times, the 1960s, and Japanese culture and value system very well, and the ending of the story is poignant.
I loved all the stories in the book, but the last one was my favourite.
I am glad I finally read my first Murakami. Whoohoo! I can't wait to read my next one now!
I will leave you with some of my favourite passages from the book.
"When you listen to somebody's story and then try to reproduce it in writing, the tone's the main thing. Get the tone right and you have s true story on your hands. Maybe some of the facts aren't quite correct, but that doesn't matter – it actually might elevate the truth factor of the story. Turn this around, and you could say there are stories that are factually accurate yet aren't true at all. Those are the kind of stories you can count on being boring, and even, in some instances, dangerous. You can smell those ones a mile away."
"The older you get, the more boring travelling alone becomes. It's different when you are younger – whether you're alone or not, travelling can be a gas. But as you age – the fun factor declines. Only the first couple of days are enjoyable. After that, the scenery becomes annoying, and people's voices start to grate. There's no escape, for if you close your eyes to block these out, all kinds of unpleasant memories pop up. It gets to be too much trouble to eat in a restaurant, and you find yourself checking your watch over and over as you wait for buses that never seem to arrive. Trying to make yourself understood in a foreign language becomes a total pain."
Have you read 'Desire' by Haruki Murakami? What do you think about it?
'Desire' has five short stories. They are not new stories, but have been taken from other Murakami collections and collected together here because of their common theme.
The first story 'The Second Bakery Attack' is about a newly married couple who get up in the middle of the night feeling very hungry. The husband describes a story from his past in which he and his friend tried robbing a bakery but the bakery owner was ready to give what they wanted if they listened to some classical music with him. What happens after that and what is the connection between that and the present form the rest of the story.
The second story 'On Seeing the 100% Perfect Girl One Beautiful April Morning' is about what happens when one meets his / her soulmate in the street accidentally.
The third story 'Birthday Girl' is about a waitress who works in the restaurant in her twentieth birthday and then strange things that happen that day.
The fourth story 'Samsa in Love', turns the Gregor Samsa legend from Kafka's 'Metamorphosis' upside down and imagines what happens when someone or something gets up in the morning and discovers that he / she / it has been transformed into Gregor Samsa. It is a fascinating story.
The fifth and last story, 'A Folklore for My Generation : A Prehistory of Late-Stage Capitalism' is about a man who describes what happens to his high school sweetheart. It describes the atmosphere of the times, the 1960s, and Japanese culture and value system very well, and the ending of the story is poignant.
I loved all the stories in the book, but the last one was my favourite.
I am glad I finally read my first Murakami. Whoohoo! I can't wait to read my next one now!
I will leave you with some of my favourite passages from the book.
"When you listen to somebody's story and then try to reproduce it in writing, the tone's the main thing. Get the tone right and you have s true story on your hands. Maybe some of the facts aren't quite correct, but that doesn't matter – it actually might elevate the truth factor of the story. Turn this around, and you could say there are stories that are factually accurate yet aren't true at all. Those are the kind of stories you can count on being boring, and even, in some instances, dangerous. You can smell those ones a mile away."
"The older you get, the more boring travelling alone becomes. It's different when you are younger – whether you're alone or not, travelling can be a gas. But as you age – the fun factor declines. Only the first couple of days are enjoyable. After that, the scenery becomes annoying, and people's voices start to grate. There's no escape, for if you close your eyes to block these out, all kinds of unpleasant memories pop up. It gets to be too much trouble to eat in a restaurant, and you find yourself checking your watch over and over as you wait for buses that never seem to arrive. Trying to make yourself understood in a foreign language becomes a total pain."
Have you read 'Desire' by Haruki Murakami? What do you think about it?
May 3, 2023
"I much prefer imperfect, more memorable types of people."
.
Although I've already read 4 stories from this collection, But I had so much fun re-reading them again.
These stories have been chosen under a new title, which is "Desire", And in every story, human desires are hiding within them
.
The Second Bakery Attack.
suddenly, hunger attacks the new couple late at night. It is a hunger that cannot be escaped, except with old stories and a new adventure.
this plot was cute, unexpected, and enjoyable too.
.
On Seeing the 100% Perfect Girl One Beautiful April Morning.
when you see the 100% Perfect Girl walking down the street, what do you do?
I just adore this story, I don't know how many times I've re-read it, and every time it makes me happy and dreamy as if I'm reading it for the first time.
.
Samsa in Love.
Murakami decides to give Gregor Samsa a happy ending to his long-standing misery.
Finally, Samsa's suffering ended, and he was able to break free from that body, and I'm so glad he doesn't remember what happened to him in the past, and even better that he found something important and special waiting for him.
.
Birthday Girl.
a girl on the eve of her twentieth birthday, A mysterious opportunity is offered to her. The granting of one wish, whatever the wish was.
This story may be considered the most mysterious in this collection, It makes you think about many things and leaves you with unanswered questions.
.
A Folklore for My Generation.
Once upon a time in Japan, we see the story of high school sweetheart, and how their dreams and lives change, with the traditions of the community
This particular story made me feel sad, empty, and lonely, sometimes We believe people that they live a perfect life and everything goes as they wish, but in fact, everything inside them is crumbling and broken.
.
In the end, I really like Murakami's style, whether it's a long or short novel or a real or fictional story, he has a great writing style and I enjoy every word he writes.
.
“No matter what they wish for, no matter how far they go, people can never be anything but themselves.”
.
Although I've already read 4 stories from this collection, But I had so much fun re-reading them again.
These stories have been chosen under a new title, which is "Desire", And in every story, human desires are hiding within them
.
The Second Bakery Attack.
suddenly, hunger attacks the new couple late at night. It is a hunger that cannot be escaped, except with old stories and a new adventure.
this plot was cute, unexpected, and enjoyable too.
.
On Seeing the 100% Perfect Girl One Beautiful April Morning.
when you see the 100% Perfect Girl walking down the street, what do you do?
I just adore this story, I don't know how many times I've re-read it, and every time it makes me happy and dreamy as if I'm reading it for the first time.
.
Samsa in Love.
Murakami decides to give Gregor Samsa a happy ending to his long-standing misery.
Finally, Samsa's suffering ended, and he was able to break free from that body, and I'm so glad he doesn't remember what happened to him in the past, and even better that he found something important and special waiting for him.
.
Birthday Girl.
a girl on the eve of her twentieth birthday, A mysterious opportunity is offered to her. The granting of one wish, whatever the wish was.
This story may be considered the most mysterious in this collection, It makes you think about many things and leaves you with unanswered questions.
.
A Folklore for My Generation.
Once upon a time in Japan, we see the story of high school sweetheart, and how their dreams and lives change, with the traditions of the community
This particular story made me feel sad, empty, and lonely, sometimes We believe people that they live a perfect life and everything goes as they wish, but in fact, everything inside them is crumbling and broken.
.
In the end, I really like Murakami's style, whether it's a long or short novel or a real or fictional story, he has a great writing style and I enjoy every word he writes.
.
“No matter what they wish for, no matter how far they go, people can never be anything but themselves.”
April 23, 2023
4 🌟
I'm not very fond of short stories. And I love Murakami for his large novels and surrealism. So I was kinda doubtful about whether to like this book or not. I was halfway through and I was about to give 2.5 to 3 stars, but the last story got me and I have to highlight that the last story is more like a non-fiction of Japanese culture. Ironically, we are part of Asia and the cultural differences between us are not far from each other. And just because the last story in this collection. I feel safe to say it is 4 stars.
this book is a collection of 5 stories and has been picked because it has something to do with human desire. For example, in the first story of this collection, we follow a married couples who are starving to death and are ready to put their life at risk just to get food. And the titular desire is more obvious with "Birthday Girl" a short story of a girl who turns twenty and under surreality, she got a wish for her birthday. The wish is not transparently viewed to us but moreover left as an interpretation of the reader's digest and come out of it with their wishes. And there is a story about metamorphosis continued story where Gregor Samsa is woken up to become human again. And the story called Samsa in Love again, a desire for love and relationship. But all those stories aside and the last story aside and is called "A Folklore for My Generation: A Prehistory of Late-Stage Capitalism" In this particular short story we follow a guy who was born in 1949 (Murakami was born in 1949) and is a novelist just like Haruki Murakami. And it felt like a non-fiction story. The story starts with the writer's point of view of high-school students "The most vulnerable, most immature, and yet most precious period of life" Over time the story shifts to the perfectly matched couple. And honestly, I don't want to go into much in detail because that story has to be read.
I also think that Murakami's short stories are not just tales of particular people in particular places at a particular time, but instead, they connect to other people, the rest of us, on many levels.
I'm not very fond of short stories. And I love Murakami for his large novels and surrealism. So I was kinda doubtful about whether to like this book or not. I was halfway through and I was about to give 2.5 to 3 stars, but the last story got me and I have to highlight that the last story is more like a non-fiction of Japanese culture. Ironically, we are part of Asia and the cultural differences between us are not far from each other. And just because the last story in this collection. I feel safe to say it is 4 stars.
this book is a collection of 5 stories and has been picked because it has something to do with human desire. For example, in the first story of this collection, we follow a married couples who are starving to death and are ready to put their life at risk just to get food. And the titular desire is more obvious with "Birthday Girl" a short story of a girl who turns twenty and under surreality, she got a wish for her birthday. The wish is not transparently viewed to us but moreover left as an interpretation of the reader's digest and come out of it with their wishes. And there is a story about metamorphosis continued story where Gregor Samsa is woken up to become human again. And the story called Samsa in Love again, a desire for love and relationship. But all those stories aside and the last story aside and is called "A Folklore for My Generation: A Prehistory of Late-Stage Capitalism" In this particular short story we follow a guy who was born in 1949 (Murakami was born in 1949) and is a novelist just like Haruki Murakami. And it felt like a non-fiction story. The story starts with the writer's point of view of high-school students "The most vulnerable, most immature, and yet most precious period of life" Over time the story shifts to the perfectly matched couple. And honestly, I don't want to go into much in detail because that story has to be read.
I also think that Murakami's short stories are not just tales of particular people in particular places at a particular time, but instead, they connect to other people, the rest of us, on many levels.
June 6, 2019
I read in English but this review in Bahasa Indonesia
Vintage Minis edisi Desire berisi 5 cerita pendek karya Haruki Murakami. Tentunya, dipilih dari tulisan-tulisannya yang memiliki kesamaan tema: desire, alias hasrat. Dan hasrat tersebut bisa berbentuk hasray fisik maupun hasrat secara perasaan. Yang ternyata, menjadi benang merah terhadap cerita Murakami.
Dibuka dengan "The Second Bakery Attack", pembaca diajak untuk mengikuti kisah sepasang suami-istri untuk memenuhi hasrat fisiknya: rasa lapar. Tapi apakah benar, itu hanyalah kelaparan? Atau ada hal yang lain yang menjadi motivasinya?
Melalui tulisan-tulisan pendeknya, Murakami menyoroti kalau desire ini bisa membawa manusia menuju hal-hal yang acak, yang random. Apabila menuruti keinginan tersebut, juga bisa membawa pada kemungkinan yang belum pernah dibayangkan. Seperti yang tertulis dalam kisah "Birthday Girl"
Tetapi, dari 5 cerita pendek tersebut, ada juga yang menarik. Singkat, namun cukup membuat aku berdecak kagum pada daya imajinasi Murakami. Dalam "On Seeing the 100% Perfect Girl One Beautiful April Morning", Murakami bisa menjadi pendongeng untuk sebuah kisah yang menjadi imajinasi tokoh utamanya.
Selain itu, membaca Desire membantuku yang selama ini merasa tidak cocok dengan Murakami, akhirnya menemukan bahwa ia memang memiliki ciri khas sendiri. Ia bisa menceritakan sesuatu yang random hingga bahkan noir dengan baik. Pembaca akan merasa aneh tetapi tidak menolak ketika harus terus membacanya. Aku pun baru tahu kalau tulisan-tulisan Murakami bersifat Kafkaesque (ke-Kafka-Kafkaan). Dan itu sangat terlihat pada cerpennya yang berjudul "Samsa in Love." Murakami menunjukkan bahwa absurditas juga bisa terjadi pada sebuah tragedi.
Aku mengapresiasi cara Vintage Books memperkenalkan penulis-penulis ternama lewat serial Vintage Minis-nya. Ini menjadi sebuah langkah bagus untuk pembaca sepertiku yang masih ragu untuk memulai membaca karya penulis besar seperti Haruki Murakami.
"I kept my eye on him, worried that he might hit a burglar alarm, but apparently McDonald's don't have burglar alarms. Maybe it had never occurred to anybody to attack one."
Vintage Minis edisi Desire berisi 5 cerita pendek karya Haruki Murakami. Tentunya, dipilih dari tulisan-tulisannya yang memiliki kesamaan tema: desire, alias hasrat. Dan hasrat tersebut bisa berbentuk hasray fisik maupun hasrat secara perasaan. Yang ternyata, menjadi benang merah terhadap cerita Murakami.
Dibuka dengan "The Second Bakery Attack", pembaca diajak untuk mengikuti kisah sepasang suami-istri untuk memenuhi hasrat fisiknya: rasa lapar. Tapi apakah benar, itu hanyalah kelaparan? Atau ada hal yang lain yang menjadi motivasinya?
Melalui tulisan-tulisan pendeknya, Murakami menyoroti kalau desire ini bisa membawa manusia menuju hal-hal yang acak, yang random. Apabila menuruti keinginan tersebut, juga bisa membawa pada kemungkinan yang belum pernah dibayangkan. Seperti yang tertulis dalam kisah "Birthday Girl"
Tetapi, dari 5 cerita pendek tersebut, ada juga yang menarik. Singkat, namun cukup membuat aku berdecak kagum pada daya imajinasi Murakami. Dalam "On Seeing the 100% Perfect Girl One Beautiful April Morning", Murakami bisa menjadi pendongeng untuk sebuah kisah yang menjadi imajinasi tokoh utamanya.
Selain itu, membaca Desire membantuku yang selama ini merasa tidak cocok dengan Murakami, akhirnya menemukan bahwa ia memang memiliki ciri khas sendiri. Ia bisa menceritakan sesuatu yang random hingga bahkan noir dengan baik. Pembaca akan merasa aneh tetapi tidak menolak ketika harus terus membacanya. Aku pun baru tahu kalau tulisan-tulisan Murakami bersifat Kafkaesque (ke-Kafka-Kafkaan). Dan itu sangat terlihat pada cerpennya yang berjudul "Samsa in Love." Murakami menunjukkan bahwa absurditas juga bisa terjadi pada sebuah tragedi.
"We are ignorant, conceited kids, of course. We had no idea what life was all about."
Aku mengapresiasi cara Vintage Books memperkenalkan penulis-penulis ternama lewat serial Vintage Minis-nya. Ini menjadi sebuah langkah bagus untuk pembaca sepertiku yang masih ragu untuk memulai membaca karya penulis besar seperti Haruki Murakami.
January 10, 2020
I picked this book purely because I wasn't yet ready to pick longer works by Murakami but still wanted to have a flavor of his writing. But this book has left me with a desire to read more elaborate books by him.
Desire is a collection of 5 short stories by the master himself, and well chosen they are. Each one spoke to one or the other inert desire in me, and I'm sure these exist in everybody else too.
The Second Bakery Attack, On Seeing The 100% Perfect Girl One Beautiful April Morning, Samsa In Love and A Folklore For My Generation - A prehistory for late-stage capitalism; each was brilliant and thoughtful. Murakami has a habit of circling around the central theme but never really stating it out loud. This leads to a conception of magic and surrealism. The thought is quite there for you to feel and navigate but it never materializes into something tangible, like words.
In that sense this was a fulfilling yet extremely short read; one that covered a wide range of emotions but always leaves you wanting more.
Desire is a collection of 5 short stories by the master himself, and well chosen they are. Each one spoke to one or the other inert desire in me, and I'm sure these exist in everybody else too.
The Second Bakery Attack, On Seeing The 100% Perfect Girl One Beautiful April Morning, Samsa In Love and A Folklore For My Generation - A prehistory for late-stage capitalism; each was brilliant and thoughtful. Murakami has a habit of circling around the central theme but never really stating it out loud. This leads to a conception of magic and surrealism. The thought is quite there for you to feel and navigate but it never materializes into something tangible, like words.
In that sense this was a fulfilling yet extremely short read; one that covered a wide range of emotions but always leaves you wanting more.
February 16, 2020
Note to self: "read more Murakami books".
This cute little book contains five short stories that circulate around "desire" in its many forms.
The stories are thought-provoking and induced me to read them all over again. :D
Story 1: “The second bakery attack”
That's an engaging karma story. My top quote is:
"Wrong choices can produce right results, and vice versa"
Story 2: "On seeing the 100% perfect girl one beautiful April morning".
A story of choices and how they affect our future. At every moment, there are hundreds of possible paths you can take that will lead to very different outcomes. My favourite quote is:
"Was it really all right for one's dreams to come true so easily"
Story 3: “The birthday girl”
It's the story I liked the most, although if you ask me tomorrow, I might say something else.
I was extremely curious to understand what's that one wish, the birthday girl had.
What would you say if someone asks you to make one wish only?
Part of her answer:
"Of course I'd like to be prettier or smarter or rich. But I really can't imagine what would happen to me if any of those things came true. They might be more than I could handle. I still don't really know what life is all about. I don't know how it works."
Story 4: “Samsa in love”
This one is in my top 2. It's a truly original tribute to Franz Kafka's "Metamorphosis".
"Maybe working on the little things as dutifully and honestly as we can is how we stay sane when the world is falling apart"
Story 5: "A folklore for my generation: A prehistory of late-stage capitalism"
That one has a very strange name, no?
Murakami is a character in it. My most memorable quote is actually a writing tip:
"I distinctly recall the overall tone. When you listen to somebody's story and then try to reproduce it in writing, the tone's the main thing. Get the tone right and you have a true story on your hands. Maybe some of the facts aren't quite correct, but that doesn't matter- it actually might elevate the truth factor of the story. Turn this around, and you could say there're stories that are factually accurate yet aren't true at all. Those are the stories you can count on to be boring, and even, in some instances, dangerous. You can smell those a mile away."
This cute little book contains five short stories that circulate around "desire" in its many forms.
The stories are thought-provoking and induced me to read them all over again. :D
Story 1: “The second bakery attack”
That's an engaging karma story. My top quote is:
"Wrong choices can produce right results, and vice versa"
Story 2: "On seeing the 100% perfect girl one beautiful April morning".
A story of choices and how they affect our future. At every moment, there are hundreds of possible paths you can take that will lead to very different outcomes. My favourite quote is:
"Was it really all right for one's dreams to come true so easily"
Story 3: “The birthday girl”
It's the story I liked the most, although if you ask me tomorrow, I might say something else.
I was extremely curious to understand what's that one wish, the birthday girl had.
What would you say if someone asks you to make one wish only?
Part of her answer:
"Of course I'd like to be prettier or smarter or rich. But I really can't imagine what would happen to me if any of those things came true. They might be more than I could handle. I still don't really know what life is all about. I don't know how it works."
Story 4: “Samsa in love”
This one is in my top 2. It's a truly original tribute to Franz Kafka's "Metamorphosis".
"Maybe working on the little things as dutifully and honestly as we can is how we stay sane when the world is falling apart"
Story 5: "A folklore for my generation: A prehistory of late-stage capitalism"
That one has a very strange name, no?
Murakami is a character in it. My most memorable quote is actually a writing tip:
"I distinctly recall the overall tone. When you listen to somebody's story and then try to reproduce it in writing, the tone's the main thing. Get the tone right and you have a true story on your hands. Maybe some of the facts aren't quite correct, but that doesn't matter- it actually might elevate the truth factor of the story. Turn this around, and you could say there're stories that are factually accurate yet aren't true at all. Those are the stories you can count on to be boring, and even, in some instances, dangerous. You can smell those a mile away."
November 17, 2018
It is a collection of just 5 stories. All fantastic. Coming from Murakami, I thought it was bound to be quirky and surrealistic - I am talking from my experience with his 'Kafka on the shore' which I couldn't wrap my head around. Story #1 was quirky but realistic and exactly mirrored our midnight hunger pangs as it set out to do. Story #2 was simplistic and feel-good kind. Liked it. Stories #3 and #4 were surrealistic and I kind of didn't get #3 totally. Story #5 was the best of the lot: philosophical, realistic and thought provoking. This slim book kindled in me the interest to read more Murakami. Recommended. Rating: 4.5 stars.
December 8, 2018
These stories left me ravenous than I was before I started reading them.
A concoction of desire of hunger, lust, infatuation, these stories breathe life into your otherwise mundane life.
Let me first talk about my favourite out of the five, 'Samsa in Love', where a 30 year old man wakes up in an anamalous room to discover he had undergone a metamorphosis and become Gregor Samsa. He knew he had to put on some clothes on his naked body but did not know how to, he felt an erection seeing a woman twist and turn to fix her brassiere but did not know what it meant (so in short Murakami tells the story of Samsa who has the mindfulness of a grown man yet is unaware of the system or patterns of the world). We have stories named 'The Second Bakery Attack' where this otherwise ordinary couple decide to attack a bakery to satisfy their hunger, 'On seeing the 100% perfect girl one beautiful April morning' which literally gave me anxiety about having somehow missed my potential soulmate when I was engrossed reading Murakami's stories, 'Birthday Girl' left me with a question which I still am yet to figure out the answer for (what my one wish would be if I could have it granted?), 'A folklore for my generation: A prehistory of Late Stage Capitalism' tells a very simple story of a wasted love giving us an insight into the 60's which according to Murakami was the age when 'thesis and reality hugged each other'.
.
.
With the same surrealism as in his other works, these stories leave the readers with so many unanswered questions. I literally looked up the internet for the wish the Birthday Girl had asked for because I was so sure there had to be an answer (and no there wasn't). Open ended stories don't bother me at all infact I find that they have a certain enigma to it which attaches me to Murakami's work. Written brilliantly, these stories are a must read if you love his work or if you want to fall in love with his work.
A concoction of desire of hunger, lust, infatuation, these stories breathe life into your otherwise mundane life.
Let me first talk about my favourite out of the five, 'Samsa in Love', where a 30 year old man wakes up in an anamalous room to discover he had undergone a metamorphosis and become Gregor Samsa. He knew he had to put on some clothes on his naked body but did not know how to, he felt an erection seeing a woman twist and turn to fix her brassiere but did not know what it meant (so in short Murakami tells the story of Samsa who has the mindfulness of a grown man yet is unaware of the system or patterns of the world). We have stories named 'The Second Bakery Attack' where this otherwise ordinary couple decide to attack a bakery to satisfy their hunger, 'On seeing the 100% perfect girl one beautiful April morning' which literally gave me anxiety about having somehow missed my potential soulmate when I was engrossed reading Murakami's stories, 'Birthday Girl' left me with a question which I still am yet to figure out the answer for (what my one wish would be if I could have it granted?), 'A folklore for my generation: A prehistory of Late Stage Capitalism' tells a very simple story of a wasted love giving us an insight into the 60's which according to Murakami was the age when 'thesis and reality hugged each other'.
.
.
With the same surrealism as in his other works, these stories leave the readers with so many unanswered questions. I literally looked up the internet for the wish the Birthday Girl had asked for because I was so sure there had to be an answer (and no there wasn't). Open ended stories don't bother me at all infact I find that they have a certain enigma to it which attaches me to Murakami's work. Written brilliantly, these stories are a must read if you love his work or if you want to fall in love with his work.
March 21, 2019
I cannot put into words how much I adore reading all of Murakami's books. After re-reading 'Norwegian Wood'; and 'Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage', to pick up excerpts of his short stories, and therefore; temporarily enrich my library with a new bookish friend is the best experience I could ever wish for. I'm pretty sure that my heart is always going to be an ardent bibliophile of his bookish treasures. From 'The Bakery Attack'; 'Samsa in Love'; to miraculous soul mates whose fates and destinies bring them together. Incredibly beautiful stories which had found their placement in my heart.
July 7, 2017
Desire is a short story collection of his already published works. With five stories it's a beautiful little book to gift someone (or yourself) with. Murakami's stories are strange, surreal and sometimes sad but always a joy to read...
August 15, 2017
A beautiful collection of short stories. A detailed review in a while.
September 5, 2022
I think I only prefer Murakami when he writes short stories, his writing is best when it's capsule sized imo - all the frustration and incredulity that blooms within me is limited to 3-5 pages max, unlike his full length novels with 0.25 dimensional, acutely horny, bland male characters and the sudden twist at 70-80% mark that drives me a bit mad.
This collection was incredible to read. Each tale was astonishingly surreal - leaving me confused, reeling, grasping at understanding, gasping for more, speculating HARD - long after each story was over. Very difficult to let go of. His works always leave me desperate for closure, for conversation and speculation that gives me some degree of completion. Also in such a small number of pages per story, Murakami manages to give more heart and dimension to the characters within despite maintaining their baffling vagueness, something he doesn't achieve in his full length novels.
This collection is a compilation of 5 short stories from his other short stories collections. If you own other Murakami books of short stories, chances are you've read these stories in them. If you've never read his short stories before, I highly recommend this collection, it's concentrated strangeness is worth experiencing first hand and it's so tiny that it will give you a great understanding of his writing in this format without having to work too hard.
Take a shot everytime I say short stories.
This collection was incredible to read. Each tale was astonishingly surreal - leaving me confused, reeling, grasping at understanding, gasping for more, speculating HARD - long after each story was over. Very difficult to let go of. His works always leave me desperate for closure, for conversation and speculation that gives me some degree of completion. Also in such a small number of pages per story, Murakami manages to give more heart and dimension to the characters within despite maintaining their baffling vagueness, something he doesn't achieve in his full length novels.
This collection is a compilation of 5 short stories from his other short stories collections. If you own other Murakami books of short stories, chances are you've read these stories in them. If you've never read his short stories before, I highly recommend this collection, it's concentrated strangeness is worth experiencing first hand and it's so tiny that it will give you a great understanding of his writing in this format without having to work too hard.
Take a shot everytime I say short stories.
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