Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Publication
Vintage (2003), Paperback, 147 pages
Description
Fantasy. Fiction. Literature. Short Stories. HTML:Set at the time of the catastrophic 1995 Kobe earthquake, the mesmerizing stories in After the Quake are as haunting as dreams and as potent as oracles. An electronics salesman who has been deserted by his wife agrees to deliver an enigmatic package� and is rewarded with a glimpse of his true nature. A man who views himself as the son of God pursues a stranger who may be his human father. A mild-mannered collection agent receives a visit from a giant talking frog who enlists his help in saving Tokyo from destruction. The six stories in this collection come from the deep and mysterious place where the human meets the inhuman�and are further proof that Murakami is one of the most visionary writers at work today.… (more)
Media reviews
I loved this book before last week’s earthquake, because it illuminated a few things about my own condition at the time that I read it. But now the truth in this collection of fiction has a new depth to it; its general conclusions have become amazingly relevant and important to us this week. It
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offers no solutions and I don’t even think it offers much comfort, but it holds a hauntingly accurate mirror to our world now. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member klarusu
I must assert from the outset that I am not a particular fan of the short story genre. However, this collection dealing with individuals touched in some way by the Kobe earthquake in Japan has turned that opinion on its head and shows Murakami to be a master of the form.
My main problem with a lot
He writes from many perspectives, each as alive in his work as the others - a broken man, an embittered female with regret eating away at her inside, among others. The reader is left with a sense of priviledge at being able to bear witness to a moment in the lives of characters that live on past the end of Murakami's tales. It is a sensation of a perfect glimpse of a moment and the context it stands in, not the impression that the author has been constrained by the format. There are still elements of Murakami's whimsy and magic such as the giant frog, a harbinger of disasters to come. In a testament to his characterisation, you find yourself accepting and rooting for the frog against the odds.
The enduring theme of these stories is that of rebuilding - as Kobe has to rebuild after the destruction wreaked by the earthquake, so these characters have to rebuild their lives. The reader is left with a sense of hope that they will succeed. This is a masterclass in the art form and leaves other authors in the shade. Definitely worth the time spent reading and a 1001 book choice that I have no problem with!
My main problem with a lot
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of short stories is that they seem forced and in some way less than a novel-length piece. Murakami proves that it is the writer's skill that limits them not the form itself, each of these stories existing as a perfect self-contained whole without any need for the reader to long for a longer piece. His characterisation is brilliant. He manages to convey the emptiness of a man whose marriage has disintegrated and a collection of misfits brought together by a bonfire on the beach using few words and sparse prose, lovingly crafted. He is an expert at descriptives, the hangover at the beginning of 'All God's Children Can Dance' a prime example of this. This is a humorous and slightly oedipal tale of a man finding his faith and demonstrates that Murakami is capable of intertwining humour and depth without trivialising his work. He writes from many perspectives, each as alive in his work as the others - a broken man, an embittered female with regret eating away at her inside, among others. The reader is left with a sense of priviledge at being able to bear witness to a moment in the lives of characters that live on past the end of Murakami's tales. It is a sensation of a perfect glimpse of a moment and the context it stands in, not the impression that the author has been constrained by the format. There are still elements of Murakami's whimsy and magic such as the giant frog, a harbinger of disasters to come. In a testament to his characterisation, you find yourself accepting and rooting for the frog against the odds.
The enduring theme of these stories is that of rebuilding - as Kobe has to rebuild after the destruction wreaked by the earthquake, so these characters have to rebuild their lives. The reader is left with a sense of hope that they will succeed. This is a masterclass in the art form and leaves other authors in the shade. Definitely worth the time spent reading and a 1001 book choice that I have no problem with!
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LibraryThing member dczapka
Murakami's short story collection, featuring six stories that all take place a month after the 1995 Kobe earthquake but otherwise do not connect at all, are simple and entertaining, yet feel so appropriately cohesive that it's hard to say anything bad about them.
Murakami is well-known for his
The stories, though not interconnected, nonetheless seem to trace an arc of their own. "UFO in Kushiro," "Landscape with Flatiron," and "All God's Children Can Dance" are all wonderful examinations of different kinds of abandonment, tragic yet touching. "Thailand" is our first sense that there might actually be hope or redemption in a world marked by senseless tragedy.
The last two tales, however, take a turn. Because while "Super-Frog Saves Tokyo" is absurd is the most delightful way, it's the closest we get to any sense of man having a stake in his own actions. Which makes the ending of the final piece, "Honey Pie," far more sweet than saccharine, an almost-literal revision of the devastating and sad tales we'd seen until then.
In this way, after the quake is an uplifting and inspiring set of stories, marked by Murakami's gentle voice and exquisite control of the smallest narrative elements, and uplifting though all too brief.
Murakami is well-known for his
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radically fantastical work, and for those fans of his looking for that, "Super-Frog Saves Tokyo" will not disappoint. Yet the highlight of that story, for me at least, was the sense in which that, like most of the other tales, deals intensely with the idea of loneliness, particularly loneliness in the face of tragedy.The stories, though not interconnected, nonetheless seem to trace an arc of their own. "UFO in Kushiro," "Landscape with Flatiron," and "All God's Children Can Dance" are all wonderful examinations of different kinds of abandonment, tragic yet touching. "Thailand" is our first sense that there might actually be hope or redemption in a world marked by senseless tragedy.
The last two tales, however, take a turn. Because while "Super-Frog Saves Tokyo" is absurd is the most delightful way, it's the closest we get to any sense of man having a stake in his own actions. Which makes the ending of the final piece, "Honey Pie," far more sweet than saccharine, an almost-literal revision of the devastating and sad tales we'd seen until then.
In this way, after the quake is an uplifting and inspiring set of stories, marked by Murakami's gentle voice and exquisite control of the smallest narrative elements, and uplifting though all too brief.
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LibraryThing member squeakjones
The 4th Murakami book I've read - the stories are very short (the entire book is only 144 pages), but each resonates with loss and emptiness. The amazing thing is how Murakami manages to make that loss felt in completely different ways in each story, while making them all relate to one another in a
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larger sense. The two best stories bookend the collection. Opener "UFO in Kashuro" shows a man perhaps disvoering too late that the emptiness he has iside was once occupied by something, but that something may have been tricked away from him. The closer "Honey Pie" is great - a love triangle of sort thats lasts for years as only Murakami can describe, complete with stories of bears the power to rewrite your own fate. Every character is immediately realized as a "Murakami Man," meaning his characters are imediately identifiable with his writing. Great short read. Show Less
LibraryThing member wunderkind
I read my first Murakami, "Kafka on the Shore", last year and found it about 20% enjoyable, 80% frustrating (I hated the dialogue, for one thing). So I was ready to swear off Murakami, but I thought I'd give him another shot--hence, "after the quake", a collection of short stories ostensibly about
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people in the aftermath of the 1995 Kobe earthquake, although most of the characters seem relatively unaffected by the tragedy. I liked Murakami's short stories a lot more than his novel, although not as much as the short stories of some other authors I've been reading recently. My favorites were "Honey Pie", for the emotional poignancy and sweetness, and "Super-Frog Saves Tokyo", because Frog was just a cool guy. I want a Frog of my own, except not in the form of an enormous frog, because that would be pretty creepy. So I would recommend "after the quake" to people who like Murakami, but also to people who don't like Murakami, and to people who have no opinion on Murakami. Which should just about cover everybody. Show Less
LibraryThing member jbeast
I loved this.
It was my fourth Murakami, and first of his short stories. All the stories were different, and to me were far more about atmosphere, style and character than plot.
To me his writing is really stunning; I often find myself re-reading sentences - not because I didn't understand them but
As other reviewers have written, each story touches (very lightly) on the aftermath of the 1995 Kobe earthquake, this being the rather tenuous link that brings them together. Murakami manages to give each character a totally different voice, and each is unusual, strange, and somehow believable.
My favourites were Honey Pie, in which I loved the way Junpei talks to little Sala, and Super Frog Saves Tokyo, cos I found Frog really cool.
Would highly recommend.
It was my fourth Murakami, and first of his short stories. All the stories were different, and to me were far more about atmosphere, style and character than plot.
To me his writing is really stunning; I often find myself re-reading sentences - not because I didn't understand them but
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because I want to relive and enjoy the way the words are put together. I sometimes wonder how much this has to do with the way the japanese is translated into english.As other reviewers have written, each story touches (very lightly) on the aftermath of the 1995 Kobe earthquake, this being the rather tenuous link that brings them together. Murakami manages to give each character a totally different voice, and each is unusual, strange, and somehow believable.
My favourites were Honey Pie, in which I loved the way Junpei talks to little Sala, and Super Frog Saves Tokyo, cos I found Frog really cool.
Would highly recommend.
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LibraryThing member amerynth
A short Murakami is better than a long Murakami, but not better than no Murakami at all.
I already knew I don't care for Haruki Murakami's work going into this and solely read it because it was once on the 1,001 Books You Must Read Before You Die list. (I believe it was removed in subsequent
Even though most of these stories don't involve magical realism, which is a Murakami hallmark and a genre of fiction I don't particularly like, the stories, I still didn't care for them. The stories are all loosely connected by the earthquake in Kobe, but didn't feel like anything particularly special.
I already knew I don't care for Haruki Murakami's work going into this and solely read it because it was once on the 1,001 Books You Must Read Before You Die list. (I believe it was removed in subsequent
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editions, which still have the problem of having too much Murakami on them.Even though most of these stories don't involve magical realism, which is a Murakami hallmark and a genre of fiction I don't particularly like, the stories, I still didn't care for them. The stories are all loosely connected by the earthquake in Kobe, but didn't feel like anything particularly special.
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LibraryThing member edamamegreen
Really enjoyed this book. I like the reoccuring motifs that tie the stories together and the final story is like a happy ending to the whole collection. One of my favorites of Murakami so far.
LibraryThing member Jenny.Gargarello
I received this book by trading with someone on bookcrossing.com. Each story had special qualities that I enjoyed very much. My favorite story was "landscape with flatiron." At first I thought I was annoyed by not being able to pronounce the Japanese names of the characters but by the time I
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finished with the stories I was having fun with it. Murakami has a special talent and I look forward to reading more of his short stories in the future. Show Less
LibraryThing member michigantrumpet
My first foray into Murakami. This young Japanese writer is held in high regard by many whose opinion I value. I'm so glad I picked up this lovely collection of six short stories. Published in 2002, each tale connects in some way to the aftermath of the 1995 Kobe Earthquake. Of varying lengths,
This is not my typical reading fare. I lack the vocabulary to properly describe it. Many call Murakami's style magical realism. I simply found each story to be eerie and mystical. Perfect renditions of characters feeling at loss and searching for ... what? Peace? Resolution? Answers? I was haunted by the lyrical writing. One of my favorites books this year thus far. Mine was an audiobook edition. The three narrators were wonderful. Completely engrossed.
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each is quite different and unique in voice, plotting and perspective. We have an abandoned husband in "UFO in Koshiro", a love triangle in "Honey Pie", a businesswoman on vacation in "Thailand", a giant talking amphibian in "Super Frog Saves Tokyo", an odd trio dancing to a beachfront bonfire in "Landscape with Flatiron", and a young man whose mother is convinced he is the Son of God in "All God's Children Can Dance." This is not my typical reading fare. I lack the vocabulary to properly describe it. Many call Murakami's style magical realism. I simply found each story to be eerie and mystical. Perfect renditions of characters feeling at loss and searching for ... what? Peace? Resolution? Answers? I was haunted by the lyrical writing. One of my favorites books this year thus far. Mine was an audiobook edition. The three narrators were wonderful. Completely engrossed.
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LibraryThing member cammykitty
Beautiful, quiet, the big themes - life, death, love, loneliness and anger. These short stories are so understated that they seem almost like character studies or poems. Not for every reader, but if they are for you, they will resonate.
LibraryThing member fmnemonic
Maybe it is the mark of an author at the top of his game when he can write a set of short stories where little or nothing actually happens in most, but can give the reader a feeling that they know characters in such a short space of time. Most of the characters here are Murakami's staple -
Not the great "Kafka on the Shore" Murakami, or the equally brilliant "The Wind-up Bird Chronicle" Murakami, but far better than the "Elephant Vanishes" Murakami.
Definitely a good read, albeit a little short at 130 pages.
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introspective and introverted - and some stories still have his trademark surrealism (especially Super-Frog saves Tokyo).Not the great "Kafka on the Shore" Murakami, or the equally brilliant "The Wind-up Bird Chronicle" Murakami, but far better than the "Elephant Vanishes" Murakami.
Definitely a good read, albeit a little short at 130 pages.
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LibraryThing member LisaLynne
The theme of these stories seemed to be: take a fairly damaged person, present them with a very odd situation, watch them have an epiphany of sorts, The End. After the first few stories, I just couldn't see the point of going on. Murakami does an excellent job of creating atmosphere - in each of
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the stories I read the strangeness of the situation crept right up your spine - but that just wasn't enough for me. For example, a young runaway watches a man build a bonfire, sitting with him while it burns. At the end, she says she is completely empty, there is nothing left inside of her, then they decide to kill themselves together. The end. Maybe Japanese culture isn't my thing, but I'm just not getting it. Show Less
LibraryThing member lriley
As a first time reader of Murakami--I'm seeing why people seem to like him a lot. This is a pretty solid effort throughout. The stories are all well imagined--have great tone and are excellently paced. Whether it's bonfires, a trip to Thailand or a Superhero oversized frog or even a love affair
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that takes many years to finally get off the ground all of the stories are insightful with touches of humor and pathos. It was very enjoyable and I expect that there will be more Murakami books in my future. Show Less
LibraryThing member msf59
a nice little collection of stories about people dealing with the aftermath of a major earthquake.
LibraryThing member Niecierpek
Normally, I prefer Murakami's novels to his short stories, but this collection was evenly good. All the stories were connected to the 1995 Kobe earthquake.
LibraryThing member heaward
I read Haruki Murakami's collection of short stories for a book club. The stories were rather depressing and it's not a selection I would have chosen to read on my own. My favorite thing about the book is the size, seriously. It was the perfect fit for my hands. Reading is a physical as well as a
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mental experience. If it has just had one of those crackly mylar covers on it (and if I'd enjoyed the actual stories more) it would've been perfect! But it's good to read outside my comfort zone occasionally.... Show Less
LibraryThing member hippietrail
Didn't move me like Murakami's work usually does. Read The Elephant Vanishes instead.
LibraryThing member tedmahsun
Six wonderful but sad stories about the wide-ranging effects of a huge event (in this case the Kobe earthquake of 1995) and the emptiness of the human soul. Book ends on a carefully optimistic note.
LibraryThing member mabeloos
A slim volume of lovely stories by one of my favorite writers. Each one deals peripherally with the Kobe earthquake, yet all the characters suffer the same feeling of loneliness, questions of self-identity, and purpose. Gems in this book: Honey Pie and Super-Frog Saves Tokyo.
LibraryThing member michaeldwebb
A fairly slight (a just over 100 pages) collection of short stories - this is really one for the Murakami completist rather than the casual reader. I'm not a huge short story fan anyway. A couple of the stories could have been expanded to form the basis of a novel, but most just kind of drifted by.
LibraryThing member stillbeing
I really enjoyed these - although in some ways I wish there were more stories, as I was really enjoying it and then before I knew it I reached the end! His writing is so creative and imaginative, and so well wrought, he made the most normal things seem magical and the most fantastical things
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commonplace (I loved Frog battling the angry worm beneath Tokyo). Show Less
LibraryThing member thioviolight
Another worthwhile read from Murakami! The common thread in the stories in this collection is the Kobe earthquake, but in each, the characters are deeply touched by the event in different ways. While I enjoy his novels more than his short fiction, after the quake contains excellent pieces that are
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vintage Murakami. Show Less
LibraryThing member franoscar
6 stories, all with the earthquake as a theme. He is a very good writer. The cultural difference makes it harder for me to get super-involved in the stories.
LibraryThing member Kayla-Marie
This book was interesting and different, as to be expected with a Murakami book. I enjoyed all of the female characters, though some of the male characters were kind of dull. After the Quake got very strange in the chapter titled Super Frog Saves Tokyo, which is about exactly what the title says; a
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6ft. tall frog stopped an earthquake from happening in Tokyo (by fighting a giant worm that lived underground and caused all the world's earthquakes). Every other chapter was much more logical. This book will certainly never leave my mind for a long time. Show Less
LibraryThing member HadriantheBlind
A book with an oddly prescient title after recent events. Murakami is not up to form here - the stories here just seem flat and ordinary. Murakami can pull off 'ordinary' stories fairly well (see Norwegian Wood) but many of these were just lackluster. Most of the stories are kind of forgettable (I
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can barely recall any details about them, merely hours after I read the book), and the only one which stands out is the charming and wonderful story about the giant frog. That one alone redeems the entire collection. Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Village Voice Favorite Books (2002)
Language
Original publication date
2000
Physical description
147 p.; 5.15 inches
ISBN
0375713271 / 9780375713279