These are stunning pictures, Alexander. Proper other worldly look to these amazing creatures. We see loads of jellyfish washed up on the beaches around here. My son was just as curious as yours when he was younger, but he gives them a wide berth now. The dog, not so much, and I need to keep chasing him away from them 🙄
The only Murakami I’ve ever read was “Kafka on the Shore” which I remember thinking was quite extraordinary
As for abridged and unabridged. Always the latter
Nice shout out on Highlander and a good wee tune as well 😁
Thanks, Daniel! Your dog never got stung? Or he did and now wants revenge? :) The only jellyfish around here are at the market, and I still give them a wide berth there as well. 😅
I have not read "Kafka on the Shore," yet. I was going for 1Q84 next.
So, "The Stand"? Unabridged? The opinions diverge largely on that one and having read it when it came out, I only had the abridged version. I never read the unabridged, so I can't judge which is better but I never felt compelled to re-read it, either. Maybe it's because... There can be only one... version! 😬
No, he’s been lucky. Probably cause I keep yelling at him not to eat them and he’s finally getting the point. But he is a Lab so they’ll try and eat anything 😁
So, on The Stand, I’ve read both versions which makes me wonder how I had so much time back in the day 🤔 and I do prefer the unabridged version. There is a lot of gumf in there but I also think it adds to the story and it’s how King intended it to be. However, it’s a long book either way so I’ll not be reading it again any time soon!
Aww, a Lab! Now we need to see a pic sometime! I love Labradors.
You read both!! You made your Stand. Yep, too long. Won't read it again, for sure. But I liked it, abridged or not. Again, it was the publisher who decided. One thing is for certain, had I not already read it, I would always go for the unabridged version.
Yeah, the only time he’s not being naughty is when he’s sleeping. Like he is just now at my feet. Strange you can’t attach photos in conversations in Notes. Or maybe that’s me being IT illiterate as usual 🤔
Wonderfully captured photographs, especially impressive in darkness. It's amazing what fears can do to us, how they decide our life and relationships, in a way.
Fear is the mind-killer. You must not fear. ;) See, I've Dune it. But yes, it can be paralysing, and overcoming one's fear may require outside help. We should never be afraid (or too proud) to ask for help.
Thanks, George! Fooling around at the S.E.A. Aquarium in Singapore. I have only read Wind-Up Bird but will read 1Q84 next, after Dune and after the Book of the New Sun... so many books 😅
They all have a weirdly esoteric point; always thinking that, but go for a next at the end. I read 1Q84 last and Kafka on the shore, What I talk about when I talk about running (writing, in the version I did- better than original), Colourless Tsuzuru Tazaki …, Killing Comendatore and First person singular. Perhaps Comendatore was the one I most enjoyed… very artsy
Great stuff. Love the book and Murakami in general and had no idea about the missing chapters...will have to check it out...though my book reading habits are so shameful these days, i'd rather not mention it!
Oh Alphaville! Song of the Summer, 1986, I don't know why it was delayed from its release in Europe, maybe just for me - all the kids at my school were listening to David Bowie, Reggae or the Grateful Dead - New Wave was ... unacceptable. 🥲
86? Don't know anything about a delay, only that this tape ran hot that summer, next to Soft Cell's "Tainted Love," Kenny Loggins' "Heartlight," Corey Hart's "I Wear My Sunglasses at Night" and... I probably should stop talking now. 😅
I don't know, how did you? 🤪 I always just assumed they were the same person, but when Corey was a only a one-hit wonder, they repackaged him as David Duchovny to much greater success...
Ethereal photos, Alexander. I have seen entire beaches in the Netherlands absolutely blanketed with these lovely little creatures, all having been washed up on one night. They do look quite alien to me, but as you say, there is so much of our planet we have never seen as it is under water. I never thought of that before. Thank you.
Thanks, Sharron! Yes, indeed, the jellyfish are legion! And a source of food... hmm, still me no like eat jellyfish. There's so much we don't know about this planet still, so much to discover. Jus have to know where to look. 😁
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle was the first Murakami I ever read; since then I've devoured everything he's put out. Even so, I had no idea it was abridged! I'll have to study up. I have such strong memories of reading that book aged 18, working a summer job at a factory where my break time was different to everyone else's, sitting in the break room on my own and fully panicking whenever the door opened (do I look too pretentious? Not studious enough? Is this book impressive or will no one get it? Will they think I'm weird for eating lunch on my own? Please dear god tell me they aren't going to try to talk to me?).
PS I meant to say, rereading that jellyfish passage made me feel like I'd read the book yesterday (instead of something like 10 years ago). Such is the lasting power of his words for me.
I mean, there's some tough stuff going down, descriptively, very well done, so immersive that people may, you know, think it's too much. Maybe the book comes with disclaimers, I don't know. I don't like disclaimers. I don't need disclaimers or labels for that matter.
The English version reads astoundingly well. Jay Rubin did an excellent job, much more so than other jpJP to enEN translations I have read. Also, must read those lost chapters... or read the new German version, maybe, since it's complete.
Ahh, the pics. Yes. S.E.A. Aquarium on Sentosa Island, Singapore. Nice place. Took some time and editing to get them to look like there's no glass. Success?
I agree that his writing isn't for everyone. But, thankfully, his writing is very much for me :D
Success for sure. Honestly thought you'd taken these underwater. Figured it might have been at a jellyfish aquarium, but still thought you must have dunked a camera somehow. Bravo.
NW is certainly more mainstream. It's a melancholy love story. It's good. Easy read. A bit dark in places, but good. But it lacks that certain weirdness in the words that his others shine with.
These are stunning pictures, Alexander. Proper other worldly look to these amazing creatures. We see loads of jellyfish washed up on the beaches around here. My son was just as curious as yours when he was younger, but he gives them a wide berth now. The dog, not so much, and I need to keep chasing him away from them 🙄
The only Murakami I’ve ever read was “Kafka on the Shore” which I remember thinking was quite extraordinary
As for abridged and unabridged. Always the latter
Nice shout out on Highlander and a good wee tune as well 😁
Thanks, Daniel! Your dog never got stung? Or he did and now wants revenge? :) The only jellyfish around here are at the market, and I still give them a wide berth there as well. 😅
I have not read "Kafka on the Shore," yet. I was going for 1Q84 next.
So, "The Stand"? Unabridged? The opinions diverge largely on that one and having read it when it came out, I only had the abridged version. I never read the unabridged, so I can't judge which is better but I never felt compelled to re-read it, either. Maybe it's because... There can be only one... version! 😬
No, he’s been lucky. Probably cause I keep yelling at him not to eat them and he’s finally getting the point. But he is a Lab so they’ll try and eat anything 😁
So, on The Stand, I’ve read both versions which makes me wonder how I had so much time back in the day 🤔 and I do prefer the unabridged version. There is a lot of gumf in there but I also think it adds to the story and it’s how King intended it to be. However, it’s a long book either way so I’ll not be reading it again any time soon!
Aww, a Lab! Now we need to see a pic sometime! I love Labradors.
You read both!! You made your Stand. Yep, too long. Won't read it again, for sure. But I liked it, abridged or not. Again, it was the publisher who decided. One thing is for certain, had I not already read it, I would always go for the unabridged version.
If you go back to my short story called “Look” from July that’s his wee face staring out the thumbnail 🐶 😁
Oooh! But there's no pic inside! https://danielodonnell.substack.com/p/look?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2
I see the thumb though, looks like he has been naughty! 😅
Yeah, the only time he’s not being naughty is when he’s sleeping. Like he is just now at my feet. Strange you can’t attach photos in conversations in Notes. Or maybe that’s me being IT illiterate as usual 🤔
Fantastic phototherapy 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thank you, Lara. Appreciate it!
Wonderfully captured photographs, especially impressive in darkness. It's amazing what fears can do to us, how they decide our life and relationships, in a way.
Fear is the mind-killer. You must not fear. ;) See, I've Dune it. But yes, it can be paralysing, and overcoming one's fear may require outside help. We should never be afraid (or too proud) to ask for help.
Heheh. Been there, dune that.
Interesting shots. Murakami’s a good reading becoming often too esoteric in my view. I have “Norwegian wood” ready to read next
Thanks, George! Fooling around at the S.E.A. Aquarium in Singapore. I have only read Wind-Up Bird but will read 1Q84 next, after Dune and after the Book of the New Sun... so many books 😅
They all have a weirdly esoteric point; always thinking that, but go for a next at the end. I read 1Q84 last and Kafka on the shore, What I talk about when I talk about running (writing, in the version I did- better than original), Colourless Tsuzuru Tazaki …, Killing Comendatore and First person singular. Perhaps Comendatore was the one I most enjoyed… very artsy
I have my reading list cut out for me! :)
Great stuff. Love the book and Murakami in general and had no idea about the missing chapters...will have to check it out...though my book reading habits are so shameful these days, i'd rather not mention it!
The missing chapters are a quick read and there's even a summary in that Reddit thread I linked! ;) Thanks, Ryan. Appreciate you taking the time!
Oh Alphaville! Song of the Summer, 1986, I don't know why it was delayed from its release in Europe, maybe just for me - all the kids at my school were listening to David Bowie, Reggae or the Grateful Dead - New Wave was ... unacceptable. 🥲
86? Don't know anything about a delay, only that this tape ran hot that summer, next to Soft Cell's "Tainted Love," Kenny Loggins' "Heartlight," Corey Hart's "I Wear My Sunglasses at Night" and... I probably should stop talking now. 😅
Oh I think it was released in 84, but it took two years to catch on... Corey Hart! The original David Duchovny. 🤣
OMG... how did I miss this?? https://imgur.com/E7kZpBa
😂🤣🤣
I don't know, how did you? 🤪 I always just assumed they were the same person, but when Corey was a only a one-hit wonder, they repackaged him as David Duchovny to much greater success...
The logic checks out. Yep, yep. The truth is out there. And! I see you posted chapter 2 of ze Lamb! I shall dine with fine wine.
😘
Ethereal photos, Alexander. I have seen entire beaches in the Netherlands absolutely blanketed with these lovely little creatures, all having been washed up on one night. They do look quite alien to me, but as you say, there is so much of our planet we have never seen as it is under water. I never thought of that before. Thank you.
Thanks, Sharron! Yes, indeed, the jellyfish are legion! And a source of food... hmm, still me no like eat jellyfish. There's so much we don't know about this planet still, so much to discover. Jus have to know where to look. 😁
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle was the first Murakami I ever read; since then I've devoured everything he's put out. Even so, I had no idea it was abridged! I'll have to study up. I have such strong memories of reading that book aged 18, working a summer job at a factory where my break time was different to everyone else's, sitting in the break room on my own and fully panicking whenever the door opened (do I look too pretentious? Not studious enough? Is this book impressive or will no one get it? Will they think I'm weird for eating lunch on my own? Please dear god tell me they aren't going to try to talk to me?).
Thanks, Rhiannon. Much appreciate the comment! It wasn't a wig factory, was it? 😅
PS I meant to say, rereading that jellyfish passage made me feel like I'd read the book yesterday (instead of something like 10 years ago). Such is the lasting power of his words for me.
Indeed! And that jellyfish scene is but one of many. Powerful writing. I agree.
Great track choice!
Firstly, amazing pics. Underwater camera? Some other kind of magic photography?
Which bits do you mean when you say: "there are some very intense descriptions within"? (I think I know what you mean, so you don't have to say)
Also, lost chapters? How did I not know this?
I mean, there's some tough stuff going down, descriptively, very well done, so immersive that people may, you know, think it's too much. Maybe the book comes with disclaimers, I don't know. I don't like disclaimers. I don't need disclaimers or labels for that matter.
The English version reads astoundingly well. Jay Rubin did an excellent job, much more so than other jpJP to enEN translations I have read. Also, must read those lost chapters... or read the new German version, maybe, since it's complete.
Ahh, the pics. Yes. S.E.A. Aquarium on Sentosa Island, Singapore. Nice place. Took some time and editing to get them to look like there's no glass. Success?
I agree that his writing isn't for everyone. But, thankfully, his writing is very much for me :D
Success for sure. Honestly thought you'd taken these underwater. Figured it might have been at a jellyfish aquarium, but still thought you must have dunked a camera somehow. Bravo.
And for me. Started 1Q84 but then Dune came along. Will continue 1Q84 soon!
Glad you enjoyed the pics. Still, I won't be eating any jellyfish anytime soon. 😅
Hehe yeah. I ate some in China, many years ago. I didn't go back for seconds. (it was just bland, to be honest.)
I think 1Q84 is my favourite. It's a tough call, but the alternating Tengo and Ayomame chapters and their stories are just so so good (and weird!)
Yeah, I love seafood but not all, snails, bulot, clam, anything rubbery, shoo.
Looking forward to 1Q84. Wonder if I should read something else first though... Norwegian Wood maybe?
NW is certainly more mainstream. It's a melancholy love story. It's good. Easy read. A bit dark in places, but good. But it lacks that certain weirdness in the words that his others shine with.