Haruki Murakami is overrated and here's why

wow Minty.. your description of Asako Yuzuki's writing might get me hooked onto her! I am very curious about her now.. and am inspired to read her :)

I have actually given up on Japanese literature.. atleast for now, or near future, I thought I'd never venture into those pages.. but now I think my mind is changed.. I'd like to give Asako Yuzuki a try.

I am not sure if I understand "lack of grounding" in the exact same way as you may mean it.. but none of the Japanese books have managed to keep me hooked.. somehow, there is some disconnect I feel sharply when I read Japanese literature. This is very surprising to me as I am very very very into Japanese cinema, manga and anime.

And Japanese books, atleast ones I have read so far are very readable, very interesting, even enjoyable.. but somehow, they feel irritating to me.. I cannot explain my irritation with.. atleast the books I read so far.. Something in the tone of how the author describes the feelings, with the way characters relate to themselves or life - with that seeming honesty or sincerity (which is something unique and widely prevalent in Japanese works).. and YES, weird for weird sake.. no evolution or journey with it, the characters generally feel like they're "trapped".. all this falls flat when I am reading, feels too contrived.. something feels unnatural or things are too light.. too airy.. even clinical at times.. even the cool slow cozy warm soft books.. IDK.. maybe I am in a phase right now or maybe I am just a type of reader who cannot appreciate Japanese Literature, for now..

I admit, I haven't read Japanese literature widely..

My main issue with Haruki Murakami is.. though he does bring in and reaches for the sublime in his books.. and though they are brilliant in their writing, imagination, brilliant on all levels.. I find the characters to feel somehow partly dead inside, somehow they feel like they're trapped somewhere in something.. and, in such a way that it's not enjoyable.. and there is something very clinical in his approach to tender moments as well.. I feel weird actually.. maybe, maybe... he's actually succeeding in having such a layered impact, because I do feel quite a range of emotions.. I have read exactly half of 1Q84, and this is one book, I think is superior to Norwegian Wood (I don't remember anything from this, though I remember how I felt or how engaging it was).. and Kafka on the Shore.. (I DNFed this after reading 70%.. due to irritation, now I barely remember anything).. Now that I got an opportunity, thanks to your post to reflect on the Japanese Literature I indulged in, I can say that 1Q84, on the other hand is unforgettable, an aspect of it felt like "oh not this again" *rolls eyes* (It is a spoiler so refraining from mentioning) , but is still is the odd one out of the Japanese novels I have tried.. I read it exactly an year ago, and still remember most of it, even where I left it at.. so I will go back to it one of these days.. Writing is excellent.. yes, there's still those clinical, airy, weird for weird sake, irritating so-called "honesty"...but it offers a lot more too.. I am willing to get irritated for this novel.