Sunday, August 17, 2014

Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage


I found it out only last Friday from our daily local newspaper. It was the latest published book by the contemporary Japanese writer, Haruki Murakami. It's his thirteenth novel, translated by Philip Gabriel and released in US and UK on 12th Aug 2014.

I called the nearest book store on the same day and asked if it was on the shelf now, and the staff said yes, it was. I bought it right away during lunch time with no hesitation and spent my whole Saturday reading and devoured it 'til the end.

Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami

The story was about Tsukuru Tazaki, a colorless young man, haunted by a great loss of his four best friends from high school time, whom had names related to color. Kei Akamatsu - nicknamed 'Aka' means red. Yoshio Oumi - nicknamed 'Ao' means blue. The other two girls were Yuzuki Shirane - nicknamed 'Shiro' means white, and Eri Kurono Haatainen - nicknamed 'Kuro' means black. Tsukuru remained as Tsukuru as no color meaning related to his name.

During summer of his sophomore year in college, four of them vanished from his life. Why? He only found it out many years later, and that was also because of Sara Kimoto, a two-year older than him, his current love interest, who told him that it was time for him to find out the reason why they left him all of the sudden from their group of harmonious community.

The story jumped from the past to the present, back to the past and flew to the present time again. But most importantly, what had happened in the past, he tried to mend and solve his emotional issues in his present's life, with the help of Sara.

Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage - Haruki Murakami


The story was written in a simple language, very easy to understand, in a very smooth flow. It was a story of love, friendship, his own sight and thinking on who he was, which might different from what others thought him to be, most importantly, his life's journey that made him of who he was now.

Like other Haruki Murakami's book, this book was also associated with music. This time, it related to Franz Liszt's 'Le mal du pays' - which means 'homesickness' in French, from his Years of Pilgrimage suite 'Year 1: Switzerland."  It was a piano played often by one of Tsukuru's best friend, which reflected sound of sadness.

It's so far his most remarkable book that I enjoyed reading so much. It's logical. It reminds me of a friend that I once had, on why he chose the solitary life as he was afraid to lose the person he loved over and over again, as it was really really an awful feeling to have. 

Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage - Haruki Murakami

9 comments:

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing about the book. Looking forward to hit Bhutanese Book Stores and pick one copy for my shelf.

Overcome Life said...

It's my pleasure Sangay! Yes, hope it will enter Bhutan very soon :) Thank you for your comment and have a great week ahead!

Unknown said...

I was reading about the author Haruki Murakami and came across this post of yours.I should read him.I think I am liking him.I should go for Dance dance dance I guess.I admire the way you read books.

Overcome Life said...

Hi Kipchu, his famous book would be Norwegian Wood. You may try to start from there though. Happy reading! :)

Precious Moment said...

This book is a NAHH for me! Its kinda tiring and depressing to read! Boring and keep repeating some unimportant informations. And the worst is the ending... bleh! Hahaha

I didnt get the message Murakami is trying to describe here...

The best thing is : I didnt need to buy this book, but loan for free from you... thanks for lending me this book, Rima... and also for your patience as it took me 3 months to complete it, but in between I finished 3 books before I came back to it again hahahah...

Overcome Life said...

Hahaha... At least you tried finishing it. It's my pleasure to lend it to you Shel, just too bad it wasn't your cup of tea :)

Precious Moment said...

But I did enjoy the song... Something new, book with its soundtrack haha

Overcome Life said...

Well, there are some other books of him that relates to songs such as Norwegian Wood. You may want to try read it too! ;P

Kiat said...

Hi, it seems unavailable in my country. Too bad but I really like the story similar to this...

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