Japanese Literature Challenge

Posted on | June 17, 2010 | 18 Comments

I’m not a great one for completing reading challenges; I love the excitement to begin with and going through my books (and books I want to read but don’t yet have) and compiling a list for the challenge but for me that’s the most exciting part. Soon I become bogged down by not having met the challenge criteria and reading to a deadline and I hate that; reading should be fun, whimsical and not prescribed so I avoid falling into that quagmire wherever possible. However, Dolce Bellezza’s annual Japanese literature challenge is so easy that even I can participate without feeling pressured. I love reading literature from Japan and would love to indulge in it more often, let alone only one book in the six months that the challenge runs for. One book is a requisite that even I can meet and is the easiest of stipulations, one that I have adopted in challenges I have hosted – challenges that are so easy that they don’t challenge me all so much (the best kind, if you ask me!)

Speaking of making lists, here is mine for this year’s Japanese literature challenge, which bears an uncanny resemblance to the one I made last year… On it are books I have been meaning to read from favourite writers whose work I want to read more of, (Haruki Murakami), newly-discovered writers who I would like to read a second book by (Yoko Ogawa) and new-to-me writers whose work I wish to sample (the remainder!) Many of these are books that have been read and enjoy by participants in previous challenges, that have been popularly suggested and recommended and others are Japanese classics that Tanabata of In Spring it is the Dawn is and will be hosting read-alongs for and which will allow me to catch up with and participate in.

Silence by Endo Shusaku

Battle Royale by Koushun Takami

In the Miso Soup by Ryu Murakami

Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami

The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon

Out by Natsuo Kirino

Strangers by Taichi Yamada

Hotel Iris by Yoko Ogawa

The Makioka Sisters by Jun’ichiro Tanizaki

Comments

18 Responses to “Japanese Literature Challenge”

Mrs.B.
June 17th, 2010 @ 11:50 am

Excellent list! I’m reading Kafka on the Shore now and enjoying it very much. Another one, I’ve read on your list is Strangers…very creepy. You’ll enjoy that one I think.
sakura
June 17th, 2010 @ 11:54 am

Ha ha, I’ve just posted my list too! I’ve got a couple of Endo’s novels on mine, but not Silence (even though I’ve heard GREAT things about it). I’ve never read The Pillow Book although I’ve stumbled across bits of it over the years. And In the Miso Soup looks good, although Ryu Murakami’s work can be rather disturbing…
Verity
June 17th, 2010 @ 12:27 pm

Ooh, I remember this one from last year – you got to eat sushi I think
JoAnn
June 17th, 2010 @ 2:02 pm

This is definitely a low-pressure challenge! The Makioka Sisters is on my list, too. Hope to read it this summer.
Novel Insights
June 17th, 2010 @ 2:04 pm

Ooh, I’m interested to see what you think of Out. I’d like to read In the Miso Soup. Perhaps I’ll go for that one if I finish my other two…
selena
June 17th, 2010 @ 4:16 pm

Looking forward to your thoughts on Battle Royale. I just finished it two days ago but haven’t yet had the time to write up a review for it.
Jackie (Farm Lane Books)
June 17th, 2010 @ 4:29 pm

Great list! I’m tempted to read Battle Royale, but it has scared me for a long time. I hope one day I can build up the confidence and risk the nightmares it might give me.

I’m planning to read something by Ryu Murakami and Strangers too. I might even attempt the Makioka Sisters while there are a few of us reading together.

I hope that you enjoy all your Japanese choices!
Simon (Savidge Reads)
June 17th, 2010 @ 4:50 pm

Both the Murakami books are great. In the Miso Soup in particular is quite weirdly brilliantly creepy! I am really mega keen to read Silence too, have heard so many great things about it!
Nadia
June 17th, 2010 @ 5:35 pm

I’m reading Kafka on the Shore for the JLC4, too! I’m still not sure what others I’ll read, but I have already read Hotel Iris for the challenge – so I’m really looking forward to your thoughts on it. I enjoyed it, but was definitely surprised by it – Ogawa has a way with words that even if the subject matter is disturbing you can’t help but want to keep reading. Anyhow, great list!
vivienne
June 17th, 2010 @ 6:22 pm

I don’t think I have ever read a Japanese author. Your list is very tempting.
iliana
June 17th, 2010 @ 9:30 pm

I’m the same way, I get so excited about the challenges but I can barely complete any. Ah well, it’s fun to make book lists isn’t it

I’ve joined this challenge in the past and Bellezza is a wonderful host. Hope you have fun. I have read Out and the Makioka Sisters and highly recommend both.
mee
June 18th, 2010 @ 12:12 am

From your list I’ve read Battle Royale, Kafka on the Shore, Out, and Strangers. I say please put Battle Royale above all others! Out is a great read too. But I was really disappointed of Strangers, and Kafka is not my favorite Murakami.
Tony
June 18th, 2010 @ 12:25 am

You mean you haven’t read ‘Kafka…’ yet?!

I’m not too keen on the ‘noir’ style, so I’m avoiding Kirino and R. Murakami, and I hope to get into a few more older writers after bingeing on Mishima last year.

And, as I mentioned on Sakura’s post, Endo seems to be the flavour of the year this time around (just as Ogawa was last time)!
Bellezza
June 18th, 2010 @ 2:55 am

Such a lovely post, Claire, thanks for filling reader in on the challenge and what you’re planning to read for it. I wanted it to be relatively easy, with just ‘one book requirement’ hoping that people can read more should they choose. But, for some, one Japanese novel is enough challenge in itself!

I just read Silence, and posted on it, in anticipation of Tanabata’s discussion on the 28th. So, so thought provoking, especially to me as a Christian for all of my life.

I also just read Out, and like Ryu Murakami, the noir aspect can be both fascinating and disturbing. Real World was even more so, as it involved teenagers.

There can never be enough Haruki Murakami for me. I love reading people’s thoughts on him; in fact, I often relish the understanding we all bring to his work as he’s so multi-faceted. Anyway, as you can tell, I’m looking forward to great discussions with you and the others!
Rebecca Reid
June 18th, 2010 @ 12:55 pm

I read The Pillow Book, Makioka Sisters, and Silence. The later is short, the first two are very very good but slow going. I think that’s why the challenge is six months — so you can go at a reasonable pace for the long ones!
skirmishofwit
June 18th, 2010 @ 2:05 pm

I’ve heard so much of Haruki Murakami that I can’t wait to read one of his novels. A friend recently let me borrow Kafka on the Shore so I shall be starting that asap. I agree that non-challenging challenges are definitely the best sort, at least when it comes to reading lists
anothercookiecrumbles
June 19th, 2010 @ 10:32 am

I read Out as part of last year’s challenge, but didn’t get down to Kafka on the Shore, which I fully intend to read this year. Let’s see how that works out….

In The Miso Soup has grabbed my attention – just love the title – but am yet to procure a copy!
Iris
June 19th, 2010 @ 9:11 pm

“I’m not a great one for completing reading challenges; I love the excitement to begin with and going through my books (and books I want to read but don’t yet have) and compiling a list for the challenge but for me that’s the most exciting part.”

That sounds so familiar

I really want to read Silence by Endo as well. Many people have been recommending it to me lately.