book double feature: the rachel papers + kafka on the shore

and finally with the second double feature in the book series (is it a series? what is it?). keeping with the theme of the original (not really) this time we have two books (not a theme) and one of the authors is again haruki murakami (maybe a theme, but i doubt it).

once again these two books are loosely tied together, although really they're only paired to save some space, which isn't really necessary since i did my little travel posts but whatever...themes! these two books are about a boys coming of age (kind of). they're certainly both about growing up. about self-discovery. about weird changes in life. and about sleeping with girls. and sometimes those girls are also grown women (murakami only).

the rachel papers is about a rapacious youth, name unremembered, growing up in jolly london, enjoying the spoils of youth. it's all very self-involved. it's a bit exhausting really, the navel gazing. it's the point of the book but still...the kid is obviously a dickhead, but then aren't all teenagers? that's what these coming of age books are about right? kids who think they're so grownup but are then shown to be children in adult clothing. he very strongly reminded me of a wes anderson character in his precociousness: writes letters, keeps a document on everyone, manicures his self image just so. ultimately i was conflicted: did i want him to fail because i hated him, did i want him to achieve because he's the stories protagonist? fortunately the dean made the decision for me. yes, he's insufferable, but at least with the right tutelage he can be made less so. much better than letting the ego go unchecked.

once again murakami takes us on a surreal voyage. his books are often about change and that change is often nudged along by a surreal, fantastic hand. does murakami believe humans are incapable of change through their own means? must we rely on ghosts, spirits, gifted individuals, and cats to help us make something of ourselves? but that's also what's nice about his stories. easy to get lost in because of their weird floating worlds where anything can happen. colonel sanders makes an appearance here as does johnny walker, and why not? oh and the story is about a boy who runs away from home to try and, i don't know find out what its all about. and then this old guy talks to cats. meow.