Haruki Murakami
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| - | '''Haruki Murakami''' ([[January 12]], [[1949]]) is a popular contemporary [[Japan]]ese [[writer]] and [[translator]]. His work has been described by the ''[[Virginia Quarterly Review]]'' as "easily accessible, yet profoundly complex."[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/{{PAGENAMEE}}] [May 2007] | + | '''Haruki Murakami''' ([[January 12]], [[1949]]) is a popular contemporary [[Japan]]ese [[writer]] and [[translator]]. His work has been described by the ''[[Virginia Quarterly Review]]'' as "easily accessible, yet profoundly complex." |
| + | ==Criticism and influence== | ||
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| + | Murakami's fiction, often criticized for being "pop" literature by [[Japanese literature|Japan's literary establishment]], is humorous and surreal, and at the same time reflects an essential alienation, loneliness, and longing for love in a way that has touched readers in the [[United States|US]] and [[Europe]], as well as in [[East Asia]]. In addition, Murakami's writing has also been criticized because of his portrayal of Japan's obsession with capitalism. Through his work, he was able to capture the spiritual emptiness of his generation and explore the negative effects of Japan's work-dominated mentality. His writing criticizes the decrease in human values and a loss of connection between people in Japan's capitalist society. | ||
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| + | Recently, director [[Jun Ichikawa]] adapted Murakami's short story ''Tony Takitani'' into a 75 minute feature. [[Tony Takitani|The film]] has played at various film festivals and was released in New York and Los Angeles [[July 29]], [[2005]]. The original short story (as translated by [[Jay Rubin]]) is available in the April 15, 2002, issue of ''[[The New Yorker]]'', as a [http://www.cloverfieldpress.com/takitani.html stand-alone book] published by [[Cloverfield Press]], and part of ''Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman'' by [http://www.randomhouse.com/knopf/home.pperl Knopf]. | ||
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| + | Murakami's work has also been adapted for the stage, in a 2003 play entitled ''[[The Elephant Vanishes]]'', co-produced by Britain's [[Complicite]] company and Japan's [[Setagaya Public Theatre]]. The production, directed by [[Simon McBurney]], adapted three of Murakami's short stories and received acclaim for its unique blending of multimedia (video, music, and innovative sound design) with actor-driven physical theatre (mime, dance, and even acrobatic wirework).[http://arts.guardian.co.uk/reviews/story/0,11712,987804,00.html][http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/theatre/reviews/article94576.ece]. On tour, the play was performed in Japanese, with translating supertitles for European and American audiences. | ||
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| + | On [[Max Richter (Composer)|Max Richter]]'s 2006 album ''Songs from Before'', [[Robert Wyatt]] reads passages from Murakami's novels. | ||
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| + | In 2006, Murakami became the sixth winner of the [[Franz Kafka Prize]], which has been awarded in past years to [[Nobel Prize In Literature]] winners [[Harold Pinter]] and [[Elfriede Jelinek]]. Murakami himself has been considered a possible laureate. If Murakami receives the Prize, he would become the third Japanese Literature Prize laureate, after [[Kawabata Yasunari]] and [[Kenzaburo Oe]]. | ||
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Revision as of 22:32, 4 June 2007
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Haruki Murakami (January 12, 1949) is a popular contemporary Japanese writer and translator. His work has been described by the Virginia Quarterly Review as "easily accessible, yet profoundly complex."
Criticism and influence
Murakami's fiction, often criticized for being "pop" literature by Japan's literary establishment, is humorous and surreal, and at the same time reflects an essential alienation, loneliness, and longing for love in a way that has touched readers in the US and Europe, as well as in East Asia. In addition, Murakami's writing has also been criticized because of his portrayal of Japan's obsession with capitalism. Through his work, he was able to capture the spiritual emptiness of his generation and explore the negative effects of Japan's work-dominated mentality. His writing criticizes the decrease in human values and a loss of connection between people in Japan's capitalist society.
Recently, director Jun Ichikawa adapted Murakami's short story Tony Takitani into a 75 minute feature. The film has played at various film festivals and was released in New York and Los Angeles July 29, 2005. The original short story (as translated by Jay Rubin) is available in the April 15, 2002, issue of The New Yorker, as a stand-alone book published by Cloverfield Press, and part of Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman by Knopf.
Murakami's work has also been adapted for the stage, in a 2003 play entitled The Elephant Vanishes, co-produced by Britain's Complicite company and Japan's Setagaya Public Theatre. The production, directed by Simon McBurney, adapted three of Murakami's short stories and received acclaim for its unique blending of multimedia (video, music, and innovative sound design) with actor-driven physical theatre (mime, dance, and even acrobatic wirework).[1][2]. On tour, the play was performed in Japanese, with translating supertitles for European and American audiences.
On Max Richter's 2006 album Songs from Before, Robert Wyatt reads passages from Murakami's novels.
In 2006, Murakami became the sixth winner of the Franz Kafka Prize, which has been awarded in past years to Nobel Prize In Literature winners Harold Pinter and Elfriede Jelinek. Murakami himself has been considered a possible laureate. If Murakami receives the Prize, he would become the third Japanese Literature Prize laureate, after Kawabata Yasunari and Kenzaburo Oe.
