The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle

by Haruki Murakami, Haruki Murakami & translated by Jay Rubin
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle cover
Good Books rating 4.38
Magical Realism
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Waterstones
Paperback • £10.99–£12.99 Hardback • £20.00
Bookshop
Format • £12.34–£19.00
Amazon
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Technical
  • ID: 1319
  • Added: 2025-10-04
  • Updated: 2025-11-29
  • ISBN: 9780099562986
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2011-01-01
  • Formats: 63
  • Reviews: 4

In Haruki Murakami's mesmerizing novel, Toru Okada's seemingly ordinary life takes a bizarre turn when his cat disappears and his wife becomes increasingly distant. The unsettling phone calls he begins receiving only deepen the mystery. As Toru embarks on a strange journey, he meets a series of enigmatic individuals, each with their own stories to share. The narrative weaves together elements of the surreal and the mundane, creating a rich tapestry of human experience and existential questioning. /n/nThe Wind-up Bird Chronicle is a masterful blend of magical realism and psychological depth, exploring themes of identity, memory, and the unseen forces that shape our lives. Murakami's signature style, characterized by its dreamlike quality and intricate storytelling, draws readers into a world where reality and fantasy intertwine seamlessly.

Reviews
Grimdark Magazine · 2024-05-10
profound 4.50

This book is a dark masterpiece of magical realism, showcasing Murakami's unique voice and storytelling prowess. It's a profound and immersive experience that lingers long after reading.

The reviewer hails this as a dark masterpiece of magical realism, highlighting Murakami's ability to weave a compelling narrative that is both surreal and deeply engaging. They appreciate the book's profound themes and its ability to linger in the reader's mind long after the final page. The story's unique blend of the mundane and the fantastical creates a world that feels both familiar and utterly strange, making it a standout in contemporary literature.

Quick quotes

    The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is a dark masterpiece of magical realism.

    Murakami's unique voice and storytelling prowess shine through.

    A profound and immersive experience that lingers long after reading.

Tony's Reading List · Tony · 2022-01-06
captivating 4.00

The story has a nice steady flow, with meandering moments that never distract from the overall narrative. It's a captivating read that keeps the reader engaged throughout.

Tony finds the book's pacing to be a highlight, with a nice steady flow that keeps the reader engaged despite some meandering moments. They appreciate how the story never loses its grip on the reader, making it a captivating journey from start to finish. The reviewer also notes that the book's unique blend of the ordinary and the extraordinary creates a compelling narrative that is both thought-provoking and entertaining.

Quick quotes

    There's a nice steady flow to The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle.

    The story meanders at times, but never enough to distract the reader.

    A captivating read that keeps the reader engaged throughout.

Pages and Coffee Cups · 2019-06-27
gripping 4.50

The book is described as gripping and prophetic, with a blend of comedy and menace. It is considered a tour de force comparable to the masterpieces of Mishima and Pynchon.

The reviewer finds the book gripping and prophetic, with a unique blend of comedy and menace. They compare it to the masterpieces of Mishima and Pynchon, highlighting its vast scope and depth. The reviewer appreciates the intricate plot and the way the story unfolds, making it a tour de force in contemporary literature. The characters are well-developed, and the narrative is both engaging and thought-provoking.

Quick quotes

    Gripping, prophetic, suffused with comedy and menace, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is a tour de force equal in scope to the masterpieces of Mishima and Pynchon.

    The book is a tour de force in contemporary literature.

    The characters are well-developed, and the narrative is both engaging and thought-provoking.

Book Escapade Blog · 2017-08-10
incredible 4.50

The book is praised for its incredible writing and meandering plot that winds through various times and places. It is described as surreal and a wonderful read, though somewhat graphic.

The reviewer is captivated by the incredible writing and the meandering plot that winds through various times and places. They describe the book as surreal and a wonderful read, noting its unique blend of mystery and fantasy. The reviewer also mentions that the book is somewhat graphic and hard to put down, highlighting its depth and complexity. The characters are well-developed, and the narrative is both engaging and thought-provoking.

Quick quotes

    So incredibly written, with a meandering plot that winds through so many times and places.

    Very surreal, and a wonderful read, though a bit graphic and hard to put down.

    The characters are well-developed, and the narrative is both engaging and thought-provoking.

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