Blurb...and Directions...

Back Cover:

Japan's most highly regarded novelist now vaults into the first ranks of international fiction writers with this heroically imaginative novel, which is at once a detective story, an account of a disintegrating marriage, and an excavation of the buried secrets of World War II.
In a Tokyo suburb a young man named Toru Okada searches for his wife's missing cat. Soon he finds himself looking for his wife as well in a netherworld that lies beneath the placid surface of Tokyo. As these searches intersect, Okada encounters a bizarre group of allies and antagonists: a psychic prostitute; a malevolent yet mediagenic politician; a cheerfully morbid sixteen-year-old-girl; and an aging war veteran who has been permanently changed by the hideous things he witnessed during Japan's forgotten campaign in Manchuria.

The questions below are just a guide to start the conversation for Book One: The Thieving Magpie (up to p172 Vintage edition). Answer those that interest you, or ask any other questions that you may have about the novel. You're welcome to post your thoughts or comments any time while reading. You may also respond to the comments and questions of other participants.... 

Shaharazade, Alia, Amir & Majdouline are our main players for Book One (which means they are each expected to help lead the discussion and post a minimum of 6 separate comments on this section by the end of June...) The July line-up is: Nelson, Kenza, Arrito, Akshay (Book Two p176-338), and for August: Raphaela, Mehdi, Siham, Hamza (Book Three p 341 - end). p.s. Darienne, since you are new to the class, please just chip in as and when you can....

You are all welcome to share your personal responses - thoughts, memories, connections - as you read, and to post links, illustrations, quotes,... whatever seems relevant. However, particular credit will go to those of you who make literary observations, addressing Murakami's narrative technique, style, characterization, themes, use of language etc. Comparisons with The Assault and/or The Stranger are also valuable. Finally, remember that for this IB component, 'Works in Translation', culture and context are also important to consider.
 
Questions to get you started:What do you think of the story so far?
What are your initial impressions of Toru Watanabe?
What do you think of the other characters we're introduced to in Book One?
There are quite a few unusual names and nicknames for major and minor characters. Do you think the choice of names is important?
Do you have any favourite passages, or scenes, in Book One?
How does Lieutenant Mamiya's story of the war in Manchuria fit with the rest of the narrative?
What do you think is the significance of the empty box that Toru gets from Mr. Honda (at the end of Book One)?
What do you think of the translation? Does it read smoothly?
Are you looking forward to reading on? Any guesses on where the story will go from here?
(Your question here...)