Blind Wilow, Sleeping Woman

Its out. After seeing Tracy's post last night, i couldnt wait to lay my hands on his new book - Blind Wilow, Sleeping Woman. Its the last second book on the shelf and the US hard cover version has yet to be released.

I am disappointed as I fumbled thru the book between traffic lights whilst driving back to office. In fact. It's not a novel but collected short stories. After more than one and a half year since "Kafka on the Shore", he actually published short stories , of which some were already online at New York Times , back last September. How can a mad and loyal fan, like myself, ever forgive him of auch adaucity?!

Thats where Haruki's magic lies - His intricate, whimsical plot and metaphors are best whirled in one long novel. His short stories ,at best, only arouse the curosity in you but it stops there. Zero adrendaline. A brief stint done in forgettable fashion. Not enough to even stir the dust. Darn..i can drone on forever.

Is he merely bringing home the dough by selling his name this round , lest of his previous 'Vintage Murukami' ? Hopefully , his next novel , After dark, is gonna be good.