Classic Fiction: Sputnik Sweetheart by Haruki Murakami

As I continue my journey through all of the works by Japanese writer Haruki Murakami, I decided the next book I would cover is Sputnik Sweetheart, originally published in Japan in 1999, and in English in 2001. 

The Situation: The mostly unnamed narrator (only sparingly referred to as 'K'), is in love Sumire. While she does not share the same feelings, the two remain friends. In fact, K will frequently assert that Sumire is his only friend. Having met in college, K and Sumire manage to stay close even after Sumire drops out. Now, K is a teacher with the occasional girlfriend - though they are usually older and married - and Sumire is an aspiring writer. But when she meets an older woman named Miu at a wedding, Sumire has found a new focus and becomes hopelessly in love with her. Miu offers her a job, which comes with many opportunities for travel, and Sumire accepts, though she knows Miu is married. Throughout all of this, Sumire keeps K updated on the situation, usually with calls in the middle of the night. It is only after Sumire and Miu take a business trip to Europe that the calls stop, and then K loses contact with Sumire completely.

The Problem: When K receives a call from Miu about Sumire, it seems his suspicion that something may have happened has proven true. Thankfully, he is between terms at the school he teaches, and is able to fly to Greece to help Miu search for Sumire, who seems to have simply vanished. During the search, K learns more not only about his strange friend, but the lovely older woman she has fallen in love with. As the trip begins to provide more questions than answers, K is drawn into Sumire's world even more so than before. With only strange visions and dreams, and cryptic notes and messages as clues, the search for Sumire proves to be less than straightforward. Sumire was always a bit strange, but disappearing seemingly into thin air is new for even her. And without his only friend gone, K is even more hapless and confused than before.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a fiction novel set mostly in Japan, but also in Greece, which is where Sumire disappears. Published between The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, and Kafka on the Shore, this novel carries many of the marks of a Murakami novel. If we were to play Murakami Bingo, we could check off the spots for mysterious woman (Miu), ear fetish, something vanishing, cats, urban ennui, secret passageway, cooking, parallel worlds, and unusual name (Sumire). There are also several mentions of a well, but one never actually appears. The love triangle of this book reminds me of the one in Norwegian Wood, and the manifestation of the parallel world seems like a precursor to the one that will come later in 1Q84. Something else that often appears on some iterations of the Murakami Bingo card is the lost male narrator. K is both lost and listless, showing little drive or direction, and often wonders where his life is going. Part mystery, and part unrequited love story, it carries much of the same haunting energy Murakami readers have come to expect. 

My Verdict: While I appreciate the straightforward nature of this book in contrast to some of his other work, there is certainly a reason why Sputnik Sweetheart is not often mentioned among the Murakami favorites. It does not have quite the same depth as The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, or Norwegian Wood, or 1Q84, and the plot is not as cohesive, though the characters are well-rounded. It is as if organization was sacrificed in the interest of making things mysterious and slightly weird. Even so, I still found myself enjoying the book, if only because I had fun finding all of the different ways it linked up with other Murakami books. I liked seeing how it fit in with the rest, and playing Murakami Bingo is always a good time.  

Favorite Moment: Though this moment is terrifying and nightmarish, mostly because it can happen in real life, Miu's story of the time she was stuck at the top of a ferris wheel over night is incredibly compelling.

Favorite Character: Miu may be a bit cold, but she is not heartless, and she knows how to handle herself. 

Recommended Reading: Readers who enjoy this book may also enjoy Norwegian Wood, though my favorite still remains to be A Wild Sheep Chase.  

Historical Fiction: Fifty Words for Rain by Asha Lemmie

It feels like I should be thanking Half Price Books for today's selection, but with the world in the state that it is in, I do not get to make it out to my favorite book store much. So this may actually be a Goodreads find, but honestly, I cannot remember. Either way, I am talking about Fifty Words for Rain Asha Lemmie, a historical fiction novel set mostly in mid-20th century Japan. No doubt it was the intriguing premise and setting that drew me in.

The Situation: Though she is only eight, Noriko knows that she does not belong, and that she is not wanted. That point has been made twice now, the first time when her mother dropped her off at the front gates of her grandmother's house. Her grandparents then proceeded to lock her away in the attic, seemingly in an effort to forget she exists. She does not remember much about her mother, but they say she looks like her. Unfortunately, she has the darker skin of her American father. If her complexion was closer to her mother's, they could all at least attempt to pretend, but the truth is written plainly on her skin: Noriko is the result of a disgraceful affair between a Japanese woman and a black American soldier. Despite how she is treated, Noriko insists on behaving, just as her mother commanded her to do before she left. It is not until the half-brother she never knew about returns home and begins to stand up for her that she even believes she is anything worth defending. 

The Problem: Akira may be in a position to make demands for his little half-sister, but his grandmother is less than pleased about it. Noriko adores Akira, with the adoration bordering on worship, and cannot be near him enough. Her older brother is not exactly affectionate, or patient, or even kind, but he does care for Noriko and does his best to protect her. Eventually, the grandmother decides this has gone on long enough, and she makes a decision that alters the course of everything. For the next few years of her life, Noriko will learn harsh realities, while also being able to slowly uncover the truth about her parents, and her own place in her notable family's history. She will meet people who adore and love her - though she will find it difficult to accept either their adoration or their love - and of course she will meet those who despise her, or simply wish to use her for their own aims. Noriko wants more than anything to be able to trust and depend on someone, but as the years go on, it becomes clear that person does not exist, maybe not even within herself.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel that begins in 1948 when Noriko is only eight years old. Set mostly Japan, Noriko is a half Japanese, half African-American girl who is not welcome in her own home. To her grandmother, Noriko is proof of the disgraceful actions of her mother, actions that have brought shame on a once remarkable family. Since her grandmother insists on holding onto tradition and honor, she looks at Noriko's half-brother, Akira, as the savior of the family and the future of the legacy, though he is less than interested. He prefers to focus on music, and being the best at everything he does. Noriko simply wants to be near her brother, and to no longer fear for her safety. But at nearly every point in her life, just as things seem to be settling down, tragedy will strike, or a ghost of the past will come back to haunt her. Shame, guilt, honor, fear, hate - all of these play a heavy role in this story, and help influence the decisions of nearly every character.

My Verdict: This is a fascinating premise and with fully realized and complicated characters. Noriko is not simply a naive young girl growing up in a world that does not understand her. Through the years, the reader sees her grow and change, while still struggling with having been abandoned at such a young age. And the adventures are never-ending. Noriko never stays in one place or situation for very long, so the narrative is rarely boring. I do take issue with some of the plot points as they cause the story to be somewhat of a mess. Some of the twists and turns do not make much sense, and throughout the book I felt somewhat off-balance and confused. This could be because this is how Noriko was also feeling, but it takes away from the overall readability and enjoyment of the book. But again, the characters and settings are incredibly strong and well thought out.

Favorite Moment: Though it is an incredibly sad part of the book, there is a point about a quarter into the novel when I liked Noriko the best. It is a moment when she both gives up, and is also resolved to decide her own fate. For possibly the first time, she makes up her own mind and refuses to be swayed by anyone else. 

Favorite Character: I do not think that I would like Akira if I knew him in real life. However, I like him for Noriko. She needed someone who would push her and demand more of her, while also being willing to stand up for her when she could not do it herself. 

Recommended Reading: I recommend The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett. It is a very different book, but it also deals with identity, fear, and navigating a world where you feel you do not belong.     

Classic Fiction: Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler

It is natural to follow-up last week's entry with Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler, the second and last of the Earthseed Books. Apparently, Butler did initially plan to make this series a trilogy, but a third book never materialized. Even so, the two books are beloved as they stand, and both show frightening similarities to our current reality.

The Situation: It has been five years since Lauren Olamina, who now only goes by her last name, settled in the community that is now known as Acorn. After her childhood home in Robledo, California was destroyed and her family was killed, Olamina was forced to take her chances on the road, dangerous though they may be. Fortunately, she and the small group of people she gathered along the way, have made it to the northern part of that state, and managed to create a peaceful, secluded community. Everyone works together, learns together, they rescue those that they can, and they commit themselves to the values of Earthseed, the belief system that Olamina thought up herself. Not everyone who finds themselves in Acorn believes in Earthseed, but most do, even if they initially are doubtful or have a lot of questions. With the core belief that God is change, Olamina leads her community through increasingly trying times.

The Problem: In the year 2032, it is once again time for an election, and a man named Jarret has won. Using political speeches that are really more like sermons, Jarret has promised to "make America great again" by ridding it of criminals, vagrants, drug dealers, and prostitutes, all through his Church of Christian America. It is people who declare that they are doing just that who one day show up in Acorn with gas and armored vehicles. Though Bankole, Olamina's husband, owns the land and has for years, the crusaders steal it, and begin to abuse both the land and the people. Once she and all of the adults of Acorn are turned into slaves, Olamina's primary goal, after survival, becomes finding her daughter, who was taken from her along with the other small children of Acorn. But to resist is suicide. Every attempt at disobedience is met with violence. And if she were to escape, how long would it be before more of Jarret's people come to capture her again? 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a science fiction book, and the follow-up to Butler's first book about Earthseed, Parable of the Sower, which has recently become quite popular, even ending up on the New York Times Bestseller list, despite having been initially published in 1993. This second book continues with the themes of the first book, focusing on political corruption, the disintegration of society, the increasing separation between classes, and violence as an everyday reality. Something else that continues is Olamina's commitment to Earthseed, especially as she sees the community of Acorn grow and involve. Every new person that is brought into Acorn is introduced to the belief system, though they are not forced to believe in it. And while the first book was only told by Olamina's point of view, this time the readers are treated to Asha Vere's story, Olamina and Bankole's only child. Trading off between her own words, and the journal of the mother she did not grow up with, we see the conclusion to Olamina's terrifying but incredible adventure.

My Verdict: While this book is also an adventure, much like the first one, it is a different kind of adventure. Olamina is an adult now, and the difference in the maturity level is certainly felt in the narrative. She was always stubborn, and she was always committed to Earthseed. But now, the woman is a force, and it feels like Butler gives the reader the opportunity to decide whether they like her or not. Naturally, having her daughter as the second narrator also gives the book a different feel, and her feelings help shape this new version of Olamina that we are given. The story is still interesting, and it still feels weird to read about a version of America that was written about in the 90s, set in our not-so-distance future (2032-2035), and has some eerie similarities to what we are dealing with today. If there was one word I would use to describe this book, it would be "uncomfortable."

Favorite Moment: From the beginning, Asha lets the reader know how she feels about her mother, and that only fuels the reader's curiosity about Olamina and what she will accomplish. 

Favorite Character: Just like I did with the first book, I will have to pick Bankole, if only because he is realistic and has the safety of his family in mind.

Recommended Reading: I recommend The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, as I found myself thinking of it at certain points while I was reading this one.          

Classic Fiction: Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

It felt fitting to finish the year with Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler. On September 3, 2020, the novel appeared on the New York Times bestseller list, 27 years after its original publication. No doubt the dystopian landscape, as well as the themes of extreme wealth inequality, climate change, and the general breakdown of society have helped renew some interest. It also does not hurt that the graphic novel adaptation was published earlier this year, and was done by the same team that adapted Butler's Kindred in 2017.

The Situation: It is 2024 on the West Coast of the U.S, and Lauren Olamina is the only daughter of a Baptist minister. Her father is a leader in the community, a man that is looked up to as an advisor and a protector. Society has crumbled to the point that neighborhoods can only exist if there are walls protecting them, and leaving those walls is only done in an emergency, or if there is paying work involved. Water is scarce and expensive. Corporations are starting to buy entire cities and have them run by what essentially amounts to slave labor. Guns are a necessity, and it is almost a promise that you or someone close to you will be robbed, attacked, or worse. Violence may be a daily reality and not that much of a surprise when it happens, but for Lauren, her hyperempathy causes her to 'share' the pain with the victim...as long as they are still alive. A violent action made out of self-defense can cripple her, and if someone else finds out, they can use it against her.

The Problem: In a coordinated attack, Lauren loses her home and her family in one night. With her neighborhood nearly burned to the ground, she walks away with only her emergency pack and the little money and helpful items she could find in the wreckage. It is not safe outside of the walls, but now that there is nothing left inside of them, she has no choice but to head north. State lines may now function more like international borders, but Lauren is determined, as are the people she meets and collects along the way. Some of them she knew from before, but others are strangers who were simply headed in the same direction. As they travel, she continues to add to her journal of beliefs, what she calls Earthseed. The core idea behind Earthseed is that God is change, and having rejected her father's beliefs long ago, Lauren holds onto her own, and heads into what she believes is her new destiny.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a science fiction novel that begins when Lauren is 15 in the not at all distant year of 2024, and ends in the fall of 2027, after she has turned 18. In those three years, her life as she knew it is gone, and she finds herself within a motley crew of other weary travelers as they all head north, away from the wreckage that has become California, though the rest of the country is not in any better shape. Even after a new president is elected, and a corporation takes over a small city with the promise of providing jobs and housing, people see right through the empty promises and greed that are meant to enslave them to a system of debt and hopelessness. Naturally, readers will compare what Butler has written with what we see in our world today, and the setting of the year 2024 gives an eerie feeling to the overall story.

My Verdict: Out of the three books I have read by Butler, this may be my favorite. I liked Kindred well-enough, but it was rough reading through it. I have complicated feelings about Fledgling, but I have complicated feelings towards most stories about vampires - I have said it before that I am Team Van Helsing and will probably always be. And although this one was no picnic, I enjoyed reading about the harsh future that Butler has created, and the characters that often must do the unthinkable in order to survive. Possibly the only thing about the story that I did not care for was the idea of Lauren creating her own religion, if only because it reminded me of how cults are often started. But the rest of the story is both fascinating and terrifying. Even though the characters must constantly be on their guard, and are often attacked and hurt, Butler presents it in a way that keeps the reader engaged instead of pushing them away.  

Favorite Moment: There are not many happy or bright parts of the book, but there is a moment when it rains for a few days and the community is able to collect the 'free' water. 

Favorite Character: Bankole is an older man that ends up joining the group as they head north. He is helpful, resourceful, smart, protective, and also generous.

Recommended Reading: I do recommend Kindred, even though I had a hard time getting through it. Readers of science fiction will certainly appreciate its time traveling elements. 

Nonfiction: Who We're Reading When We're Reading Murakami by David Karashima

It was only after I had finished graduate school that I began to discover the writing of Haruki Murakami. It all started with The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, and ten other books later, I have finally gotten around to reading Norwegian Wood (and currently have Sputnik Sweetheart sitting on my 'to-read' shelf). When I saw the title of today's book, Who We're Reading When We're Reading Murakami by David Karashima, I was naturally curious. Murakami's rise to fame in the U.S. market is an interesting thing, much like his writing, and Karashima's book adds context and also answers many questions.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a nonfiction book that focuses mostly on Murakami's early work (Pinball, 1973; Hear the Wind Sing; A Wild Sheep Chase; Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World; The Elephant Vanishes; Dance Dance Dance; and The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle), and the translators that helped bring them to an English-reading audience. Through research, interviews, and a few personal accounts, Karashima discusses Murakami's transition from having being beloved in his home-country of Japan and having a modest (though loyal) cult following in the U.S., to now being a literary superstar who is read around the world. While Karashima captures this history, he also manages to capture the personalities of the editors, translators, publishers, and even the author himself. With each section given a title that corresponds to the book(s) it is discussing, readers can follow along in the history of Murakami's work and rise to international fame.

My Verdict: As I looked at the chapter titles, I was immediately disappointed that this book was only going to go as far as The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, which was published in English in the U.S. in 1997. Murakami has published many books since, and while I suppose having an equally thorough account of all of them would have made this book incredibly long, I was still hungry for the information. With that said, that is pretty much my only substantial issue with this book. It is interesting hearing from the translators and editors who tackled Murakami's work in an attempt to bring him over to an English-reading audience. Translation seems like hard, arduous work, so getting even a peak at the process is enlightening. And being able to hear from Murakami himself added to my own perception of him as an unassuming, somewhat shy, humble, yet ambitious writer. Anyone who is at all curious about this author's appeal and transition to the global market will hold the information Karashima presented as invaluable.

Favorite Moment: Although it is not one of my favorites, I appreciated learning about the process of translating and publishing the English version of Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World. Something about how they reconciled the two stories within the one book was incredibly interesting. 

Recommended Reading: I recommend The Age of Disenchantments by Aaron Shulman, a thorough exploration of the Paneros, one of Spain's most well-known literary families.

Young Adult Fiction: The Cousins by Karen M. McManus

Karen M. McManus cannot stop churning out YA thrillers, which is great news for her readers. Her previous book, One of Us Is Next (the sequel to 2017's One of Us Is Lying) was published earlier this year. Now, in the closing weeks of 2020, we get The Cousins, another thriller that follows the troubling legacy of the Story family and a summer that brings both questions and answers.

The Situation: Aubrey and Jonah Story, and Milly Story-Takahashi are cousins, but they barely know each other. Their parents are not exactly close, but it looks like the three cousins will finally get acquainted over the summer, as they have all been invited to work at their grandmother's resort island. The parents insist that the offer must be accepted, as over 20 years ago, Mildred Story disinherited all four of her kids with a one-line letter: "You know what you did." Once the children arrive, however, it is clear that Grandma Mildred did not invite them, and does not want them there. Even so, the cousins are resolved to stay, each taking up a small job on the resort, if only as an opportunity to find out what they can about their reclusive grandmother, each other, and what may have happened so long ago, that it has caused such a huge rift that has lasted over two decades.

The Problem: Being a Story on a 12-mile island is both easy and difficult. It is clear that the cousins are not held to the same standard as the other employees, which makes their jobs easy, but they are recognized immediately when they make it onto the island. It becomes incredibly difficult for them to uncover any secrets, especially when each of the cousins has a few of their own. Milly stays determined and uses her quick wit and pretty face to her advantage; Aubrey does her best to stay focused and not crumple under the pressure she is receiving from her father at home and her grandmother's associates on the island; and Jonah is simply trying his best to lay low and stay focused. The problematic Story family history has already cost him his summer, as well a few other things. Once the answers do start coming in, little is actually solved, and the Story cousins realize they may be in over their head, especially when the word "murder" starts to show up.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult thriller set during a summer on the fictional Gull Cove Island. The three Story cousins, Milly, Aubrey, and Jonah, will be spending the summer there, seemingly to work at their estranged grandmother's resort. The actual plan, of course, is for them to get back into their grandmother's good graces, and also the family fortune from which she cut off their parents. Greed is certainly at play here, but the longer the story goes on, the clearer it becomes that there is also pride, vanity, revenge, and the search for acceptance. Grandma Mildred's four children, Adam, Anders, Allison, and Archer, all want to be back in contact with their mother, but they all have different motives, and some may not be as ignorant as they act as to what happened 24 years ago. Even the cousins each have their own reasons for agreeing to spend a summer with a grandmother they have never met. Everything in this book is a mystery, and the layers are peeled off slowly as the cousins take turns telling the story.

My Verdict: This is a story. And I mean a really good one. The mystery and overall plot are both so well thought-out and well-written that it is difficult to find any flaws or holes. The characters are also well-rounded and easy to get to know. With three cousins that are different from each other, and also each trying to tell their own story, it is almost expected that at least one of them would not be as interesting or engaging as the others. But that does not happen here. Sure, readers may find one more likeable than the others, but I feel they were all three given equal attention and their own special role in the plot, which is naturally full of twists and turns. What is nice about those twists is that they are not overdone, and they come just often enough. Oh, and the ending. The more I read, the more I realize how hard it must be to write an ending that does not seem rushed, or that does not seem to have any unintentional loose ends, but somehow, even with a plot this complex, McManus nails it.

Favorite Moment: There are plenty of reveals throughout this book, but the first major one (you will know it what it happens) is my favorite. The clues are all there for the reader to figure it out, but it is still a satisfying surprise when it comes to light.

Favorite Character: Aubrey grew on me immensely throughout the book. As she becomes more confident in who she is and her own abilities, she takes more control over her own life and is essential in solving the mystery.

Recommended Reading: I suggest that readers start with McManus' first book if they have not already. One of Us Is Lying is where it all started, and I think readers will enjoy it if they enjoyed this one. 

Winners of the 2020 Goodreads Choice Awards

Today is the day! The votes have been tallied, and it is time to find out which books came out on top in what has been a crazy year. Which books of 2020 have been voted as the favorites for the 2020 Goodreads Choice Awards? And also, how many of those had their own moment on this blog?

And immediately, we have Fredrik Backman's Anxious People barely, and I mean barely, losing out to Matt Haig's The Midnight Library for Best Fiction...by five votes. Wow.

However, the race for Best Historical Fiction was not close at all, as Brit Bennett's The Vanishing Half takes that win easily. And the same can be said for Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia as it wins handily for Best Horror. 

I could not be more pleased that Caste by Isabel Wilkerson has won for Best History & Biography as I cannot stop recommending this book to people. Information overload? Sure. Upsetting? Absolutely. But it is worth it. 

And as if I did not already have more than enough reason to be pleased about this year's results, I see that Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo, possibly my favorite YA book of the year, has won for Best Young Adult Fiction. This is always a tough category, and I think it has been a few years since a favorite of mine has won. I would have loved if another DSN had won for Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction, but it was not meant to be as the winner is The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black, narrowly defeating The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins. 

So there they are! Four of the winners in the 2020 Goodreads Choice Awards were featured on this blog at one point throughout the year. As always, this now means the process of finding a potential 2021 winner has begun, and I am so excited.