After the Quake : Book review


Book Review

Title: After the Quake
Author: Haruki Murakami
Genre: Fiction/Short Stories

After the Quake is a mesmerizing collection of six short stories that are loosely connected to the 1995 earthquake in Kobe. While all the characters in these stories do not directly experience the earthquake, they are aware of it either through news or television. 

UFO in Koshiro tells the story of a man whose wife suddenly leaves him with no explanation. Landscape with Flatiron explores the platonic relationship of a woman with a much older man. All God’s children can dance is a disturbing story of a boy with a subtle hint at incest combined with religion and sexuality. Thailand is the story of a middle aged doctor woman’s realization about something while holidaying in Bangkok. Super Frog saves Tokyo is the story of an agent collector who finds a giant frog at his doorstep. Honey pie is a story about a writers life and his frustrations. 

All the stories are all narrated in third person with well developed characters. It is clearly showcased that the earthquake leaves them feeling unsettled. In a way, the author draws parallels of the earthquake to the disruption that occurs in the characters’ lives in the form of loss, illness  and divorce. The writing is simple but evocative, capturing many themes and the elements of magical realism. He also makes references to several other works of literature and jazz music in some of his stories. 

The one that stood out to me was Superfrog saves Tokyo for its metaphorical representation of the characters conscience and a strong theme of how virtue eventually brings rewards.  After the Quake is interesting, unsettling and magical at the same time.

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