"Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki" by Haruki Murakamii

[El Dingo]

I snagged this at Costco because it was a small form-factor hardcover with a cool die-cut cover. Yes I do buy stuff based on packaging. I'm sending a message - make your packaging kick-ass and they will come.

It's basically the story of a guy who is a member of a high-school clique. After graduation, out of the blue they tell him to get lost with no explanation. 16 years later his girlfriend convinces him to find out why.

The story is less-than-compelling and the writing is a bit stilted. However, as someone who knows a tiny bit about Japanese culture I understand why the book and writer are hugely popular in Japan. The translation cannot convey concepts of subtlety and discretion that are inherent in Japan. There is even an attempt at explaining the use of addressing someone with a formal 'you' versus the familiar 'you' showing how a relationship has changed.

My limited knowledge of Japanese culture puts emphasis on boundries. The focus on this book is the protagonist meeting old friends and reestablishing these boundries.

Anyway, an easy read but I believe in the original Japanese a completely different experience.

Again - cool cover.