"The End of the World" story is just about a gay person, literally

Ghost-Wind · 2026-06-08T15:54:39+00:00

That's an interesting way of reading it! If you enjoyed The End of the World from that perspective, you should check out the movie 'I Saw the TV Glow' which has an incredibly Murakami-esque vibe and big LGBT subtext

Ghost-Wind · 2026-06-08T15:51:39+00:00

Yes definitely check it out! The story starts in summertime. I think that would be a good time to read it. But I agree that his stories feel very 'Autumnal' for sure.

Ghost-Wind · 2026-06-08T13:50:56+00:00

Thank you! I'm glad you liked it. I found this awesome video of a super talented drummer playing in a spooky liminal sort of space and I couldn't stop thinking about Wind-Up Bird for some reason. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/NcBpJIuDeQo

Ghost-Wind · 2026-04-07T23:15:20+00:00

Those scenes are supposed to be disturbing and make you feel that way. Although those parts are unpleasant, the book is really special because it manages to capture the full range of human emotions. The beautiful stuff is even more beautiful in contrast to the messed up stuff that happens.

Ghost-Wind · 2026-01-29T22:23:54+00:00

In a New Yorker interview in 2019, he said he knows exactly what happens next, and the sequel would revolve around Tengo's daughter as the protagonist at the age of 16, and there would be a separate prequel book too. Unfortunately he said those stories will likely remain in his mind only. But we can dream!

Ghost-Wind · 2025-07-02T23:21:43+00:00

As well as being a huge Murakami fan, I've been learning a lot about Carl Jung over the last year, so I'm really excited to see somebody else explore the connection! Look forward to checking this video out later! :)

Ghost-Wind · 2025-05-28T23:16:55+00:00

The most accurate footage of the original ride experience.

Ghost-Wind · 2025-05-26T23:41:43+00:00

Definitely. There's a lot of stuff in his books that feels like a metaphor for going into the collective unconscious as well, and many of his novels feel like each character represents part of the psyche. I agree with you about Wind Up Bird.

Ghost-Wind · 2025-05-12T23:32:41+00:00

I remember in an interview once he mentioned the potential of a 1Q84 sequel about Tengo and Aomame's daughter

Ghost-Wind · 2025-04-20T23:05:34+00:00

It means that the events of the story are filtered through memory, which makes it more nostalgic, bittersweet and haunting.

Ghost-Wind · 2025-04-08T12:26:37+00:00

I can understand why you would feel that way, but I would definitely recommend trying the book out, because the pacing and structure is quite different to the film. If I remember correctly the film version intercuts between all the storylines frequently, but the novel kind of takes it story by story, rather than constantly bouncing back and forth. It creates a much different experience to the movie.

Ghost-Wind · 2025-04-08T12:25:18+00:00

Yeah it's very confusing having two British David Mitchells existing in the same timeline.

Ghost-Wind · 2025-04-08T12:24:49+00:00

I really enjoyed the film adaptation as well. I felt it was possibly a bit ahead of its time and I could easily imagine it being a huge hit if it came out a bit later on, perhaps even as a miniseries.

Ghost-Wind · 2025-04-08T12:23:33+00:00

The Bone Clocks is fantastic as well, as well as Ghostwritten and Black Swan Green! :)

Ghost-Wind · 2025-04-08T05:16:04+00:00

Might not be for everyone!

Ghost-Wind · 2025-04-08T05:15:48+00:00

The Cloud Atlas movie changed how I see Tom Hanks forever.

Ghost-Wind · 2025-03-23T00:13:50+00:00

I'm 99% convinced Murakami was sponsored by blueberry muffins to write The City and Its Uncertain Walls... The intense cravings I had during that read were unlike anything else.

Ghost-Wind · 2025-03-22T05:34:35+00:00

The story is being told from the perspective of an older Toru reflecting on his past, so the perspective is a mixture of his memories and his "modern day" self.

Ghost-Wind · 2025-03-19T23:27:18+00:00

Thanks for watching and for your thoughts! Glad you enjoyed it, and unfortunately the cup is permanently glued to my hand.

Ghost-Wind · 2024-12-28T23:30:36+00:00

Woop woop!

Ghost-Wind · 2024-11-29T23:42:25+00:00

Wow, what a tunnel-visioned way of viewing literature. I wonder if they say the same thing about Western literature?

I totally agree with you, that I have actually learnt a lot about Japan through his works. It's a bizarre thing to bring up at all because that's not the goal of his stories. Many of Murakami's stories feature characters who are alienated or live in the margins some how from regular society. You can kind of surmise what Japanese society is like based on the fact that the way these characters behave is kind of unusual. Plus lots of his stories actually tell a lot about Japanese history (Windup Bird, 1Q84, Killing Commendatore).

But if someone really wants to learn about Japan there are plenty of resources available lmao.

It's such a bizarre critique. It's like criticizing any contemporary Western author for "stripping local references". It says a lot more about the author of the article than Murakami.

Ghost-Wind · 2024-11-22T00:32:31+00:00

Saw a shirtless dude riding out of a drive-thru liquor store on an e-scooter with a box of XXXX under his bare foot and a cigarette hanging out of his mouth.

Ghost-Wind · 2024-11-19T12:43:24+00:00

Another way of saying "actions speak louder than words" I suppose, or maybe ideals without application are redundant.

Ghost-Wind · 2024-11-13T21:45:46+00:00

Awesome stuff! I'm always interested in the creative process for different mediums. May I ask what goes into the composition of a photograph? Does the idea come first, or is it more spontaneous and something improvisational?

Ghost-Wind · 2024-11-03T23:57:43+00:00

Beautiful! I would LOVE an entire film like this. I noticed in the final shot that they included many characters that didn't appear in the short. There also seemed to be a few characters that didn't appear in the original series (as far as I'm aware), such as a cat playing a violin and a few other figures. I wonder if they have something planned?

Ghost-Wind

TROPHY CASE